Call to Action – Protect Our Lakes from Chloride Contamination from Road Salt
Road salt (primarily chloride) damages lakes by increasing the salinity of the water, thereby harming fish, insects, and plants. S. 218 is a bill that will help to safely reduce chloride and road salt contamination in the waters of the state without compromising public safety. The bill will provide a voluntary training program in best management practices (BMPs) for municipal and private salt applicators who will receive liability protection when they adopt those BMPS.
S. 218 has already passed the state Senate and is up for a vote in the state House tomorrow, Friday, 4/10/26. This is an important effort that the Federation has been supporting to help reduce pollution flowing into our lakes.
Please call or email your local Representative and urge them to vote yes on S.218. The text of the bill is here.
The email and phone number for your Representative can be found here (search by town).
Keep your email short. Below is a sample text of an email:
Subject line: Vote yes on S. 218
Dear Rep. __________
I am your constituent, living in (or having property in) (town). S. 218 will reduce toxic chloride in lakes and streams, which harm the fish and aquatic wildlife that I value. S. 218 also will decrease the overuse of road salts while still maintaining public safety, and save municipalities money.
I (we) strongly urge you to vote yes on S. 218.
Thank you,
(your name)
