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VTrans says nine sand piles uncovered; recommends containment language for chloride bill
Summary
VTrans testified that a percentage of salt piles are undercover and that nine sand piles are not covered — one treated with salt — and suggested bill language requiring containment rather than mandatory covering of sand piles to reduce runoff.
Michelle Boomhower, director of policy planning and intermodal development at the Vermont Agency of Transportation, answered senators’ questions about salt and sand storage during a Feb. 19 Senate Transportation hearing and provided specific counts and a policy recommendation tied to pending legislation in the Natural Resources Committee.
Boomhower said “a percentage of our salt piles are undercover at this time, and we have 9 sand piles that are not undercover, 1 of which has treated sand with salt.” She told the committee the agency believes it can relocate or reduce uncovered sand piles to fit undercover storage at existing facilities but suggested that legislation might instead require containment rather than mandating covering for all sand piles.
The nut graf: the agency urged lawmakers to consider a practical standard for a chloride‑reduction bill that would prevent runoff and mitigate phosphorus bonding to sand while allowing the department and towns flexibility on how to meet that standard.
Boomhower said VTrans and Senator Watson (working on related language) have discussed whether the bill should require sand piles to be “contained, not necessarily covered to prevent runoff, and to require sand treated with salt to be undercover.” She encouraged the Natural Resources Committee and the Transportation Committee to coordinate language and share drafts.
Committee members asked the agency to map uncovered piles and report back if there are any uncovered salt or sand sites that will remain exposed under current plans. Boomhower said the agency will follow up with specific location information if requested.
