HB1607

I support this bill to set rules for the safe 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. This just seems like good common sense and I am amazed it hasn't previously been required. I think this bill should also include requirements to clean up loading areas and truck clean-out areas if they do not occur under cover already. We see the effects of salt storage areas at Little Lake Sunapee where the DOT salt storage facility located up stream and uphill of the lake and was not covered until relatively recently still impacts Bucklin Brook. Chloride levels routinely are measured at over 100 mg/liter whild Kidder Brook which is not far away has chloride levels of around 3 mg/liter.

We need to protect lakes in New Hampshire. They are a critical part of the state's economy.

Runoff from road salts and de-icing chemicals can harm drinking water sources, lakes, and aquatic ecosystems, including creating conditions that favor harmful cyanobacteria blooms. Cyanobacteria, in particular, is creating conditions that are adversely affecting the conditions of our lakes and ponds, right at this very moment. Without proper mitigation we may lose access to these beautiful waterbodies or they may become unpleasant to a point of not encouraging the type of family recreation that they provide today.

Please pass this well considered bill. The damages done to the plant life on the historic NH road on which I live, convinces me that something is very wrong with the existing chemical exposures propagated by road maintenance works in the state. Thank you.

This is an important bill that will help protect our drinking water, lakes and aquatic ecosystems.

I am in full support of HB1607 which will help in the efforts to prevent harmful cyanobacteria blooms in NH waterbodies. I live on Lake Kanasatka in Moultonborough, NH, and I currently serve as treasurer of the Lake Kanasatka Watershed Association (LKWA), which is led by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. Our 380-acre lake began experiencing cyanobacteria blooms in 2020. LKWA reached out to NH DES to learn about next steps. Our first step was hiring an environmental consultant to write a Watershed-Based Management Plan. This 10-year plan (available on our website, www.kanasatka.org) is a multi-faceted approach to addressing cyanobacteria blooms. We began implementing the steps outlined in the Plan starting in 2022. In the fall of 2023, a lake-wide cyanobacteria bloom turned the water pea green, and we realized that Lake Kanasatka desperately needed an aluminum phosphate treatment to prevent these toxic cyanobacteria blooms. The State of New Hampshire provided funding from the Cyanobacteria Mitigation Loan and Grant Fund to pay for the bulk of the alum treatment in the Spring of 2024, and we are in the process of two additional grant programs that will improve several private roads in our watershed. Our association is also working closely with our lake residents to improve their waterfronts; as of October 2025, 40 properties had received Lake Smart status. We are aware that there are many other lakes in NH that are experiencing cyanobacteria blooms, a danger to health, commerce and tourism. While lake associations work with homeowners to prevent stormwater run-off and encourage septic system maintenance, the state must do its part to enact stricter guidelines on products which create conditions that could lead to harmful cyanobacteria blooms. We are reaching a turning point, and we urgently request the state to take these steps toward addressing this crisis. Thank you.

Runoff from road treatment products has hurt lake quality and we should do everything possible to reduce it; making better storage options available is a step in the right direction.

Runoff is the largest source of contamination to our waterbodies, and salt is a forever chemical that is now harming aquatic systems and contaminating water wells. Safe storage of road salt chemicals that prevents and/or minimizes salt contamination is vital to the preservation of our clean waterbodies and preventing further contamination of those that are already negatively impacted. Please pass this bill.

I have been active in our lake association for Lake Wentworth since 1990. This bill is important for the water quality of our lakes.

I support this bill to set rules for safe storage and management of snow and ice chemicals to protect our drinking water sources, lakes & aquatic ecosystems. ,

Proper storage of road salts and de-icing chemicals can help to protect water quality and public health. This bill is crucial to support those initiatives

Please support this bill that will help limit harmful run off into groundwater, drinking water, and our beautiful lakes. thanks.

NH is known for its beautiful lakes and ponds! We need to do everything we can to protect our waterways from harmful chemicals running into the water. I live on Perkins Pond in Sunapee, NH. Please vote in favor of this bill so that rules can be set for the safe 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. 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.

Our lakes need protection and oversight. Their economic impact is immense. Better salt storage will have a direct impact on water quality.

Proper storage of salt and ice control chemicals is so important so there isn't additional groundwater and surface water runoff. These can be harmful to our drinking water supply and can create bacteria blooms. Thank you,

Salinity levels in NH's water bodies have increased significantly, threatening drinking water supply and aquatic life including fish and the organisms they feed on. Proper storage and use of salt and other ice control chemicals is a common-sense and cost-effective way to reduce the amount of salt running into streams, lakes and ponds.

Our use of Highway salts (whatever their chemical makeup) is harmful to our health and to the environment. Any restrictions on storage in order to safeguard our health are beneficial to all New Hampshire residents. Please vote in favor of this bill.

Proper storage of chemicals prevents spillage into our drinking water and negatively impacts the natural ecosystem of our lakes. Only with fees of noncompliance will control this.

Improperly stored chemicals can leach into groundwater, rivers, and lakes, damaging ecosystems. While I recognize the safety benefits of treating roadways in winter conditions, I feel we must safeguard our water in any way possible.

We need to decrease the amount of road salt used on our roads. Salt is detrimental to the environment - especially animals that live close by these roads.

I support this bill because New Hampshire’s lakes and water resources are essential to our quality of life and our economy. They attract visitors and new residents, bringing in revenue that eventually supports our local businesses and schools. High quality lakes help attract a strong workforce so both small and large businesses can grow. When snow and ice control chemicals are not properly stored or managed, runoff can contaminate drinking water, harm lakes and aquatic ecosystems, and contribute to harmful cyanobacteria blooms. These blooms can close lakes to swimming and recreation, directly affecting families, tourism, and local economies. Setting clear, common-sense standards for the safe storage and handling of road salts and de-icing chemicals is a practical way to protect public health, water quality, and the long-term value of our lakes.

More needs to be done to ensure that road salt doesn't continue to pollute our lakes, streams and groundwater. Proper storage and maintenance of these chemicals will help to alleviate the problem.

We should do what we reasonably can to improve selection, siting of, and storage of chemicals that can negatively impact our waters. Thank you.

My wife and I support HB 1607 setting rules on the storage and management of road salts. Our house I located between State Highway 113 and Silver Lake in Madison. While we have our 200’ driveway plowed for snow greater than 3 or 4 inches, we shovel ourselves for snow less than 2-3 inches. We are grateful for roads that are cleared and safe shortly after snowfall; we are concerned about the amount of salt used that we see and shovel along 113, 100 feet from our well. NHDES reports that chloride contamination in wells has increased 150% in the past 30 years. Their analysis shows that 50% of this is due to private salting of parking lots; 36% from public salting of roads and 9% from salt piles. Since chloride doesn’t break down, the contamination in wells is due not only to recently applied salt but more importantly, salt applied over the past 30 to 40 years. Thirty years plus is the time it takes for contaminated groundwater to reach bedrock aquifers. Our well is in a bedrock aquifer. Please support this bill to protect our drinking water and the water used by many throughout New Hampshire.

The Road Salt Mitigation Fund is critical NH and our lakes. Contamination from salt must be evaluated more closely.