The Problem

Low-volume (low-traffic) roads transverse all of our rural landscapes from forests to farmlands. These roads frequently cut across natural drainage patterns to intercept both overland and sub-surface water flows. Traditional roadside ditch systems convey runoff directly to nearby streams, resulting in sediment pollution, an increase in flood flows, and a decrease in groundwater recharge through infiltration. The combined “rural storm-water system” is a large, but frequently overlooked cause of stream and watershed degradation and impairment.

 The Solution

Many of the Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance (ESM) Practices advocated by the Center for Dirt & Gravel Road Studies, Penn State University, are designed to “disconnect the rural storm-water system” to reduce sediment pollution, encourage infiltration, and reduce long-term maintenance cost.

ESM Principles:

• Avoid concentrating drainage.
• Minimize flow volumes.
• Reduce effects of concentrated drainage.
• Prevent surface erosion.
• Reduce maintenance cost and frequency.      

 How does it work?

Municipalities and state agencies that maintain dirt and gravel

roads are eligible to receive funding. Townships and other road-owning entities, after successful completion of required 2-day Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance (ESM) training, are eligible to apply to the York County Conservation District for maintenance funds to address identified, priority pollution problems using environmentally sound practices. Eligible entities, with assistance of their County Conservation District, submit a 1-page application and work plan to address a specific verified worksite. Environmentally sound maintenance practices and approved products are used to correct pollution problems related to roadway. Grants awarded to successful applicants provide advance payments to aid with project cash flow and complete project work on a timely basis. Paperwork requirements are minimal. Local decision-making based on locally-defined goals is emphasized.

Resources

• Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance of Dirt & Gravel Roads Brochure (pdf)
• State Conservation Commission’s Dirt & Gravel Road Maintenance Policy (pdf)
• DGR Program Mission, Goals and Objectives (pdf)
• 1-Page Project Application Form (pdf)
• Center for Dirt & Gravel Road Studies

 For more information about York County’s Watershed Program contact Gary R. Peacock, Watershed Specialist, at 717-840-7430 or e-mail gpeacock@yorkccd.org.