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The Newsletter of the Center for Dirt and Gravel Roads at Penn State dirt and gravel gazette Spring 2011 Inside this Issue: Completed Site 2 Impacts in Bradford County Mixed Bag 3 - QAQC - Allocations - Website Update Insert : Dirt and Gravel Road Program’s 2010 Summary Report Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies Penn State University 215 Transportation Research Building University Park, PA 16802 toll-free: 1-866-No-To-Mud (1-866-668-6683) 1 May 2011 Made possible through the support of: Marcellus Watch Spring 2011, and Pennsylvania’s development of shale gas is in full swing. The road impacts of associated heavy hauling continue to highlight many Marcellus- related discussions. While bumpy roads and traffic delays receive their fair share of press, little is reported on the environmental impacts of damaged and dysfunctional roads. However, those impacts are real and significant, and they have increased the overall “need” of the Dirt and Gravel Road Program. Some of the practices being used by gas companies to address roads, while well intentioned, are damaging previously completed projects and are counter to the Program’s philosophies of disconnecting drainage, encouraging infiltration, and reducing sediment pollution to PA’s streams. Reports state that for 2010, the gas industry spent over Spring is mud season for this PA township road with one active Marcellus well. $200,000,000 on road repairs and improvements in PA. The percentage of that spent on unpaved local roads is unknown. However, it does appear that much of the money was spent on base and surface work with far less attention paid to drainage improvements. In addition, when it comes to township roads, the industry continues to be reactive rather than proactive in their approach to road maintenance. A cooperative initiative to work with drillers to educate them on Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance Practices is gaining momentum, but needs greater support from state and local agencies to keep pace with the industry in order to make an impact. Dirt and Gravel Program Funding The Dirt and Gravel Road Program has received an annual allocation of $5 Million since 1997. Between inflation and Marcellus impacts, the buying power of the Program’s funding has been steadily eroded over the last 14 years. Two efforts are currently underway in Harrisburg that have the potential to provide additional funding to the Program. The Keystone Transportation Funding Coalition is pushing for a multi-billion dollar comprehensive funding package to meet PA’s transportation needs to be acted on this fall that would likely include additional funding for the Dirt and Gravel Road Program. The Center has been involved with this group on the Program’s behalf. The various Marcellus Impact Fees being discussed in Harrisburg present another potential avenue for additional Program funding. While the Center’s “lobbying” efforts are limited by Penn State policies, we will continue to work on both of these fronts to the largest extent possible to educate all parties on the benefits of the Program. Please feel free to contact the Center for more information.
Transcript of dirt and gravel gazette Events... · donations. The Dirt and Gravel Road Program’s mantra of...
The Newsletter of the Center for Dirt and Gravel Roads at Penn State
dirt and gravel gazetteSpring 2011
Inside this Issue:
Completed Site 2Impacts in Bradford County
Mixed Bag 3- QAQC- Allocations- Website Update
Insert:Dirt and Gravel RoadProgram’s 2010Summary Report
www.dirtandgravelroads.orgCenter for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies
Penn State University215 Transportation Research
BuildingUniversity Park, PA 16802toll-free: 1-866-No-To-Mud
(1-866-668-6683)
1May 2011
Made possible through the support of:
Marcellus WatchSpring 2011, and Pennsylvania’s development of
shale gas is in full swing. The road impacts of associatedheavy hauling continue to highlight many Marcellus-related discussions. While bumpy roads and trafficdelays receive their fair share of press, little is reportedon the environmental impacts of damaged anddysfunctional roads. However, those impacts are realand significant, and they have increased the overall“need” of the Dirt and Gravel Road Program. Some ofthe practices being used by gas companies to addressroads, while well intentioned, are damaging previouslycompleted projects and are counter to the Program’sphilosophies of disconnecting drainage, encouraginginfiltration, and reducing sediment pollution to PA’sstreams. Reports state that for 2010, the gasindustry spent over
Spring is mud season for thisPA township road with oneactive Marcellus well.
$200,000,000 on road repairs and improvements in PA. The percentage of that spenton unpaved local roads is unknown. However, it does appear that much of themoney was spent on base and surface work with far less attention paid to drainageimprovements. In addition, when it comes to township roads, the industry continuesto be reactive rather than proactive in their approach to road maintenance. Acooperative initiative to work with drillers to educate them on EnvironmentallySensitive Maintenance Practices is gaining momentum, but needs greater supportfrom state and local agencies to keep pace with the industry in order to make animpact.
