6-202 SECTIO N 651 – TURF ESTABLISHMENT 651.0 1 DESCRIPTION . This work shall consist of the preparation of an area and the application of topsoil, grubbing material, sod, seed, soil amendments, and mulch. 651.0 2 MATERIALS . Materials shall meet the requirements of the following subsections: Topsoil ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................... 755.02 Sod ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. 755.03 Seed ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................ 755.04 Compost ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 755.05 Fertilizer ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 755.06 Agricultural Limestone ................................ ................................ .............................. 755.08 Liquid Lime ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 755.09 Hay Mulch ................................ ................................ ................................ ................. 755.10(a) Fiber Mulch ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 755.10(d) Hydraulic Matrix ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 755.10(e) Tackifier ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 755.10(f) Straw Mulch ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 755.10(g) Rolled Erosion Control Product, Type I ................................ ................................ ....755.1 1(a) Rolled Erosion Control Product, Type II ................................ ................................ ...755.11(b) Stakes for holding sod shall be rounded or square wooden stakes at least 8 inches long and have a cross - sectional area of approximately one square inch. Stakes of other materials or designs may be used when authorized by the Engineer. Grubbing material for use on stone fill along streams shall consist of grubbed or stripped earth material containing roots of native stream bank vegetation. Grubbing material for use on slopes shall consist of grubbed or stripped earth material containing roots (not necessarily from native stream bank vegetation) which will promote the growth of vegetation. Grubbing material from outside of the project limits shall not contain any invasive plant material found on the state or federal noxious weed lists on file with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets. 651.0 3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS . Turf establishment shall occur during the time periods specified in the Plans, unless otherwise authorized under appl icable permits or directed by the Engineer. All seeded areas shall be inspected by the Engineer for turf establishment within 14 calendar days of application. Areas not showing signs of sufficient growth shall be reestablished at the Contractor’s expense. 6-203 651.0 4 PREPARATIO N OF AREA . Preparation of areas for turf establishment shall not take place when the area is frozen, excessively wet, or otherwise in a condition detrimental to the work, as determined by the Engineer. Areas receiving topsoil or sod shal l have an allowance made for the depth of topsoil or thickness of sod if not accounted for on the Plans. Surfaces shall be prepared with all breaks in grade well -rounded, to the satisfaction of the Engineer. All stones, lumps, roots, or other objectionable materials shall be removed .
a.Native Material . For areas where native material is to be used for turf establishment, existing soil shall be loosened to a depth of 4 inches. Native material shall meet the requirements of Subsection
755.02 and shall also be soil tested in accordance with Subsection 755.02 . Native material shall be
reworked as necessary to meet the requirements of Subsection 755.02 and any amendments needed, as determined by soil testing, shall be added at the determined rat es.
b.Topsoil . For areas to receive topsoil, existing soil shall be loosened to a depth of 4 inches.
c.Sod. For areas to receive sod, existing soil shall be loosened to a depth of 2 inches. Compost shall be uniformly incorporated into the loosened soil such it comprises a minimum of 25%, by volume, of the loosened soil. Fertilizer and limestone shall be applied to the entire area to receive sod in accordance with Subsection 651.08 . Fertilizer and limestone shall be applied on the same day the area is so dded. 651.0 5 GROWT H MEDIUM . The growth medium shall be uniformly spread at the locations shown on the Plans. Spreading of growth medium shall not be done when the existing ground or growth medium is frozen, excessively wet, or otherwise in a condition det rimental to the work, as determined by the Engineer. All stockpiles of growth medium shall be properly drained and all excess or unsuitable material removed and disposed of. When growth medium is stockpiled for 7 calendar days or more it shall be protected in accordance Subsection 651.07 . When growth medium is stockpiled for 30 calendar days or more, it shall be seeded in accordance Subsection 651.06 and protected in accordance with Subsection 651.07 . Stockpiling shall be done in accordance will all relevan t permits.
a.Topsoil . The Contractor shall have a soil analysis performed in accordance with Subsection 755.02 at a frequency of one analysis per 500 cubic yards for the first 1,000 cubic yards installed and one analysis per 1,000 cubic yards for all mat erial installed thereafter, with a minimum of one analysis per project per source of composite material. The analysis shall be completed by a laboratory accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body such as AASHTO. The analysis shall identify reco mmendations for soil additives to correct soil deficiencies and additives to accomplish the planting objectives specified. The Contractor shall incorporate all recommendations into the topsoil. The soil analysis and incorporation of all recommendations sha ll be completed prior to the material being delivered to the site. Topsoil shall be placed within one year of the soil analysis. 6-204 Topsoil shall be spread to a minimum depth of 4 inches, unless otherwise shown on the Plans. Topsoil shall be lightly compacte d as heavy compaction will reduce the potential for seed -soil contact and germination success.
b.Manufactured Topsoil . Manufactured topsoil shall be in accordance with Subsection 651.05(a) . In addition, the Contractor shall submit the following information:
1.Material Composition . A m aterial description including all components with their percentage by weight.
