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CES
Sediment & Erosion Control Demonstration Projects
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 Poor
land clearing and landscaping practices, primarily from development
activities, are negatively impacting the plants, wildlife,
soil, and water resources of the Virgin Islands. Ecosystem
degradation has resulted from large-scale removal of vegetation,
which reduces wildlife habitat, promotes soil erosion and
sedimentation, and threatens biological diversity. Of particular
concern is the impact of rapid development on coastal areas
and the surrounding marine environment. Construction along
the ridge lines and in guts (intermittent streams) is rapidly
depleting moist forest habitat and dramatically increasing
impervious surface area, resulting in decreased stormwater
infiltration and increased stormwater runoff volume and velocity,
which has led to increased flooding, erosion, and siltation
of coral reefs and sea grass beds, in addition to changing
microclimate. Sediment resulting from soil erosion on construction
sites, dirt roads and other disturbed areas is the largest
pollutant of Virgin Island waters, by volume.
To
combat these problems, CES
has installed (and will continue to install) demonstration
projects that illustrate the use, design, installation and
maintenance of innovative erosion and sediment control practices
to help reduce nonpoint source pollution caused by land-clearing
activities. These sites are currently located at the CES
Home Demonstration Garden, Donoe Housing Community,
Weymouth Rhymer Highway roadside, UVI St. Croix & St.
Thomas, a farm and homesite in Estate St. George's Hill on
St. Croix, and Magens Bay, and will be installed at various
other sites across the Territory. They are intended for use
as a training tool for developers, architects, engineers,
landscapers, and homeowners to promote the conservation of
the Virgin Islands' soil resource and protection of our water
resources and coastal habitats.
The
Virgin Islands Hydroseeding Demonstration Project is a Territory-wide
demonstration project whose purpose is to promote the practice
of hydroseeding for use on construction sites, roadsides, and
other disturbed soils in order to reduce sediment loads to surface
waters. The hydroseeders purchased for this project were used
for demonstrations during erosion and sediment control workshops
held at the University of the Virgin Islands, and also to seed
various around the territory. Grass seed mixture suitability
for various conditions was investigated at these sites. Public
interest in utilizing the hydroseeders led to development of
a certification workshop and equipment operation policy for
hydroseeder use. Over 100 individuals in the territory have
been certified in use of the hydroseeders during the 7 years
of this project, and numerous areas on St. Thomas have been
hydroseeded to stabilize slopes and establish lawns. More detailed
information on the project can be found by following the link
above.
 CES
is conducting a four-year demonstration of erosion and sediment
control practices throughout the Territory, funded by two U.S.
EPA §319 (Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS) Management) grants
received through the V.I. Department of Planning and Natural
Resources (DPNR) Division of Environmental Protection. The objectives
of this project are to:
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Demonstrate the proper use and installation of practices
not widely used in the territory:
- erosion
control mats, hydroseeding, triangular dikes, porous paving
systems;
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Demonstrate the proper siting, installation and maintenance
of silt fencing;
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Display different native and adapted grasses
and ground covers that can be used for erosion
control; and
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Provide public education and outreach on effective
erosion and sediment control methods.
Click
on the highlighted text for detailed results of the Erosion
& Sediment Control Demonstration Project.
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| The
mission of the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension
Service is to advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment,
human health and well being, and communities. |
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| The
University of the Virgin Islands is an equal opportunity provider
and employer. |
| page
last modified
February 6, 2004
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Calendar 
Hydroseeding
Demonstration Project
