Planning for Erosion Control

Erosion control objectives should be considered in the planning stage of every roadside vegetation project. Many factors affect a site’s erosion potential. Some of those same factors also affect how quickly vegetation will establish and provide stabilization. The following interconnected factors should be analyzed to determine what, if any, erosion control practices are necessary:

• time of year (How long will the soil be exposed?)
• soil type and fertility
• slope length, grade, and aspect
• potential for off-site surface water to flow into the project area
• type of seed mix (e.g., warm-season seed establishes slower than cool-season seed)
• weather forecast
• the consequences of failure, which may include weakening the stability of the road or infrastructure such as culverts
• the presence of sensitive areas (e.g., wetlands, sensitive waterways and critical habitats for threatened and endangered species that may be negatively affected by an influx of soil and pollutants associated with erosion).

Erosion Control and IRVM

Some IRVM programs will be more involved in erosion control than others. Sediment control and long-term erosion control may be the responsibility of other county or city departments or a hired contractor.

However, at a minimum, all IRVM programs are responsible for short-term soil protection through proper site preparation and use of nurse crops, stabilizer crops, and mulches.