How do I apply for funding?
The Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission provides the funding to implement Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance practices on unpaved and paved roads, and the Westmoreland Conservation District administers these funds within Westmoreland County.
Municipalities and other entities that own public roads are eligible to receive funds to perform environmentally sensitive road maintenance on their roads.
To apply for the funds, a one-page application with a work plan for the proposed road site is submitted to the Westmoreland Conservation District. Each worksite is reviewed by the Conservation District technical staff to ensure that it meets the program requirements. Qualified project applications are then reviewed by the District’s Quality Assurance Board (QAB), which consists of one representative each from Natural Resource Conservation Service, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, and District’s Board of Directors. The District Board of Directors, upon recommendation from the QAB, then awards road owning entities grants to use Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance (ESM) Practices on the roads to reduce sediment and other pollutants and so improve our county’s watersheds.
Grant Application Packet
Grant Application: One-page application submitted by the road-owning entity to the Conservation District. This becomes “Attachment A” to the contract between the Conservation District and the Grant recipient.
Work Plan: Project sketch detailing proposed work, which may be on the back of the grant application. This becomes “Attachment B” to the contract between the Conservation District and the Grant recipient.
Expenditure Sheets: Two optional sheets, one for grant requested funds and one for in-kind contributions, that can be attached to the grant application if needed.
Grant Application Packet
Application Instructions
Grant Application Checklist
Traffic Count Policy
These entities have completed the required training and are eligible to apply for funding:
How do I become eligible for DGLVR funds?
To qualify for funding, one member of the eligible entity (municipality, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, PENNDOT, Pennsylvania Game Commission, County Parks, etc.) must attend a no-cost, two-day Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance course presented by the Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies.
This course is held at various locations throughout the state and is a classroom session focused on providing the knowledge and tools necessary for road owners to maintain roads in a cost-efficient and environmentally sensitive manner. At least one person from the eligible entity must attend the Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance course every five years to maintain program eligibility.
ESM Course Dates, Locations + Registration
Upon completion of the Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance training, the qualified entity can apply to the Westmoreland Conservation District for funds to perform environmentally sensitive maintenance work on their roads.
