Snow is such a beautiful thing. It brightens the outdoors, masks muddy soil, decorates bare trees and brings joy to those who ski, snowshoe, sled and ice skate. But let's not get carried away because with snow comes slippery walk ways, driveways and salt.

To help assure safety on walkways, parking lots and driveways many homeowners and business use de-icing salt. However excessive use of salt can damage many structures as well as pose health risks to people, plants and animals.

When snowmelt occurs and spring rains appear, any salt that has accumulated over the winter is carried into storm water catch basins and streams. If a buffer of soil is provided and vegetation is present then the salt may be absorbed.

However, this could damage the plants or soil. If soil and vegetation are not present, then a high amount of salt is carried to surface waters, such as lakes, ponds and streams, and aquatic life, including fish and plants can be harmed.

To reduce the effect of salt, evaluate your surface and ask yourself the following questions:

• Does snow or ice need to be removed? If so, how much? (We don't always need to see bare pavement to have a safe winter surface.)

• What is the air temperature and the surface temperature (surface temperature is lower than air temperature)?

• Will the surface be exposed to the sun, (hence, warming the surface) or shaded by trees or buildings?

• How much product is needed to be effective (extra product won't melt ice any faster).

If your surface needs to be treated, the list below will supply you with a little more information on salt varieties.

Sodium chloride (NaCl) is commonly known as table salt or rock salt. It is the least expensive and most widely used de-icing compound. Sodium chloride is most effective when temperatures are above 15 degrees.

Unfortunately, NaCl is highly corrosive and can damage plants. High levels of sodium are also detrimental to soil structure.

Calcium chloride (CaCl2) dissolves easily and acts quickly. It is also effective in extremely cold temperatures (-20F) and leaves no visible residue when dry. Calcium chloride is highly corrosive to concrete and metals. It is slightly less damaging to plants than sodium chloride.

Potassium chloride (KCl) is a naturally occurring material used as a fertilizer (0-0-60) and de-icing material. KCl is highly corrosive, but is less damaging to plants than sodium chloride

Ethylene glycol is highly toxic to aquatic life and mammals. Propylene glycol is considered a safer alternative for mammals, however, it can significantly decrease the oxygen in our waterways

Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is a salt-free de-icing compound made from dolomitic limestone and acetic acid.

CMA is effective to 20 degrees. It causes little or no damage to landscape plants and is less corrosive than deicing salts. Unfortunately, CMA is expensive.

Sand, does not melt ice and snow, but improves traction on slippery surfaces. Sand is inexpensive and not harmful to plants.

Renee Jensen is a community educator of environmental issues at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County