​Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road Maintenance Program

The Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road (DGLVR) Maintenance Program is an innovative non-point source pollution control program for PA state and local municipal roads.  Under this program, the State Conservation Commission provides grant funding through county conservation districts to state and local entities to eliminate stream pollution caused by runoff and sediment from dirt, gravel, and low volume roads. Low Volume Roads are sealed or paved with an average daily traffic count of 500 vehicles or less.

County conservation districts administer the DGLVR Program locally, including accepting applications and awarding grant funds. To apply for these funds and obtain local Program information, contact your county conservation district.
 

• The grant applicant must be a PA municipal or state entity that owns the road where the proposed project will be completed.
• Federal roads and privately owned roads are not eligible for grant funds.
• The person in charge of work plan development/project implementation for the applying entity must be ESM Certified. ESM Certification is obtained by attending a two day "Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance" (ESM) training.  
• The road must be open to public motor vehicle travel for a minimum of 2 consecutive weeks annually.
• The road must be one of the following:
  • Dirt and gravel roads: unpaved surface of natural material or rock aggregate with no binder.
  • Low volume roads: paved/sealed surface with average daily traffic of 500 vehicles or less.
• The road drainage must impact a stream, lake, wetland, or other water body.

To discuss eligibility, contact your county conservation district.
 

An annual appropriation of $28 Million is provided to the Commission for the DGLVR program with a minimum of $8 Million earmarked to paved low volume roads. 

The Commission provides an annual allocation to local conservation districts based on the amount of eligible roads and identified pollution sites in a county.

The conservation district, based on local DGLVR program policy, awards grants to eligible public road-owning entities.

To apply for these funds and obtain local Program information, contact your county conservation district.
 

The DGLVR Program is administered locally by county conservation districts. To apply for these funds, contact your county conservation district. Conservation districts will provide local information on funding availability and grant application periods, as well as assist with eligibility determination and locating potential projects.

Grant applications are 2 pages long with attachments as needed. Upon completion and approval of an application by the conservation district, the applicant will enter into a contract with the county conservation district to complete project work. Applicants can complete project work themselves or by hiring contractors.

To apply for these funds and obtain local Program information, contact your county conservation district.