Wood-Strand Erosion Control Material

The proposed project will create an innovative erosion control material for forest and wildlands applications that performs or exceeds the functionality of agricultural straw while addressing known limitations. Agricultural straw is widely used for erosion control in projects throughout the world. Recent events and new knowledge challenge the advantages believes to be held by agricultural straw, particularly when used in highway, wildland and forest applications. From an ecological perspective there is a desire to use indigenous materials for erosion control at road decomissioning, trail building and other construction projects on wildland, recreational forest and production forest areas. Phase I activities will include disciplined engineering design and experimentation to specify physical properties for a straw analog that meets or exceeds the performance of certified agricultural straw. Research quantities of a "best solution" wood-based product will be produced prior to the end of the project. A proof-of-concept experiment will yield statistically valid data for testing the hypothesis that the resulting wood-based straw alternative does in-fact meet or exceed straw functional performance.