Writing HECP and BSA Specifications That Work Alaska DOT and PF - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Writing HECP and BSA Specifications That Work Alaska DOT and PF - Quarterly Design Meeting Anchorage, Alaska Damon Sump CPESC Northwest Regional Sales Manager January 23, 2018

Who is Profile?

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88 Th and Elmore Winter Installation 6

Homer Slide Repair 8

Talkeetna Airport 9

What is the Most Cost-Effective form of Erosion Control? Sustainable Vegetation!

“The Five Fundamentals” Create Optimal l Soi oil l Con ondit itions Pick ick th the Ri Right Plan lant Sp Species Sele Select the the Cor orrect Ero rosion Con ontrol Mat ateria ials ls Ens nsure re Pro roper r Ins Installa llation In Insp spection an and Main aintenance 11

What makes a specification “Work” ? • Clear and Concise for both owner and contractor • Utilizes industry standard testing protocols • Protects – Environment – Owner – Contractor • Speeds project completion 12

HECP Specification #1 No Performance Standards – No Rates – Field Mixed – No Environmental Standards

HECP Specification #2 No Performance Standards – No Tackifier – Odd pH Requirement – No Environmental Standards - Vague

HECP Specification #3 part 1 No Performance Standards – No Tackifier – Only Environmental Standard Focuses on Boron - Vague

HECP Specification #3 part 2 More Prescriptive, No Definitions or Performance Standards – No Tackifier

Proposed HECP Performance Specification 1.01 SUMMARY A. This section specifies a hierarchy of Hydraulically-applied Erosion Control Products (HECPs) to accommodate varying site conditions and project needs that may be encountered on disturbed areas in need of erosion control and revegetation. All products shall be made in the United States, 100% biodegradable, and contain 100% recycled, thermally refined (within a pressurized vessel) virgin wood fibers derived from clean, whole wood chips. The HECPs shall be phytosanitized and upon application form an intimate bond with the soil surface to create continuous, porous, absorbent and flexible erosion resistant blankets that allow for rapid germination and accelerated plant growth. Acceptable product categories listed in Section 2.02 shall include High Performance-Flexible Growth Medium (HP-FGM), Bonded Fiber Matrix (BFM), and Hydraulic Mulch (HM) Wood with Tack. Product selection shall be based on site conditions and property values described in Section 3.03. 17

Proposed HECP Performance Specification A. HP-FGM and EFM shall conform to the following typical property values when uniformly applied at a rate of 3,500 lb/acre (3,290 kg/hectare) under laboratory conditions. HM shall conform to the following typical property values when uniformly applied at a rate of 3,000 lb/acre (3,360 kg/hectare) under laboratory conditions. Table 1 - Comparative Product Properties and Selection Criteria Product HM Wood with Tack BFM HP-FGM Property Test Method Tested Value Tested Value Tested Value Physical ≥ 9.9 oz/yd 2 (340 g/m 2 ) ≥ 11.6 oz/yd 2 (390 g/m 2 ) ≥ 11.6 oz/yd 2 (390 g/m 2 ) ASTM D6566 1 Mass Per Unit Area ≥ 0.16 in. (4 mm} ≥ 0.22 in. (5.6 mm) ASTM D6525 1 Thickness N/A ≥ 98 % ≥ 99% ASTM D6567 1 Ground Cover N/A ≥ 1,200% ≥ 1,400% ≥ 1,700% Water Holding Capacity ASTM D7367 Material Color Observed Green Green Green Performance ≤ 0.25 ≤ 0.05 ≤ 0.01 Cover Factor 2 Large Scale Testing 4 ≥ 75 % ≥ 95 % ≥ 99 % % Effectiveness 3 Large Scale Testing 4 Observed Maximum Slope Gradient < 3H to 1V < 2H to 1V < 0.25H to 1V Observed Maximum Slope Length 30 ft.(9.1 m) 50 ft. (15.2 m) 100 ft. (30.4 m) Cure time 5 Observed 24 - 48 hours 4 - 24 hours 0 - 2 hours ≥ 250 % ≥ 600 % ≥ 800 % ASTM D7322 1 Vegetation Establishment ≤ 3 months ≤ 12 months ≤ 18 months Functional Longevity 5 ASTM D5338 Environmental Ecotoxicity EPA 2021.0 48-hr LC 50 > 100% 48-hr LC 50 > 100% 48-hr LC 50 > 100% Biodegradability ASTM D5338 Yes Yes Yes ≤ 250 NTU Effluent Turbidity Large Scale Testing 4 N/A N/A 1. ASTM test methods developed for Rolled Erosion Control Products and have been modified to accommodate Hydraulically-Applied Erosion Control Products. 2. Cover Factor is calculated as soil loss ratio of treated surface versus an untreated control surface. 3. % Effectiveness = One minus Cover Factor multiplied by 100%. 4. Large scale testing conducted at Utah Water Research Laboratory. For specific testing information please contact a Manufacturer Representative. 5. Cure time is time range required for product to fully dry and/or demonstrate erosion control effectiveness under non-saturated conditions. 6. Functional Longevity is the estimated time period, based upon ASTM D5338 testing and field observations, that a material can be anticipated to provide erosion control and agronomic benefits as influenced by composition, as well as site-specific conditions, including; but not limited to – temperature, moisture, light conditions, soils, biological activity, vegetative establishment and other environmental factors. 18

