644GRASS SEED

New Hampshire Department of Transportation Standard Specifications – 2016 Description

1.1This work shall consist of furnishing and sowing grass seed as shown on the plans or as ordered.

Materials

2.1General.

2.1.1 Grass seed shall meet the requirements of the New Hampshire Agricultural and Vegetable Seeds Law. As specified in the law, the mixture shall include no “ primary noxious weed seeds”. 2.1.2 Grass seed of the specified mixtures shall be furnished in fully labeled, standard, sealed containers. Official seed tags and shipment invoices from seed suppliers shall be furnished to the Engineer with each seed delivery on the project. 2.1.3 Percent germination and purity of each seed type in the mixture and weed seed content of the mixture shall be clearly stated on the label. 2.1.4 Seed shall be subject to the testing provisions of the Association of Official Seed Analysts. The month and year of test shall be clearly stated on the label. 2.1.5 Seed may be tested after it has been delivered to the project to verify the seed tag information. 2.1.6 Seed which has become wet, moldy, or otherwise damaged will not be acceptable.

2.2Park seed Type 15 shall be used on loam areas. This seed mixture shall conform to Table 644- 1.

Table 644-1 - Park Seed Type 15 Kind of Seed Minimum Purity (%) Minimum Germination (%) Pounds/Acre (Total 120 lbs) Creeping Red Fescuec 96 85 40 Perennial Ryegrassa 98 90 50 Kentucky Bluegrassb 97 85 25 Redtop 95 80 5

2.3Slope seed (WF) Type 45 shall be used for all slope work and shall conform to Table 644-2 unless amended by the Engineer

to suit special local conditions encountered. Table 644-2 – Slope Seed (WF) Type 45 Kind of Seed Minimum Purity (%) Minimum Germination (%) Pounds/Acre (Total 95 lbs) Creeping Red Fescue c 96 85 35 Perennial Ryegrass a 98 90 30 Redtop 95 80 5 Alsike Clover 97 90 e 5 Birdsfoot Trefoil d 98 80 e 5 Lance-Leaved Coreopsis 95 80 4 Oxeye Daisy 95 80 3 Blackeyed Susan 95 80 4 Wild Lupine 95 80 4 2.3.1 Slope seed Type 44 shall only be used where specified on the Plans, or as ordered, and shall conform to Table 644- 3. Table 644-3 - Slope Seed Type 44 Kind of Seed Minimum Purity (%) Minimum Germination (%) Pounds/Acre (Total 80 lbs) Creeping Red Fescuec 96 85 35 Perennial Ryegrassa 98 90 30 Redtop 95 80 5 Alsike Clover 97 90 (e) 5 Birdsfoot Trefoild 98 80 (e) 5 New Hampshire Department of Transportation Standard Specifications – 2016 NOTES TO TABLES 1, 2 & 3: a Ryegrass shall be a certified fine-textured variety such as Pennfine, Fiesta, Yorktown, Diplomat, or equal. b Bluegrass shall be a certified variety such as Merion, Baron, Majestic Touchdown, Nugget, Ram One, or equal. c Fescue varieties shall include - Creeping Red and/or Hard Reliant, Scaldis, Koket, or Jamestown. d Empire variety preferred) Inoculum specific to birdsfoot trefoil must be used with this mixture. The inoculum shall be a pure culture of nitrogen -fixing bacteria selected for maximum v itality and the ability to transform nitrogen from the air into soluble nitrates and to deposit them in the soil. The inoculum shall not be used later than the date indicated on the container or later than specified. The inoculum shall be subject to appr oval. e Includes not more than 10 percent hard seed for alsike clover and not more than 25 percent hard seed for birdsfoot trefoil. If necessary, to meet this requirement, extra seed shall be supplied at no expense to the Department. Construction Requirements

3.1General.

