Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 40

ECTC NEWS
The Erosion Control
Technology Council
(ECTC) is committed to
promoting cost-effective
erosion and sediment
control solutions through
leadership, standardization
and education. ECTC
assists agencies, engineers,
designers, contractors and
other entities in the proper
application, installation and
specification of erosion and
sediment control technologies
while establishing guidelines
for product quality, testing
and performance.
By Kurt Kelsey
ECTC members 'cover' several
geosynthetic applications with TRMs
T
he Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC) is a leading industry organization
home to top manufacturers of erosion and sediment control products, component
suppliers, material distributors and test laboratories. Several members of ECTC either
manufacture, distribute, test, provide components for or directly work with turf reinforcement
mats (TRMs), which are a type of geosynthetic. ECTC members are dedicated to
advancing knowledge, experience and expertise of erosion and sediment control.
The nonprofit organization's mission is to develop performance standards, uniform
testing procedures and guidance on the application and installation of hydraulic erosion
control products (HECPs), rolled erosion control
products (RECPs) and sediment retention fiber
rolls (SRFRs). ECTC recently expanded its reach to
other technologies and promote the use of erosion
and sediment control products through industry
leadership and education in the hope of making a
substantial contribution to the science of erosion
control and environmental preservation.
Geosynthetic TRMs are versatile products that
serve many applications and typically are used to
elevate the performance capabilities of vegetation
in a variety of steep slope and concentrated flow
applications. It is important to keep the " T " in
" turf reinforcement mats " by properly preparing
the soil bed, applying amendments according
to soil test results and following manufacturers'
installation recommendations whenever possible.
TRMs have been established by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Kurt Kelsey is the president
of the Erosion Control
Technology Council and
division director of the Earth
Science Division at American
Excelsior Company.
FIGURE 1 Turf reinforcement mats (TRMs)
in a high flow channel with sediment
caught in the mat after the first few flow
events. Photo courtesy of ECTC.
in its Storm Water Technology Fact Sheet entitled
" Turf Reinforcement Mats " to provide an effective,
economical and aesthetically pleasing alternative to hard armor (i.e., rock riprap).
Suitable applications are performance-verified by engineers for erosion control in areas
where forces exceed the capabilities of naturally occurring vegetation and stormwater
conveyances. TRM-reinforced vegetation provides numerous benefits over traditional
riprap channels.
The main differences between TRM reinforced vegetated swales and riprap channels
are the following:
* Aesthetics (vegetation vs. rock)
* Safety (vegetation is softer than rock)
* Maintenance (easier and less expensive with vegetation)
* Easier accessibility with TRM-reinforced vegetated swales

Geosynthetics July/August 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Geosynthetics July/August 2024