Elementary ‘Climate Kids’ urge McCall to reduce road salt, cite tree and water damage

Kurt Wolf, McCall’s parks and recreation director, introduced a group of elementary students who have formed an informal after‑school “Climate Kids” club and asked the council to hear their research on the environmental effects of winter road salts and deicers.

The students told council that salt spray from vehicles and salt in roadway runoff can damage roadside vegetation and increase salinity in nearby water bodies. The group reported on field tests they performed: one presentation slide stated a roadside sample showed 152 parts per million (ppm) of chloride/chlorine near the city’s Christmas tree site, and other student presenters reported a separate roadside sample measured about 52 ppm chloride; the students noted safe drinking‑water levels cited in their materials as about 4 ppm. The students asked the city to consider reducing the amount of road salt used inside city limits or to research alternatives such as sand, beet‑juice mixes, or other de‑icers.

Wolf told council the issue is significant for his department and for city infrastructure. He said the Idaho Transportation Department’s increased use of salts along the Highway 55 corridor has visibly affected roadside vegetation downtown, and that city streets crews balance safety, budget and material effectiveness when treating city streets.

Council members praised the students’ work. The mayor said the youth “did it with courage and grace” and several members encouraged staff to arrange a meeting between the students and the city’s streets/public works department. One council member noted that lowering speed limits had been suggested as another way to reduce harm, while others said any solution must preserve safe travel in winter.

Outcome: Council gave the students “their blessing” to continue and asked staff to facilitate a meeting with Public Works so the Climate Kids can share findings and explore alternatives; no binding policy change or ban on road salt was enacted at the meeting.

Clarifying details: students presented field test results and cited a comparison value for safe drinking water as 4 ppm; students recommended options including sand or beet‑juice blends (noting some blends still require reduced salt). Parks and Recreation staff said the city has not yet had a formal meeting between the students and streets/public works but staff will help arrange one.

Next steps: staff to set up conversations between the Climate Kids and Public Works to explore practical alternatives and possible pilot approaches; council expressed interest in follow‑up once staff and the students have met.