McCall students urge council to curb road-salt use after local water tests show elevated chloride

At a regular meeting of the McCall City Council, an after‑school group called Climate Kids presented research and water tests showing elevated salt levels in runoff and nearby water bodies and asked the city to consider reducing or replacing road salt within city limits.

“Salt spray from vehicles causes salt burn on buds, leaves, and small plants,” fifth‑grader River Wolf told the council. The students said they tested runoff near the city Christmas tree and other sites; one presenter reported a chloride (referred to as “chlorine” in testimony) result of 152 parts per million, and another presenter later referenced a sample that measured 52 parts per million. The students contrasted those figures with an often‑cited reference point for safe drinking water of 4 parts per million, and said they also collected at least one lake sample that showed higher chloride levels.

Kurt Wolf, McCall parks and recreation director, introduced the Climate Kids group and told the council the issue is already a staff concern. “As the Idaho Transportation Department has relied more heavily on road salts and other deicers ... we have seen a significant and immediate impact on our local vegetation along roadsides,” Wolf said, noting that city streets staff must balance safety, budgets and environmental harm.

Students described observed plant symptoms and suggested alternatives or mitigations, including sand that can be recollected, beet‑juice brines (which still require some salt), physical barriers around sensitive plantings, lower speed limits in some areas, and targeted seasonal controls such as weekend road guards near congested summer areas. “We would like the McCall City Council and staff to look further into these impacts and possibly consider banning the use of road salt in city limits,” the students’ written remarks stated.

Council members and the mayor praised the students’ presentation. Several council members asked technical questions about sampling locations and methods; the students said samples included roadway runoff from Highway 55 and an on‑site lake sample near the tree. One council member asked whether the students sampled groundwater or lake water; the students said they sampled runoff and had a lake sample as well.

Council members gave the group their endorsement to continue work with city staff. Mayor Bob and other council members asked staff to facilitate a meeting between the students and the streets/public works department so staff and the students can explore options and balance road safety with environmental protections. Parks Director Wolf said he would help set up that meeting.

No ordinance or regulation was proposed or adopted at the meeting; council members said they want staff to review options and bring back recommendations once city staff and the students have consulted with streets/public works.

The Climate Kids presentation is likely to prompt additional technical follow‑up from public works staff, council members said, including an assessment of sampling methods, specific sites of concern (the downtown Christmas tree and nearby corridors), and possible pilot alternatives for deicing.

Next steps: staff will arrange a meeting between Public Works and the Climate Kids group; council asked staff to keep the council informed and said it would consider policy or operational changes after staff analysis.