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McCall students present data on road-salt impacts, ask city to study alternatives
Summary
An after‑school Climate Kids group told the McCall City Council on Monday that road salts and deicers are harming roadside vegetation and local water and asked the city to consider reducing salt use or testing alternatives; Parks staff pledged to connect the students with Public Works for follow-up.
A group of McCall fifth‑grade students told the McCall City Council they tested road runoff and lake water and urged the city to investigate the local impacts of road salt and look at alternatives.
The students, organized as an informal “Climate Kids” after‑school club, said runoff near the city’s community Christmas tree and other roadside areas showed elevated chloride and that roadside vegetation shows symptoms the students linked to salt exposure. Kurt Wolf, McCall parks and recreation director, introduced the students and told the council staff is already concerned about the problem and will continue conversations with Public Works.
Why it matters: council members and staff said the issue affects downtown streetscapes, roadside trees and water quality and could require a cross‑departmental response to balance road safety and environmental goals.
What the students presented and asked: the club reported taking runoff and one lake sample and asked the council to “look further into these impacts and possibly consider banning the use of road salt in city limits,” and offered to work with staff. Their presentation noted alternatives (sand, beet‑juice brines used elsewhere), suggested collecting abrasives at season’s end, and raised concern for the city Christmas tree and other plantings.
City staff and council response: Wolf said the issue is “significant” for parks and streets staff and that Public Works must balance safety, effectiveness and budget. Mayor Bob told the students, “This is one of the best presentations council has heard in a long time,” and the council gave the students its blessing to meet with Public Works for technical follow‑up. Council members asked whether the students sampled lake water as well as roadway runoff; the students said they sampled both and reported elevated chloride in the lake sample.
Next steps: staff agreed to facilitate a meeting between the Climate Kids and the streets department to review findings and possible pilot options. Council members said they would consider follow‑up when staff presents options that weigh safety, cost and environmental effects.
Ending: The students left the meeting encouraged; council members and staff described continued conversation with Public Works and potential technical follow up as the next step.
