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 to nearby streams while improving the rural road network.
Schuylkill River Trial, Birdsboro
One of the qualification requirements of the Program is to direct funding to “worksites” where road runoff is affecting water quality of the nearby stream. As a result of Act 89 (PA Gas Tax), additional funding has been allocated to the program which will now include Low Volume Roads (<500 vehicles per day).
Technical Assistance is available and provided by the Center for Dirt and Gravel Road studies and the BCCD.
Program Monetary Assistance
Each Conservation District will receive funding from the State Conservation Commission through the PADEP.
- If a municipality is interested in applying to the program to receive funding for a project, applicants are to prepare and submit a grant application to the BCCD requesting the amount of funding required and any “in-kind” contributions to be allocated towards the project.
- Up to 50% of the contact amount may be advanced to grant recipients once a contract is signed.
- Projects greater than $25,000 are subject to provisions of Pennsylvania's Prevailing Wage Act (1961, August 15, P. L. 987, No. 442), 43 P. S. Section 165-1 et seq. A Contract Amendment must be completed and signed by both entities if project cost overruns totaling 20% or less of the initial contract amount.