Dust Control
Dust Control Information
The Township Board annually specially assesses benefitted properties for the costs of Road Brining, pursuant to Public Act 188 of 1954 (MCL 41.721 – 41.738)
The Special Assessment District is composed of all parcels within Hayes Township that abut certified public gravel roads (Act 51 gravel roads) within Hayes Township, and the special assessment fee is $35.38 in 2024.
Hayes Township contracts with Michigan Chloride Sales of Ithaca, Michigan to provide a high-quality mineral well brine. MCS’ brine contains at minimum a combined 22.2% calcium-magnesium chloride content, with a total chloride content of 28.35%. Oilfield brine may only be 9.2% calcium-magnesium chloride, with about 19.8% being sodium chloride (sodium chloride has a drying effect on gravel roads, is not hygroscopic, and offers no dust suppression capability).
Mineral well brine is naturally occurring. Both calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are hygroscopic salts which attract moisture from the air to keep unpaved roads damp and dust down. It exhibits strong moisture film, high surface tension, and low vapor pressure – all of which serve to bind particles together to keep the surface compact. The chlorides penetrate the surface several inches over time, adding to the stabilization of the unpaved road.
Costs to the Township: continuous spread application of $0.209 per gallon (2000 gallons per mile, applied in 2 passes of 1000 gallons per mile, 16’-24’ wide (minimum $418/mile). MCS may increase total application gallons to account for full coverage of intersections, hills, etc.
Hayes Township brining consists of four applications annually of high-quality brine. Dates are determined by Michigan Chloride Sales, based on dates in other townships nearby and on the Clare County Road Commission’s schedule. Each public gravel road to be brined will be graded 1-2 days prior to the brining.
2024 Dust Control Schedule:
Missed roads or applications issues must be called in to MCS within 48 hours of application. Date and time stamped pictures or videos must be provided to MCS in reporting of a potential missed road. Because of MCS’s timeframe, any missed road needs to be reported to the township within one day of the missed brining along with date and time stamped photos/videos. Submit photos to supervisor@hayestwpclaremi.gov .
There will be no makeups if MCS is not contacted within that time frame.
Road configuration and other factors (sun, shade, level of moisture, etc.) will impact product performance and cannot be controlled by MCS. MCS cannot control nor be liable if road quality will not allow a truck to properly apply brine.
Inclement weather
MCS will not apply product during inclement weather, specifically rain. MCS reserves the right to reschedule due to forecasted inclement weather to abide by MI EGLE (Department of Energy, Great Lakes, and Environment) standards. The township will work with the Clare County Road Commission to determine if road conditions are acceptable (according to MI EGLE standards) to apply product (ensuring that there is no runoff, ponding, or pooling of brine).
Brining Schedule:
April 30th & May 1st
June 10th & 11th
July 16th & 17th
August 20th & 21th
Application dates may vary due to weather conditions.