Wind Farm Erosion Control: 5 Effective Success Secrets for NACAP Projects
Wind farm erosion control is a top priority for NACAP, especially when operating in steep terrain with highly dispersive soils. Peter Stewart, Lands, Environment and Cultural Heritage Manager for NACAP, understands that getting environmental protection right is not just a regulatory requirement and is a commitment to the landholders.
To ensure the highest standards of land rehabilitation, NACAP made the strategic decision to purchase a VORTEC® VX2000. This allows the team to self-perform hydromulch application, providing total control over the project timeline and the quality of materials used. Here are the five key secrets to their success on-site.
1. The Strategic Advantage of In-House Hydromulch
By bringing the application of hydromulch in-house, NACAP gained a significant advantage over traditional contracting models. One of the most critical factors in successful wind farm erosion control is the quality and type of seed used.
“By engaging a contractor, we weren’t privy to the quality of the seed that was going to be used,” Peter explains. “What we’ve found with it, particularly on this property, is that a lot of farmers want a particular blend for their property. This machine has given us the opportunity to mix and match to what the landholders want. It’s their land, so we want to make sure that we’re doing the best by them.”
2. Immediate Action for Better Results
In the world of civil works, timing is everything. The ability to act quickly is what sets NACAP apart. The “spray as you go” approach ensures that topsoil is protected the moment it is reinstated.
“We found that applying hydromulch when we want to do it—which is pretty much straight away after works have concluded—is the best way to get the best result for the landholders,” says Peter. This immediate stabilization prevents wind from stripping away valuable nutrients and stops rain from causing deep rills in the steep slopes typical of wind farm sites.
3. Protecting Land, Reputation, and Weed Hygiene
Nacap applies a high-quality hydromulch slurry immediately after topsoil reinstatement. On wind farm projects, access is often limited. Peter notes, “We’re only allowed one entrance into the wind farm as we go. We’re setting it up, putting the topsoil back down, and then protecting it straight away.”
This process is vital for weed hygiene. Landholders are often concerned about the introduction of invasive species. By establishing a thick cover crop through professional wind farm erosion control methods, NACAP ensures that local weeds do not take hold in the disturbed soil.
4. Flexibility for Diverse Terrain and Soil Types
The VX2000 is not a “one size fits all” tool; its versatility allows NACAP to tailor their wind farm erosion control strategy to specific zones of the project.
- Steep Batters: A specialized seed mix is used to provide deep-root stabilization and protect nearby water sources.
- Flat Ground: The team uses a pasture-heavy seed bank that farmers prefer for their livestock.
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Dispersive Soils: Advanced polymers are added to the hydromulch mix to bind soil particles together, preventing the chemical “melting” of the soil structure.
5. Delivering a Finished Product the Community Values
In the end, the success of a project is judged by what is left behind. Civil works inevitably impact the ground, but the final rehabilitation is what the community sees.
I’d recommend the Vortec VX2000 to any civil company that deals with topsoil,” Peter concludes. “That’s what’s left afterwards that people see. Using the VX2000 for our wind farm erosion control has worked incredibly well. The landholders see a finished, green product rather than a construction site, and that leads to genuine satisfaction.
If you are looking to improve your environmental outcomes and self-perform your site rehabilitation, contact the team at VORTEC® Global on 1800 867 832.
