Agenda - Planning Commission - 02/07/2019

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Looming Issue with Plastic Mesh/letting in Erosion Control Products Plastic mesh netting is a common material in erosion control products. It is utilized to hold loose fibrous materials in place SEG straw) until vegetation is established. These products have been used extensively and are successful for reducing soil erosion, benefming both eci I health and water quality_ Unfortunately there is a negative side of this component: It is increasingly being documented that it poses dangers to reptiles, amphibians, and mowing machinery, Potential Problems: + Plastic netting lays on the surface long after other components have decomposed_ ▪ Plastic mesh netting can result in entanglement and death of a variety of reptiles (snakes, frogs, toads, and turtles)_ Ducklings have also been documerrted entangled in the netting. ▪ Road maintenance machinery can snag the plastic mesh and pull up long lengths into machinery, thus binding up machinery and causing damage andror loss cf time cleaning it out. Suggested Alternatives: + Do not use in knvrm Iecaiions of reptiles or amphibians that are listed as Threatened or Endangered species. + Limit use where reptiles are likely (near wetlands, lakes. walercoursee. or rock a tcrops. + Use rapidly degradable material in all components of erosion control blanket, netting or biologs {fiber rolls l that are to be left on site as part of final stabilization. • Use types with smaller mesh size (smaller that W) or use types with non -welded netting. teas near wenancs, lakes, warerc urses are rccar ouicrops are ueery na aITar rorreptiles ane ampniman 5 ana may nor oe suitable for plastic mesh erosion control materials. Snakes get caught in the plastic mesh fhttu fhvl z.,dnnitake,rinius'watersirxaterrl@rit section Irr; uerrtits/en 2004 0 D01 ruarsual.httu33 Best Practices for Meeting DNR GP 2004-0001 (May 2011 Edition) Chapter 1, Page 2 d