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Level II: Introduction to DesignLevel II: Introduction to Design

Vegetative Practices for Vegetative Practices for Erosion and Sedimentation Erosion and Sedimentation

ControlControl

Level II: Introduction to Design

Education and Training Certification Requirements for Persons Involved

with Land Disturbing Activities

Issued May 2009

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Objectives

• Review the vegetative measures • Understand the importance of:

– Developing effective ES&PC plans – Site inventories – Preserving existing vegetation– Selecting proper vegetative measures– The sequence of components – Planning for the entire year – Maintenance of installed practices

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Key Points

• Excess soil erosion is not inevitable• Vegetation can reduce soil erosion • ES&PC plans are important• Proper planning is required for success • All ES&PC plans should be different• ES&PC plans should not be an afterthought

• ES&PC is a system (vegetative/structural/management)

• Adequate maintenance is required

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Benefits of Vegetationin Erosion and Sedimentation Control

• Intercepts raindrops• Reduces detachment• Slows runoff• Cleans runoff• Reduces runoff• Increases infiltration• Protects structures, rivers, streams, and ponds• Reduces maintenance of structural practices• Improves aesthetics, soil quality, and wildlife habitat

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Construction Sites are inhospitable for vegetative growth

Intensive treatment is needed. Pasture planting methods are not effective.

• Topsoil is removed

• Steep slopes• Low soil moisture • Low soil fertility• Acidic soils• Concentrated flow

• Compacted soils

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Vegetative Practices “Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control

in Georgia”

• Bf Buffer Zone• Cs Coastal Dune Stabilization • Ds1 Mulching Only• Ds2 Temporary Seeding• Ds3 Permanent Seeding• Ds4 Sodding• Du Dust Control • Mb Matting and Blankets• Pm Polyacrylamide• Sb Streambank Stabilization• Tb Tackifiers and Binders

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Buffer ZoneUndisturbed or planted vegetative strip

•General Buffer – surround sites•Vegetated Stream Buffer – border streams

•Filter sediment & other pollutants•Reduce runoff velocities•Stabilize stream banks•Provide flood protection •Improve fish/wildlife habitat•Reduce construction noise •Improve aesthetics

Bf

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Coastal Dune Stabilization

(with Vegetation)Planting vegetation on denuded, constructed, or re-nourished dunes

•Permits (local/state/federal) •Fertilization•Planting•Irrigation•Sand fences•Protection from traffic •Maintenance

Cs

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Disturbed Area Stabilization (With

Mulching Only)Applying plant residues or other suitable materials to protect disturbed soil

• Reduce runoff and erosion• Conserve moisture• Prevent surface compaction• Control undesirable vegetation• Modify soil temperature• Increase biological activity in the soil

Ds1

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Ds1 - Mulching Only

•On exposed areas left idle for 14 days

•Apply at the appropriate depth

•Must be anchored

•Maintain cover on 90% or more of the soil surface

•Can be used alone for up to 6 months

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Disturbed Area Stabilization

(With Temporary Seeding)

Ds2Establishing fast growing vegetation for seasonal soil protection

•Reduce soil erosion•Reduce runoff•Increase infiltration•Improve aesthetics•Improve soil quality•Improve wildlife habitat

Browntop millet

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Required Temporary Seeding

• Rough graded areas • Diversions• Sides of temporary basins• Stockpiled soil• Temporary dams

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Ds2 - Temporary Seeding

•On all exposed areas left idle for 14 days

•Maintain 90% or more cover

•Can use alone for up to 6 months

•Use permanent vegetation if

protection is needed >6 months

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Common Plants used for Temporary Cover

Warm season annuals Cool season annuals

-brown top millet -rye -pearl millet -ryegrass -sudan grass -wheat

• Some perennials, such as tall fescue and common bermuda, may also provide quick cover if planted properly

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Disturbed Area Stabilization (with Permanent Vegetation)

Ds3Planting perennial vegetation (grasses, legumes, vines, shrubs, and trees) on exposed areas

1. Final permanent stabilization

2. Seasonal protection >6 months

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Permanent Vegetation

Vegetative plans are based on site conditions.