Dirt and Gravel Program FundingThe Dirt and Gravel Road Program has received an annual allocation of $5 Million
since 1997. Between inflation and Marcellus impacts, the buying power of theProgram’s funding has been steadily eroded over the last 14 years. Two efforts arecurrently underway in Harrisburg that have the potential to provide additional fundingto the Program.
The Keystone Transportation Funding Coalition is pushing for a multi-billion dollarcomprehensive funding package to meet PA’s transportation needs to be acted on thisfall that would likely include additional funding for the Dirt and Gravel Road Program.The Center has been involved with this group on the Program’s behalf. The variousMarcellus Impact Fees being discussed in Harrisburg present another potential avenuefor additional Program funding.
While the Center’s “lobbying” efforts are limited by Penn State policies, we willcontinue to work on both of these fronts to the largest extent possible to educate allparties on the benefits of the Program. Please feel free to contact the Center for moreinformation.
QIs “in-kind” required on Dirt and Gravel
Road Projects?
AStatewide, NO. In-kind
refers to time, equipment,and materials donatedtowards a project by themunicipality receiving a Dirtand Gravel Road Grant. TheProgram has NO statewidein-kind or matchingrequirements.
Individual Districts,however, can create theirown in-kind requirements foruse within their County.Some Districts may also giveadditional funding priority toapplications that have largeramounts of in-kinddonations. The Dirt andGravel Road Program’smantra of “local control” isdesigned to put suchdecisions in the hands ofindividual Districts.
Districts who may beconsidering policies thatrequire or prioritize in-kindshould consider, however,that it may deter financiallystrapped municipalities fromparticipating in the Programat all. To date, the Programhas averaged a match of$0.41 for every $1.00 ofProgram funds spent.
Have a question? Submit it [email protected]
questions from the field
2 May 2011
With 1,500+ miles of unpaved roads, and 2,000+ identified pollution worksites, theBradford County Conservation District runs one of the largest Dirt and Gravel RoadMaintenance Programs in Pennsylvania. Over the past 13 years, the District has spentover $3 Million to complete over 80 projects in Bradford County. In late 2010, with theMarcellus gas play in full swing, the District decided to perform an inspection of all 80+of their past funded projects to see how they are holding up. Below is an summary ofwhat they found from the Conservation District's December 2010 newsletter.
“Over the years, the Bradford County Quality Assurance Board has kept asking questions
like, “How are the projects holding up?” and “How do we assure that the dollars spent inBradford County are being put to good use?” Back in June of 2006, the QAB passed thispolicy:
“Applicants will be responsible for maintaining a completed project. Failure to do so may be cause for the District to refuse future project requests until maintenance is performed.”
Concern for our installed projects has been even higher now with all the increased heavyuse and road rebuilding related to the gas industry. This increased concern resulted inthe Conservation District staff taking to the roads and visiting each and every one of ourcompleted projects. We rated each site for the following items:
a. Functional road shape / surface drainage d. Proper maintenance of DSAb. Continued mitigation of water quality impacts e. Maintenance of original project practicesc. Continued effectiveness of road drainage f. Continued overall project function
So how did we do? Not too bad:•For the vast majority of projects, they were looking good and still serving the objectivesthey were originally developed to meet.
•The review revealed that only seven of the sties were impacted by heavy truck traffic;and of those seven, three were adversely impacted.
The Bradford Conservation District plans to review completed projects every two years,and has recently enacted a policy requiring grant recipients to maintain projects to Dirt
and Gravel Road standards for 10 years after completion.”
Marcellus Impacts on Completed Projects in Bradford County
This “before and after” comparison from Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier demonstrates the effecteven a single Marcellus well can have on a road. DSA was placed on this completed project in2003. Yes, the truck is actually stuck in the ditch (not a setup).
2004 2011
September 27th & 28th
Wilkes-Barre, PA
The Center’s AnnualMaintenance Workshop is ontrack for September 27th and28th at “The Woodlands” inWilkes-Barre, PA. As inprevious years, theWorkshop will feature bothconcurrent class sessions andfield trips. 2011 field tripswill likely include severallocal township and forestryprojects in the area, as wellas a trip to a Marcellusimpacted site. Look fordetailed info, includingregistration packets, to besent out and posted on theCenter’s website in the nextmonth or two.
The Center holdsapproximately 8-10 ESMtrainings each year. The2011 training schedule canbe found on page 4. If youare interested in hosting theopen July ESM training, orgetting on the list for 2012,please contact the Center.
