Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton joined state and local officials to encourage New Yorkers to reduce the overuse of rock salt when possible, and “Don’t Be Salty, New York.”

Although applying rock salt on roadways, parking lots, and sidewalks helps to ensure the safety of those traveling by vehicle or foot, overuse of salt can be costly for consumers, degrade infrastructure, contaminate runoff that enters streams and waterbodies, and impact drinking water.

“It only takes one teaspoon of salt to pollute five gallons of water,” Commissioner Lefton said. “We’re asking all New Yorkers to take common-sense precautions before using too much rock salt on their sidewalks, driveways, and other places around their homes and businesses to help prevent unknowingly harming our environment. ‘Don’t Be Salty’ and help save your money, remain safe, and protect our waterbodies.”

To help protect water quality while maintaining public safety, DEC launched the “Don’t Be Salty, New York” public awareness campaign to help educate property owners, managers, communities, and snow and ice removal professionals about the impacts of rock salt and the various strategies that can be implemented to reduce salt use.

In August 2025, NYSDOT announced a statewide expansion of its road salt management pilot program for the 2025-26 snow and ice season. NYSDOT takes the issue of road salt management very seriously and for more than a decade has been a national leader in the effort to reduce the use of salt while still maintaining a safe and reliable transportation system.

These efforts include but are not limited to enhanced training for snowplow operators, direct liquid applications in place of road salt, continuous evaluation of innovative equipment, and utilization of best management practices for reducing road salt.

As a result, the statewide average application rate for granular salt was reduced to 172 pounds per lane-mile during the 2024-25 snow and ice season, down from the seven-year statewide average application rate of 194 pounds per-lane-mile.

DEC encourages all New Yorkers to use these “Don’t Be Salty, New York” best practices to save money, reduce rock salt pollution, and stay safe:

Use Rock Salt Sparingly

Shovel first, if possible, to clear snow and ice before applying rock salt. The less snow and ice there is to melt, the less rock salt is needed;

Apply rock salt strategically. A 12-ounce cup full of rock salt is enough to treat 250 square feet, a 20-foot single car driveway, or approximately 10 standard sidewalk squares;

Apply rock salt only where it is needed most, such as walkways, driveways, and steps;

Use a spreader to evenly distribute salt. Avoid piling it in one area, as this can lead to more salt runoff.

Monitor Weather Conditions

Rock salt loses effectiveness below 15°F. Sand can be used for traction on ice during a cold snap (and can be swept up in the spring for reusing) or switch to a deicer made for colder temperatures.

If a snow or ice storm is predicted, consider pre-treating surfaces with rock salt to prevent ice from forming.

Consider Using Alternative Products

Consider making your own brine solution at home by combining 3.5 cups of rock salt per gallon of hot tap water and stirring until all salt is dissolved. Let any gravel settle to the bottom. Pour the brine into a regular garden sprayer and spray in a zig-zag pattern over desired area. Save extra brine to use later.

Use products from the GreenNY specifications listed on the DEC website.

Among the many impacts of rock salt overuse:

• Rock salt can run off into surface waters through snow melt and stormwater or leach into groundwater.
• Excessive rock salt in surface water can cause stress to, or kill, fish and other aquatic organisms.
• Rock salt washed off surfaces will accumulate in soils, which can kill vegetation or deplete plants of nutrients. Eventually, non-native salt-tolerant vegetation could move in and disrupt ecosystems.
• Salty roads attract animals like deer and moose (who love licking up the salt), increasing the probability of accidents and roadkill.
• The presence of sodium in drinking water is problematic for individuals with low-salt or limited-salt dietary restrictions. People on a sodium-restricted diet can experience health risks when exposed to elevated levels of sodium in their drinking water.
• Rock salt has corrosive properties that can corrode metals, including lead, copper, iron, and steel, from pipes and other infrastructure.
• These corrosive effects also impact cars, trucks, bridges, and roads resulting in approximately $5 billion dollars in annual repairs in the U.S. alone (USEPA)
• Households using private wells and small unregulated water systems are at the greatest risk of negative impacts from corrosion. Regulated public water systems sample for lead and copper and reduce corrosion if required.

Tax exemption cap increased from 50 to 65 percent at participating municipalities

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that enhanced real property tax exemptions for New York seniors. Legislation S5175A/A3698A allows localities to provide a real property tax exemption for senior citizens who meet the income eligibility limits, among other criteria, up to 65 percent of the assessed valuation of their properties. This legislation builds on the Governor’s affordability agenda, which included tax cuts for middle-class New Yorkers.

“No New York senior should lose their home because they can no longer afford their property taxes,” Governor Hochul said on Saturday. “By signing this legislation, we are working to make New York more affordable for our seniors on fixed incomes and empowering them to age in place, at home, in the communities they know and love.”

The bill will give localities the option to offer real property tax exemptions of up to 65 percent to seniors living below the maximum income eligibility level set by the locality. Prior to, the maximum percentage of exemption local governments have been able to offer senior citizens was set at 50 percent and has not been raised in decades. Increasing the exemption from 50 percent to 65 percent could translate into savings of up to $300 annually for the average senior.

New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) Acting Director Greg Olsen said, “Governor Hochul is coming through yet again on making New York more affordable for individuals and their families. Property taxes, especially for those on fixed incomes, can often be difficult to afford. With more than 1.8 million older adults who own their own homes, this important law will continue to help older adults remain in the homes and communities of their choice and keeping their vast contributions within New York State.”

This legislation builds on Governor Hochul’s affordability agenda, which includes:

• Middle-Class Tax Cut: Approximately 8.3 million New Yorkers will benefit from decreased tax rates, bringing middle-class taxes to their lowest levels in 70 years.
• Child Tax Credit Expansion: The Child Tax Credit is increasing to up to $1,000 per child under the age of four and up to $500 for school-aged children, starting in 2026.
• Inflation Refund Checks: Eligible New Yorkers have received up to $200 per person or $400 per family, reaching 8.2 million people.
• Free School Meals: All K-12 students now have access to free breakfast and lunch, saving families up to $1,600 per child annually.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) commented on the New York Department of State’s decision to reopen its $8 million Local Government Efficiency Grant (LGEG) program, giving communities like Orleans County and the Brockport area new opportunities to reduce costs and strengthen essential services through shared-service partnerships.

Orleans County recently used this program to fund an EMS study aimed at improving emergency response and lowering long-term taxpayer costs, while the Brockport Fire District secured nearly $500,000 for a regional bunk-in program that boosts firefighter staffing through SUNY Brockport.

With this year’s expanded funding round prioritizing emergency services, water infrastructure, cybersecurity and projects that build on previous awards, both Orleans County and Brockport are well-positioned to pursue additional grants that modernize operations and deliver more affordable, efficient services to residents.

Hawley is proud to see this grant program reopened and looks forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on communities across Western New York.

“For years, the Local Government Efficiency Grant has been a lifeline for localities in need of vital state funding,” said Hawley. “With the return of this program, communities across Western New York will now be able to save money by sharing services, consolidating operations and improving functions like emergency response and water systems while, at the same time, lowering the tax burden for residents. I’m glad to see this program come back, and I will continue my work in Albany to bring grant initiatives like this back to Western New York.”