PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (WCAX) – A new campaign is urging New York communities to cut down on road salt to help the environment.

The $15-million “Don’t be salty, New York” effort has resulted in some towns replacing their plows with those that use less salt. Other communities are constructing salt sheds to prevent runoff.

Megan Webster with the Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District says the changes make a big difference in water quality. “We can certainly see that chloride levels can have an impact on our aquatic community… and so we like to make sure we’re using our best practices to reduce the amount of salt entering our water systems,” she said.

Plattsburgh, Franklin, Jay, Lake Placid, Santa Clara, Schuler Falls, and Westville are among the communities replacing their salt sheds.

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