2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS CATEGORY 700 LANDSCAPING SECTION 709 — SOIL STABILIZATION MATTING
709.01 Description
For areas that are at final grade, install soil stabilization matting in conjunction with permanent vegetation groundcover per Section 705, Section 706, and Section 707, or as specified. For areas that are not at final grade or that will be redisturbed at least six months after seeding operations are completed, install soil stabilization matting in conjunction with Sections 704 or 705. Performance of Soil Stabilization Matting as specified herein complies with all requirements of the Maryland Department of the Environment for permanent seeding.
709.02 Materials
Topsoil 920.01 Turfgrass Sod 920.06.03 Soil Stabilization Matting (SSM) 920.05.01 Fasteners 920.05.02 Water 920.09.01
709.03 Construction
709.03.01 Modification Request. Certain types of matting may be substituted for other matting
when the substitution will provide improved erosion protection. Submit a written Modification Request to substitute one type of soil stabilization matting for another type in areas where specific types of matting have been specified. The Engineer in consultation with the Landscape Programs Division will evaluate the Request. If granted, a notice of approved modification will be returned within 14 days after the request is received. The following modifications and others may be approved.
a.Turfgrass Establishment: Type D SSM in lieu of Type A SSM. (b) Turfgrass Establishment: Type A SSM in lieu of Type E SSM.
c.Meadow Establishment: Type D SSM in lieu of Type E SSM.
d.Shrub Seeding Establishment: Type D SSM in lieu of Type E SSM.
709.03.02 Soil Preparation. Perform operations when soil moisture and weather conditions are
suitable. Cease operations when soil is frozen, saturated, or when conditions are otherwise unsuitable. Perform operations for the SSM type as follows.
a.Type A. Prepare soil and seedbed for Turfgrass Establishment as specified in Section 705, or for other specified vegetation, but do not apply mulch. Install SSM as specified in 709.03.03 through 709.03.06 immediately after seeding and fertilizing.
b.Type B. Prepare soil and seedbed for Turfgrass Establishment as specified in Section 705, or for other specified vegetation, but do not apply mulch. Firm soil with an approved roller to ensure uniform soil surface and firmness. The roller shall weigh approximately 40 lb per ft of width. Install SSM as specified in 709.03.03 through 709.03.06 immediately after seeding, fertilizing and rolling are completed.
c.Type C. Prepare soil and firm with an approved roller to ensure uniform soil surface and firmness. Install Type C SSM as specified in 709.03.03 through 709.03.06 and infill with soil as specified in 709.03.07.
1.Immediately perform Turfgrass Sod Establishment as specified in Section 708, but do not till; or
2.Immediately perform Turfgrass Establishment as specified in Section 705, but do not till or apply mulch, and then cover with Type B SSM; or
3.Immediately install other specified material and vegetation.
d.Type D. Prepare soil and seedbed for Meadow Establishment as specified in Section 707, or for other specified vegetation, but do not apply mulch. Install SSM as specified in 709.03.02 through 709.03.05 immediately after seeding and fertilizing.
e.Type E. Prepare soil and seedbed for Turfgrass Establishment as specified in Section 705, or for other specified vegetation, but do not apply mulch. 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS Install SSM as specified in 709.03.03 through 709.03.06 immediately after seeding and fertilizing.
709.03.03 Unrolling. Unroll SSM in the direction of the flow of water. Lay matting smoothly in
firm, uniform contact with the soil surface, without stretching or tenting.
709.03.04 Overlapping. Overlap SSM with the upslope portion on top. Overlap edges at least
2 in., and ends at least 6 in. Do not install longitudinal overlaps in channel bottoms. 709.03.05 Keying-in. Key-in matting by digging a trench, fastening and backfilling one or more edges of the matting into the bottom of the trench.
a.Type of Matting. Key-in the areas described in Table 1 for each type of matting: SOIL STABILIZATION MATTING TABLE 1 - AREAS OF MATTING TO KEY-IN MATTING TYPE AREA OF MATTING A, B Uppermost or leading-edge. A, B, D Edges adjacent to pavement, catch basins, and structures. B Lowermost or toe-edge. B Check trenches; folds of matting perpendicular to water flow every 40 ft - 45 ft. C All edges. C Check trenches; folds of matting perpendicular to water flow every 20 ft - 25 ft. D Edges exposed to flow in BSM, ponds, swales, channels, slopes. All edges when installed in streams. E As directed.
b.Trenching. Trench into the soil perpendicular to the flow of water to at least 6 in. depth.
c.Fastening. Install fasteners as specified in 709.03.06 through SSM into the bottom of the trench.
d.Backfilling. Backfill the trench with firmly tamped soil, and secure the matting over the backfilled area.
