Geosynthetics June/July 2023 - 38

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
Erosion control and infrastructure
I
nfrastructure projects require a variety of solutions provided by Erosion Control
Technology Council (ECTC) members. ECTC is a leading industry organization whose
members are dedicated to advancing the 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 as well and promotes 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.
Erosion and sediment control products are used in numerous infrastructure projects.
RECPs in degradable erosion control blanket options and RECPs not designed to degrade
in turf reinforcement mat (TRM) options are both used on the disturbed slopes found
across various infrastructure projects. Common examples of these include roadside
slopes and gradients next to bridge abutments. HECPs are another tool in the toolbox
for use on some slope applications. Erosion control blankets (ECBs) and TRMs are also
frequently used within areas of concentrated flow on infrastructure projects such as
roadside ditches, overflow swales and highway medians. ECBs and TRMs are also commonly
used on shoreline applications of retention and detention ponds on infrastructure
projects. Mechanical unrolling attachments for RECPs are regularly used for long runs
common to infrastructure projects. The attachments expedite installation time and are
usually compatible with equipment that is already part of construction fleets such as skid
steers and tractors.
SRFRs and other innovative sediment control solutions are used across infrastructure
projects as well. Sediment control products help contain sediment at all stages during
a project, but their dependency can be reduced when proper erosion control practices
are properly implemented. Typically, sediment control should be a project's " last line
of defense " as compared to the only technology used on a site. Keeping soil in place on
slopes and in channels with proper erosion control should be the first line of defense on
most projects.
When departments of transportation (DOTs) have detailed specifications and
Kurt Kelsey is the president
of the Erosion Control
Technology Council and
division director of the Earth
Science Division at American
Excelsior Company.
approved product lists, it helps ensure the right products make it into the right projects
and applications. This commonly yields successful results by doing it right the first time.
RECPs, HECPs and SRFRs are in many state DOT specification books, so they can be
used on various infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges. However, there are still
a few states that do not have specifications and/or approved products lists for erosion
control products. Use of erosion control products are supported by the National Pollution
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II, which requires owners and operators of
construction sites to implement programs and practices to control polluted stormwater
runoff on disturbed sites as small as 1 acre. Thus, the experts at ECTC are eager to help any
DOT or other agency with the development of specifications and/or approved products
lists. ECTC provides full specifications for RECPs, HECPs and SRFRs in easy copy and

Geosynthetics June/July 2023

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