Melting snow, heavy spring rains and flooding can wash out unpaved driveways, farm lanes, and access roads.

To help solve this problem, the Westmoreland Conservation District will host a workshop called After the Storms: How to Repair and Maintain Gravel Driveways and Unpaved Lanes.  The workshop will show participants how to make cost-effective repairs and prevent repeat problems in the future, saving both time and money.

The exact same workshop will be offered on two different days at two different locations.  The public is invited and participants need to attend only one workshop to obtain all the information.

The same workshop will be offered:

— March 10 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Loyalhanna Watershed Association, 110 Andi Lane, Ligonier.

— March 12 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Allegheny Township Community Building, 136 Community Building Road, Leechburg.

According to Rob Cronauer, watershed specialist for the Westmoreland Conservation District and facilitator of the workshop, quick fixes might seem to work, but actually will cost more money in the long run.

This workshop will show how managing water before it gets to the lane or driveway will reduce maintenance, improve driving surface, save money, and help the environment.

Herb Gundy, a participant who attended the workshop last year, has since installed some of the practices he learned about.  He says that one of them -- conveyor belt diversions -- have decreased the erosive effects of stormwater on several access roads on my property. They work!

Cost to attend the conference is $5 per person. Registration deadline is March 6.  Go to the Westmoreland Conservation District website to register and pay online or to download a registration flyer that can be mailed in with payment.

2/16/2015