Erosion Control Toolbox

Toolbox Overview

Tools

To Combine Specifications

• Sequencing

Planning & Design

• Preserve Existing Vegetation

Improve Soil Health

• Soils Testing
• Local Topsoil
• Imported Topsoil
• Roughen Soil Surface
• Stepped Slopes
• Contour Grading and Slope Rounding
• Decompact Soil
• Soil Nutrients
• Compost (Incorporate)

Improve Soil Health & Provide Cover

• Duff
• Mulch
• Compost Blanket

Short Term Cover

• Hydroseed Overview
  • Seed
  • Fiber
  • Straw
  • Tackifier
• Punched Straw
• Hydroseed
• Bonded Fiber Matrix
• RECP (Jute Mesh)

Long Term Cover

• RECP (Netting)
• RECP (Blanket)
• RECP (Turf Reinforcing Mat)

Steep Slope Techniques

• Stepped Slope
• Cellular Confinement
• RECP Flap
• RECP Flap with Brush Layering
• RECP Wrap
• Soil Filled RSP
• Wire Blanket
• Wire Mesh Confinement

Planting

• Plant Selection
• TransPlant Application
• Noxious and Invasive Species
• Drill Seed
• Dry Seed
• Willow Cuttings
• Native Grass Sod
• Liner
• Seedling
• Brush Layering

Stormwater Treatment

• Biofiltration Strip
• Biofiltration Swale

Sediment Control

• Fiber Roll
• Compost Sock

References

• Webinars
• Guidance
• Research
• Presentations
• Magazine Articles
• Specifications by Others

Straw

Straw is frequently used as a mulch in hydroseeding, often in conjunction with drill seeding. Application rates vary based upon straw material, slope roughness, and slope steepness. Select one of the products from the detailed information provided below.

When to Use this Product?

Specify a straw type when filling out the Erosion Control (Hydroseed), and Erosion Control (Tacked Straw)specifications.

Straw Types

Click here to view a chart comparing the benefits and limitations of various straw materials.

If you are uncertain which straw product to select, specify wheat straw. Specify rice straw or Certified Weed Free wheat straw where the potential spread of noxious plant species is a concern.

Wheat Straw

Benefits:

• Most commonly available straw product.
• Commonly available in Southern California - unlike Rice Straw.

Limitations:

• Biodegrades more quickly than rice straw.
• Wheat straw may contribute to the spread of invasive weeds. Specifying certified weed free straw would help mitigate this problem. Information on sources for Certified Weed Free Straw are available at the following web sites:
  • Weed Free Straw and Forage Cover Letter
  • Weed Free Straw and Forage Suppliers List
• If you need a large amount of material for the coming year, contact vendors early in the growing season to make sure sufficient weed-free forage/straw will be certified and available for your project needs.
• CDFA Form 66-079 "Certificate of Quarantine Compliance (CQC)" is the document that verifies that the materials have been inspected.

Rice Straw

Benefits

• Use where "weed free" straw straw is required. Because rice is aquatic, it has minimal weed seed content when used in dryland applications.
• High silicate content tends to cause rice straw to last longer than other straw types.
• Using this straw helps satisfy "Rice Straw Burning Reduction Act" of 1991 (AB-1378) requirements.

Limitations:

• Availability may be limited seasonally. Verify availability at the Rice Straw Market.
• As most rice is grown in the Sacramento valley, availability may be limited to northern California. Verify availability at the the Rice Straw Market.
• Rice straw is brittle and does not "punch" well into the soil. Do not specify rice straw with Erosion Control (Punched Straw).

Barley Straw

Benefits

• Softer and more absorbent than wheat or rice straw straw.

Limitations:

• Availability may be limited compared with Wheat straw.

External Links