Iowa Department of Transportation Taking Proactive Erosion Control Steps

The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) has issued a Public Interest Finding (PIF) for the use of ScourStop on state projects.
 
ScourStop Transition Mats are a biotechnical replacement for rock rip-rap and offer permanent protection against scour and erosion at drainage outlets, overflow structures and stream banks; as well as providing an aesthetically pleasing, natural landscape. They have been used on a project-by-project basis in various locations across the state for several years.

Now that a statewide PIF has been issued-and approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) - designers can specify the use of ScourStop transition mats (as a proprietary product) on both state and federally funded projects. 
 
As the name suggests, a Public Interest Finding is a state DOT request for FHWA approval-based on the public's best interest-that allows an exception to be made to one of the many state or federal rules, policies, or procedures that apply to construction contract lettings conducted by the Iowa DOT. 

The Iowa DOT will submit a PIF on a product only after careful consideration and it is deemed to be more effective than existing procedures or practices. The PIF granted for ScourStop is unique in the sense that it is only the eighth "blanket" PIF, that is, for general use statewide, approved by the FHWA in the last 11 years. The FHWA has approved only 26 PIFs in Iowa since 1997, and 18 of those were for specific products on specific projects. 

Tom Carpenter, the creator of ScourStop Transition Mats and President of Erosion Tech LLC, understands the significance of being awarded a PIF from the Iowa DOT. "I'm very honored for our product to be selected for a PIF and for it to be recognized on a statewide basis. The Public Interest Finding will enable better statewide compliance with NPDES Phase II requirements, and provides the impetus for MS4 entities and private designers to specify vegetated, soft armor Best Management Practices. Hopefully, other states will concur with the Iowa DOT and FHWA in addressing the need for better revetment systems, vegetated solutions and NPDES Phase II compliance."