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A. The following is in response to questions G. 6, <br /> H.7 and H. 18, each concerning the use of <br /> gabions . <br /> A system of gabions functions by virtue of its <br /> weight and resistance to erosion to stabilize a <br /> slope ( or stream channel) . The building block <br /> method of construction lends itself to unlimited <br /> design. The structures are highly permeable and <br /> act as self-draining units which bleed off g- <br /> roundwater , thus relieving hydrostatic heads. <br /> Due to their inherent flexibility, they yield to <br /> earth movement and still retain their full effi- <br /> ciency and remain structurally sound. The <br /> gabion structure which shifts , bends and con- <br /> torts without breaking is quite unlike rigid or <br /> semi-rigid structures which may be completely <br /> lost or rendered non-functional when even slight <br /> changes occur in their foundations . <br /> Climax has made extensive use of gabions on <br /> steep and unstable slopes created from cuts for <br /> the interceptor canal system, mill water return <br /> pipelines and access roads. The structural <br /> stability of some of these slopes would not be <br /> good if they were not reinforced with gabions . <br /> The instability would be due to the slope steep- <br /> ness of course ; however , the high water holding <br /> capacity of the material and the lack of cohe- <br /> sion between the materials are also indirectly <br /> responsible . With gabions emplaced most slopes <br /> have fair to good stability, and with vegetation <br /> establishment and growth, and close observation <br /> and maintenance , the slope stability on these <br /> sites will improve. In conjunction with <br /> successful vegetative establishment and growth, <br /> the gabion structures should function very well <br /> for at least twenty years . <br /> Ninety percent of the gabion structures were <br /> emplaced to stabilize steep slopes above por- <br /> tions of the canal system which were buried in <br /> culverts due to the erosiveness of the native <br /> material . Slow disintegration of gabion wire <br /> will likely occur rather than massive failure of <br /> these gabion structures. Slow disintegration of <br /> the wire will enhance the opportunities of main- <br /> -8- <br />