Greene conservation district approves funding
The Greene County Conservation District and Greene County Commissioners recently approved funding to seven municipalities to address environmental issues associated with dirt, gravel and low-volume roads.
The Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Roads Program, administered by the conservation district, is funded by two state transportation funding programs that assist municipalities correcting problems on local roads that result in sediment runoff.
The $373,304 will be used for projects at the following locations:
- Glade Run Road and Hunters Ridge Road in Dunkard Township, $41,683 for base repairs and drainage work, including the installation of French mattresses.
- Powell Lane in Wayne Township, $19,590 for slide and drainage repairs.
- Jobe Road in Springhill Township, $65,276 to replace structures to curb erosion at undersized stream crossings.
- Renner Creek Road, Hardy Lane and Berdine Road in Freeport Township, $80,180 to replace structures to curb erosion at undersized stream crossings.
- Randolph Hill Road in Greene Township, $166,575 to repair a slide and drainage features.
The conservation district board and commissioners also approved amendments to existing projects totaling $32,675. They include:
- Tustin Run Road in Gilmore Township, $9,573 to install underdrains.
- Pollocks Mill Road in Morgan Township, $23,102 to repair a slip.
The conservation district has participated in the dirt and gravel road program since 1997 and has completed 54 projects. Currently, 23 projects are under contract.
“The project is a great asset to the municipalities,” said Lisa Snider, conservation district manager. “We hope to ensure the program is utilized to its fullest extent. The program not only assists municipalities with their budgets, but helps keep some local streams free of sediment, she said.
The district has brought more than $2.3 million to the county for use on local dirt and gravel roads. During the last four years, it has brought in an additional $444,481 in low-volume road projects.
To be eligible for the program, municipalities must have a decision maker certified for the program. A road also must have some environmental impact on local streams.
The district now has money available for which a municipality can apply by June 30. For more information, contact the conservation district at 724-852-5278.