Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Last winter saw a shortage of rock salt for several municipalities across Western New York, leading to local leaders needing to find other avenues to acquire that salt for roadways throughout the region.
While municipalities are not facing a crisis in rock salt supply similar to last year, they are monitoring how much they have to last them the remainder of this winter.
Clarence Highway Superintendent and president of the New York State Association of Town Superintendents of Highways, Jamie Dussing says some municipalities are starting to see some delayed deliveries, as well as reports of stockpiles at both Western New York suppliers being way down.
"I expect that trend to continue, and we're really starting to look at what we have in our highway barns in stock, and looking at ways we can conserve that and just make it through the winter," said Dussing on Wednesday during an appearance with WBEN. "I think we have a lot more winter behind us than we do in front of us, so we have that to look forward to."
Dussing notes this issue is affecting most, if not all of Western New York, and into the Syracuse area.
What differs from last year, according to Dussing, is rock salt usage was way up this year, but the suppliers were able to keep up with the demand at the beginning of the year.
"We're only guaranteed about 120% of what we put in for in the spring, so they don't have to guarantee us anything above those amounts. Usage was way up, suppliers were able to keep up. Now we're starting to see the supplies dwindling, and the towns have used a lot of salt this year," Dussing explained.
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In the City of Buffalo, deputy mayor Ben Swanekamp says they have 1,400 tons of rock salt remaining on the floors of their salt barns.
"We have an additional order out for 900 tons to American Rock Salt, which is the OGF, that's the New York State contract that we piggyback off of. With the current weather warming up a little bit, we would think, at a minimum, we'll need 3,000 tons. But we'd like to get up to 6,000 and have a little cushion if any additional cold spells hit, and just to have some padding there," Swanekamp said in an interview with WBEN. "Right now, between what's on the floor and ordered, we're at 2,900, but I'd like to get some more padding in the queue."
What that means for Swanekamp and the city is rock salt supply will come down to the wire by the end of the winter.
"One great thing that happened after last season is the county was proactive and got a second contract with Compass Minerals out of Canada, utilizing a dump site at the Port of Buffalo. So they had a very large amount of salt out there ordered for many municipalities that piggyback on the county contract," Swanekamp noted. "They allocated up to 130% of the projected need for the winter, but with the brutal cold and how rough this winter has been, that's been burning through pretty quickly. And with the inability to get any freighters across the lake, that limits the ability to tap into more of Compass Materials."
In what ways can municipalities attempt to conserve its supply of rock salt until either more arrives or the salting season comes to an end?
"A lot of towns mix salt and sand - a third sand and you can cut your usage there. We can also use liquids, and just be a little bit more conservative as to where we put it down. But at the same time, keeping our residents and the traveling public safe," Dussing noted.
Another way to conserve rock salt at this time of year is being tactical and taking advantage of the weather forecast.
"Certainly we watch our temperatures - we don't waste it, we don't put it down and then just plow it off if it's snowing heavily. We also look at just salting where it needs it - hills, curves, stop signs, heavily trafficked areas, main roads - maybe a little bit less in the subdivisions, straightaways, cul-de-sacs, things like that. There are ways we can cut back," Dussing said.
"We can focus on salting at night when there's lower temps. And then when the sun's out during the day, we're hoping Mother Nature gives us a hand so we don't have to go a full 24/7 with salt as our trucks move around," Swanekamp added.
The good news for the City of Buffalo is more recent weather forecast updates has officials estimating lower amounts of rock salt needed to finish out the season.
"This has helped DPW scale back a little bit on the projected needs there, so that's helpful. But we pay attention to the weather incessantly, constantly, digesting all the reports we get from the National Weather Service, the county, the University of Albany, Mesonet team. We're constantly watching the weather," Swanekamp added.