Remember that before amunicipality applies forfunding, someone from themunicipality must haveattended an ESM trainingwithin the previous 5 years.Also remember thatattendance at the AnnualWorkshop will count as re-certification for anyone whohas already been to the ESMtraining.
2011Workshop
3May 2011
Steve Bloser (CDGRS)
ESM Trainings
Quality Assurance / Quality ControlWhat is Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC)?
The QAQC process is designed to provide feedback and assistance to CountyConservation Districts who administer PA’s Dirt and Gravel Road Program. The processinvolves a two-day visit from a QAQC team that includes representatives from theProgram, Center, and DEP. The group looks at various aspects of the District’s Programsuch as administration, functionality, and project work in an effort to improve theProgram at both the County and State level.
What is the timeline?The first round of QAQC visits began in 2003 and finished visiting all 64 Districts
involved in the Program by the end of 2009. Last winter, members of the Program’s“Policy and Planning” Advisory Group got together in an attempt to improve the QAQCprocess. The current plan is to get QAQC visits started in 2011, hopefully completing 2-3visits by the end of the year. Next year, the QAQC visits should be in full swing with thepotential to visit 10-12 individual Conservation Districts annually.
What has changed since the first round of QAQCs?This second round of QAQC visits will:• place more emphasis on looking at projects in the field.• try to take care of some administrative details before the visit, and better inform the
Districts of what the process will entail.• focus on an interactive visit & learning experience over evaluations & scores.• share strategies between Districts an focus on improving the entire Program.
New Program Allocations to DistrictsConservation Districts are reminded that the Program will begin a three year phasing-in
of new District allocations in FY 2011-12. The new allocations utilize a revised formulaand will include all ~16,600 worksites identified to date by Districts. The SCC approvedthe new allocations at their 5/17/11 meeting and Districts can expect to receive checks asusual in August/September (pending approval of the State budget). Details of thechange, including allocation figures, are on the Center’s website atwww.dirtandgravelroads.org.
Center Website UpdateThe Center is currently in the process of upgrading its website located at
www.dirtandgravelroads.org. The website receives 700+ hits a month from all over theworld. Look for the newly redesigned site to appear sometime in June. Some of thechanges include:
- More separation of Program and Center resources:- Easy access to Program resources for those involved in the Program.- Easy access to Center resources and info for other entities.
- Page dedicated to the Center’s Marcellus efforts.- Page dedicated to the Center’s trail-related efforts.- More information: addition and expansion of several topics.
Mixed Bag
Important Considerations events calendarThe two-day ESM trainingcovers many aspects of roadmaintenance and focuses onpractices to reducemaintenance costs andenvironmental impact fromunpaved roads.
Have questions or want toschedule an ESM training?Want to receive futurenewsletters?
Contact Kathy Moir at:1-866-No-To-Mud
(1-866-668-6683)[email protected]
www.dirtandgravelroads.org
environmentally sensitive maintenance
(ESM) training
Sullivan: June 15-16 AVAILABLE: Jul 12-14 Fayette: Aug 16-17(rescheduled form Feb.)
Franklin: Oct 18-19 Columbia: Nov 15-16
4 May 2011
This publication is available in alternative media upon request. The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualification as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. The Pennsylvania State University does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Direct all affirmative action inquiries to the Affirmative Action Office, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University Park, PA 16802-2801; tel. (814) 863-0471; TDD (814) 865-3175. U.Ed #RES-01-50. Penn State is an affirmative action, equal opportunity University.
Two-Day ESM Training Schedule
Contact the Center to register for a training, or to discuss hosting one (814-865-5355).
Other Events
PACD meeting: Jul 11-12: Joint Annual Meeting, State College
SCC meetings: Jul 12th, St. College: September 13th, Hbg: November 15th, Hbg.
2011 Dirt and Gravel Maintenance Workshop: September 27-28, Wilkes-Barre, PA
The publishers of this publication gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the PA State Conservation Commission. For
additional information or assistance, contact: Center for Dirt & Gravel Roads Studies, Penn State University, 215 Transportation
Research Building, University Park, PA 16802 (Toll-Free Phone: 1-866-668-6683, Fax: 814-863-6787, Email:
[email protected]). www.dirtandgravelroads.org ©2011: PSU Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies
Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Program
SUMMARYREPORT
Compiled and Created by the PSU Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies.
