Feedback from WSDOT on pilot program to salt highways

[Tessie McMillan <tessmc@domain.elided>]

Remember the program to salt WA state highways? I looked up the WSDOT's 
web site and read the notice about it. Then I sent a pretty hot and 
steamed letter to them. Here is the reply that I received; basically, they 
forging dumbly ahead, no matter that everyone is up in arms about this 
issue.

I even pointed out that in northern European countries, where 
salt has been used in some of the colder climates, it's been found that 
winter wildlife is attracted to the salt used on the roads, causing more 
accidents and more road-kills.

I'd sure like to see more people write and complain about this project!

Tess
steamed in wet Bellevue, WA

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2002 15:20:28 -0800
From: "Baroga, Rico" <BarogaR@domain.elided>
     "Crabbe, Molly" <CrabbeM@domain.elided>, "Ray, Sharon" <RaySh@domain.elided>,
     "Kelley, Cortney" <KelleyC@domain.elided>

Ms. McMillan

Thank you for sharing your concerns with us regarding the WSDOT salt pilot
project.  In light of the relatively high number of notes/calls from
citizens regarding this matter, a standard reply has been developed to
provide additional detail about this project (see enclosure).

The concerns that you have expressed have been amongst our concerns as we
have developed this coming winter's test of salt use.  As such, we have
developed a very cautious approach to this pilot project that minimizes
potential adverse impacts yet still provides us with meaningful scientific
and management data with which we can make well-informed policy choices in
the future.  The data from this project will significantly add to the
current body of knowledge on this topic so we can make the best decisions in
the future considering all facts and costs; certainly including corrosion
costs and environmental impacts in our analysis.
 
If you have any further questions, comments, or would like additional
information regarding this matter, please contact me via e-mail or by
telephone at (360) 705-7864.
 
Rico Baroga
WSDOT Maintenance Office 
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