Erosion Control Technology Council

EPA Recognized Storm Water Best Managment Practice (BMP)
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. Turf Reinforcement Mattings: An EPA Recognized Storm Water
Best Management Practice (BMP) PowerPoint presentation (pdf file 1.60 MB)

ECTC Guidance Manual*
Terminology and index testing procedures for both degradable and nondegradable rolled erosion control products (RECP's).

Classifying Rolled Erosion-Control Products: A Current Perspective **Updated May 2004**
The Erosion Control Technology Council is developing classifications for open-weave geotextile meshes, erosion-control blankets and turf reinforcement mats. Since these products span a wide range of both temporary and permanent erosion-control applications, an application-based classification system is a must. The ECTC therefore has established a performance-oriented classification system to help group these products. Originally printed in Geotechnical Fabrics Report, October/November 1994.

ECTC Provides Guidelines for Rolled Erosion-Control Products
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. Originally printed in Geotechnical Fabrics Report, January/February 1996.

New! Guidelines for Installing Rolled Erosion Control Products
Proper 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 two common applications: slopes and channels.

TRMs vs. Rock
Flexible Channel Lining Systems: The Benefits of Geosynthetically Reinforced Vegetation Over Rock Riprap. By: Tim Lancaster, North American Green, Inc.; Don Lutyens, American Excelsior Company; Deron Austin, Synthetic Industries

New! ECTC Offers a Website Tool to Help Landscape Architects with Erosion 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.

About the ECTC*
This article covers the mission and purpose of the Erosion Control Technology Council. It discusses key actions since the council's formation and the council's efforts to establish uniform standards and terminology throughout the rolled erosion control product market.

Product Classifications*
This paper is a survey of the different types of rolled erosion control products and establishes a standard terminology for these types of products. The intent is to make it easier for the specifier to choose the correct product type for an application.

Product Performance*
This paper is the result of the work of our standards committee and has been written as a first step toward setting up common index test methods for rolled erosion control products. Again, the effort here is to provide readily understandable standards against which to test or measure products for an intended application. ASTM standards are referenced where ever possible.

Future Articles will include uniform installation instructions, product selection guidelines, discussions on the proper use of rolled erosion control products versus conventional erosion systems, and so forth. As soon as these articles are made available, a summary will be posted to this page.

*Please order printed versions of these articles from our feedback page.