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' S Practid Approa~ for Effective E i2 S Canwl - 87 <br />H Ease of Installation <br />' Probably the most important aspect of erosion control technology application is <br />the ease at which it can be applied. Generally, the fewer number of steps <br />required the better. If some form of mechanical assistance is available, such as <br />staple guns for blankets instead of hand placement, then the chances aze that <br />there will be less resistance among the labor force in properly installing the <br />materials. Some BMPs require the importation of materials to complete an <br />' application (i.e. rock for gabions). Some such as biotechnical composites can <br />utilize onsite materials. This factor should be taken into consideration when <br />comparing BMPs. <br />' Some BMPs, notably hydraulic methods, require a time W set or "cure" in order <br />' to be effective. This characteristic imposes a new set of conditions on use of <br />the material, but in most cases, the conditions imposed (precipitation, <br />temperature, soil conditions) are not that dissimilar from conditions necessary to <br />' effect normal vegetation establishment. <br />Field Notes: It has been this author's experience that no material or technique <br />is e„~ective unless it is installed correctly. As the number of application steps <br />t attd the level of di„~culry increases, so does the likelihood that the parricular <br />BMP selected will not be correctly applied or installed. Ease of installation is <br />' one variable where dissimilar erosion control approaches ~ be compared <br />against each other. <br />1 <br />VEGETATION <br />' PN Native Plant Compatibility <br />' 'this variable describes a BMP's incorporation of native plants as part of the <br />erosion control system. Some BMPs, such as hydraulic applications, are not <br />' selective in the types of seeds that can be used and can be said to be "universal" <br />in terms of plant compatibility. However, certain types of dry straw mulches <br />have been shown to produce, upon decomposition, certain allelopathic <br />' chemicals which inhibit the growth of some broadleaf plants. <br />Additionally, some application rates of hydraulic BMPs, particularly soil <br />' sealants, and the use of certain densely woven geotextiles have the capability to <br />inhibit establishment of native or "indigenous" plants through the surface <br />material. <br />' Field Notes: The use of native grass hay in dry mulching is gaining ground, <br />' particularly in the Western Unfired States, because the hay carries wirh it a large <br />© 1995 IECA <br />1 <br />