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Dirt
and Gravel Roads Program
Pennsylvania has over 28,000 miles of unpaved dirt and gravel roads serving rural residents, as well as agriculture, forest product companies, and tourism. If not properly maintained, these roads can become sources of runoff and pollution to neighboring streams and waterways. Runoff in our waterways depletes the oxygen levels, smothering aquatic life that supports our fisheries. Dirt roads that are not properly maintained become large providers of dust and sediment. This pollution caused by dust and sediment is known as nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Nonpoint source pollution is responsible for up to 80% of the degradation in our waterways.
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The goal of the Dirt and Gravel Road program is to use environmentally sound maintenance to reduce the amount of runoff and sediment polluting our waterways. To do this, the program was taken to the local level through conservation districts. A variety of practices may be implemented at a worksite. This can include regrading a poor road surface, improving upon the road surface and road drainage thus, minimizing sediment and erosion. Tree and shrub establishment, which acts as a roadside/streamside buffer, improving canopy and also, minimizing sediment and runoff. The Lebanon County Conservation District is looking forward to the implementation of these and other practices at various worksites this summer. Please send us any comments or questions you may have. |
