Monday, January 13, 2014

Working With Erosion Control Colorado

By Marissa Velazquez


There are city, county and state laws dealing with erosion control Colorado. Most mandate that there be control and containment of erosion and sediment on any construction site over an acre in size or that is located on a slope or hillside. The goal is to contain any contaminants that may arise from the construction process and the equipment used to create the site.

When dealing with new construction most sites must be cleared of vegetation by grading the land. Before this happens contractors must apply for permits and submit a cohesive plan as to how they will prevent sediment and run off from the land. State agencies perform inspections on site to ensure you are complying with the plans you submitted and that they are working. If a complaint is filed you must bring the site into compliance immediately or face fines and litigation.

Erosion occurs from rain, wind and an excess of water on the surface of the soil. It can take the form of gully formation, silt build up, slope slippage and an exposure of non-productive soil to the elements. The best way to prevent these things from happening is to replant the area under construction as quickly as possible.

Road construction commonly uses straw blankets to stop or slow the erosive tendencies that come with ongoing traffic. Oils and other contaminants collect on the roadways and are washed to the sides when it rains. The blankets help to contain the contaminants and as they return to nature act as a natural fertilizer. The straw is held in place by a biodegradable webbing to prevent straw from being blown or washed away.

Hydro processing is a method of covering and reseeding areas of exposed soil. The mulch that is used contains a gummy substance that adheres to the soil to prevent erosion from occurring. The mulch is comprised of paper, wood pulp and aspen hydro mulch. When the grass seeds are added to the mixture they also put fertilizer with it. The combination of these resources helps to guarantee fast and near total germination for the area.

Many times native flower seeds are added to the mixture if large areas are to be covered. This is especially important for hill sides and wilderness areas. Indigenous grasses are also used with hydro seeding large areas because they survive in sun or shade and require very little water.

Another method of planting vegetation in areas where grading or other construction has taken place is drill seeding. This reseeding process uses a tractor to furrow the soil and a special device to plant the seeds into the soil. This method is less expensive than other types of treatments and creates higher growth ratio because the seeds are below the surface and not foraged by birds and rodents. The seeds are also safe from wind and sun damage that can prevent seed germination.

Preventive measures taken early in the construction process helps maintain the ecosystems that Mother Nature set in place. Erosion control Colorado ensures that the regeneration is done properly and the smallest amount of pollution and run off possible occurs during construction. The cooperation between them and the public sector is essential to keeping Colorado green.




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