Wildlife friendly erosion prevention and sediment control

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Erosion control is important for protecting soil after disturbance and to minimize impacts to receiving waters from excessive sediment. Proper erosion control protects the environment by preventing topsoil movement and by helping vegetation establish itself. However, depending on the type of erosion control material used, it can be a threat to wildlife and cause environmental damage. Erosion control products (ECPs) come in many different forms including mulch, silt fences, erosion control blankets (ECBs) and more. However, the type that presents the most danger to wildlife and the environment is mesh netting, commonly found in ECBs and as a component of silt fencing. Wildlife can become entangled in plastic or metal mesh which can result in injury or death. Machinery can also be damaged if entangled by plastic or metal mesh, and plastic netting also pollutes the environment when it degrades, forming microplastics.

Information: Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) maintains a list of approved erosion prevention and sediment control products at https://www.dot.state.mn.us/products/erosioncontrolandlandscaping/index.html.

Safer products

The shape and structure of erosion control netting is an important factor for safety to wildlife. Elongated, rectangular openings are preferable over square shaped netting, as the elongated apertures allow wildlife to free themselves more easily and avoid injuries. Moveable, woven joints, such as those found in leno or gauze netting are preferred over welded joints, since the added flexibility allows wildlife to stretch the netting while passing through. This reduces the likelihood of wildlife becoming entrapped in netting.

Fish trapped and killed by welded-plastic square erosion-control mesh. Photo courtesy of Ben Lowe, MN DNR

Plains gartersnake trapped and killed by welded-plastic square erosion-control mesh. Photo courtesy of Carol Hall, MN DNR

Contains standard polypropylene netting on both sides. Not wildlife friendly. Image courtesy of USFWS.

Biodegradable jute with moveable joints. Wildlife friendly. Image courtesy of USFWS.

Netting material is another important factor for wildlife safety. Because it does not degrade the same way that organic materials like mulch or straw do, intact plastic netting can be released into the environment. It has been found as a nest material for birds, causing young birds to be entangled or ingest plastic. Plastic netting can also break down in the environment, releasing microplastics. Ingesting these microplastics can cause blockage or abrasion of the digestive tract, which can kill wildlife. In addition, other pollutants such as harmful chemicals or pathogens tend to collect on the surface of microplastics. These pollutants then accumulate in biomass and make their way up the food chain, where they can harm human and animal health.

Potentially misleading terms

Language used to describe plastic products can be confusing. These products are not wildlife friendly, but sound like they are. Many plastic products are labeled as being “degradable”, but only some are safe for the environment. All plastics degrade, breaking down into smaller parts over time. This is where many microplastics come from. Plastics labeled as just “degradable” fall into this category. Similarly misleading terms include:

• Photodegradable: in erosion control settings, vegetation will block the light and netting won’t degrade.
• UV-degradable: same issue as with photodegradable plastics. Additionally, even if the plastic does degrade, there is no guarantee the degraded plastic particles are safe for the environment.
• Oxo-degradable: refers to conventional plastic mixed with an additive to make it break down. This creates large quantities of microplastics, which don’t break down at the molecular level like biodegradable plastics do.

The only materials that are safe for the environment and for wildlife are 100% biodegradable products. The key difference is that biodegradable products, such as those made of natural fibers, are completely broken down by bacteria in the environment to form carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. Note that some biodegradable plastics are only industrially compostable and don’t biodegrade in the environment. This means they must be disposed of properly or risk becoming just as harmful to the environment as normal plastics. Natural fiber products are therefore the safest bet for avoiding environmental plastic contamination.

Attributes of erosion control products that make them not friendly to wildlife, somewhat more friendly, and friendly to wildlife. Use the specifications in the wildlife friendly box as much as possible. Image courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Implementing wildlife-friendly practices

The ability to use wildlife-friendly erosion control products will depend on site conditions including slope, water flow, soil conditions, and more. It is important to avoid using plastic mesh wherever possible. Safer products to implement include natural fiber mesh or hydraulically-applied erosion control products (“hydromulch,” or HECPs). It is still important to be aware of the contents of HECPs, as some contain environmentally harmful products such as synthetic (plastic) fibers and dyes that are toxic to wildlife, such as malachite green. MnDOT maintains a list for approved products that can be used on their projects at https://www.dot.state.mn.us/products/erosioncontrolandlandscaping/hydraulicerosioncontrol.html.

Toxic malachite green used in hydraulic erosion control. Image courtesy of MnDOT and MN DNR

Synthetic fibers used in hydraulic erosion control. Image courtesy of MnDOT and MN DNR

If plastic netting cannot be avoided, there are methods to minimize the damage done. These methods are also generally applicable best practices to protect wildlife:

• Don’t leave netting out for longer than necessary- remove once vegetation is established.
• Plan and stage projects to minimize bare soil and soil disturbance.
• In some cases, it can be possible to change the site slope to be suitable for wildlife-friendly products by using terracing.
• Inspect netting regularly and release trapped animals if any are present.
• Work with natural resource specialists such as the DNR or Fish and Wildlife to identify and protect ecologically sensitive areas and rare species.
• Bury the edges of erosion control blankets and secure them using wooden or live stakes. This reduces reptile entrapment.

Summary

• Erosion control products can trap and kill wildlife.
• To protect wildlife, use biodegradable mesh with rectangular openings and woven joints.
• Avoid plastic products, including those that call themselves “photo-“, “UV-“, or “oxo-degradable”, as these types of plastics do not break down adequately or safely in natural erosion control environments.
• Install netting with stakes and bury the edges, then remove them as soon as possible.

Woven 100% natural fiber erosion-control materials. Photo by Nick Proulx courtesy of MN DNR.

Osprey with plastic netting wrapped around talon. Photo by Randy Loftus, courtesy of USFWS

Further Reading

• Wildlife-friendly erosion control (2013). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nongame/wildlife-friendly-erosion-control.pdf
• Wildlife and environmentally friendly erosion control (accessed 2023). United States Fish and Wildlife Service. https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/WLfriendlyErosionControl__final.pdf
• Erosion control and landscaping products (accessed 2023). Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://www.dot.state.mn.us/products/erosioncontrolandlandscaping/index.html
• Plastics (synthetic fibers) in Erosion Prevention & Sediment Control Practices (2019). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Department of Transportation. https://www.house.mn.gov/comm/docs/de982bcd-7354-4e2d-a95c-3433c646095a.pdf