709.03.06 Fastening. Secure SSM with fasteners driven perpendicular to the soil grade, and flush
with the surface of the matting.
a.Fastener Selection. Refer to 920.05.02 and use fasteners of the shape and length approved for the matting type according to Table 2. When more than one fastener is acceptable for a type of matting according to Table 2, install the fastener type and length best suited to the installation conditions to ensure that the matting is securely installed, or as directed. 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
b.Placement of Fasteners. Install fasteners at the specified distance apart as required for the matting type and the area of matting according to Table 3. SOIL STABILIZATION MATTING TABLE 2 - FASTENER SELECTION FASTENER LENGTH* MATTING TYPE FASTENER SHAPE 6 in. Length 8 in. Length 12 in. Length 18 in. Length U-Shaped Staple X X Circle-Top Pin X X Round Head Pin X XA & E T-Head Pin X X U-Shaped Staple X XB Fabric Pin X X U-Shaped Staple X XC Fabric Pin X X U-Shaped Staple in BSM, Ponds, Swales, Slopes X X X D U-Shaped Staple or Fabric Pin in Channels, Streams X X X Note: *X=Denotes fasteners acceptable for the matting type. Refer to 709.03.06(a) SOIL STABILIZATION MATTING TABLE 3 - FASTENER PLACEMENT AREA OF MATTING MATTING TYPE MAXIMUM DISTANCE BETWEEN FASTENERS in. Uppermost or Leading-Edge of Matting A, B, C, D, E 6 Overlapping Edges of Matting A, B, C, D, E 18 Center of Ditch A, B, C, D, E 18 Lowermost or Toe-Edge of Matting A, B, C, D, E 18 Throughout Matting A, B, C, D, E 24 Check Trenches in Folds Every 40 ft - 45 ft B1 12 Check Trenches in Folds Every 20 ft - 25 ft C 12 Note: 1Do not install check trenches in Type B SSM installed over Type C SSM.
709.03.07 Infilling Type C SSM. Infill the matting with approved topsoil to fill matting voids
and to cover the matting with topsoil to a depth of 1/8 in. to 1/4 in. Immediately install sod, or seed and cover with Type B SSM, or as specified.
709.03.08 Watering. Gently apply water with a sprinkler or water-breaker nozzle immediately
after installation is completed as follows.
a.For Type E SSM, apply water over the surface of the matting as needed to settle the matting and soil.
b.For Types A, B, and D SSM, apply water over the surface of the matting to wet the soil at least 2 in. depth.
c.For Type C SSM, apply water over the sod, over the Type B SSM, or over other specified material, to wet the soil at least 2 in. depth.
709.03.09 Installation Phase Acceptance. Inspection will be conducted to verify that matting
and vegetation installation operations were completed as specified. Installation Phase Acceptance will be granted at that time.
709.03.10 Establishment Phase. The Establishment Phase will begin upon Installation Phase
Acceptance. Perform the following during the Establishment Phase.
a.Period of Maintenance. Maintain areas of soil stabilization matting until Final Acceptance.
b.Required Maintenance. Perform the following during the Establishment Phase. Watering. Apply water to ensure survival of the seeded species or sod as needed. Apply water with approved machinery. Do not allow water to cause erosion or to displace the matting, seed, or sod. Reset Matting. When matting is not firmly fastened to the soil, or if keyed-in areas or check trenches are not secure, repair the unsecured areas using fasteners as needed or as directed. Seeding Repair. When Turfgrass Establishment has not met acceptance standards, remove Type A, B, D, or E SSM and refer to 705.03.09 and perform overseeding or reseeding as directed. Remove Type C matting only if directed. Install new matting unless the original matting is approved for reuse. When Shrub Seeding Establishment or Meadow Establishment has not met acceptance standards, remove Type D or E SSM and refer to 706.03.10(b) and perform overseeding in conformance with specifications for the pertinent vegetation. Install new matting unless the original matting is approved for reuse. Sod Replacement. When Turfgrass Sod Establishment does not meet acceptance standards, refer to 708.03.12 and remove the unacceptable sod and install new sod.
