Maine Front Runner Gravel Road Maintenance Program
Introduction. Gravel roads and the associated sediment that may runoff them are currently the biggest threat to Maine's lake water quality. Road maintenance is key in preventing gravel roads from potentially eroding into streams and lakes. The Front Runner is a tool which can be used to achieve this goal. Proper road grading has been shown to be a significant portion (20-30%) of annual camp road maintenance and repair expenses.
The equipment. The Front Runner is a grader/rake attachment that fits onto the front of pick-up trucks utilizing a snowplow mount. It consists of a row of heavy-duty, flexible, spring steel tines individually bolted to a rugged, welded steel frame. A set of adjustable gauge wheels is attached to this frame in front of the tines for support. It is controlled by the truck's snowplow hydraulic hoist.
Please visit the Front Runner Homepage where the developer of the Front Runner describes the equipment in greater detail. (Rural Home Technology) (off-site)
The program. There are 6 front runners available for use across the state through a program being run by the state soil and water conservation districts. The program began in 2001 supported by federal funding (Clean Water Act, Section 319) with the assistance of Maine DEP. After a training session an individual is permitted to borrow (for a small maintenance fee) the front runner to do maintenance work on their gravel road.
Workshops. Gravel Roads Maintenance & Construction Workshops with Front Runner Training Sessions are being held in counties across the state.
