Sen. Danica Roem (D-Manassas) introduced Senate Bill 482 on Jan. 13. The bill directs the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to conduct an environmental study and find safe alternatives to using salt when treating roadways in wintry weather. But when the winter passes and the ice melts, the salt doesn’t leave entirely. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), road salt can make its way into nearby surface and systems and contaminate water reservoirs and wells. Excess road salt accumulation can also kill roadside plants and harm wildlife.