3.1.1 In order to prevent unnecessary erosion of newly graded slopes and unnecessary siltation of drainage ways, the Contractor shall carry out erosion control items of work such as seeding and mulching as soon as it has satisfactorily co mpleted a unit or portion of the project, such as a structure, an interchange, or a section of roadway. 3.1.2 When immediate protection of newly graded areas is necessary at a time which is outside of the normal seeding season, hay mulch shall be applied in accordance with 645.3.3, with the seeding done at the same time or done later, or both as ordered. 3.1.2.1 When immediate seeding is required on areas of the roadside which are not to be regraded or disturbed, one of the above specified seed mixtures shall be used as ordered. 3.1.2.2 Areas of the roadside which are to be left temporarily and which will be regraded or otherwise disturbed later during construction may be ordered to be seeded with ryegrass under Item 645.52 to o btain temporary control. Ryegrass shall be spread at the rate of approximately 1 pound per 1,000 square feet. 3.1.3 The Engineer reserves the right to prohibit the use of any equipment that is unsuitable or inadequate for the proper performance of the work. The Contractor must immediately remove all rejected equipment from the project. 3.1.4 When the seed mixture requires an inoculum, the inoculum shall be kept as cool as possible, at all times below 75 ° F until used. Inoculated seed shall be protected f rom exposure to sunlight prior to sowing, and all seed not sown within 24 hours following inoculation shall be properly re-inoculated. 3.1.4.1 When grass seed is to be sown dry and the specific legume seed such as birdsfoot trefoil requiring inoculation is furnished on the project separately from the balance of the seed mixture, the legume seed shall be inoculated using twice the normal quantity recommended by the supplier, and, regardless of the directions by the supplier, the seed shall be treated with a sticking agent to hold the inoculum to the seeds, and then treated with a drying agent. The sticking agent shall consist of a mixture such as 9:1 solution of water and molasses, which shall be thoroughly mixed with the seed at the rate of 1/2 pint per 100 pounds of seed, unless a greater rate is recommended by the supplier. Before mixing the treated seed with the remainder of the seed mixture, a drying agent such as cornstarch shall be added at the rate of approximately 1/2 pound per 100 pounds of seed, u nless another rate is specified. 3.1.4.2 When grass seed is to be sown dry and the legume seed is furnished on the project already mixed with the remainder of the seed mixture, 3 times the normal quantity of inoculant recommended by the supplier as sufficient for the quantity of legume in the mixture shall be mixed with the total seed. The sticking agent and the drying agent shall be mixed in the manner and at the rate specified in 3.1.4.1 with sufficient agents to treat the entire mixture. 3.1.4.3 When the seed is to be applied by the use of a hydraulic seeder, at least 4 times the normal amount of the appropriate inoculum, required to inoculate only the legume shall be added to the mixture just before application. See 3.5.2.7.

3.2Seeding Seasons.

3.2.1 Seeding and initial fertilizing shall be done between April 1 and June 1, between August 15 and October 14, or as permitted. Seeding shall not be done during windy weather or when the ground is frozen, excessively wet, or otherwise untillable. If seeding is done during July or August, additional mulch material may be required by the Engineer.

3.3Application rates. Unless specifically ordered, seed shall be spread at the rates specified in 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4.

3.4Preparation.

3.4.1 All areas to be seeded shall be prepared to provide a reasonably firm but friable seed bed. 3.4.1.1 Sloped areas shall not be left too smooth; the surface shall be left in a ruffled condition such as may be produced by the use of tracked vehicles run up and down the slopes. Smo oth, compacted slopes, such as may have left from blading, which New Hampshire Department of Transportation Standard Specifications – 2016 might allow the free flow of water down them shall be disked, harrowed, dragged with a chain or mat, machine -raked, or hand-worked as directed to give the effect of miniature terraces, particularly in silty or clayey soils. The slopes shall be left smooth enough to enable mowing. 3.4.1.2 Lawn areas, such as where loam has been spread, shall be prepared for seeding in accordance with 641.3.1. 3.4.2 All areas to be seeded shall meet the specified grades and shall be free of growth and debris. 3.4.3 Care shall be taken to prevent the formation of low places and pockets where water will stand. 3.4.4 Where ryegrass has been planted for temporary erosion control and has not been eliminated prior to the completion of the work, such areas shall be disc- harrowed at least 3 ” deep and seeded with permanent grasses to prevent the ryegrass from reseeding and becoming competitive with and retarding development of the permanent cover.

3.5Seeding methods.

