DANVILLE — Danville will replace its aging road salt bin with the help of a grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s grant.
The $75,000 grant is through the OEPA’s H2Ohio Rivers Chloride Reduction Grant program.
Village Administrator Joel Stachler said the grant will cover the full construction cost.
“This new bin will replace our old bin and include a concrete loading area,” Stachler said.
“I was able to use a local contractor to build it for $75,000. We paid $9,400 for engineering. The money will be reimbursed to us after the project is complete.”
Stachler said he hopes the contractor can build the shed before winter but said it might have to wait until next spring.
The state is investing more than $1 million to help Ohio communities reduce chloride pollution caused by road salter entering waterways, while maintaining public safety on the roads during winter weather.
“Safe roads and safe water are equally important. Through this program, we can protect both,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a press release announcing the grants.
“By investing in better salt storage and more efficient equipment, we are reducing unnecessary salt use, protecting water quality, and helping taxpayer dollars go further.”
Reduced salt means healthier waterways
The H2Ohio Rivers program expands DeWine’s 2019 H2Ohio initiative. It supports efforts to decrease excessive salt use and encourages communities responsible for winter road maintenance to adopt best management practices.
Applicants can request funding for new salt equipment or constructing salt storage facilities to ease costs.
“These grants are a win for communities, drivers, and Ohio’s waterways,” Ohio EPA Director John Logue said in the release.
“Across Ohio, communities continue to invest in the longevity of neighborhoods. By using this H2Ohio funding and seeing the importance and the difference of using less salt, we collectively are working together to keep our roads and our waterways healthier.”