• Site location• Soil characteristics• Topography• Concentrated water flow• Planned land use • Soil fertility• Soil pH

Ds3

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Components

Grading and shaping InoculantsLime Planting method Fertilizer Seeding depthSeedbed preparation Mulch Species selection Anchoring mulchSeeding rates IrrigationSeeding dates Maintenance

Ds3

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Soil Acidity (pH)

• Affects plant growth• Almost all soils in Georgia are acidic• Most plants used need a soil pH of 6.0 - 6.5• 1 – 2 T/A of agricultural lime initially• Maintenance lime applications are needed

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Agricultural Lime

• Does not move rapidly in the soil• Can be lost in runoff

Conventional planting – apply immediately before

seedbed preparation

Hydro-seeding - apply (1) after straw/hay mulch,

(2) with topdressing, or (3) with 2nd year fertilizer

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Fertilization

1. Initial – immediately before or at planting2. Topdressing – 6 to 8 weeks after planting3. 2nd year – the year after planting 4. Maintenance – each year

• Don’t “plant it and forget it” • Fertilize based on target species• Recommendations are in the “Manual”

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Fertilizer

Q. What do the numbers mean?

A. The fertilizer analysis

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Fertilizer Analysis

% Nitrogen % Phosphorous % Potassium

This 50 LB bag contains 30% plant food (15 LB)and 70% filler.

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Fertilizer

Selection is based on needs of the target species

Ammonium nitrate

(N topdressing for grasses)

Initial fertilizer For legumes

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Fertilizer for Grasses

Analysis

Initial N - P - K

Topdressing N

Second Yr. N - P - K

Maintenance N - P - K

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Fertilizer for Grass/Legume

MixturesAnalysis

Initial N - P - KTopdressing NSecond Yr. * - P - KMaintenance * - P - K

*The desired species are legumes*Legumes get ample N from bacteria if the seed are inoculated properly

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Seedbed Preparation

• A depth of 4 to 6 inches – Incorporate lime and fertilizer– Provides seed-to-soil contact

• Critical for good plant growth – Provides better root growth – Good plant cover requires a good root system

• Not normally needed for hydro-seeding

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Regional variations:

Climate

&

Soils

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Seeding Rates for a Quality Stand

• Under-seeding reduces the stand• Over-seeding creates excessive demand for

moisture, nutrients, light, and space

More is not always better

More seed will not overcome poor planting

techniques

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Species

PLS 1/

Seeding Rate2/

LB/AC Seed/LB Seed/Sq. Ft.

Common bermuda

10 1,800,000 410

Weeping lovegrass

4 1,500,000 140

Tall fescue 50 227,000 260

Bahia 60 166,000 230

Sericea lespedeza

60 350,000 480

1/ PLS = Pure Live Seed 2/ Seeding rate when seeded alone

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All seed are not equal.

Q. How do we determine how much of a particular seed to plant?

R. Use pure live seed (PLS) rates.

The rates are easy to calculate.

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Seed Label

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Pure Live Seed (PLS) Calculations

Step 1: Get information from seed label:

-tall fescue seed

-95% purity

-85% germination

Step 2: Calculate the PLS value of the seed:

PLS = 0.95 x 0.85 = 0.81 or 81%

Step3: Calculate the seeding rate:

50 #/AC = 62 #/AC are needed

0.81

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Optimum planting dates for Warm Season Plants

Plant common bermuda and weeping lovegrass

in the early spring:

April 1 - May 15

This permits germination, root growth, and plant

development prior to the hot and dry summer.

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Optimum planting dates for Cool Season Plants

Plant rye, ryegrass, and tall fescue in early fall:

September 1 - October 15

This permits germination,

root growth, and plant

development prior to the

winter cold and spring drought.

