EcoSod: An Alternative Native Sod Solution for Highway Construction Projects

The Surface Transporation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act (STURAA) requires the use of native grasses and wildflowers within highway corridors. A major problem for the revegetation industry has been the ability to predictably establish native vegetation from seed. The production of native sods would allow for the most sensitive period of establishment-germination and initial seedling growth-to be bypassed in order to meet FHWA requirements for erosion control and weed suppression. Traditional sod production techniques, however, are geographically limited, environmentally problematic, and may act as a vector for the introduction of weed species. Bitterroot Resotration, Inc. proposes to develop ¿EcoSod¿, a lightweight, highly transportable native sod designed for short duration growing cycles. EcoSod will be constructed from a combination of weed-free geotextiles and soil substitutes, which increase the transportability of materials and field survival of installed sods. Phase I research will result in: 1) identification of source materials for EcoSod production; 2) development of propagation protocols; and 3) development of conceptual plans for demonstration plots in the western United States. Phase II will result in the establishment of three large-scale demonstration plots constructed in cooperation with western transportation departments.