Improved Erosion Control Selection for Steep Slopes with the USDA Forest Service Erosion Control Selection Guide

Low-volume forest roads are a significant source of erosion and can be challenging and expensive to control because of the steep (greater than 50% slope gradient) slopes. Most erosion control documents lack guidance on treatment selection, emphasize temporary erosion control, and do not adequately address steep slopes. To address the deficiency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service San Dimas Technology and Development Center created the USDA Forest Service Erosion Control Selection Guide. The primary focus of the guide is technical information to assist long-term erosion control treatment selection on steep slopes, particularly road cut and fill slopes. This guide is a synthesis of information encompassing erosion control fundamentals, erosion and sediment yield prediction models, treatment parameters, erosion control treatments, selection tips, installation tips, and additional resources. Treatments include grading, seeding, mulch, soil amendments, rolled erosion control products, soil bioengineering, and biotechnical stabilization. Significant advantages of the guide include general treatment selection guidance, inclusion of permanent treatment methods, and consideration of steep slopes. The guide is limited because of the complex nature of erosion; it does not address nontechnical issues, and it may need updating as new information becomes available. Despite these limitations, the guide is a valuable new tool for reducing erosion and sediment yield on steep slopes of low-volume roads.