A dirt road with straw and gravel along the sides for erosion control

Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Program

Program Information

The Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road Program began in 1997 from an initiative by Trout Unlimited in conjunction with Penn State University’s Center for Dirt and Gravel Roads, the State Conservation Commission, and local Conservation Districts. The goal of the program is to reduce pollution in nearby streams while improving the rural road network.

One of the qualification requirements of the Program is to direct funding to “worksites” where road runoff is affecting the water quality of the nearby stream.

After Before

Whittaker Farm Road – After & Before Comparison

Eligibility Requirements

Public entities that own public roads in Pennsylvania that are open to public vehicle traffic are eligible to apply to districts for Program funding. Eligible entities include municipalities, PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT), PA Game Commission, PA Fish and Boat Commission, County and other Government entities and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

The person who is in charge of the work plan development, as well as project implementation from the entity that applied for funds, must have attended environmentally sensitive maintenance (ESM) training within the past five calendar years to become ESM certified.

For more information regarding the Program, please contact the District at 570-226-8220.

Additional information can also be found by visiting the PennState Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies website.

 

Additional Resources

2020 Virtual Road Maintenance Workshop

DGLVR Podcast Episode

Past Project Highlights 

 

chart with Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Roads stats gathered from GIS tracking systems: Dirt & Gravel Program Stats: Funded Site Miles- 28; Contracted Sites- 3; Completed Sites- 58; Total Expenditures- $2,088,078.57 Low Volume Program Stats: Funded Site Miles- 1; Contracted Sites- 3; Completed Sites- 5; Total Expenditures- $312,780.85.
FACT

Wetlands provide habitat for wildlife, filter water, and can act like a sponge to limit flooding.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Protect wetlands by not damaging the flow of water. This can mean not placing soil or fill in wetlands and not digging in them to redirect water.