Dear Editor,

In response to Anne Scarffe’s letter, it appears that the cause of dead and dying trees we’re seeing along roads is the use of magnesium chloride by CDOT. Before CDOT began using mag chloride in the 90s, roadside trees were healthy. After that, they began to sicken and die.

Also, mag chloride is extremely corrosive to vehicles, aggressively eating into electrical wires, nuts, brake shoes and even ball joints. Further, there is concern that it contaminates roadside streams, weakens concrete bridges, and affects wildlife. And, if improperly applied, mag chloride can be slippier than ice, raising safety issues.

CDOT switched to mag chloride because, among other things, it is cheaper than salt. Of the Western states, Colorado is the heaviest user. Its use by CDOT has increased enormously in recent years. Aspen, Basalt and Summit County, have now banned mag chloride, citing safety, health and environmental concerns. In Montana, citizens in Kalispell, Whitefish, and West Glacier appealed to the commissioners to discontinue its use, citing its damaging effects. When concerns arose in the early 2000s, CDOT’s Executive Director reportedly stonewalled and ordered his staff not to discuss the problem with the public. Perhaps the current director, Shoshana Lew, might be more open to hearing these concerns and possibly addressing them.

Arden Buck
Nederland