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Plan for the Entire Year

• Construction completion dates are unpredictable– Schedules not always met– Weather and breakdowns cause delays

• Time of year affects plant selection and performance– For both temporary and permanent vegetation– Seeding plans should vary throughout the year

• Be prepared for all seasons

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For each plan, develop a year-round seeding

plan

• Here is one example of a year-round seeding plan:

January 1 – March 1-Common Bermuda grass

5 LB/AC unhulled and

5 LB/AC hulled&

-Rye½ BU/AC (28 LB)

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March 2 – June 1-Common Bermuda grass

10 LB/AC hulled

June 2 – September 1-Common Bermuda grass

5 LB/AC hulled and

5 LB/AC unhulled&

-Browntop millet10 LB/AC

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September 2 – December 31

-Common Bermuda grass10 LB/AC unhulled

and

-Rye

½ BU/AC (28 LB)

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Some seed germinate (sprout) slowly.

• Some seed coats prevent water absorption– Expands the germination period – Nature’s way to ensure species survival

• ‘Hulled’ seed– Outer seed coat is removed mechanically– Allows water to enter the seed quicker– Faster seed germination

Example: Common Bermuda (a warm season perennial grass)• Use hulled seed for spring/summer plantings for quick cover• Use unhulled seed in fall and winter plantings

(The seed coat will be altered by Nature during the winter.) • Another option: Use a 50-50 mixture of hulled and unhulled seed to

better ensure successful establishment

‘Unhulled’

‘Hulled’

Common Bermuda seed

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Some seed germinate slowly, even when hulled.

• ‘Hard’ seed are nearly impervious to water • ‘Hard’ seed may remain dormant a long time

• Scarification overcomes seed coat dormancy– Scratches, softens, punctures, or splits the seed coat w/o embryo damage– Enables seed to absorb more water – Scarified seed will sprout faster and provide quicker cover

Example: Sericea lespedeza (a warm season perennial legume)• Use scarified seed for spring/summer plantings

• Use unscarified seed for fall and winter plantings (The seed coat will be altered by Nature during the winter.)

Sericea lespedeza seed

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For plants that develop slowly, companion plants

are needed.

Sericea lespedeza emergingin weeping lovegrass

Sericea lespedeza 2-3 years later

Other examples are bahia grass and crown vetch.

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Limit Seeding Rates of Companion Plants

• Annuals are more vigorous and grow faster

• Compete for nutrients, moisture and space

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Cool Season Companion Plants

Rye is the best winter annual.

It grows best in cold, acidic soils.

Use ½ BU/AC (28 LB).

Do not use ryegrass in seeding mixtures. It is sod forming and too competitive.

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Mulch is very important!

Dry straw - 2 T/A

or

Dry hay - 2 ½ T/A

This will cover about 75% of the soil surface

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Disturbed Area Stabilization (with

Sodding)•Establish immediate ground cover with permanent sod•Effective on steep slopes and in concentrated flow areas

Components:-soil preparation-topsoil-lime-fertilizer-anchoring (>3:1 slope)-irrigation-maintenance

Ds4

Cimarron Valley Sod

Sod Solutions

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Dust ControlControlling surface and air movement ofdust

• Temporary– Temporary plantings– Tackifiers/binders– Mulch– Rough tillage– Irrigation– Barriers – Calcium chloride

• Permanent – Permanent vegetation and stone

Du

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• Protects young plants • Promotes plant establishment• Helps reduce erosion

-Temporary and permanent blankets-All must be approved by GDOT

Erosion Control Matting and

Blankets

MbProtective coverings used to establish permanent vegetation

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Mats and Blankets• Slopes steeper than 2.5:1 and 10’ high or higher• Concentrated flow areas• Cuts and fills within stream buffers• Streambanks• Tidal shorelines• Other areas

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Blankets must be anchored. Start at top of slope and work down.

