Some erosion control plants that are good on a relatively flat surface is any type of grass that has a tough fast growing root system like Yarrow, Pigeon Point, Monkey Flower and California Fuchsia. The combination of growing fast and having sturdy deep roots will help the soil stay in place no matter how hard it rains or how high the winds might get.

Small shrubs and trees are good for sloping areas that need erosion control plants. Some of the more common ones are Brickell Bush, Apache Plume, Coast Goldenbush, California Buckeye, Southern California Walnut, Coulter Pine, Dogwood and the Wild Rose to name a few.

The main purpose of these plants is to have it so their root systems become so intertwined with the soil, that a reduction in dust and the possibility of runoff due to water and rain is reduced. This is by increasing the soils shear strength.

One of the best plants to increase the shear strength of soil is the King Alfred. This plant was tested and showed that it strengthened the soil by 752 percent. The next best plant known to yield positive results was the Nafray. It strengthened the soil by 475 percent. The tests were conducted by Ozbreed limited and reported in 2008. Both of these plants are native to Australia and may not be available where you live or need them, but there is a substitute that industry experts can be consulted on.

Nature has made erosion control plants for every country if we just replant them, they will work again.

Dust is defined by OSHA as tiny solid particles that are suspended in the air by air currents. The Mine and Safety Health Administration defines it as finely divided solids that may become airborne from its original state without any chemical reaction or physical change other than being fractured.

Dust nuisance is generally created by the grinding, impacting, sanding or crushing of a solid particle that causes it to break up. Dust particles are so small that they are measured in micrometers. The size of dust is generally under 10 micrometers. To compare to other known particles for comparison, dust is smaller than the human hair which is between 50 and 75 micrometers and cotton fiber which is 15 to 30 micrometers.

Dust nuisance has been reported from every country around the world where there are unpaved roads, but that is not the only source. In Jamaica there is wide spread concern over dust nuisance from the local bauxite refining plant near Puerto Bueno. There have been reports that the dust is so heavy that it has been described as raining bauxite dust.

A major issue in the United Kingdom, dust nuisance is due to construction and demolition work. Dust from construction sites is nothing new and exists everywhere, but the dust from blasting can be controlled. If there is a complaint from blasting dust, a company can be fined up to 20,000 English pounds. The companies do have the right of appeal and can win if they prove that they used the best practical means to control the dust.

The evidence is overpowering that dust nuisance is a problem for health reasons and the environment. The question is that is it economically more feasible to reduce the dust problem or pay the fines.

The physical description of this particular type of fence is that they stand three to four feet tall. Most are made of a synthetic material that is semi-porous. This allows water and some air to pass through, but will catch most of the dust and sediment. The bottom of the fencing material is trenched into the ground so no sediment may pass under it. This material is then held up by stakes that are placed into the ground to keep the fence upright and working as a proper barrier.

Some states require this fencing to be reinforced. This is accomplished by adding either wire mesh to the synthetic material of placing the material over a chained link fence. This type of fence is commonly referred to as “super silt fencing”. This added strength is to help ensure that any sediment cannot penetrate the barrier.

Some of the limitations of this type of barrier include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Life expediency of the fencing material usually does not exceed 8 months.
2. With the expiration of this time period, the fencing material must be replaced.
3. This type of barrier is not intended to be used to divert the flow of water in a direction other than through the material.
4. This material must be removed from the property once the construction project is completed.
5. Silt fencing is not biodegradable.

Silt fencing is primarily used as a form of sediment control and is a relatively inexpensive way to prevent soil erosion temporarily.

Fugitive dust is a solid particle with a size of 10 micrometers or smaller. These fine particles have the ability to stay airborne for days to weeks. The extent of their capability to stay airborne has been shown when evidence of sand that originated from northern Africa was found in North America. Scientists have tracked particles from sandstorms that have traveled into the stratosphere and stayed suspended while over the Atlantic. This is an extreme case, but does happen and illustrates the extent of the problem.

Dust Stop is a product that is 100 percent friendly to the environment and has been proven to be effective in reducing dust from any type of soil. This product starts as a powder and is distributed after it is mixed with water. Once applied, Dust Stop will form a film over the soil or road that will reduce the amount of fugitive dust that is transported to the air. This film is resistant to decomposing from the suns UV rays and naturally occurring enzymes. This effective dust controlling agent has also shown that it will still be effective after rain has fallen on treated areas.

The results from trial tests were so positive that the state of Oregon has approved Dust Stop for use by the Oregon Department of Transportation for use on soil as a stabilizer and dust control agent on roads and other applicable areas. Dust Stop is currently one of the best products for controlling the ever growing problem of fugitive dust.

The modern roll type of erosion control blanket is almost exclusively biodegradable. The length of time necessary for the degrading of the material depends on which type is used. The steeper the slope, the longer the blanket is made to last. Most will degrade from 12 months up to three years from first application and exposure to the elements. The materials come from Mother Nature herself. The right material to use would depend on the amount or angle of the slope that is to be covered.

For an area to be covered with the a slope of 3:1 or less, there are erosion control blankets made out of single layered stray netting that will last up to 12 months. A double-netted blanket consisting of straw can handle a slope of 2:1 which protects the slope for up to 24 months. A blanket that has a little more firmness is one that is made of a combination of straw and coconut fiber. The percentage of the mixture will determine the firmness.

For those that need coverage on a steep 1:1 slope, 100 percent coconut is the best biodegradable material that is natural. This is held together with a double-netted blanket that is also biodegradable. This type of cover will be in place for up to three years.

If a longer period of coverage is needed, there is manmade biodegradable netting available. This is made of a biodegradable poly fiber that can provide protection and stability for over three years.

The right erosion control blanket for your purposes would depend on the slope and conditions of the soil.