About ECTC Written by: Laurie Honnigford Abstract: The enormous problem of uncontrolled soil movement by water and wind has created the erosion control industry. The magnitude of the problem is often overlooked by those unfamiliar with the impact of erosion. As a single example, sediment (the by-product of erosion) accounts for more than two-thirds of all pollutants entering U.S. waterways. Annual spending in the U.S. for mitigation of erosion and sedimentation is estimated at $13 billion. The erosion control industry consists of a broad range of diverse professions and specialties, including hydroseeders, mat and blanket manufacturers, consulting engineers, landscapers and even earth moving contractors. All stake claims to separate or interrelated segments of this market. This army of professionals have two objectives in mind; the prevention of soil erosion, and the trapping of sediment before it enters the waterways.     Read This Document

About RECPs Written by: Laurie Honnigford Abstract: Erosion Control Professionals are often faced with the challenge of stabilizing that stubborn slope. A possible solution might include the use of Erosion Control Blankets. Erosion Control Blankets can be effective in minimizing the erosive effect of rainfall when used to cover bare or newly planted soil. Their use stabilizes the soil to protect new plantings and reduces the potential for introducing sediment into storm water run-off, a win-win situation! Erosion Control Blankets can be specified by designers for protection of newly graded slopes, open areas, or drainage swales to allow germination of seed mixes and plantings. Contractors may also choose to use Erosion Control Blankets for temporary erosion control on highly erodible areas.     Read This Document

Classifying Rolled Erosion Control Products: A Current Perspective Written by: Tim Lancaster and Deron Austin Abstract: Strict local, state and U.S. federal water quality legislation has made engineers, architects, contractors and land owners more aware of their responsibilities to employ effective and economical erosion and sediment control practices. The recent implementation of the NPDES Phase II has made this need even more acute. The EPA reports that in fiscal year 2003 $2.9 billion in fines and injunctive relief was assessed. These funds will go toward clean up of polluted sites and protection against further environmental harm. On most construction sites, erosion control (the process of restraining the initial movement of soil particles by wind and water) is the most proactive and cost-effective way of complying with regulations. Exhaustive laboratory and full-scale field research has verified that “balanced” protection of the soil surface using permanent vegetation is an efficient and aesthetically pleasing form of erosion control. This realization has created an industry dedicated to manufacturing rolled erosion control products (RECPs) designed to help mitigate immediate erosion-control problems and provide long-term soil stabilization through the establishment and maintenance of vegetative cover.     Read This Document

Comparison of Erosion Control Technologies: “Blown Straw vs. Erosion Control Blankets, Quantification of Performance and Value” Written by: Chad Lipscomb, Tony Johnson, Roy Nelson, Tim Lancaster Abstract: Greater societal awareness of the costs of pollution and regulatory emphasis on maintaining clean, beneficial waterways have resulted in a need for quantifiable performance in erosion and sediment control practices. Challenges in providing adequate erosion control in the field require a diverse toolbox of solutions. Considering the performance advantages, flexibility in design and application, manufactured quality control and minimal cost difference, RECPs show significant value as erosion control practice compared to Blown Straw.     Read This Document

ECTC Communicator Newsletter Winter 2008 Written by: Jilien Harvey and Scott Nelson Published In: ECTC Communicator     Read This Document

ECTC Provides Guidelines for Rolled Erosion-Control Products Written by: Deron N. Austin and Lynn E. Ward Abstract: The performance and design guidelines developed by the Erosion Control Technology Council make it easy to select the most appropriate, cost-effective product for your erosion-control application. The use of rolled erosion-control products (RECPs) has grown at a swift pace during the last decade. As a result, engineers and designers have prompted government officials, university researchers and product manufacturers to develop reliable methods to determine the effectiveness of these products in slope protection, stream bank rehabilitation and channel lining applications. These demands have resulted in several organizations focusing on developing standard performance and design guidelines for the use of erosion-control materials. One of these organizations is the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC), which is made up of 13 RECP manufacturers (Niemeier and Rodencal, 1994). The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) also are working on standards. These organizations enlist the support of engineers, researchers and manufacturers in establishing industry guidelines for erosion- control practices. Published In: Geotechnical Fabrics Report - January/February 1996     Read This Document

