Dirt, Gravel, And Low Volume Road Maintenance Program

In 1997, Section 9106 of the PA Vehicle Code was enacted establishing The Dirt and Gravel Road Program. The purpose of the law was to create a way to maintain the dirt and gravel public road system in a way that would have a reduced environmental impact.

In 2013 the law was changed to include low volume paved roads and the program became know as the Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road Maintenance Program (DGLV); low volume paved roads are eligible for funding under the modified law.

More information may be found at the Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies website.

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Program

Eligibility Criteria

For a site to be eligible there must be:

an impacted stream
a publicly owned road, open to public travel,
the municipality must be “ESM certified”.
if the road is paved, have less than 500ADT (average daily traffic).

Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance (ESM) Principals

ESM certified: the person in charge of the work plan and project implementation for the applying entity must have attended the environmentally sensitive maintenance (ESM) training within the past 5 calendar years.

Avoid concentrating drainage where possible
Minimize flow volumes
Reduce effects of concentrated drainage
Reduce surface erosion
Reduce cost and frequency of road maintenance

Quality Assurance Board (QAB)

The law was set up to have some statewide policy/guidance but ultimately local control. Each County that participates in the Program has a Quality Assurance Board (QAB). The QAB makes decisions about local policies, ranks applications, and makes recommendations to the Conservation District Board.

Assistance

The Adams County Conservation District will work with municipalities to identify problem areas, verify that the worksite is eligible, work through the administrative process, and help with the application preparation and work plan. The Conservation District is involved through the completion of the project in the field.