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Land application of anionic polyacrylamide astemporary soil binding agent

• To reduce erosion from wind and water• When establishment of vegetation not

feasible• Site specific material• Repeat application if area is disturbed• Do not apply to surface water

Polyacrylamide (PAM)Pm

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Streambank Stabilization (using Permanent

Vegetation)Using native plant material to maintain or

enhance streambanks

Sb

Before After

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Streambank stabilization (using Permanent Vegetation)

• Intensive planning

• Native plant materials

• With structural measures

• Labor intensive

• Local, State and Federal permits

• Specialists may be needed

Sb

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• Holds mulch in place

• Options in “Manual”

Tackifiers and Binders

TbUsed to anchor straw or hay mulch

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Topsoiling

Stripping, storing, and using topsoil as topdressing prior to seeding and sodding

• Reduces lime and fertilizer needs

• Greatly improves plant growth

Tp

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Purposes of an ES&PC Plan

1. Describe potential problems on a site

2. Explain and schedule measures

Good planning is required to prevent excess soil erosion and sedimentation

The prevention process starts with a good plan!

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How long should an ES&PC plan be?

• Depends on:– Site conditions– Size of the project– Potential for on-site and off-site damages

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Specialists may be needed

• Assistance with ES&PC plans– Severe problems – Streambanks– Coastal dunes– Other concerns

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Site Inventory• Visit and inventory the entire site

• Consider– Soils– Topography– Existing cover– Drainage patterns– All adjacent areas - streams, homes, and

roads - especially those down hill from the site

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Once familiar with the site

• You can identify the areas with the highest erosion potential

• You can develop an effective ES&PC plan

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Vegetative Cover - Most important tool to reduce soil

erosion and runoff• Consider the existing cover

• Some vegetation is more

effective, but all cover

helps reduce soil erosion

• Good planning reduces vegetation costs

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Trees - Protect those to be left

• Limit equipment and vehicular traffic under tree canopies

• Limit fill around trees – If fill covers a tree’s swollen base, it will

probably die within 1-2 years

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Easier to reduce erosion than trap sediment

• Reduce the erosion hazard– Limit the time the soil is bare – Do not clear entire site at one time, if possible– Do land clearing in stages– Use temporary cover and mulching to stabilize

disturbed areas before clearing more

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Plant Selection

• Land use

• Suitability to site

• Time of year planted

• Planting methods

• Maintenance requirements

• Aesthetics

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Plant Selection• Sericea lespedeza - not good for lawn

• Weeping lovegrass - not good for lawn

• Tall fescue - not good for athletic field

• Ryegrass - not good choice for nurse crop

• Choose plants that:-provide quick and dependable soil protection-will not be a pest later-require the least maintenance-are native to the area, if possible

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Management Measures

• Zero cost

• Plan work in logical sequence

• Keep materials on hand to limit delays

• Prepare for thunderstorms, especially in summer

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“Manuals”

• Minimum criteria for planning, installation, and maintenance

• Treating severe problems requires much more

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Components of Measures

• Each measure has many components

• Follow a logical sequence

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Temporary Cover - Conventional Seeding

Methods1. Select plants

- location/site/land use/time of year/maintenance

2. Apply agricultural lime

3. Apply initial fertilizer

4. Prepare seedbed to depth of 4 – 6 inches

5. Determine accurate seeding rates

6. Evenly distribute seed with drill or other

method

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7. Apply mulch or blankets within 24 hours

8. Anchor all mulch materials immediately

9. Apply topdressing fertilizer 6 – 8 weeks

later

10. Repair, reseed, and mulch damaged

areas

11. Maintain cover for desired time

Temporary Cover - Conventional Seeding Methods

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Permanent Cover - Conventional Seeding

Methods1. Select target plant

- location, land use, site, time of year, maintenance, etc.

