USE OF ROCK SALT ON HIGHWAYS.

SEC. 173. USE OF ROCK SALT ON HIGHWAYS. It is the sense of Congress— (1) that, to enhance environmental protection, and mitigate potential damages to highways and vehicles, Congress encourages efforts to advance the research and development of alternative chemical de-icers to rock salt; (2) that Congress encourages research on alternative chemical de-icers to rock salt under the strategic highway research program under section 307(d) of title 23, United States Code; and (3) that once alternative de-icers are commercially available, the full cost of all de-icing materials, including damages to highways, vehicles, and the environment, should be considered by State and local governments in determining their snow and ice control strategies.