Erosion and Sediment Control Tip #26

 


Most Erosion Control Blankets use some type of netting to bind and hold products so the blankets stay together, are more easily handled, and keep the mulch material in place to do its job.  Most ECB companies have wildlife friendly netting available to ensure the wildlife in the area are not needlessly harmed.  So, if you plan the use of ECB’s or netting of any type on your project, consider the use of wildlife friendly netting. I reached out to Eric Marsal of the American Excelsior Company to provide the following insight:

  • Most blanket companies now provide netting that is considered Wildlife Friendly. 
  • It is best that Wildlife Friendly netting be 100% biodegradable.
  • Wildlife Friendly netting should be loosely wrapped at the junctions (seam) to allow the netting to stretch when stress is applied to it, thus greatly reducing entanglements (picture).
  • When it can be used, a net-free blanket would be the best alternative.
  • One final note to mention is proper installation methods.  Studies have shown that when edges of ECBs are trenched in, most wildlife will simply pass over the blanket.

 Thanks Eric and The American Excelsior Company for these thoughts.

 Perry L Oakes, PE

Erosion and Sediment Control Program Coordinator

AL Soil and Water Conservation Committee


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