Road Salt: Too much, not enough, or just right?

Olmsted County is sensitive to the environmental impact of salt. According to the Director of Public Works/County Engineer, Olmsted does all it can to minimize the use of salt on the roads.  Technologies have been installed on the big plow trucks to monitor and the amount of salt used for snow and ice.  The operators attend training on new methods and best management practices to reduce the salt that is used.  At a state level, county and city engineers are engaged in research, through the Loacal Road Research Board (LRRB) on the environmental effects of salt, alternative products that might be used and their effectiveness, and practices in application.