c.Grubbing Material . Grubbing material shall be spread to the depth shown on the Plans. 651.0 6 SEED AND AMENDMENTS . Seed and amendments, if needed, shall be spread uniformly at the locations shown on the Plans and shall not be applied when the existing ground or growth medium is frozen, excessively wet, or otherwise untillable, as determined by the Engineer. Hydroseeding shall not be performed when precipitation is forecast within 12 hours after application or when temperatures are below 40°F. Seed may be applied by hand, mechanical, or hydroseeding methods. Turf Establishment, General Seed shall be used in al l permanent turf establishment areas unless noted otherwise. Turf Establishment, Specialty Seed shall be used to permanently establish vegetation in areas shown on the Plans with specific seed mixtures, as detailed on the Plans. Turf Establishment, Tempora ry Seed shall be used to establish a temporary cover of vegetation in areas where additional, subsequent disturbance will be occurring as part of the project’s construction.
a.Hand or Mechanical Seeding .
1.Seed . Seed shall be spread at the rates shown on the Plans. Seed shall be incorporated into the top 1/4 inch of the growth medium. The seed mix design shall be furnished to the Engineer and the seed shall be labeled in accordance with Subsection 755.04 .
2.Fertilizer . The application rate for f ertilizer shall be determined based on soil test results, or, if no soil tests are performed, shall be as specified on the Plans. Fertilizer shall not be applied within 50 feet of a water resource.
3.Limestone . The application rate for limestone shall be determined based on soil test results, or, if no soil tests are performed, shall be as specified on the Plans. Limestone shall be applied with mechanical methods. Hand application will not be allowed. 6-205 (b) Hydroseeding . Hydroseeding shall consist of mi xing and applying a slurry containing seed, fertilizer, limestone, hydraulic matrix, water, and other materials as required.
1.Seed . Seed shall be spread at the rates shown on the Plans or as recommended by the hydroseeder manufacturer or seed supplier. The seed mix design shall be furnished to the Engineer and the seed shall be labeled in accordance with Subsection 755.04 .
2.Fertilizer . The application rate for fertilizer shall be determined based on soil test results, or, if no soil tests ar e performed, shall be as specified on the Plans. Fertilizer shall not be applied within 50 feet of a water resource.
3.Limestone . The application rate for limestone shall be determined based on soil test results, or, if no soil tests are performed, shall be as specified on the Plans. Limestone application rates may be adjusted to be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
4.Hydraulic Matrix . Hydraulic matrix shall be composed of tackifier and fiber mulch and shall be applied in in accorda nce with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
5.Water . Water shall be used in accordance with the recommendations of the hydraulic matrix manufacturer. 651.0 7 PROTECTION . Areas where seed and amendments are applied shall be protected in accordance with Subsection 653.07(a) (1), Subsection 653.07(a) (2), Subsection 653.07(a) (3), or Subsection 653.07(b)(1) for hay mulch, hydraulic mulch, straw mulch, or Type I rolled erosion control product , respectively. Protection of the type shown on the Plans shall be app lied after, and on the same day, seed and amendments are applied and at the locations shown on the Plans. The Contractor shall maintain all protection measures through acceptance of the work. Type I rolled erosion control product m ay be substituted for mulch at the Contractor’s discretion, with no additional compensation. 651.0 8 SODDING.
a.Cutting and Transporting . Before cutting sod, the area from which it is to be removed shall be mowed to a height of approximately 2 inches and cleared of excess grass clippings and other foreign material. The sod shall be cut into strips of uniform width having a minimum dimension of 12 inches in width and 18 inches in length and uniform thickness of approximately 2 inches, unless otherwise directed by the Enginee r. The sod shall contain most of the feeding roots of the grasses. The sod shall be transported in an unbroken condition to the area to be sodded. Unless otherwise directed by the Engineer, the sod shall be placed in its final position within 48 hours afte r cutting. When conditions require the sod to be stored, it shall be placed in stacks or piles for not more than 5 calendar days and shall be protected against drying from sun and wind. 6-206 (b) Placing . The sod shall be moist when placed on the prepared surfac e with the edges in close contact and alternate courses staggered. Any gaps shall be filled with sod plugs or topsoil. Sod shall be staked at 2 foot intervals in both directions on grades steeper than 1:4 (V:H) and in drainage ditches, unless otherwise dir ected by the Engineer. The stakes shall be driven through the sod perpendicular to the surface so that the tops of stakes are flush with the top of the sod. In ditches, the sod shall be placed with the longer dimension perpendicular to the flow of water. On slopes, starting at the bottom of the slope, the sod shall be placed with the longer dimension approximately parallel to the bottom of the slope. After installation, sod shall be rolled with a lawn roller in order to create tight contact between the sod and the soil. Sod shall be thoroughly watered within an hour of placing. If any sections of sod turn brown or curl up, these areas shall be carefully cut out and new sod applied and watered, to create a uniform mat and appearance. 651.0 9 CARE DURIN G CONSTRUCTION . The Contractor shall be responsible for protecting and caring for sodded, seeded, and mulched areas until acceptance of the work. The Contractor shall repair and replace all areas where seed has failed to germinate or sod has failed to grow an d any areas damaged by pedestrian or vehicular traffic or other causes at no cost to the Agency, except for conditions covered in Subsection 107.1 7. The Contractor shall maintain seeded areas to a height of no more than 18 inches in rural areas and 8 inche s in urban areas through acceptance of the work. The Contractor shall be responsible for watering seeded or sodded areas sufficiently to promote continuous growth as needed for an acceptable stand of grass. 