Information from Stormwater Managements shows that Rochester’s snowfall averages 44 inches every year. The city's residents will have to bring out their snowblowers and shovels soon and roads will need to be salted. Rochester Public Works is getting ready early and has partnered with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to give residents access to winter preparedness workshops. Brochure printing can be used to educate the public on such issues.
One of these workshops is designed for property managers, while the other is for the winter maintenance groups that take care of salting the city’s streets. The city’s officials feel that these workshops can be used by anyone in the city who wants to start preparing for winter and hopes to learn a few tips on how to spend less money in the process. Stephanie Hatzenbihler, an Environmental Education Specialist, supported the program by saying:
"Using less salt means that you don’t need to spend as much money to get more salt. So, it both benefits the pocketbook, as well as our surface waters from being less polluted with too much salt."
Hatzenbilher also said that they are able to host these workshops thanks to a grant. Anyone can join the smart salting workshop by signing up online for the Wednesday or Thursday classes, which are ongoing. Limited spaces are available.