Dirt Gravel and Low Volume Roads
Dirt and Gravel Roads
Dirt and Gravel Roads
Dirt and Gravel Roads
Pennsylvania's Dirt Gravel, and Low Volume Road Maintenance Program provides funding to eliminate stream pollution caused by runoff and sediment from the State's comprehensive network of unpaved and low volume public roads. The Program was enacted into law in April 1997 as Section 9106 of the PA Vehicle Code, with $5 Million in annual funding for "environmentally sensitive road maintenance" for unpaved roads. The goal of the Program is to create a more environmentally and economically sustainable low volume road network through education, outreach, and project funding.
Low Volume Roads
Dirt and Gravel Roads
Dirt and Gravel Roads
Beginning in 2014-15, a portion of the Program’s funding was directed towards paved or sealed low volume roads with 500 vehicles per day or less. The focus of road projects in the Low Volume Road (LVR) portion of the Program is on similar Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance principles that have been used in the Dirt and Gravel Road Program since its inception. Some LVR-specific resources and policies can be found here.
Application Deadline
Application Deadline
Application Deadline
The 2025 Grant round will close on Friday October 31, 2025. Please contact the office to set up a pre-application appointment. Pre-application appointments are scheduled on a first come, first served basis.
Project Showcase
Application Deadline
Application Deadline
Click photo to see projects happening in Warren County
Our Dirt, Gravel, & Low Volume Roads Technician
The Dirt Gravel and Low Volume Road (DGLVR) Resource Technician is responsible for the
implementation and administration of the DGLVR Program by protecting the soil and water resources of Warren County. Specific duties include providing assistance to municipalities and other eligible entities with all aspects of program operations including application assistance, contract management, and other procedures, as well as participating in outreach programs that support program objectives.
For Questions or to Request Technical Assistance, Please Contact:
Katie Stover
DG&LVR Technician/District Manager
(814) 726-1441
kstover@wcconservation.net
Eligibility for Funding
Most state or local public entities that own and maintain public roads are eligible to apply for Program funding. The majority of applicants are townships, but other entities such as boroughs, cities, counties, PennDOT, PA Fish and Boat Commission, and others are eligible to apply. The individual who is responsible for the project must attend a two-day Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance (ESM) training session hosted by the Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies prior to application for funding. Municipalities submit applications to the conservation district (1 page), typically after a pre-application site visit with the district.
Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance (ESM)
ESM is a term used to describe a suite of principles and practices that are designed to create a more environmentally and financially sustainable public road system. They are long term practices designed to reduce erosion and maintenance within the road area. Long-term environmental benefits are achieved by attempting to “restore natural drainage” to a state similar to how it was before the road existed. In contrast to traditional “stormwater systems” that are designed to collect and convey large volumes of runoff, ESM practices focus on diffusing flow at the source, encouraging infiltration and reducing concentrated flow volumes. Environmental benefits of this approach to waterways include reduced sediment and other pollutant delivery, and reduced flood flows by “disconnecting” the road drainage system. Long-term financial benefits are achieved because the same forces of erosion that cause environmental damage translate into increased maintenance costs as well. Every time a road, ditch, or bank washes out, it requires a large time and money investment by the local road owning entity. Some ESM practices may have higher than average up-front costs, but they save money over their lifetime by reducing future maintenance needs and costs.
In order to be eligible to apply for Program funds, the person in charge of work plan development and project implementation from the road-owning entity must have attended environmentally sensitive maintenance (ESM) training within the past five (5) calendar years. This training, and all past ESM trainings, counts as eligibility to apply for BOTH Dirt and Gravel and (paved) Low Volume Road funds for a period of five (5) calendar years. The Center for Dirt & Gravel Road Studies' Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance (ESM) Course is an intense two-day classroom session focused on providing the knowledge and tools necessary for road owners to maintain roads in a more cost-efficient and environmentally sensitive manner. The course runs from 8 am to 4 pm for two days and includes lunch.
ESM Principles
• Avoid concentrating drainage where possible
• Minimize Flow Volumes
• Reduce effects of concentrated drainage
• Reduce surface erosion
• Reduce cost and frequency of road maintenance
Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance (ESM) Resources
How Does the DGLVR Program Work?
Projects are classified as either Dirt and Gravel Roads or Low-Volume Roads. Dirt & Gravel Road funding dollars are divided among Pennsylvania's 66 conservation districts based largely upon the total of unpaved road areas in each respective county. Miles of dirt and gravel roads, length of identified pollution sites (worksites), local cost of limestone, and miles of dirt and gravel roads in High Quality (HQ) and Exceptional Value (EV) watersheds are considered when making allocations to each county. From there, any township that maintains dirt and gravel roads (excluding paved or tar and chip) is eligible to apply for a road maintenance 'grant'.
The focus for Low Volume Roads maintenance utilizes the same practices as the Dirt & Gravel Roads funding, which is environmentally sensitive road maintenance practices that reduce the impact of road runoff and sediment to local streams, while reducing long term road maintenance costs. Stream Crossing Replacement projects can be completed on dirt & gravel and low-volume roads. The replacement of stream crossings has been a growing component of many DGLVR projects since program funding increased in 2014. The Program focuses funding on structures that are creating environmental impacts because they are undersized for the stream channel. Undersized structures create a variety of environmental and maintenance problems such as gravel deposition, excessive erosion, flooding, and creating a barrier to the movement of fish and other aquatic organisms.
The Review Process
Annually, all applications are reviewed by the Quality Assurance Board (QAB), which is made up of a non-voting chairman appointed by the conservation district, a representative of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a representative of the PA Fish and Boat Commission, and a representative appointed by the conservation district directors. Applications are ranked based upon a set of locally determined criteria and funded based upon available funds.
What Happens After a Grant is Awarded?
The program is handled completely at the local level. Once a grant has been awarded, the municipality schedules and completes the improvements based upon the time frame and conditions agreed upon in the contract. The project management is exactly like any other road project the municipality performs. The project must meet the district’s and the State Conservation Commission’s policy and standards. District staff will be regularly on-site during construction to perform inspections and provide “fit in the field” assistance. After the job is completed, the municipality is reimbursed for project expenses associated with the grant.
What Expenses are Eligible for Reimbursement?
The goal of the program is to control the amount of sediment leaving the roadway and entering streams. Since it is a cooperative approach, we try to balance grant funding across the county by maximizing the amount of in-kind donation from the municipality, typically by means of equipment and labor. Any materials necessary for achieving the goal of controlling sediment pollution such as a surface/subsurface drainage improvements, driving surface and ditch stabilization, vegetation management, or equipment related costs (that which the municipality cannot perform) are eligible expenses for reimbursement. This also includes costs of municipal bidding, engineering up to $25,000, and contractor expenses.
Project Showcase
Freehold Township, Porter Hill Road
14 new cross pipes were installed,
2 cross pipes were replaced with squash pipes,
and the road was raised with 7,600 tons of 2RC.
Before Photo
After Photo
Elk Township, Reynolds Run Road
An undersized 7' culvert was replaced with at 50' Spread Footer Bridge to improve the quality of the natural trout stream and protect the Township's Road.
Cross pipes and underdrain were installed to address drainage coming to the stream.
Before Photo
After Photo