Fertilizer, limestone, and mulch material if required, and seed of the type specified may be placed at the locations shown or ordered by one of the following methods, provided an even distribution is obtained. 3.5.1 Dry Method. 3.5.1.1 Power equipment. Mechanical seeders, seed drills, landscape seeders, cultipacker seeders, fertilizer spreaders, or other approved mechanical seeding equipment or attachments may be used when seed, limestone, and fertilizer are to be applied in dry form. 3.5.1.2 Manual equipment. On areas which are inaccessible to power equipment, permission may be given to use hand-operated mechanical equipment when the materials are to be applied in dry form. The use of hand shovels to spread the materials will not be allowed. 3.5.1.3 When the dry method is used, limestone and fertilizer may be mixed together prior to their application, and shall be worked into the soil to the depth of at least 1”. 3.5.1.4 Seeding may occur following this procedure. 3.5.1.5 Loamed areas or areas covered with park seed shall be raked, and, unless rolling is ordered omitted, shall be rolled with a roller weighing not more than 100 pounds p er foot of roller width to firm the soil but not to pack it. The rollings hall be done the same day as the seeding unless otherwise permitted. 3.5.1.6 Unless otherwise ordered, areas covered with park seed, or slope seed shall be mulched in accordance with Section 645. Private lawns affected by this specification need not be mulched unless it is requested by the landowner. 3.5.2 Hydraulic Method. 3.5.2.1 The application of grass seed, fertilizer, limestone, and a suitable wood fiber mulch sha ll be accomplished in one operation by use of an approved spraying machine. 3.5.2.2 The materials shall be mixed with water in the machine and kept in an agitated state in order that the materials may be uniformly suspended in the water. 3.5.2.3 The spraying equipment shall be so designed that when the solution is sprayed over an area, the resulting deposits of limestone, fertilizer and grass seed shall be equal in quantity to the required rates. 3.5.2.4 Prior to the start of work, the Engineer shall be furnished with a certified statement for approval as to the number of pounds of materials to be used per 100 gallons of water. This statement shall also specify the number of square feet of seeding that can be covered with the quantity of solution in the hydroseeder. 3.5.2.5 The hydroseeder shall be completely flushed and cleaned each day before seeding is to be started, and shall also be thoroughly flushed of all residue after the completion of application on every 10 acres. 3.5.2.6 If the results of the spray operations are unsatisfactory, the Contractor will be required to abandon this method and apply the materials in accordance with 3.5.1. 3.5.2.7 When inoculum is required, if the inoculum is left in solution with fertilizer longer than 30 minutes, a fresh charge of inoculum (4 times normal) shall be added to the mixture. See 3.1.4.3. 3.5.2.8 When the hydraulic method is used, compaction or rolling will not be required. 3.5.2.9 Except as provided in 3.1.2, unless mulch material required is applied during the seeding operation or within 1/2 hour following the seeding operation, temporary and satisfactory measures to protect the seed from sunlight and heat shall be taken, such as the use of a light brush drag over the seeded areas to stir the seed into the soil. Care shall be taken not to carry the seed ahead. New Hampshire Department of Transportation Standard Specifications – 2016

3.6Care After Seeding.

3.6.1 The Contractor shall be responsible for protecting and caring for seeded areas until Acceptance of the Work. He shall repair at his own expense any damage to seeded areas caused by pedestrian or vehicular traffic or other causes, except for conditions as covered in 104.13. 3.6.2 If necessary, barricades of brush or other materials and suitable signs shall be placed to protect the seeded areas. 3.6.3 The seeded areas shall be carefully and suitably watered as necessary to produce a satisfactory growth. 3.6.4 Areas seeded with park seed shall be mowed whenever necessary to keep the growth between 3 and 6” in order to allow light to penetrate to the shorter, slower growing species in the mixture. Areas seeded with slope seed ma y be ordered mowed whenever the Contract extends into a second growing season. 3.6.5 Weeds growing in areas seeded with the slope seed shall be cut back to prevent them from dominating the desired grass plants.

3.7Liability.

3.7.1 The Contractor shall keep all seeded areas in good repair. 3.7.2 To be acceptable, a stand of grass shall show a reasonably thick, uniform stand, free from sizable areas of thin or bare spots, with a uniform count of at least 100 plants of specified grass per square foot . When applicable, at least 3 birdsfoot trefoil plants per square foot must be visible with the other specified grasses. 3.7.3 Any part of seeded areas which fail to yield an acceptable stand shall be retreated with additional seed, limestone, fertilizer and mulch as ordered at no cost to the Department. Method of Measurement

4.1Grass seed shall be measured by the pound based upon the delivery slips and tags furnished the Engineer, but not to exceed

the rate specified or ordered. Basis of Payment

5.1The accepted quantity of grass seed will be paid for at the Contract unit price per pound of the type specified complete in

place. 5.1.1 Seeded areas which need reseeding will be done at the Contractor's expense.