Effective Erosion Control -Selecting a Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) for Designing with Vegetation Written by: Roy J. Nelson Abstract: Erosion due to water is a natural event resulting from both the detachment and transportation of soil particles. Accelerate erosion due to human activity and the removal of vegetation or cover from the land often results in drastically increased rates of soil loss. Rolled erosion control products (RECPs) effectively function as a barrier against both the detachment and transportation phases of erosion until vegetation or reinforced vegetation assumes this function. The matrix fibers of RECPs must provide a cover material to effectively prevent detachment of soil particles by absorbing or dissipating the kinetic energy of raindrops. Furthermore, the blankets and mats must serve as mechanical barriers to dissipate the erosive forces of concentrated flows from acting on the soil surface, thus preventing the displacement and migration of soil particles. Published In: Fabric Architecture     Read This Document

Flexible Channel Lining Systems: The Benefits of Geosynthetically Reinforced Vegetation Over Rock Riprap Written by: Tim Lancaster, Don Lutyens, and Deron Austin Abstract: In the last several years many areas of the U.S. have been drastically affected by torrential rainfalls and flooding. Although most of these "natural" disasters are indeed caused by nature, man’s impact on the environment and land use has magnified the destructive forces and the resulting damages. A major contributor to the flooding problems, which seem to occur all too often, is the "hardening" of our natural landscapes. The replacement of forests and fields with impervious sidewalks, streets, parking lots and roofs has resulted in increased run-off volumes which exceed the capacity of our existing drainage systems. Ironically, even man’s own attempts to manage storm water and control erosion have added to the problem. The use of "hard armor" materials such as rock riprap, concrete and asphalt to line and stabilize drainage channels inhibits water infiltration, reduces filtration of sediment and other potential pollutants, and increases run-off volumes. The result - more polluted water feeding into our over-burdened streams and reservoirs at a faster pace. In addition to adverse environmental effects, hard armor erosion control materials pose other concerns, prompting today’s engineers and designers to employ more natural, vegetative solutions. To extend the erosion resistance capabilities of vegetative "soft armor" channel linings, modern geosynthetic turf reinforcement mattings (TRMs) are widely used for immediate erosion protection and long-term vegetative reinforcement. This article will explore the use of geosynthetically reinforced vegetation for permanent channel stabilization and its many benefits over one of the most commonly used types of "hard armor" protection, rock riprap.     Read This Document

Guidelines for Installing Rolled Erosion Control Products in Slope and Channel Applications Written by: Laurie Honnigford Abstract: Propoer installation of RECPs is critical for a successful project. Even the best products will not work properly if not installed correctly. Just how easy is the installation of erosion control materials? This article will provide directions on the ease with which rolled erosion control materials can be installed in channels.     Read This Document

Installation Guidelines of RECPs during Channel Applications Written by: Laurie Abstract: View the basic steps in Instllation of RECPs on Channel Applications     Read This Document

Installation Guidelines of RECPs during Slope Applications Written by: Laurie Honnigford Abstract: View the basic steps in Instllation of RECPs on Slope Applications     Read This Document

Paper Presentation - Turf Reinforcement Mattings: An EPA Recognized Storm Water Best Management Practice (BMP) Written by: Roy Nelsen, CPESC, Kurt Chirbas, P.E., and Mark Myrowich, CPESC Abstract: While increased development drives our need for an ever-expanding infrastructure, the subsequent construction also exposes a significant amount of soil to the erosive properties of water. These considerations in conjunction with the implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II regulations present a very daunting task to reducing sediment/pollutant loads in storm water runoff. Traditionally, rock of various sizes (riprap) was used with varying success to protect against soil erosion in channels exposed to high shear stress flows, slopes with steep gradients or shorelines exposed to wave action. Rock riprap, however, is quite costly, requires heavy equipment to install, presents a less than appealing aesthetic value, can present a hazard to people and machinery alike while not meeting the specific performance requirements established for a project. In contrast, turf reinforcement mats )TRMs) have been established by the EPA in their Storm Water Technology Fact Sheet entitled "Turf Reinforcement Mats" to provide effective, economical, and aesthetically pleasing alternative to hard armor (e.g. rock riprap) practices for erosion control in areas where forces exceed that capabilities of naturally occurring vegetation and storm water conveyances. Additionally, TRM reinforced vegetation affords a corollary benefit, sediment/pollutant removal from storm water runoff. Despite variations in materials, TRMs have proven their performance capabilities over the past thirty years in the field and laboratory channel tests where shear stress can reach 6-10 lbs/ft2 (288-479 Pascal). Moreover, the use of TRM reinforced vegetation furnishes a value engineered option to hard armor alternatives by effectively reducing construction times, material costs, equipment requirements and most importantly improving water quality, ground water recharge capabilities and other sensitive issues involving water quality. [For access to the PowerPoint presentation for this title (pdf file 1.60 MB), cut and paste the following URL into your browser: http://www.ectc.org/resources/Condensed%20Turf%20Reinforcement%20Mattings%20Presentation.pdf]     Read This Document

