Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance for Dirt and Gravel Roads

This manual identifies, documents, and encourages the use of environmentally sensitive maintenance of dirt and gravel roads. The document provides insight into using natural systems and innovative technologies to reduce erosion, sediment, and dust pollution while more effectively and efficiently maintaining dirt and gravel roads and gives the users a "tool box" full of environmentally sensitive maintenance "tools" and practices.

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If you need assistance with this document, please contact Chris Solloway of the US EPA at (202) 566-1202 or email at solloway.chris@epa.gov.

Download full document (PDF) ( 332 pages, 24 MB)

Download individual sections:

Cover, Acknowledgement, Table of Contents, Foreword (PDF) ( 18 pages, 391 KB)
Chapter 1: Introduction (PDF) ( 10 pages, 760 KB)
Appendix 1: Case Study: The Pennsylvania Dirt and Gravel Roads Program (PDF) ( 8 pages, 463 KB)
Chapter 2: Geology, Rocks and Soils (PDF) ( 17 pages, 468 KB)
Appendix 2: Case Study: Pennsylvania's Geology (PDF) ( 5 pages, 597 KB)
Chapter 3: Water, Erosion, Drainage and Road Basics (PDF) ( 22 pages, 2 MB)
Appendix 3: Sample Aggregates Specifications (PDF) ( 7 pages, 156 KB)
Chapter 4: Basics of Natural Systems (PDF) ( 52 pages, 4.8 MB)
Appendix 4: Case Study: Pennsylvania's Ecology (PDF) ( 4 pages, 291 KB)
Chapter 5: Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance Practices: Roads and Road Drainage (PDF) ( 44 pages, 3.2 MB)
Appendix 5: Worksites in Focus (PDF) ( 13 pages, 1.2 MB)
Chapter 6: Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance Practices: Roadsides and Streams (PDF) ( 31 pages, 3 MB)
Appendix 6: Soil Identification in the Field (PDF) ( 6 pages, 472 KB)
Chapter 7: Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance Practices: Additional Maintenance Techniques (PDF) ( 30 pages, 2.7 MB)
Appendix 7: Pennsylvania´s Testing and Approval Program for Dust Suppressants and Road Stabilizers. (PDF) ( 11 pages, 1.5 MB)
Glossary (PDF) ( 5 pages, 130 KB)
References (PDF) ( 2 pages, 81 KB)
Technical Information Sheets (PDF) ( 47 pages, 3.2 MB)

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Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance for Dirt and Gravel Roads

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