Erosion control system and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

An erosion control system is provided which generally includes a flexible composite blanket or matting including a core layer formed of rice straw. In addition, the present invention provides a green pigmented rice straw fiber blanket and methods for making same.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 894,641 filed on Jul. 20, 2004 which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60 / 489,256 filed on Jul. 22, 2003 and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 072,149 filed on Feb. 6, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60 / 266,782 filed on Feb. 6, 2001, the entire disclosure of each of which being incorporated herein by this reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to erosion control, and more specifically relates to temporary or permanent turf reinforcement and soil retention matting or blankets. [0003] Erosion control is an essential environmental consideration when new slope embankments and channels are created, for example during construction of buildings and drainage systems. Traditionally, newly constructed channels have been lined with concrete or...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] In one particularly useful embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a erosion control matting structured to substantially prevent soil loss on a substantially unvegetated and / or sloped surface, even when the matting is exposed to high velocity and / or long duration hydraulic events.

[0041] The enhanced biodegradable plant fiber matrix material preferably has at least a minimum of the above PNK components on 100% dry matter basis. Advantageously, the bionutrients within the biodegradable plant fiber matrix material will compliment conventional nonorganic nutrients, also known as man made fertilizers. The decomposition of the plant biomass within the biodegradable plant fiber matrix material contributes to the fertility status over time. In addition, when applied to a soil surface, the present invention has been found to significantly increase the germination ratio relative to a bare seeded soil plot.

Problems solved by technology

However, embankment and channel surfaces often require reinforcement, particularly during the pre-vegetated stage and early stages of plant growth, to prevent loss of soil, seeds, seedlings and other small plants when the soil is in an unstable state.

Although the Lancaster patent recognizes the problems associated with erosion on new channel surfaces, the matting system disclosed does not address other problems, for example, high shear stress on the matting, particularly during long duration, high velocity water flow during the critical pre-vegetated stage.

This requirement poses potential installation problems and setbacks.

For example, the natural decomposition process of wheat straw tends to extract nitrogen and other plant nutrients from the soil surface to which the straw is applied, thus detrimentally affecting soil fertility.

Plants and seedlings growing from the surface and through the wheat straw-based covering does not promote the optimal growth of plant roots, thus delaying or hindering the goal of soil stability.

Unfortunately, these traditional erosion control blankets are aesthetically unappealing and are usually removed and discarded prior to mature landscaping being established, thus leaving the property in an unprotected state open to potential discharge of pollutants, which, in some jurisdictions, is a violation of state water quality regulations.

However, conventional erosion control blanket designs have been inadequate, for example, during high velocity, long term, sustained water flow conditions, and even more so when said blankets have been installed to a non-vegetated, bare or seeded soil surface.

Another well known, related problem is a lack of an effective technique and / or product useful for covering and protecting newly developed land, for example, adjacent nearby newly constructed homes and the like.

Traditional wheat straw environmental control blankets are highly unattractive to new homeowners and are therefore usually removed and discarded prior to the establishment of mature landscaping, This leaves the land in an unprotected state.

Unfortunately, this practice is not considered environmentally acceptable, and is in some jurisdictions unlawful, in that it potentially opens adjacent properties to receiving runoff and potential discharge of pollutants.

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