Specification Language Options

1. "Performance Test" Specification Language
2. "Product Content" Specification Language

1. "Performance Test" Specification Language

Federal Highway Administration language for mandating use of Quattro Advantage materials addresses a "performance test" criteria and reads along the following lines:

The "nutritious bonded fiber membrane" hydraulic seeding slurry (to be applied in combination with the specified seed mix) refers to soil amendment products manufactured by:

Quattro Environmental, Inc.
649 "I" Avenue
Coronado, CA 92118
Phone: (619) 522-0044
Fax: (619) 522-0055

Products from a different manufacturer may be proposed for approval by the designer as an equal provided they have documented proof of equivalent revegetation abilities as the Quattro Environmental products specified. The documentation must be in the form of test results on similar land forms, soil types, aspect, and elevation as the Quattro Environmental products.

Apply the nutritious bonded fiber membrane hydraulic slurry using the components and rates as follows:

Mix and apply the nutritious bonded fiber membrane hydraulic seeding slurry in tandem with seed and mineral package between (date) and (date). All areas receiving specified mix slurry shall be pre-wet with water to depth of one inch. Do not apply Atlas SoilLok or Land-Grab during rain, or when weather forecast calls for precipitation within 72 hours of application or in windy conditions. Hydroseeding unit must be flushed and washed out to eliminate any contamination from previous use. Add seed to the slurry mixture just prior to beginning application. Apply the slurry mixture within 30 minutes of adding the seed to the slurry mixture. Mix and apply the slurry mixture materials in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations (see "Mixing Recommendations" below). Provide a copy of the manufacturer's mixing recommendations to the Project Engineer at least 10 working days prior to application.

Mixing Recommendations: (based on 3,300 gal. Hydroseeder, seeding two (2) acres per load)

1. Begin filling tank with water, but shut off at approx. 1,500 gallons water total.

2. When 1/3 full, add Fertil-Fibers NutriMulch with agitator running to help break up the Fertil-Fibers pellets (4,000 lbs).

3. Shake 2 x 5-gals Kiwi Power containers vigorously and add to slurry (10 gals). Rinse containers with water and add to slurry.

4. Add 26 x 5-gals Atlas SoilLok (or 300 lbs Cliffhanger Tack) steadily to facilitate even dispersion in the tank (130 gals).

5. 4 x 20-lb boxes Tackifibers should be added to the tank by vigorously shaking and dispersing handfuls of fibers (80 lbs). This will prevent clumping of the fibers and potential plugging of the equipment. Continue the agitation process until evenly dispersed throughout the tank.

6. Add specified elemental mineral products to tank gradually, slowly filtering material into the slurry mixture.

7. The truck is then driven to the seeding site, where the seed is added (always, always last!) to the slurry just prior to application. Forgetting to add seed is a common occurrence.

8. Continue moderate agitation during the hydroseeding application to prevent settling and plugging, especially where hose application is utilized.

The mixture of seed, elemental mineral products, and the Quattro Advantage materials is then carefully sprayed on the soil surface, which has been pre-wetted to a depth of no less than one (1") inch. On steep slopes, it is best to apply in two or more light applications, allowing the Atlas SoilLok time to penetrate as deeply as possible into the soil surface, and to set up between applications. Applications can be as little as five minutes apart. Permit no running or dripping of materials on the ground when spraying - if it runs that means you are going too fast.

The best applications are usually accomplished using the hose, not the cannon on top of the hydroseeder. It is strongly recommended that, where feasible, the majority of the work be done using the hose for application. On steep inaccessible areas, use of the cannon is acceptable.

9. Weather: Application of Atlas SoilLok (or Land-Grab) must be conducted in dry weather. There must be at least 72 hours of dry weather following application of these products to allow them to cure. If rain or snow is imminent, the application should be postponed until a window of dry weather of at least three (3) days is forecast. Atlas SoilLok is not to be applied to frozen ground. There can be no exceptions to these rules. To be optimally effective, Atlas SoilLok must be allowed to cure and it requires dry weather for this to occur.

