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   Winter maintenance professionals and contractors are invited to attend the MPCA Smart Salting for Roads Certification Training from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 8 at the Cass County Land Department in Backus.

   Hosted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Cass SWCD, and the Pine River Watershed, the training equips road maintenance staff with knowledge and tools to balance public safety with environmental protection.

   Participants will learn how to integrate science-based practices into winter road maintenance to improve efficiency while reducing the environmental impacts of salt use. The training will cover application rates, weather considerations, environmental effects of deicing, calibration, storage, new maintenance methods, and anti-icing strategies.

   At the conclusion of the course, participants can take a test to earn a five-year MPCA Smart Salting for Roads Certification. The training is free, and lunch will be provided.

   Registration is required by Oct. 1. For more information, visit cwswcd.org/smart-salting. 

   This training is funded by the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment.

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