SEEDING AND STRAW MULCH

Definition

Using vegetation or straw mulch as a cover for barren soil to protect it from forces that cause erosion.

Purpose

Vegetative stabilization specifications are used to promote the establishment of vegetation on exposed soil. When soil is stabilized with vegetation, the soil is less likely to erode and more likely to allow infiltration of rainfall, thereby reducing sediment loads and runoff to downstream areas and improving wildlife habitat and visual resources.

Straw mulch is used to prevent erosion by protecting the soils surface from raindrop impact and reducing the velocity of overland flow. Straw mulch also fosters the growth of vegetation by increasing available moisture and providing insulation against extreme heat and cold.

Conditions Where Practice Applies

This practice shall be used on denuded areas as specified on erosion and sediment control plans and may be used on highly erodible or critically eroding areas. This specification is divided into temporary seeding, to quickly establish vegetative cover for short duration (up to one year), and permanent seeding, for long term vegetative cover. Examples of applicable areas for temporary seeding are temporary soil stockpiles, cleared areas being left idle between construction phases, earth dikes, etc. Examples of applicable areas for permanent seeding are lawns, dams, cut and fill slopes and other areas at final grade, former stockpile and staging areas, etc.

Mulch shall be applied to all seeded areas immediately after seeding.

If grading is completed outside of the seeding season, mulch alone shall be applied and maintained until the seeding season returns and seeding can be performed.

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