Seeding designs for federal and/or state projects might be additionally protected by language inserted into the bid contract providing for project designer approval on any proposal to substitute alternative materials for products specified in the bid contract. The burden of proof is on the contractor to demonstrate that his "substitution candidate" qualifies as an "equal or better alternative" product.

2. "Product Content" Specification Language

Where one has the resources to evaluate substitute materials, the following "product content" specification language should assist you to ensure your project receives the quality and type of materials designed to establish sustainable native plant vegetation on drastically disturbed sites:

The "nutritious bonded fiber membrane" hydraulic seeding slurry (to be applied in combination with the specified seed mix) refers to soil amendment products that have a demonstrated capability to promote the development of native plant species that are mycorrhizal-dependent. To boost bioactivity and fertility of the soil and to promote reestablishment of mycorrhizal colonization, the following components and treatment rates of this "nutritious bonded fiber membrane" shall be as follows:

1. Bio-stimulant: To biocatalytically improve soil structure, water percolation and nutrient availability in the soil, Kiwi Power Organic Soil Treatment™ [as supplied by Quattro Environmental, Inc., 649 "I" Ave., Coronado, CA 92118, (619) 522-0044] shall be diluted with water and applied at a rate of five (5) gallons Kiwi Power concentrate per acre. Quattro BioTech™ and Quattro BioScience™ are also acceptable products and are applied at the same rate. Other products meeting the following salient characteristics will also be acceptable:

(a) This non-toxic liquid complex of organically-derived microbacteria, enzymes, humic acid, organic wetting agents and biostimulants to flocculate compacted soil, improve water penetration and activate soil nutrients will contain not less than:

11.5% Sarsapogenin (an organic bacterial activator that removes toxins by stimulating the growth of bacteria that digest toxins and salt);

20.0% Spirostant (an organic wetting agent);

10.0% Sarsaponin (an organic surfactant agent);

10% Humic Acid (organic enzymes);

10% Pargenin (organic enzymes);

0.25% Cytokinins (biostimulants derived from seaweed extracts).

(b) The product must be biodegradable, non-polluting, non-volatile and non-toxic, and leave no undesirable residues in the soil. Chemically derived substitutions are not acceptable.

(c) It must not impair existing vegetative growth.

(d) Non-injurious to seeds, human, or animal life.

(e) Effective with either acidic or alkaline soils.

2. Protein-rich Mulch: To supply the nutrient and energy source for soil microorganisms to rebuild humus and tilth in the soil, Fertil-Fibers NutriMulch™ as supplied by Quattro Environmental, Inc., 649 "I" Ave., Coronado, CA 92118, [(619) 522-0044] shall be applied at a rate of 2,000 pounds per acre. NutriMulch N641™ and NutriMulch S641™ are also acceptable products supplied by Quattro Environmental, Inc. and may be applied at the same rate. Other products meeting the following salient characteristics will also be acceptable:

(a) Contains a nutrient ratio of 6-4-1 NPK, which is time released by combining ingredients with distinctly different degradation rates.

(b) Contains at least 12% composted layer poultry manure analyzing not less than 2-5-3 NPK.

(c) Contains not less than 3.5% N derived from natural proteins.

(d) Contains not more than 3.0% N derived from non-protein sources.

(e) Contains a minimum of 85% organic substances (derived from plant or animal material).

(f) Contains not less than 2.5% Calcium.

(g) Contains not less than 14%, nor more than 18% Crude Fiber.

(h) Contains not less than 5% OMRI-certified granular humic shale ore, itself comprising a minimum 45% humic acid, 4.5% fulvic acid, 1.5% sulfur, 2.25% iron, and 10% plant-derived mineral trace elements.

(i) Contains Sarsaponin.

(j) Biodegradable, non-polluting, non-volatile, non-toxic, free of weed seed, and contains no heavy metals.

(k) Contains not more than 13% moisture.

(l) Pelletized and bagged for handling ease.

