These facilities should be constructed so that all handling of material is done in an enclosed area and should not be located in water supply watersheds. The Department of Environmental Protection has issued an emergency snow disposal guidance to protect water resources from contamination. The guidance states that there should be no disposal in saltmarsh or vegetated wetlands, rivers, shellfish beds, mudflats, drinking water sources or ACEC s. DEP also states that if waterways must be used because of no other alternative, the water should have adequate flow to provide mixing and the activity should conform with all town by-laws. Snow fences and trees can be used to keep snow from blowing onto the road, reducing the need for plowing.
Street cleaning is an effective way of removing excess sand and debris from the road.
This is an important way of keeping sediment from entering rivers and streams through storm drains and drainage swales. Streets should be swept at a minimum in both spring and fall, and catch basins should be cleared of sand and debris. Check with your Department of Public Works and find out if they sweep regularly. There are several ways to limit the amount of salt used on roadways. Both timing of the application and wetting of the salt before application so that it sticks to the road lead to fewer applications.