Citation

Sotir R. Am. City Cty. 1998; 113(2): 7 p..

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Penton Media)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Wilmington, Delaware, officials are using soil bioengineering to stabilize the creek banks, control flooding, and restore the natural habitat of Long Leaf Creek. The process is based upon traditional engineering practices and incorporates vegetation, instead of only concrete and riprap, to create the structural systems for stabilization. The environmental emphasis of soil bioengineering, as well as its permanence and aesthetic value, are among the benefits cited by city officials who have adopted the discipline. Soil bioengineering incorporates living plant materials to restore and protect streambanks while creating a natural habitat and a natural filtration system for water. It comprises a variety of techniques that are employed in concert according to the needs of a given site: vegetated geogrids, live siltation construction, live fascines, brushmattresses, and live cribwalks. As they did in Wilmington, officials in Portland, Oregon, and in Soldotna, Alaska, have used soil bioengineering primarily because of its ecological benefits. Because soil bioengineering is a new discipline for many cities and counties, and because it is labor intensive, the initial costs are high.