This seedmeal-based, protein-rich organic fiber nutrient source delivers a long-term biological release of 6-4-1 N-P-K fortified with composted poultry manure containing five times the nutrient potency of bovine compost. The addition of humates provides an organic-based, balanced slow release N-P-K and carbon designed to rebuild the fundamental compounds of fertile soil. Composted steer manure is NOT a recommended substitution candidate for the Fertil-Fibers material. For a number of reasons ....one-fifth the nutrient fire-power, and weed seed proliferation to name a couple ...., composted steer manure is not even considered an appropriate nutrient source, period, for native plant establishment.

To stabilize both the soil and the seeding slurry components applied to revegetate the site, the following additional materials will be applied:

3. Soil Binder: The soil stabilizing compound shall be a polymer dispersion, ATLAS SoilLok™ [as supplied by Quattro Environmental, Inc., 649 "I" Ave., Coronado, CA 92118, (619) 522-0044] or approved equal, designed to form a flexible, water-insoluble, porous membrane (distinctive lattice-like structure) in the topmost soil layer when applied at 50 gals [65 gals] per acre. Land-Grab™ (Cognis) and Henkel 56-8379™ (Henkel) are also acceptable products and may be applied at the same rate. Other products meeting the following salient characteristics will also be acceptable:

(a) Consists of a polyvinyl-acetate compound containing not less than 55 percent active solids.

(b) Contains no poly-acrylates or polyvinyl-acrylics.

(c) Readily miscible in water.

(d) Flexible and retains its flexibility after curing.

(e) Does not inhibit water and oxygen infiltration.

(f) Organic, biodegradable, non-polluting, non-volatile, non-toxic, and leaves no undesirable residues in the soil.

(g) Does not impair existing vegetative growth.

(h) Does not re-emulsify once dry.

(i) Non-injurious to seeds, human and animal life.

(j) Non-flammable.

(k) Effective with either acid or alkaline soils.

The soil stabilizing emulsion shall be used either alone, or in combination with seed, Kiwi Power Organic Soil Treatment, Fertil-Fibers NutriMulch, and Tackifibers.

4. Soil Binder Reinforcement: To enhance the performance and structural integrity of the hydraulically-applied nutritious bonded fiber membrane slurry, Tackifibers, 1/2" polypropylene fibers formulated to provide mechanical cross bonding within the membrane and between soil particles [as supplied by Quattro Environmental, Inc., 649 "I" Ave., Coronado, CA 92118, (619) 522-0044] or approved equal shall be applied at a rate of 20 lbs [40 lbs] per acre. The product shall have the following characteristics:

(a) Consists of polypropylene fibers:

(i) Minimum 12 millimeters long (ASTM D-4101, Group 1/Class 1/Grade 2.)

(ii) Tensile strength - 20,000 psi (ASTM D-2256)

(iii) Specific gravity - 0.91 g/cm3 (ASTM D-792)

(b) Photo-degradable.

(c) Remain functional for one growing season.

For Lighter Duty Soil Stabilization on sites with less than a 3:1 slope, and/or for seed/soil amendments stabilization on level surfaces, substitute Cliffhanger Tack for the heavy-duty, liquid polymer dispersion Atlas SoilLok referenced above.

A specification for Cliffhanger Tack may read as follows:

Soil Stabilizer shall be Cliffhanger Tack [as supplied by Quattro Environmental, Inc., 649 "I" Ave., Coronado, CA 92118, (619) 522-0044] or approved equal, applied at the rate of 150 lbs. per acre.

Product Substitution Criteria: Products from a different manufacturer may be proposed for approval as an equal provided they have documented proof of equivalent revegetation abilities as the Quattro Environmental products specified. The documentation must be in the form of test results on similar land forms, soil types, aspect, and elevation as the Quattro Environmental products.

For further Information or to discuss your particular reclamation project, please call or email Quattro Environmental, Inc.

For further Information

Or to discuss your particular reclamation project, please call or email Quattro Environmental, Inc.