In Pennsylvania, more than 26,000 miles of dirt and gravel roads provide access for major industries - such as agriculture, mining, forestry and tourism - and also serve as primary transportation routes for over 3.6 million residents. The dust and sediment pollution resulting from poor maintenance of dirt and gravel roads has been shown to contribute to nonpoint source pollution.
Dirt & Gravel Roads Program
Under this program, the conservation district board of directors has appointed a four-member quality assurance board to administer the program. The quality assurance board is comprised of a nonvoting chairman, a member appointed by the conservation district, a representative from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission representative, and a representative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service. Monies are provided to the municipality to fund safe, efficient and environmentally sound maintenance of sections of dirt and gravel roads that have been identified as sources of dust and sediment pollution. The conservation district also coordinates training for road crews on techniques of dirt and gravel road maintenance which minimizes negative environmental impacts. Funding for this program is provided through Pennsylvania's Motor Vehicles License Fund.
