Item B - Ice and Snow Policy - Laserfiche WebLink

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ATTACHMENT D WEEKLY INFORMATION PACKET DATE: January 24, 2002 TO: Mayor and Members of City Council FROM: Ron Secrist, City Manager Christine Andersen, Deputy City Manager for Environmental Services Tracy Winfree, Acting Director of Public Works for Transportation Stephanie Grainger, Transportation & Utilities Maintenance Coordinator SUBJECT: Information Item: Snow and Ice Control Materials and Environmental Impacts Purpose: To provide City Council with information on the materials used in our snow and ice control program and to address questions asked about impacts to aluminum and vegetation from these products. Background: The city of Boulder has been a leader in the Front Range in the use of alternative snow and ice control materials. The city has worked closely with and followed the recommendations of the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) as well as the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) in its material choices. Transportation Maintenance used salt and sand in its snow and ice operations until 1995. In 1995, Transportation Maintenance began testing a new liquid deicer consisting of magnesium chloride mixed with a corrosion inhibitor. In 1996, the use of"Realite"- a lightweight, porous rock - began being used instead of sand for traction. Realite was treated with the magnesium chloride as a dust suppressant. The advantage of Realite over sand was that it did not break down as much as sand and, therefore, was less of a contributor to PM10 (tiny dust particles smaller than 10 microns). The Environmental Protection Agency set air quality standards for PM10 in 1987 to protect public health. In 1998, staff began testing a new crystallized deicer called "Ice Slicer." The advantages of using a crystallized deicer are that unlike other rock traction materials (1) the deicer works to melt the snow/ice, and (2) the crystals melt and do not need to be swept up following a storm. Since 1998, staff has been testing new liquid deicers as they come on the market. A product called "Ice Ban" has been used in extremely cold temperatures as it has the ability to melt down to -40 degrees. Ice Ban is used sparingly because it leaves a sticky residue and has an odor. In the 2001-2002 snow season, staff began testing a liquid deicer called "Caliber M1000." Material Contents of Products Being Used: Ice Ban is a liquid deicer that is derived from the concentrated liquid residue of the fermentation and distillation of alcohol and the processing of other agricultural products. This product is considered "organic" by the industry because it does not contain chlorides. Caliber MIO00 is a blend of a 30 percent magnesium chloride solution and 70 percent corn byproducts (basically magnesium chloride and Ice Ban mixed together).