NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8767a
SPONSOR: Jones TITLE OF BILL:
An act to establish the Adirondack road salt reduction task force, pilot
plan and test program; and providing for the repeal of such provisions
upon expiration thereof
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To create a task force to ensure that safe passage is provided for the
travelling public and clean drinking water is preserved for homeowners.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 cites the act as the "Randy Preston Road Salt Reduction Act."
Section 2 establishes the Adirondack road salt reduction task force and
sets forth its mission and purpose.
Section 3 establishes an Adirondack park road salt reduction pilot plan
and test program consisting of a multiyear pilot study between October
15 and June 30 for the years of 2021 through 2024 to test best manage-
ment practices and overall road salt reduction targets.
Section 4 establishes the effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
Provides technical changes to clarify various provisions of the bill.
JUSTIFICATION:
While the safe passage of our roadways must always be a top priority in
winter, pollution stemming from excessive road salt application on state
roads poses an unacceptable risk to public health and the environment in
our Adirondack Park. Excessive road salt application leaches into
surface and ground water, and releases heavy metals and other toxic
substances into drinking water supplies, harming the aquatic life in our
lakes and rivers, killing trees and plants along roadways, and threaten-
ing the welfare of children and their family members. High salinity in
groundwater can contribute to high blood pressure and hyperchloremia in
humans, and destroy plumbing and appliances in households. In the
Adirondacks, it has become apparent that the winter road management
practices on our state roads must be amended to ensure not just the
safety of the traveling public, but also the quality of our water and
the health of residents living along state roadways.
This legislation establishes an Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task
Force with the purpose of gathering and summarizing available informa-
tion and recommending best management practices for winter road mainte-
nance in the Adirondacks to the Executive and Legislature, that when
implemented address the above problems. This legislation directs the
Department of Transportation and the Department of Environmental Conser-
vation to conduct a three-year Adirondack Park-wide road salt reduction
pilot program, and to submit a summary report of the results of the
pilot plan and test by August 30, 2024 to the Executive and Legislature.
The intent of this legislation and Task Force is to ensure that safe
passage is provided for the travelling public and clean drinking water
is preserved for homeowners. The Task Force shall recommend Adirondack
state road winter maintenance practices to remediate salt contamination
of our surface and ground waters. The Adirondack Road Salt Task Force
recommendations for updated levels of service, best management prac-
tices, and road salt reduction targets shall guide the Departments of
Transportation, Health and Environmental Conservation in measurably
reducing sodium and chloride levels in both surface and ground waters.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed December 31, 2024.
