Gravel road maintenance matters — a lot!

If you missed our online workshop about Gravel Road Maintenance, fear not!  You can find all you need in this blog, including information about how to join us for a late summer field-based workshop.  Read on!

Maine DEP’s Non-point Source (NPS) Training Center Coordinator, John Maclaine, presented to 57 participants in early February and then took questions about the proper maintenance of gravel roads. 

If you…

·       Own year-round OR seasonal property on a gravel road, or

·       Are a lake or road association member, a town official, contractor, or other watershed manager

check out these great resources: 

·       Watch the video of John’s presentation

·       View his Powerpoint slideshow

·       Download a copy of the Maine DEP Gravel Road Maintenance Manual

·       If you’re hungry for more, check out these links to videos about culverts and more (coming soon).

What’s all the fuss?  Gravel road maintenance is important for providing residents safe access to their properties and minimizing costly capital repairs to these roads over time.  It is also an important part of protecting our natural resources from degradation.  Participants learned that gravel road sediment runoff is the biggest contributor to pollution in watersheds, lakes and streams. They also learned how they can help prevent this pollution; about gravel road materials; how to evaluate a gravel road for maintenance needs; and how to implement gravel road Best Management Practices.

Late Summer Workshop: If you would like to get some direct experience evaluating gravel roads please contact Brian Levesque, Friends of Lake Winnnecook (Unity Pond), at friendsoflakewinnecook1@gmail.com to add your name to a contact list.  You will be notified about a field-based workshop to be offered in August in the Unity area.  Date and location TBD.  CEUs will be offered for those who are interested. 

This meeting was co-sponsored by Friends of Lake Winnecook. Visit their website here!