Erosion Control Netting Fact Sheet

What is Erosion Control Netting?

This is a netting made of Jute, Coir or synthetic material that is laid and anchored over straw or other mulch to protect the mulch from wind and water damage. It reduces soil erosion and provides a good environment for vegetative regrowth. The materials are photo-degradable or biodegradable material that will eventually decompose and is not a threat to the environment.

When is Erosion Control Netting used?

This practice is often used on areas that may erode near structures such as homes, roads, and bridges. It is used on small, steep, disturbed areas. Jute or Coir Netting can also be applied alone (without mulch) as an alternative to straw or wood mulches on flat sites for dust control and seed germination enhancement. It should not be used alone where runoff quantities are expected to be high. Erosion Control Netting is not appropriate in all situations. Examples of when netting may not be appropriate include:

• Steep slopes with sandy soils
• Steep slopes with many rocks on the surface
• Steep slopes with a significant amount of fire burned vegetation remaining

Check with the local Natural Resources Conservation Service office to find out if the use of Erosion Control Netting is appropriate.

How is Erosion Control Netting Installed?

The soil surface should be reasonably smooth. Rocks and other obstructions which rise above the level of the soil and mulch must be removed.

Individual rolls of Erosion Control Netting should be applied up and down the slope - never along the contour. The upper end of the netting at the top of the disturbed area should be buried in a trench at least 8 inches deep. Rolls should be laid out so that edges overlap each other by at least 6 inches across the slope. When more than one roll is required going down the slope. The ends going down the slope should overlap by at least 3 feet. This is extremely important!

Anchor pins or staples are used to anchor the netting to the soil surface. Anchor pins are made of rigid 0.12 inch diameter or heavier galvanized wire with a minimum length of 10 inches for hook or "J" type pins. Staples should be of wire .09 inches in diameter or greater and should have ‘U" shaped legs that are at least 6 inches in length. Longer staples are needed for sandy soils.

Staples or anchor pins need to be driven perpendicularly into the slope face and should be spaced about 5 feet apart down the sides and center of the roll. Spacing between staples at the upper end of a roll, and at the end overlap of two, rolls should not be greater than 1 foot.

Erosion Control Netting should go beyond the edge of the mulched or seeded area at least 1 foot at the sides and 3 feet at the bottom. If there is existing vegetation at the boundaries of the area, the Erosion Control Netting should be continued into the stable vegetated area or to the edge of a structure.