Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Roads
Why is sediment pollution a problem?
Sediment is the largest pollutant by volume in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Sediment from roads, farms, construction sites, logging sites, and a host of other sources combine to form the largest single contributor of pollution of the state’s waters. With the growing environmental awareness of the 70s and 80s, most point source pollution sites have been under strict regulation. With the decline of point source pollution problems, non-point source pollution has become a growing concern, contributing to 88% of all impaired stream miles in Pennsylvania.
Unfortunately, Pennsylvania’s roads are a great example of non-point source pollution. Along with having over 120,000 miles of road, Pennsylvania also has the largest network of rivers and streams in the United States (with the exception of Alaska). Unfortunately, this network of streams becomes a convenient disposal area for road runoff. Traditional thinking in road maintenance has been to get water off of the roads and into streams by the quickest means possible. This practice results in thousands of tons of sediment and other pollutants being deposited into the state’s streams.
The presence of sediment is a natural and necessary part of a healthy stream, although excess sediment can cause great harm to aquatic ecosystems which includes:
- Disruption of natural stream order and flow
- Damage to fish species through direct abrasion to body and gills
- Loss of fish spawning areas due to the filling in of gaps in streambeds
- A breakdown in the aquatic food chain as sediment suffocates small organisms living in the streambed
- Accelerated filling in of dams and reservoirs
- A change in the water composition in the Chesapeake Bay and other estuaries
What is the DGLVR Pollution Prevention Program?
The “Program” is an innovative effort to educate the public about pollution problems from roads and to fund “environmentally sensitive” maintenance of unpaved roadways that have been identified as sources of dust and sediment pollution. Signed into law in April of 1997 as Section 9106 of the PA Vehicle Code (§9106), the program is based on the principle that informed local control is the most effective way to stop pollution. The law created a dedicated, non-lapsing fund to provide money to local communities for education and local road maintenance by way of streamlined appropriations to local conservation districts for use by local road maintenance entities under the environmental guidance of a local Quality Assurance Board (QAB). The QAB is made up of representatives of the Conservation District, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Awarded Dirt & Gravel Road Projects
Fiscal year 2023-2024
Beaver Township, Joiner Road – Stream Crossing Replacement
Oil Creek Township, Donovan Road – Drainage Improvement
Rockdale Township, Whitely Road – Stream Crossing Replacement
Rockdale Township, Wise Road Phase I – Drainage Improvement
Steuben Township, Steadman Road – Stream Crossing Replacement
Summit Township, Porter Road – Stream Crossing Replacement
Wayne Township, Rynd Road – Drainage Improvement
Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Rockdale Township, Wise Road Phase II – Stream Crossing Replacement
Awarded Low Volume Road Projects
Fiscal Year 2023-2024
East Fallowfield Township, West Townline Road – Stream Crossing Replacement
Who is eligible for these funds?
The only entities that can receive funds are local municipalities and state agencies who own/have jurisdiction for the identified worksites AND have completed a two-day Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance (ESM) Training. The training and technical assistance are open to all.
ESM Resources:
Upcoming ESM Training Dates and Locations
Is Your Municipality Eligible?
Funds Available to Fix Water Issues
How are worksites determined?
Conservation officials, sometimes accompanied by road officials, drove all unpaved roads identified by the townships. They assessed 12 factors known to contribute to dust and sediment pollution in locations where the drainage from the road reached open water. This verification process identified sections of roads where streams or rivers were negatively affected. A unique number is assigned to each road site to make it eligible for repairs and to maintain statewide records. Periodically, a new assessment is performed to update the potential worksites; however, a procedure exits to correct errors and omissions. There are over 17,000 sites currently identified statewide.
HOW TO APPLY
Low Volume Traffic Count Validation Form
What steps are required?
- Road supervisors are encouraged to meet on-site with conservation officials and agree on corrective actions that are appropriate, affordable, and feasible.
- The one-page “Grant Application” is to be completed describing the agreed upon work. The applicants are to determine the cost figures to be submitted.
- The QAB reviews all applications, according to adopted timeframes and schedules. The QAB makes project-funding recommendations to the County Conservation District Directors.
- The County Conservation District Directors discuss and vote on applications in an open public meeting. They may request changes, reject, approve or approve with alteration each grant application.
- Once awarded a grant, a simple two-page contract with requested amount and a signature sheet is prepared. The contract attachments include:
- The one-page grant application, project work plan, and materials list
- General Contract Provisions
- The “Statement of Policy” describing the requirements the conservation district and project owner have agreed to fulfill
- County Specific QAB Standards
- Schedule of Payments
- Applicable government boilerplate requirements (Prevailing Wage Documents)
- Once the contract is signed, the applicant may request a partial up-front payment. This provision is intended to cover the cost of materials or any advance expenditures to expedite the project.
- Work can commence any time after the contract is signed and the Conservation District is notified. Work completed before the contract is signed cannot be paid for under the contract.
- Contracts can be amended by listing the agreed upon changes on the standard Amendment Agreement and having all parties sign.
- If third party contractors are to be employed on the project, contracts with them must include the full Conservation District/Applicant Contract including attachments. Find current bid documents HERE.
For more information please visit the Center for Dirt & Gravel Road Studies.
