| Pennsylvania has over
28,000 miles of unpaved roads serving rural residents, agricultural
users, forest product companies, and tourism. If not properly maintained,
these roads can become sources of runoff and pollution to neighboring
streams and waterways. Runoff in our waterways depletes the oxygen
levels, smothering aquatic life that supports our fisheries. This
pollution caused by dust and sediment is known as non-point source
pollution, and is responsible for the majority of the degredation
of Pennsylvania’s waterways.
Pennsylvania’s Dirt and Gravel Road Pollution Prevention
Program offers local municipalities special funding and technical
support to repair, manage, and maintain their dirt and gravel roads.
The program is administered through county conservation districts
and local Quality Assurance Boards. The program was signed into
law in April, 1997, by Governor Tom Ridge. In order to participate
in this program, municipalities must send representatives to a special
training program.
Through the oversight of a four-member local Quality Assurance
Board, representing the conservation district, PA Fish Commission,
and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Dirt and
Gravel Roads Program offers municipalities a locally controlled
program supported by $4 million annually in non-lapsing funding.
Funding is annually apportioned by the Pennsylvania State Conservation
Commission.
A variety of practices may be implemented at a worksite. This can
include regarding a poor road surface, improving road drainage,
and applying special road aggregate engineered to minimize dust
and sediment runoff.
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| Aggregate being applied
to Bullhead Road in Heidelberg Township - Summer 2003. |
For additional information, go to the Dirt
and Gravel Roads FAQ page. Application forms can be found at
Penn
State Dirt and Gravel Roads. Follow the links to their download
center for applications, worksheets, and contract forms.
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