Dear Friend,

Winter brings many joys—the magic of the first snowfall, hot chocolate on a cold day and neighborhood-wide snowball fights. But it can also bring trouble for our river and lakes.

When snow melts faster than the ground can absorb it, it runs into storm drains and brings along any contaminants in its path, including de-icing salts. This polluted stormwater flows into our communities’ rivers, streams and groundwater. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that this kind of urban runoff is one of the largest sources of water contamination nationwide.

Small amounts of pollutants from our cars, sidewalks and driveways can add up to big problems for local waters. Road salt and deicers not only damage shoes, roads, infrastructure and gardens, but they also seep into groundwater and degrade water quality. As you prepare for the ice and snow this winter, remember that we can maintain safe roads and sidewalks and protect rivers with these water-friendly tips:

• If you use rock salt or other common de-icers, be sure to follow the instructions and don’t use too much. Adding more than the recommended amount does not make the snow melt any faster.
• The greenest way to deal with ice is to physically remove as much snow as possible. De-icers are not formulated to melt through ice build-up or compacted snow. The less ice there is, the less salt you will need to use.
• Apply any ice-melting products at the beginning of a snow or ice storm. This prevents ice from bonding to the pavement and will ensure that less salt is needed.
• Once the temperature dips below 15° F, salt is unable to penetrate the ice to start the dissolving process. When the air is bitter cold, regular playground sand can be used to increase traction Be sure to clean sand up properly during thaws, however, since it can easily clog drains and sewers.
• There are many eco-friendlier alternatives to salt available at hardware stores, but some are greener than others. Most include a combination of salt combined with other common materials. A de-icer that includes salt mixed with calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) or potassium acetate (KA) is better than salt by itself.

Our actions in our yards and driveways affect our rivers, streams and lakes. As the snow falls this winter, I hope you will consider these water-friendly tips for safe sidewalks and healthy rivers.

Wishing you a safe and healthy—and ice-free!—New Year,

Jennifer Browning
Executive Director
Biodiversity Project

Biodiversity Project is committed to protecting our nation’s valuable and vulnerable rivers, streams and lakes. We are currently working on projects to protect and restore the Great Lakes, Mississippi River and local waterways in Wisconsin and Illinois. You can do your part by following these water-friendly tips and supporting Biodiversity Project through a $30 donation today.

In addition to a direct contribution, I hope you will remember Biodiversity Project as you do your online shopping. As you shop online for bestselling books, hot new toys or fun gadgets, just make your purchase through Give Back America. Visit this website, www.givebackamerica.org, before you shop. If you chose Biodiversity Project as your charity, we will receive a commission on your online purchases, at no additional cost to you!

 Resources:
Rock River Storm Water Group http://www.cleanwaterbrightfuture.org/residents.php

Union of Concerned Scientists
http://www.ucsusa.org/publications/greentips/fight-water-pollution.html

Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/safewater/sourcewater/pubs/fs_swpp_stormwater.pdf