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Nationwide Peer Exchange on Reducing Plastic in Erosion Control

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  • Nationwide Peer Exchange on Reducing Plastic in Erosion Control
Peter Leete, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Chris K. Slesar, Vermont Agency of Transportation
Ken Graeve, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Heather L. Voisin, Vermont Agency of Transportation
Mitigation / restoration
Technical Session 4: Steering Stormwater Towards Excellence

This presentation will present the key takeaways from the Minnesota-Vermont hosted peer exchange held in the fall of 2020. This peer exchange reached over 150 participants from 22 different states, federal agencies, universities, and manufacturers who all share a desire to reduce or eliminating dependency on plastic-based erosion and sediment control (ESC) products on Transportation projects. While many state DOTs have already started on this path, synchronized coordination of efforts among jurisdictions was identified as a key prerequisite for widespread change. Moreover, alternative products and practices are being developed, but are not yet widely used or available. However, implementing these changes on a state-by-state basis can be difficult and slow, whereas a coordinated effort would allow a more rapid transition toward biodegradable alternative ESC products. The goal of the peer exchange was to provide a complete picture of the state-of-practice regarding plastic and alternative ESC products in the United States. Participants shared some of the latest updates on efforts to develop alternative biodegradable agricultural waste products along with national coordination efforts to reduce the use of plastic in erosion and sediment control practices. This 3-day peer exchange (funded by Federal Highway Administration) facilitated a robust preliminary discussion and has led to a proposed NCHRP Synthesis Topic.

Stormwater
vegetation management
micro-plastic pollution
Policy

Header image courtesy of Martin Gradjean -- Air Traffic Network

ICOET 2025 — International Conference On Ecology and Transportation