I. Materials such as gravel may be effective for erosion control but are not considered mulches.
VII. Plans and Specifications
A. Plans and specifications for mulching shall be in keeping with this standard and shall describe the requirements for applying the practice to achieve its intended purpose. The plans and specifications shall address the following:
1. Type of mulch used
2. Application rate
3. Timing of application
4. Method of anchoring
B. All plans, standard detail drawings, or specifications shall include schedules for installation, inspection, and maintenance. The responsible party shall be identified.
VIII. Operation and Maintenance
Mulch shall, at a minimum, be inspected weekly and within 24 hours after every precipitation event that produces 0.5 inches of rain or more during a 24 hour period.
Mulch that is displaced shall be reapplied and properly anchored. Maintenance shall be completed as soon as possible with consideration to site conditions.
IX. References
X. Definitions
Noxious weed (V.B): Any weed a governing body declares to be noxious within its respective boundaries. The State of Wisconsin list of noxious weeds can be found in s.
66.0407, Stats.
Solid Waste Byproducts (V.B): Includes industrial, commercial, residential, and agricultural wastes that have been processed, incinerated, or composted and still contain inorganic wastes such as glass and metals and organic wastes including plastics, textiles, rubber, leather, and other miscellaneous organic wastes which may be toxic or hazardous in nature.
Non-Channel Erosion Mat
1052 (08/03)
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Conservation Practice Standard
Note: Words in the standard that are shown in italics are described in X. Definitions. The words are italicized the first time they are used.
I. Definition
A protective soil cover made of straw, wood, coconut fiber or other suitable plant residue, or plastic fibers formed into a mat, usually with a plastic or biodegradable mesh on one or both sides. Erosion mats are rolled products available in many varieties and combinations of material and with varying life spans.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this practice is to protect the soil surface from the erosive effect of rainfall and prevent sheet erosion
1 during the establishment of grass or other vegetation, and to reduce soil moisture loss due to evaporation. This practice applies to both Erosion Control Revegetative Mats (ECRM) and
Turf-Reinforcement Mats (TRM).
III. Conditions Where Practice Applies
This standard applies to erosion mat selection for use on erodible slopes.
This standard is not for channel erosion; for channel applications reference WDNR Conservation Practice Standard (1053) Channel Erosion Mat.
IV. Federal, State, and Local Laws
Users of this standard shall be aware of applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, or permit requirements governing the use and placement of erosion mat. This standard does not contain the text of federal, state, or local laws.
V. Criteria
This section establishes the minimum allowable standards for design, installation and performance requirements. Only Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Erosion Control Product Acceptability List (PAL) approved mats will be accepted for use in this standard.
Slope and slope length shall be taken into consideration. This information can be found in the Slope Erosion Control Matrix located in the PAL.
To differentiate applications Erosion mats are organized into three Classes of mats, which are further broken down into various Types.
A. Class I: A short-term duration (minimum of 6 months), light duty, organic mat with photodegradable plastic or biodegradable netting.
1. Type A – Use on erodible slopes 2.5:1 or flatter.
2. Type B – Double netted product for use on erodible slopes 2:1 or flatter.
B. Class I, Urban: A short-term duration (minimum of 6 months), light duty, organic erosion control mat for areas where mowing may be accomplished within two weeks after installation.
1. Urban, Type A – Use on erodible soils with slopes 4:1 or flatter.
2. Urban, Type B – A double netted product for use on slopes 2.5:1 or flatter.
C. Class II: A long-term duration (three years or greater), organic erosion control revegetative mat.
1. Type A – Jute fiber only for use on slopes 2:1 or flatter for sod reinforcement.
2. Type B – For use on slopes 2:1 or greater made with plastic or biodegradable net.
3. Type C – A woven mat of 100% organic fibers for use on slopes 2:1 or flatter and in environmentally and biologically sensitive areas where plastic netting is inappropriate.
