Lawrence Keane

HB 1607 would sets rules for the storage and management of snow and ice control chemicals—including sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and treated abrasives—so they don’t contaminate groundwater or surface water. The Department of Environmental Services would be required to issue regulations for safe storage, with stricter requirements near areas already affected by these chemicals. This matters because runoff from improperly stored road salts and de-icing chemicals can harm drinking water sources, lakes, and aquatic ecosystems, including creating conditions that favor harmful cyanobacteria blooms. Safe storage and management help protect water quality and public health. We must to a better job of reducing runoff of salt and de-icing chemicals to protect New Hampshire’s lakes, rivers and to protect the quality of drinking water. I strongly support this bill.