PROGRAM BACKGROUNDPennsylvania’s Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Program provides grant funding to local municipalities in
order to eliminate stream pollution caused by runoff and sediment from unpaved roads. The Program was enactedinto law in April 1997, as Section 9106 of the PA Vehicle Code, with $4 Million in annual funding for “environmentallysensitive road maintenance”. Each year, the State Conservation Commission allocates this “dedicated andearmarked funding”, based on identified need, to County Conservation Districts. Townships and other road-owningentities apply to their local Conservation District for these funds to address identified pollution problems usingenvironmentally sound road maintenance practices. All grant applicants must have completed a 2-day trainingcourse entitled “Environmentally Sensitive Road Maintenance” focused on lowering maintenance costs and reducingstream pollution.
KEY FACTS about the Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Program:• Stresses site-specific, long-term solutions to prevent erosion and pollution, instead of “band-aid” fixes.• Reduces pollution while promoting sustainable unpaved roads. “Chip-sealing” or paving is not funded. • Minimal administration; limited to 2% at the state level; limited to 10% at the local level.• Emphasis on informed local control and environmental soundness puts decision-making at local level.• Adherence to program values assured through central training, technical assistance, and quality control.• 16,500 miles of public unpaved road (forestry roads not included) have been inspected.• 16,600 “Worksites” where road runoff negatively impacts a stream are mapped and assessed.• Uses a computerized GIS system used for project tracking and central reporting with minimal paperwork.
2010 STATUS The map below illustrates all of the Program’s 16,600 identified “Worksites”. These worksites are identified pollution sources PA waters and are the only locations eligible for Program funding. Approximately 2,300 separate contracts have been funded on 2,100 sites to date.
All information based on reports submitted by individual County Conservation Districts. www.dirtandgravelroads.org
5/2011
UnaddressedPollution Sites(14,500 sites)
All FundedWorksites
(2,100 sites)
2010 FundedWorksites(180 sites)
WorksiteKey
Spring 2011 Newsletter Insert Page 1/2
This publication is available in alternative media upon request. The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs,
facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualification as determined by University policy or by state or
federal authorities. The Pennsylvania State University does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race,
religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Direct all affirmative action inquiries to the Affirmative Action Office, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard
Building, University Park, PA 16802-2801; tel. (814) 863-0471; TDD (814) 865-3175. U.Ed #RES-01-50.
DIRT AND GRAVEL ROAD PROGRAM SUMMARY DATA -------All Data is CUMULATIVE Based on District Reports as of January 15, 2011-------
2010 Program SpendingApproximately $3 Million per year is spent on “onthe ground” project work since the Programbegan in 1997. In-kind contributions are moneyor services that are contributed from sourcesoutside the Program. In-kind contributions haveincrease dramatically over the past five years.One reason is because many counties are tryingto “stretch” the limited funds they have byrequiring or rewarding projects with high “in-kind” matches from participants. Another factorin recent years has been that many Districts aresupplementing their Programs by using outsidefunding such as Federal Stimulus funds, GrowingGreener grants, etc.
The impacts of Marcellus hauling areevident on this former project in PA’snorthern tier.
The development of PA’s shale gas is in full swing and will likely last for decades tocome. While bumpy roads and traffic delays have received their fair share of press,little is reported on the environmental impacts of these damaged and dysfunctionalroads. Those impacts, however, are real and have increased the overall “need” ofthe Dirt and Gravel Road Program, whose ~$50 Million in spending on completedroad projects is in jeopardy. Some of the practices being used by gas companies toaddress roads, while well intentioned, are damaging previously completed projectsand are counter to the Program’s philosophies of drainage disconnection,encouraging infiltration, and reducing sediment pollution to PA’s streams. TheProgram is pursuing a cooperative approach to addressing these issues with those inthe gas industry. The initiative is gaining momentum, but needs greater supportfrom state and local agencies in order to make an impact on the large number ofroads being reconstructed.
PROGRAM SPENDINGSince 1997, the Program has spent $38.3 Million on“on-the-ground” projects. The graph belowillustrates the breakdown of that money into thecategories of “materials”, “equipment”, and “labor”.
MARCELLUS: A Challenging “Road” Ahead
www.dirtandgravelroads.org
$2.6 Million
$2.0 Million
Program Funds Spent on Projects
In-Kind Contributions
IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONSSince 1997, the Program has received $17.1Million in “In-kind” contributions, mostly fromtownships. “Other” in the graph below refersmostly to outside grants used to fund Dirt andGravel Projects.
Program Spending
1997-2010
In-Kind Contributions
1997-2010
Spring 2011 Newsletter Insert Page 2/2
