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Miller Compost

Erosion Control Fact Sheet

The use of organic soil blends and woody materials

to control erosion and establish vegetation has

been studied extensively. In a attempt to create

new opportunities for compost blends and with new

application technology, a great deal of study has

gone into the use of compost based material for

use of erosion control for storm water ponds and

highway projects.

A number of studies have been performed by

several Departments of Transportation in the U.S.

and Canada that looked at feasibility studies that

showed overwhelming that compost based erosion

control tended to out perform traditional methods

of controlling erosion and the establishment of

permanent vegetated cover by a sizeable margin.

Since that time, many have developed specifications

for compost utilization in controlling erosion along

highways and storm water management projects

There are many cost benefits to using such erosion

control products. First, it helps close the recycling

loop for waste management. The second is compost

adds back to the soil what was lost during construction

activities. Thirdly, compost acts a prefilter for non

source pollution. Forthly, compost allows for a more

sustainable vegetative management and attracts

wildlife. Finally compost is very economical choice

for erosion control and storm water management

projects.

One of The greatest challenges facing municipalities is the explosio

new housing. For many municipalities, the cost of storm water managem

infrastructure along with declining watershed inventory will see more w

shortages along with costly waste water & clean water treatment system

Compost based erosion control prodcan greatly help at resolving many w

quality issues. By creating incre

organic matter in or on the ero

prone soil, compost will create a suit

environment for microorganisms. T

microbes will help reduce non-so

pollution, stabilize disturbed

increase water table inventories, re

downstream contamination all fo

very affordable price.

Water quality protection starts at the construction site. Poor erosion con

can have far reaching affects on both humans and wildlife. Safeguar

water supplies is important to all stakeholders in the community.

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Miller Compost

Erosion Control Fact Sheet

The properties of a well-balanced erosion controlmedium will balance the attributes of providing superiorphysical slope stabilization in the short term and optimumgermination medium for quick vegetation cover, both ofwhich are key for successful erosion control of disturbedsoil.

Physical slope stabilization is achieved through the*bonded fiber matrix* of compost which naturally resiststhe tendency for downward soil movement. A cushioningeffect absorbs the kinetic energy of rainfall, thus preventing

the movement of soil particles and decreases the potentialfor rills to form and for sheet erosion to begin.

Many concerns that prompt erosion control is the controlof sediment, pollutants, and structural failure of slopes.Plant establishment helps to further eliminate any furthersedimentation that may occur and provide a more naturalsetting.

Several application methods of compost blends for erosioncontrol exist and have their own unique niche based onsite location, engineering requirements, and economiccost. It is possible through some methods to inject theseed mixture right into the blend either before or during theapplication process. This method proves most beneficialas a one step process and seems to be the most effectivefor quick vegetation establishment erosion control method.

A compost blend can also be applied on its own simplyas the short term erosion control method, which can laterbe seeded for increased vegetation establishment withtraditional methods of hydro-seeding alone, for example.

Because of our activities, erosion control solutionsmust provide a more balanced natural approach to soilstabilization. This can be achieved with great successby reintroducing the natural biological system at veryeconomical rate both to the road building industry as weas to the environment as a whole.

Another benefit of using compost blends in erosion controlis that compost inherently has quality plant nutrients thatare released slowly over long period of time. This allowsfor consistent nutrient levels to be present during plantgrowth during the establishment period. This allows anatural way of providing nutrients for plant uptake withoutthe need for chemical fertilizers, thus reducing any potentialdegradation of the water system due to chemical pollution.Compost has the ability to break down hydrocarbon andother chemical pollutants, bond heavy metals, and convertexcess soluble fertilizers before they have a chance toenter into protected waterways and sensitive wildlife

habitat areas.

The use of recycled organic materials for applications sas erosion control, serve to further environmental initiatiboth from a landfill diversion program, as well as the clewater strategy movement. When the local governmbody or agency can utilize recycled materials to soenvironmental problems such as soil erosion preventof silt ration of natural waterways all stakeholders beneCompost has made paramount strides in closing organic diversion loop and protecting the environmenat once.

The rich microbiological ecosystem that is created wcompost is applied to disturbed soil will infuse replenish the soils natural micro flora and micro fathat is required by vegetation to grow and also imprsoil structure, namely humus which helps bind fresdisturbed soil particles and aid in the creation of larger aggregation, thus reducing soil erosion.

Compost also reintroduces organic matter to a vimpoverish soil left behind due to construction activitHaving increased organic matter on the slope hecushion rainfall, by slowing down the kinetic energywater run off.

Erosion is a part of natures normal processes. Withhuman activity erosion would be balanced with rebuildinsoils through the natural process of soil formation. Becaof our activities with soil through urban development, ccutting, and use of chemicals, all of which destroy protective layer of vegetation on top of the soil. The oincreases the need for viable soil erosion control. Meththat employ more natural erosion control material suchcompost.

Erosion control will only be achieved 100% when site can be returned into its natural state. This mevegetation must be successfully grown and restoratio

the subsoil into a more favorable soil for plant growth aoverall plant health.

Compost mimics a natural process that we can motivMother Nature to do her part. We are able to comprhundreds of years of soil building into a few short wewith the introduction of organic matter, reintroductionbeneficial soil microbes, and plant nutrients that stimulaan immediate growth of vegetation necessary to protslopes, and provide the essential soil builders criticalong-term ecological development of slope stabilizaprojects.

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