2. Determine if seeding mixtures are needed

3. Apply agricultural lime

4. Apply initial fertilizer

5. Prepare seedbed to depth of 4 – 6”

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6. Determine accurate seeding rates

7. Inoculate all legume seed

8. Evenly distribute seed with drill or other method

9. Apply mulch or blankets within 24 hrs.

10. Anchor all mulch materials immediately

11. Apply topdressing fertilizer 6 – 8 weeks later

12. Apply second year fertilizer year after seeding

13. Apply maintenance fertilizer each year

Permanent Cover - Conventional Seeding Methods

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14. Apply maintenance lime every few

years

15. Protect from vehicular traffic

16. Mow properly as needed

17. Maintain cover for desired time

18. Repair/reseed/mulch damaged

areas

Permanent Cover - Conventional Seeding Methods

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Temporary Cover - Hydro-seeding Methods

1. Select target plant - site, land use, location, time of year, maintenance, etc.

2. Determine accurate seeding rates

3. Mix seed, initial fertilizer, and wood cellulose or

paper mulch in a slurry

4. Evenly distribute the slurry within 1 hour

5. Apply straw/hay mulch/blankets within 24 hours

6. Anchor all mulch materials immediately

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7. Apply agricultural lime

-after mulching or with topdressing fertilizer

8. Apply topdressing fertilizer 6 – 8 weeks later

9. Maintain cover for desired time

10. Repair, reseed, and mulch damaged areas

Temporary Cover - Hydro-seeding Methods

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Permanent Cover - Hydro-seeding Methods

1. Select plant - location, site, land use, time of year, and maintenance

2. Decide if seeding mixtures will be used

3. Determine accurate seeding rates

4. Inoculate all legume seed with proper bacteria

5. Mix seed, initial fertilizer, and wood cellulose or

paper mulch in a slurry

6. Evenly distribute the seed within 1 hour

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7. Apply straw/hay mulch/blankets within 24 hrs.

8. Anchor all mulch materials immediately

9. Apply agricultural lime

(a) after mulching

(b) with topdressing fertilizer, or

(c) with 2nd year fertilizer

10. Apply topdressing fertilizer 6 – 8 weeks later

Permanent Cover - Hydro-seeding Methods

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11. Apply second year fertilizer year after

seeding

12. Apply maintenance fertilizer each year

13. Apply maintenance lime every few years

14. Protect from vehicular traffic

15. Mow properly and as needed

16. Maintain cover for desired time

17. Repair/reseed/mulch damaged areas as

soon as possible

Permanent Cover - Hydro-seeding Methods

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Plan for MaintenanceVery important!

Begins when first measure is installed

• Schedule maintenance for each practice• Specify each maintenance component• Inspections also identify maintenance needs• Complete repairs immediately• Apply additional practices if needed

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Planning is Dynamic

• Site Inventory

• Make Decisions

• Application

• Maintenance

• Monitoring

• Revise plan and add practices if needed

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Visual observations are valuable

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Plant identification is important!

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Rye

Ryegrass

Early springLate spring-summer

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Bahia Bermuda Browntop millet

Centipede

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Tall fescue

Weeping lovegrass

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Reed Canary Grass

Big Bluestem

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Indiangrass

Switchgrass

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Daylilies Liriope (Monkey Grass)

Junipers

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Crown vetch

Maximilian sunflower

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Crabgrass

• A weed – not an approved plant species

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USDA Plant Database

http://plants.usda.gov/

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Cover is needed

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ES&PC Plan for south of Atlanta

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1 acre = 43,560 sq. ft.

or 43.56 (1,000 sq. ft.)

2# x 43.56 = 87 #/ac

3# x 43.56 = 131 #/ac

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Fertilizer rates for temporary cover are

much less than for permanent cover

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4 oz.

1.2 LB

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Maintenance is important

Fertilizer and lime applications are needed.

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Mowing Problems

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Summary

• Vegetation can reduce soil erosion

• There are no “Cook Book Recipes”-Site-specific planning is required

• List and explain components

• Plan for the entire year

• Plan for maintenance

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Questions ?