In 2004, NCHRP Project 25-25(04) developed and released the Environmental Stewardship Practices, Procedures, and Policies for Highway Construction and Maintenance report. The document presents information on how to incorporate environmental stewardship into the daily operations of construction and maintenance activities. Chapter 8, Winter Operations and Salt, Sand and Chemical Management, focuses on recommended practices and strategic planning for reduced salt usage, and highlights innovative DOT practices and programs that achieved reductions or improved environmental outcomes.

Since 2004, the field of winter maintenance has produced a wealth of research and conducted field trials and testing, producing results that are relevant to the report. Specifically there is a need to update Chapter 8 Winter Operations and Salt, Sand and Chemical Management in several areas, including:
• strategic planning to reduce salt usage,
• examples of lessons learned based on real world experience,
• current and successful practices, and
• findings from cost-benefit studies, and
• the “Triple Bottom Line” principle that considers economy, environment, and social equality.