White Papers on Erosion Control
The Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC) comprised of manufacturers of Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs); Hydraulic Erosion Control Products (HECPs); and Sediment Retention Fiber Rolls (SRFRs), and various other stakeholders within the erosion control community, have developed an online comprehensive toolbox to help users successfully specify and install erosion and sediment control products.
Challenges in providing adequate erosion control in the field require a diverse toolbox of solutions. BMPs refer to the individual tools available to the erosion control professional in stabilizing and minimizing soil erosion. Included in any standard toolbox of BMPs should be solutions intended to provide varying levels of performance and economy. In determining the most cost-effective solution to any particular field challenge, an understanding of the expected performance and overall value of alternative practices must be obtained. The ECTC has reviewed research for a series of BMPs to evaluate common technologies. Within the framework of a dedicated study, the practice typically referred to as "Blown Straw" and a typical, degradable Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) were compared. This article presents the results of the study which show RECPs as a more cost-effective BMP on steep slopes, compared to blown straw.
As most landscape designers know, choosing the correct Hydraulic Erosion Control Product (HECP) should be a scientific, solution-based decision. However, it has become increasingly more of a guessing game based on all of the acronyms of products.