BSA Specification #1 Materials Section 712.2.19 is supplemented with the following: (******) Soil Amendment Soil amendment shall be a pre-packaged, commercially available, hydraulically applied blend of natural fibers, mycorrhiza, growth stimulants, and other biologically active material designed to improve seed germination and vegetation establishment. Soil amendment shall be manufactured from thermally and mechanically processed straw and flexible flax fibers, sphagnum peat moss and other biological additives at the following volumes: 35-45% by volume of thermally and mechanically processed straw and flax fibers 1. 50-60% by volume of professional grade sphagnum peat moss 2. 1-2% by volume of other biological additives including trace minerals, sugars, starches, proteins, 3. folic acid, vitamin A, triaconnatol and triacontanol growth stimulants/regulators <1% by volume of fungal mycorrhiza and plant beneficial bacteria 4. T ackifier shall be a pre-packaged commercially available powder specifically designed and manufactured for use with the specified hydraulically applied soil amendment. T ackifier shall be formulated from long chain and cross-linking molecules in conjunction with a hydrocolloid vegetable gum. Again - No Performance Standards – No Rates – Field Mixed – No Environmental Standards

Proposed BSA Performance Specification 1.01 SUMMARY A. This section specifies the hydraulically-applied Biotic Soil Media (BSM). The BSM shall be designed as an alternative to topsoil and/or compost to accelerate development of depleted soils/substrates with low organic matter, low nutrient levels and limited biological activity. BSM is made in the United States and is non-toxic using bark and wood fibers that have been phytosanitized to eliminate potential weed seeds and pathogens - prior to the introduction of soil building components. This proprietary blend of soil building components includes high-viscosity colloidal polysaccharide biopolymers, biochar, seaweed extract, humic acid, endomycorrhizae and beneficial bacteria. 20

Proposed BSA Performance Specification 2.01 MATERIALS A. The Biotic Soil Media shall conform to the following typical property values when uniformly applied at a rate of 3,500 pounds per acre (3,920 kilograms/hectare) under laboratory conditions. Property Test Method Tested Value (English) Tested Value (SI) Physical ≥ 94% ≥ 94% Organic Material ASTM D586 ≥ 11.6 oz/yd 2 ≥ 392 g/m 2 Mass Per Unit Area ASTM D6566 1 ≥ 99% ≥ 99% ASTM D6567 1 Ground Cover ≥ 900% ≥ 900% Water Holding Capacity ASTM D7367 pH ASTM D1293 6.0 ± 0.3 6.0 ± 0.3 Carbon : Nitrogen (C:N) Ratio ASTM E1508 & EPA Method 1687 50:1 ± 10 50:1 ± 10 Material Color Observed Brown Brown Performance ≤ 0.01 ≤ 0.01 Cover Factor 2 Large Scale Testing 4 ≥ 99% ≥ 99% % Effectiveness 3 Large Scale Testing 4 ≥ 850% ≥ 850% ASTM D7322 1 Vegetation Establishment Environmental Ecotoxicity EPA 2021.0 48-hr LC 50 > 100% 48-hr LC 50 > 100% Biodegradability ASTM D5338 Yes Yes EPA Metal Limits EPA 503 Metal Limits Pass Pass Pathogen Reduction 40 CFR 503 Class A Compost Pass Pass When applied at a rate of 3,500 lb/ac (3,920 kg/ha) 1. Cover Factor is calculated as soil loss ratio of treated surface versus an untreated control surface. 2. % Effectiveness = One minus Cover Factor multiplied by 100%. 3. Large scale testing conducted at Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL). was applied at 3,500 lb/ac (3,920 kg/ha) and covered with 4. a Bonded Fiber Matrix, at 3,500 lb/ac (3,920 kg/ha) and tested under uniform conditions. 21

Complete specifications Incorporate the Five Fundamentals : Section 31 25 14.13 – Hydraulically-Applied Erosion Control 1.01 SUMMARY 1.02 SUBMITTALS 1.03 DELIVERY, STORAGE AND HANDLING 2.01 MATERIALS 2.02 COMPOSITION 2.04 PACKAGING 3.01 SOIL TESTING 3.02 VEGETATION SPECIES SELECTION 3.03 PRODUCT SELECTION 3.04 SUBSTRATE AND SEEDBED PREPARATION 3.05 INSTALLATION 3.06 CLEANING AND PROTECTION 3.07 INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE 22

Performance Specifications provide - • Clear and Concise for both owner and contractor • Utilizes industry standard testing protocols • Protection for – Environment – Owner – Contractor • Speeds project completion 23