Brush Trench POLLUTANTS ADDRESSED: Sediments, Nutrients and Organics, Salinity
DESCRIPTION: Bundles of willow cuttings (or cuttings of other available species) are placed in a buried trench along the top of an eroding stream bank. The roots of the sprouting cuttings will provide stream bank stability and the living fence will filter pollutants and sediment from the water.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS: Plants protect stream bank from erosion POTENTIAL TREATMENT AREAS: Stream Banks ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT MEASURES: Brush Mattress Brush Revetment Filter Strip Mulching Silt Fence Seeding
LOAD REDUCTION MECHANISM: Organics/Nutrients Management- Willow fence filters surface water runoff before it enters the stream. Sediment Reduction- Stream banks are stabilized by the dense matrix of roots. Salinity Reduction- Plants take up salts from the water.
PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS: As required under Sections 404 and 401 of the Clean Water Act.
LAND USE CLASSIFICATION: Agricultural and grazing lands where nutrients and organic materials may be carried into adjacent streams.
Contact county regional flood control district.
Urban areas where organic pollutants may be released and where impervious surfaces increase runoff.
Arid Southwest BMP
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