About Us
The Smart About Salt Council
The Smart About Salt Council (SASC) is a not-for-profit organization which offers training to improve winter salting practices on facilities and recognizes industry leaders through certification.
Our Mission
To protect freshwater from winter salt applied on facilities.
Our Vision
All facilities professionally designed and managed to improve winter safety and reduce salt use.
Our Values (3Cs)
- Collaboration: We believe there is strength in numbers and that together we can address the complex social, economic and environmental issues related to winter safety.
- Credibility: We recognize that clear, defendable standards and transparency are critical to achieving our mission.
- Continuous Improvement: We commit to continuous improvement for our programs and expect the same from our members.
Our Goals (5Ps)
- Programs that develop and recognize industry leaders;
- Partnerships that support our mission and vision;
- Policies that improve industry standards;
- People that are inspired, committed and engaged; and,
- Performance that is measurable and defendable.
Board of Directors
Smart About Salt Council (SASC) is a registered not-for-profit organization that operates throughout North America. The organization is largely run by a volunteer Board of Directors.
President
Eric Hodgins, Senior Hydrogeologist, municipal sector
Secretary-Treasurer
Tony DiGiovanni, Professional association representative, Landscape Ontario (LO)
Directors
Nichole Ashton, Winter maintenance professional
J. Paul Johnson, Municipal roads maintenance expert
Claire Oswald, Research, academic sector
Luke Pallister, risk management professional
Joe Salemi, professional winter maintenance association representative (Landscape Ontario (LO))
Daniel Schissler, Winter maintenance researcher/winter maintenance professional
Bill Thompson, Integrated watershed manager, conservation sector
Awards
A Few of the Many Awards and Accolades Received by the Smart About Salt Council
Smart About Salt Council (SASC) Receives Lake Simcoe Regional Conservation Authority Education Award
The Smart About Salt Council was thrilled to have its Essentials of Salt Management Program recognized with the Lake Simcoe Regional Conservation Authority Education Award on October 16, 2015.
Board Chair, Eric Hodgins was present to receive the award and participate in the wonderful evening that recognized environmental leaders in a variety of categories.
Ontario Parks Association (OPA)
On January 9th, 2012, the Ontario Parks Association recognized the Smart About Salt Council and the Regional Municipality of Waterloo with its Protecting Tomorrow Today Award. The Awards were presented at OPA's Annual Awards Luncheon in Toronto.
The award was given "in recognition of your significant contribution to the betterment of our parks and the overall environment, through your leadership in protecting underground water systems and water courses in the Province of Ontario".
The Executive Director of the Smart About Salt Council accepted the award on behalf of the Council. "We are working with a number of municipal parks departments and Conservation Authorities to improve winter maintenance practices and reduce the environmental effects of excessive salt use. We are honoured to receive prestigious award" said SASC's Executive Director.
Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
- Contribution made to the education/training of the people involved in the program;
- Degree of innovation in the approach and execution of the program;
- Payoff or benefits achieved; and
- Overall applicability to improved practices, better skills sets and to the Canadian transportation community as a whole.
The Award acknowledges the contribution made by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo and its consultant (Ecoplans Limited) in developing a ground breaking program that works with contractors and facility owners to improve salt management. In particular the training and education programs were recognized.
The picture shows the award being accepted by Bob Hodgins (left), past president of Ecoplans Ltd, co-designer of the program and past Executive Director of the Smart About Salt Council; and John Hammer (right), Director of Transportation, Region of Waterloo. The Award was presented by Ray Mantha, Executive Director and Chief Engineer, Ministry of Transportation Ontario.