Soil erosion and sediment control C4 conference

Soil erosion and sediment control C4 conference

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Media Contact: Desa James | Communications Coordinator | 405-744-2669 | [email protected]

More than 100 attendees gathered at the USDA Agricultural Research Services facility near Lake Carl Blackwell for a unique, hands-on stormwater compliance training.

The annual Construction Contractor Compliance Conference, dubbed C4, provides educational training on soil erosion and sediment control practices that are commonly used during construction for contractors and agency representatives.

Dr. Jaime Schussler, assistant professor from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Oklahoma State University, worked with representatives from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the United States Department of Agriculture and the Oklahoma Association of General Contractors to organize the event.

This year, the conference moved beyond the traditional lecture format to a full-scale interactive experience. Attendees were able to explore and interact closely with demonstrations, which included methods for establishing stabilization to mitigate soil erosion. Demonstrations included hydroseeding, rolled erosion control products, channel protection practices, among other stormwater management solutions.

"It was a pleasure to host the field demonstrations at USDA," said Bryan Heiner, a research civil engineer (hydraulics) at USDA-ARS.

"Working with the demonstrators showcased the wide range of erosion and sediment control devices and techniques available. Hands-on experience with correct installation and practices can really help reduce the impact construction projects have on the downstream waterways. We are excited about this collaboration and look forward to future collaborations with OSU and ODOT."

Organized as an expo-style event, vendors from ODOT's approved products list demonstrated their products in simulated runoff flow events, allowing participants to see how each solution holds up in real-life conditions.

These live demos allowed for attendees to look for methods to utilize the new best management practices on their projects and add them to their "toolbox."

"This event has become a very unique opportunity for the transportation industry to get various parties in the room (contractors, DOT, regulators, research community, consultants and vendors) and discuss environmental compliance," said Kathryn Thomsen, stormwater coordinator for ODOT.

"The effort to expand our BMP toolbox is an ongoing and large undertaking of our agency; opportunities like this will only aid us in the success of that."

Jason Roach, vice president for Triangular Silt Dike, mentioned that the event has always been informative for both erosion control installers as well as inspectors and project managers.

"However, with the addition of the field demonstrations it allows the participants to get a better understanding of how BMPs should be installed for the best performance," Roach said.

"Combining lectures with interactive demonstrations allows vendors to showcase proper techniques of installing and maintaining their BMPS. I was extremely impressed with the infrastructure at the USDA facility and look forward to what the future holds for this event."

Several of the methods shown highlighted environmentally sustainable approaches to address Oklahoma's water runoff and sediment erosion challenges including those made of recyclable materials designed to support Oklahoma's ecosystem health.

Sherry Hunt is a civil engineer for USDA-ARS Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Center Agroclimate and Hydraulic Engineering Research Unit Supervisory civil engineer as well as an OSU alumna.

"This event is near and dear to my heart as it takes me back to working on my OSU master's degree conducting studies on sediment controls here at our USDA research facility," Hunt said.

Schussler's collaboration with the USDA, ODOT and multiple state agencies showcases a strong sense of community and points to the importance of environmental stewardship in infrastructure projects.

"We're hopeful this will become a recurring event and contribute to the larger initiative-environmental compliance," Schussler said. "This type of hands-on learning experience is invaluable for both contractors and environmental agencies, providing practical solutions that can be implemented across various project sites."

For more information about this event, visit here.

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