651.1 0 ACCEPTANCE . An acceptable stand of grass shall be reasonably thick and uniform, free from sizable areas of thin or bare spots, with a uniform count of at least 100 plants of the specified grass type per square foot. 651.1 1 METHO D OF MEASUREMENT . The quantity of Turf Establishment of the type spe cified to be measured for payment will be the number of square yards of turf established in the complete and accepted work, as determined using slope measurements. The quantity of Topsoil to be measured for payment will be the number of cubic yards, including any compost added, used in the complete and accepted work, as measured in its final position using slope measurements for determining area. The quantity of Grubbing Material of the depth specified to be measured for payment will be the number of square yards of grubbing material used in the complete and accepted work, as measured in its final position using slope measurements for determining area. 6-207 651.1 2 BASIS OF PAYMENT . The accepted quantity of Turf E stablishment of the type specified will be paid for at the Contract unit price per square yard. Incorporating soil amendments will not be paid for separately but will be considered incidental to the applicable Turf Establishment item. The accepted quantity of Topsoil, including any compost added, will be paid for at the Contract unit price per cubic yard. The accepted quantity of Grubbing Material of the depth specified will be paid for at the Contract unit price per square yard. Payment for these items wi ll be full compensation for testing, furnishing, transporting, handling, and placing the material specified, including fertilizer, limestone, and tackifier when used, and for furnishing all labor, tools, equipment, maintenance, water necessary to promote g rowth, and incidentals necessary to complete the work. All work required for preparation of the area will not be paid for separately but will be considered incidental to other Contract items. Payment will be made under: Pay Item Pay Unit 651.1500 Turf Establishment, General Seed ................................ ............................ Square Yard 651.1600 Turf Establishment, Specialty Seed ................................ .......................... Square Yard 651.1700 Turf Establishment, Temporary Seed ................................ ....................... Square Yard 651.1800 Turf Establishment, Sod ................................ ................................ ............ Square Yard 651.3500 Topsoil ................................ ................................ ................................ ......Cubic Yard 651.4000 Grubbing Material ................................ ................................ ..................... Square Yard 651.4002 Grubbing Material, 2 Inch ................................ ................................ ......... Square Yard 651.4006 Grubbing Material, 6 Inch ................................ ................................ ......... Square Yard 651.4012 Grubbing Material, 12 Inch ................................ ................................ .......Square Yard 6-208 SECTIO N 653 – EROSIO N PREVENTIO N AND SEDIMEN T CONTROL 653.0 1 DESCRIPTION . This work shall consist of the design and modification of the erosion prevention and sediment control (EPSC) plan or furnishing, installing, monitoring, maintaining, removing, and disposing of erosion prevention and sediment control measures in accordance with these specifications. 653.0 2 MATERIALS . Materials shall meet the requirements of the following subsections: Coarse Aggregate for Concrete ................................ ................................ .................. 704.02 Dense Graded Crushed Stone for Subbase ................................ ................................ 704.06 Aggregate for Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control ................................ ......... 704.17 Geotextile Under Stone Fill ................................ ................................ ....................... 720.04 Geotextile for Silt Fence ................................ ................................ ............................ 720.07 Barrier Fence ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 727.03 Project Demarcation Fence ................................ ................................ ........................ 727.04 Hay Mulch ................................ ................................ ................................ ................. 755.10(a) Wood Chip Mulch ................................ ................................ ................................ ......755.10(b) Fiber Mulch ................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 755.10(d) Hydraulic Matrix ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 755.10(e) Tackifier ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 755.10(f) Straw Mulch ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 755.10(g) Rolled Erosion Control Product, Type I ................................ ................................ ....755.11(a) Rolled Erosion Control Product, Type II ................................ ................................ ...755.11(b) Erosion Logs ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 755.1 4 Woven wire reinforcement shall be a minimum of 14 -gauge mesh with a maximum me sh opening of 6 inches. Posts for silt fence shall be wood, with minimum dimensions of 1 inch × 1 inch, or steel. Steel posts shall meet the requirements specified in AASHTO M 281 or AASHTO M 181. Filtering aggregate shall meet the requirements of Subsecti on 704.02 and Table 704.02 C or Subsection
704.06 .
653.0 3 EPSC PLAN . The Contractor shall be responsible for the development of an EPSC plan and shall become a co -permittee with the Agency on project s with associated permits.
a.Development . The Contractor shall develop an EPSC plan. When an EPSC plan is included in the Contract the Contractor may use the included EPSC plan as a basis for making modifications . All Contractor submitted EPSC plans shall meet the requirements of the Agency’s Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Plan Contractor Checklist and all project permits.
Source: Vermont Standard Specifications for Construction, 2024 Edition. Pages 976–981 of 1,380.