5.2Hay mulch will be paid for as provided under Section 645.

5.3Limestone will be paid for as provided under Section 642.

5.4Fertilizer will be paid for as provided under Section 643.

5.5Ryegrass will be paid for as provided under Section 645.

Pay items and units :

644.15Park Seed Type 15 Pound

644.44Slope Seed Type 44 Pound

644.45Slope Seed (WF) Type 45 Pound

644.51Birdsfoot Trefoil Pound

New Hampshire Department of Transportation Standard Specifications – 2016

Description

Erosion Control Products. This work shall consist of furnishing and placing hay mulch, bark mulch, “ Rolled Erosion

Control Products” (RECP), or other material, to provide soil stabilization and/or erosion control on slopes or in channels at locations shown on the plans or where ordered. 1.1.1 Temporary Slope Stabilization Type A shall be a temporary, photodegradable or biodegradable RECP specified for protection of slopes of 3:1 or flatter. This material m ay also be specified for temporary protection of channels expected to experience flow-induced shear of 1.5 lbs/ft² or less. These products shall maintain their functional integrity for a minimum of 12 months and then degrade. 1.1.2 Temporary Slope Stabilization Type B (Wildlife friendly) shall be a temporary, biodegradable RECP specified for protection of slopes of 3:1 or flatter in areas where wildlife ensnarement is a concern. This material may also be specified for temporary protection of channels expec ted to experience flow-induced shear of 1.5 lbs/ft² or less. These products shall maintain their functional integrity for a minimum of 12 months and then biodegrade. 1.1.3 Temporary Slope Stabilization Type C shall be a temporary, photodegradable or biodegradable RECP specified for protection of slopes of 1½:1 or flatter. This material may also be specified for temporary protection of channels expected t o experience flow-induced shear of 2.0 lbs/ft² or less. These products shall maintain their functional integrity for a minimum of 12 months and then degrade. 1.1.4 Temporary Slope Stabilization Type D (Wildlife friendly) shall be shall be a temporary, biodegradable RECP specified for protection of slopes of 1½:1 or flatter in areas where wildlife ensnareme nt is a concern. This material may also be specified for temporary protection of channels expected to experience flow -induced shear of 2.0 lbs/ft² or less. These products shall maintain their functional integrity for a minimum of 12 months and then biodegrade. 1.1.5 Permanent Channel Stabilization Type A shall be a permanent “ Turf Reinforcement Mat ” (TRM) specified for permanent protection of channels or ditches that are expected to experience flow-induced shear of 3.0 lbs/ft² or less. 1.1.6 Permanent Channel Stabilization Type B shall be a permanent TRM specified for permanent protection of channels or ditches that are expected to experience flow-induced shear of 5.0 lbs/ft² or less.

1.2Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). This work shall consist of a temporary erosion and sediment control

and storm water management plan, hereinafter called the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan or “ SWPPP”. The work includes all necessary preparations for submissions and revisions of the SWPPP to obtain approval by the Department. This work shall also include monitoring the approved SWPPP during all phases of construction. 1.2.1 The Department will furnish the following data to the Contractor: • Specific reproducible plan sheets and cross-sections of the project, as requested. • Drainage calculations and plans (drainage area size and characteristics; runoff volume; type, size, and slope of pipes; invert elevations; and outlet velocities), as available. • Geotechnical Report including soil boring logs, soil types, and test pit data, as available. • Permits and certifications obtained for the project. • A list of environmental commitments. • A copy of the NHDOT’s Notice of Intent application. • A copy of the NHDOT’s Acknowledgement letter from EPA. • Documentation of permit eligibility related to federally listed threatened and endangered species . • NHDES Wetlands Permit “ Plan of Record”. 1.2.2 Recommended guides for the preparation of the SWPPP are the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

Volume III, Guidelines for Erosion and Sediment Control in Highway Construction, available from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Inc., 444 North Capitol St. N.W., Suite 249, Washington, D.C. 20001; the New Hampshire Stormwater Management Manual, Volume 3, Construction Phase Erosion and Sediment Controls available from the New Hampshire D epartment of Environmental Services (NHDES) Public Information and Permitting Office, PO Box 95, 6 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03302 -0095, Telephone (603) 271- 2975 and the Rockingham County Conservation District in Exeter, NH, Telephone (603) 772-4385; the N HDOT Guidelines for Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management (May 2002). 1.2.3 The SWPPP shall be consistent with the provisions of 107.01.