709.03.11 Final Acceptance. The Engineer and the Quality Assurance Division will complete
an Inspection Report of the installed soil stabilization matting and vegetation establishment in conformance with the pertinent specifications. When it is not possible to perform the Inspection, Final Acceptance will be delayed until Inspection is possible. 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS The Inspection Report will be included in the Punch List requirements for the project. Complete the Punch List requirements as directed. Final Acceptance will be granted when the SSM is secure, and when the specified vegetation has met acceptance standards.
709.04 Measurement and Payment
Soil stabilization matting will be measured and paid for at the Contract unit price per square yard for one or more of the specified items. The payment will be full compensation for all material, fasteners, water, labor, equipment, tools, disposal fees, and incidentals necessary to complete the work.
a.Payment Schedule. Payments will be made according to Table 4 when construction requirements are met. SOIL STABILIZATION MATTING TABLE 4- PAYMENT SCHEDULE CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS PERCENT OF TOTAL CONTRACT PRICE PAYMENT FOR COMPLETED WORK
709.03.01 through 709.03.09 80% At Installation Phase
Acceptance
709.03.10 and 709.03.11 20% At Final Acceptance
Total Payment 100 %
b.Forfeiture. Failure to complete operations as required in conformance with the Payment Schedule will result in forfeiture of that percentage of payment.
709.04.01 Type A Soil Stabilization Matting. The measurement will be the area actually covered
by matting, per square yard. Payment for Turfgrass Establishment or other specified vegetation will be measured and paid for separately.
709.04.02 Type B Soil Stabilization Matting. The measurement will be the area actually covered
by matting, per square yard. Payment for Turfgrass Establishment or other specified vegetation will be measured and paid for separately.
709.04.03 Type C Soil Stabilization Matting. The measurement will be the area actually covered
by matting, per square yard. Topsoil used for infilling will be incidental to the Contract price. Payment for Type B Soil Stabilization Matting, Turfgrass Sod Establishment, Turfgrass Establishment, or other specified vegetation will be measured and paid for separately.
709.04.04 Type D Soil Stabilization Matting. The measurement will be the area actually covered
by matting, per square yard. Payment for Meadow Establishment or other specified vegetation will be measured and paid for separately.
709.04.05 Type E Soil Stabilization Matting. The measurement will be the area actually covered
by matting, per square yard. Payment for Turfgrass Establishment or other specified vegetation will be measured and paid for separately. 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
709.04.06 Temporary Mulch and Temporary Seed will be measured and paid for at the pertinent
Contract unit price per square yard. Any soil stabilization matting which may be installed with Temporary Mulch or Temporary Seed will be incidental to the pertinent Contract unit price of those items in conformance with 704.04.01 or 704.04.02. 710 — TREE, SHRUB AND PERENNIAL INSTALLATION AND ESTABLISHMENT CATEGORY 700 LANDSCAPING SECTION 710 — TREE, SHRUB AND PERENNIAL INSTALLATION AND ESTABLISHMENT
710.01 Description
Install and establish trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, and grasses in topsoil or Bioretention Soil Mix. When it is not possible to perform this work, refer to Section 704 and perform Temporary Mulch, or as directed to provide temporary soil stabilization.
710.02 Materials
Furnished Subsoil 920.01.04 Type B Compost 920.02.05(b) Fertilizer 920.03 Shredded Hardwood Bark (SHB) Mulch 920.04.03 Plant Materials 920.07 Marking and Staking Materials 920.08 Water 920.09.01 Pesticides 920.09.03 Marking Dye 920.09.04 Spray Adjuvant and Wetting Agent 920.09.05
710.03 Construction
710.03.01 General.
a.Planting Seasons. Perform operations during Planting Seasons when soil moisture and weather conditions are suitable, when the temperature is above 32 F, and the soil is not frozen. Cease operations when conditions are unsuitable. Spring Planting Season. February 1 through June 30. Do not install plants in July. Fall Planting Season. August 1 through December 31. Do not install plants in January.
b.Modification Request. Submit a written Modification Request to install plants of different species, cultivars, sizes, growth habits, or planting stock type. The Engineer 2025 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
Source: Maryland Standard Specifications for Construction and Materials, 2025 Edition. Pages 831–837 of 1,113.