PowerPoint Presentation - Turf Reinforcement Mattings: An EPA Recognized Storm Water Best Management Practice (BMP) Written by: Roy Nelsen, CPESC, Kurt Chirbas, P.E., and Mark Myrowich, CPESC Abstract: While increased development drives our need for an ever-expanding infrastructure, the subsequent construction also exposes a significant amount of soil to the erosive properties of water. These considerations in conjunction with the implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II regulations present a very daunting task to reducing sediment/pollutant loads in storm water runoff. Traditionally, rock of various sizes (riprap) was used with varying success to protect against soil erosion in channels exposed to high shear stress flows, slopes with steep gradients or shorelines exposed to wave action. Rock riprap, however, is quite costly, requires heavy equipment to install, presents a less than appealing aesthetic value, can present a hazard to people and machinery alike while not meeting the specific performance requirements established for a project. In contrast, turf reinforcement mats )TRMs) have been established by the EPA in their Storm Water Technology Fact Sheet entitled "Turf Reinforcement Mats" to provide effective, economical, and aesthetically pleasing alternative to hard armor (e.g. rock riprap) practices for erosion control in areas where forces exceed that capabilities of naturally occurring vegetation and storm water conveyances. Additionally, TRM reinforced vegetation affords a corollary benefit, sediment/pollutant removal from storm water runoff. Despite variations in materials, TRMs have proven their performance capabilities over the past thirty years in the field and laboratory channel tests where shear stress can reach 6-10 lbs/ft2 (288-479 Pascal). Moreover, the use of TRM reinforced vegetation furnishes a value engineered option to hard armor alternatives by effectively reducing construction times, material costs, equipment requirements and most importantly improving water quality, ground water recharge capabilities and other sensitive issues involving water quality. [For access to the paper presentation for this title, cut and paste the following URL into your browser: http://www.ectc.org/resources/Nelsen%20et%20al_B80.pdf]     Read This Document

Standard Specification for Rolled Erosion Control Products Written by: Erosion Control Technology Council ( ECTC ) Abstract: This work consists of constructing temporary and permanent installations to control erosion, enhance vegetation establishment, and survivability on slopes, channels, and includes installing rolled erosion control products.     Read This Document

Summer 2007 Newsletter Written by: Jilien Harvey and Scott Nelson     Read This Document

Terminology and Index Testing Procedures for Rolled Erosion Control Products Written by: Sam Allen Abstract: During 1994 and 1995 the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC) sponsored an experimental program establishing standardized applications of various index test methods used to characterize rolled erosion control products (RECPs). In addition, an effort to establish consensus-based terminology was undertaken. This guidance manual is the result of these efforts and provides terminology and index testing guidance for both degradable and nondegradable RECPs. It should be emphasized that the test instructions within this document are not a replacement to the governing test standard, but should be used in concert with the standard to assist the user in generating valid and repeatable test results. Where specific test standards are not available, sufficient detail is provided to assist the user in the performance of a test and/or test result determination.     Read This Document

Use ECTC's Website to Solve Erosion Control Problems Written by: Laurie Honnigford Abstract: The World Wide Web offers us a way to access information instantly and find solutions to many problems with just the click of a mouse. The Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC) has developed a website tool designed to assist Landscape Architects and designers in solving erosion control problems. A tremendous amount of information is available at ectc.org that will make the Landscape Architect’s job easier. The ECTC is a group of rolled erosion control product professionals that have come up with nifty ways for Landscape Architects to handle soil erosion. More State, County and local municipalities are requiring a plan for dealing with erosion prior to allowing soil on site to be moved. The ECTC website gives the Landscape Architect numerous solutions to wide and varied erosion problems.     Read This Document