The following recommendations are an interim measure to provide guidance prior to the development of each property specific operation and maintenance plan.  These are “best practices” recommendations to attempt to give you the best, next best, etc. recommendations in order for you to find a practicable approach that meets the constraints of your property.

Snow storage recommendations
Although the space and location available on each parcel varies throughout the watershed, these recommendations are provided based on existing DEP rules for locating “snow dumps” as defined in Chapter 573 and pursuant to 38 MRSA 413(2-B). 

• Snow Storage areas should not be located over catch basin inlets. To the extent practicable, snow storage melt water should flow to an existing approved treatment system (detention system, manufactured water quality unit, etc.). 

• Snow should be stored on impervious surfaces (e.g. pavement or concrete) where the melt water will not flow directly into the surrounding protected natural resources. If this is not practicable, store snow on level, vegetated areas and install and maintain a silt fence on the down gradient edge of the snow dump to minimize off-site transport of sediment.

• Snow storage is not permitted in ponds, wetlands areas or within stream channels.

• Snow should not be stockpiled in wooded areas, directly adjacent to trees, or in any best management practices (vegetative buffers, soil media filters, and wet or dry ponds).

• Snow stockpiles should be taken off-site to a Maine DEP approved “snow dump” site or meet the exemption requirements specified within Chapter 5731 when the above requirements cannot be met due to an abundance of snow.

• Snow that is visibly contaminated with materials such as oil, hydraulic fluid, antifreeze, etc. should be segregated from the main snow dump and disposed of separately2.

• All litter should be removed from the snow dump area once the pile has melted.

 
Salt/sand recommendations
There is no ideal method for dealing with the ice that comes with winter conditions; both salt and sand can potentially impact water quality (salt cannot be removed once it is dissolved and sand can clog treatment systems).  The Long Creek Technical Committee will be working on recommendations for winter maintenance regarding salt and sand application.   

At this time, use the following rules of thumb…

• Use the minimum amount of salt and sand needed to get the job done.

• Follow manufacturers’ application rates whenever possible. Do not over-apply.

• Use coarse, clean sand that is free of fine particles and dust and easier to clean in the spring.

• Use less harmful (although not benign) deicers such as calcium magnesium acetate, or potassium acetate.  If this is not possible and salt products must be used, pre-treatment techniques in combination with magnesium chloride products (such as Magic Salt™) are preferable (this will reduce, but not eliminate, chlorides).

• Where feasible, use anti-icing pre-treatment techniques on impervious surfaces, such as salt brine, prior to forecasted storm events to reduce the amount sand/salt required during the storm event.  FMI - MaineDOT information on pretreatment is available at: http://www.maine.gov/mdot/snowandice/index.htm).

• If you store sand/salt on site and it cannot be stored in a covered storage facility in accordance with MaineDEP’s Chapter 574, cover with a tarp, use berms to minimize run-on/ runoff and ensure storage area is not subject to flooding.

A printer-friendly version of these guidelines is available here.

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