Bill > A4899

Introduced Session

This bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation (commissioner), in consultation with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, to conduct a study on the use of rock salt on roadways in this State and to prepare and submit a written report to the Governor and the Legislature on the topic. The written report is to include: (1) information on the amount and cost of rock salt used by the Department of Transportation (department) over the prior 10 years; (2) efforts that have been undertaken by the department to reduce the use of rock salt over the prior 10 years; (3) how the use of rock salt on roadways has impacted the levels of sodium chloride in the State's lakes, waterways, wells, and drinking water and how increased levels of sodium chloride impact aquatic life, fisheries, irrigation, recreation, and the quality of life of New Jersey residents; (4) information on indirect costs associated with the use of rock salt by the department; (5) information on alternatives to rock salt that have been utilized by the department; and (6) an analysis of feasible alternatives to rock salt that could be utilized by the department in the future, including an analysis of the financial and environmental advantages and disadvantages of each feasible alternative. In addition to the written report, the commissioner is authorized to submit a proposal for legislation that improves the laws of this State regarding the use of rock salt to clear snow and ice from the State's roadways.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Robert Clifton (R)*,  Kevin Rooney (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee (on 06/01/2017)