D. Class III: A permanent 100% synthetic ECRM or TRM. Either a soil stabilizer Type A or Class I, Type A or B erosion mat must be placed over the soil filled TRM.
1. Type A – An ECRM for use on slopes 2:1 or flatter.
2. Type B or C – A TRM for use on slopes 2:1 or flatter.
3. Type D – A TRM for use on slopes 1:1 or flatter.
E. Material Selection
1. For mats that utilize netting, the netting shall be bonded to the parent material to prevent separation of the net for the life of the product.
2. For urban class mats the following material requirements shall be adhered to:
a. Only 100% organic biodegradable netted products are allowed, including parent material, stitching, and netting.
b. The netting shall be stitched with biodegradable thread/yarn to prevent separation of the net from parent material.
c. All materials and additive components used to manufacture the anchoring devices shall be completely biodegradable as determined by ASTM D 5338.
d. Mats with photodegradable netting shall not be installed after September 1st.
F. Installation
1. ECRMs shall be installed after all topsoiling, fertilizing, liming and seeding is complete.
2. The mat shall be in firm and intimate contact with the soil. It shall be installed and anchored per the manufacturer's recommendation.
3. TRM shall be installed in conjunction with the topsoiling operation and shall be followed by ECRM installation.
4. At time of installation, document the manufacturer and mat type by retention of material labels and manufacturer's installation instructions. Retain this documentation until the site has been stabilized.
VI. Considerations
A. Urban mats may be used in lieu of sod.
B. Documentation of materials used, monitoring logs, project diary and weekly inspection forms, including erosion and stormwater management plans, should be turned over to the authority charged with long term maintenance of the site.
VII. Plans and Specifications
A. Plans and specifications for installing erosion mat shall be in keeping with this standard and shall describe the requirements for applying the practice to achieve its intended purpose. The plans and specifications shall address the following:
1. Location of erosion mat
2. Installation Sequence
3. Material specification conforming to standard
B. All plans, standard detail drawings, or specifications shall include schedule for installation, inspection, and maintenance. The responsible party shall be identified.
VIII. Operation and Maintenance
A. Erosion mat shall at a minimum be inspected weekly and within 24 hours after every precipitation event that produces 0.5 inches of rain or more during a 24-hour period.
B. If there are signs of rilling under the mat, install more staples or more frequent anchoring trenches. If rilling becomes severe enough to prevent establishment of vegetation, remove the section of mat where the damage has occurred. Fill the eroded area with topsoil, compact, reseed and replace the section of mat, trenching and overlapping ends per manufacturer's recommendations. Additional staking is recommended near where rilling was filled.
C. If the reinforcing plastic netting has separated from the mat, remove the plastic and if necessary replace the mat.
D. Maintenance shall be completed as soon as possible with consideration to site conditions.
IX. References
X. Definitions
Sheet and Rill Erosion (II): Sheet and rill erosion is the removal of soil by the action of rainfall and shallow overland runoff. It is the first stage in water erosion. As flow becomes more concentrated rills occur. As soil detachment continues or flow increases, rills will become wider and deeper forming gullies.
Erosion Control Revegetative Mats (ECRM) (II): Erosion control revegetative mats are designed to be placed on the soil surface.
Turf-Reinforcement Mats (TRM) (II): Turf-reinforcement mats are permanent devices constructed from various types of synthetic materials and buried below the surface to help stabilize the soil. TRMs must be used in conjunction with an ECRM or an approved Type A soil stabilizer.
Sediment Bale Barrier
(Non-Channel)
1055 (08/03)
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Conservation Practice Standard
Note: Words in the standard that are shown in italics are described in IX. Definitions. The words are italicized the first time they are used.
I. Definition
A temporary sediment barrier consisting of a row of entrenched and anchored straw bales, hay bales or equivalent material used to intercept sediment-laden sheet flow from small drainage areas of disturbed soil.
II. Purpose
