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INDEXWisconsin Field Office Technical Guide, Section IV

Conservation Practice Standards

Practice Name Code Discipline Date

Access Control 472 Resources 1/2018

Access Road 560 Engineering 4/2017

Agrichemical Handling Facility 309 Engineering 10/2014

Alley Cropping 311 Resources 4/2017

Amending Soil Properties with Gypsum Products 333 Resources 3/2016

Amendments for Treatment of Agricultural Waste 591 Engineering 3/2014

Anaerobic Digester 366 Engineering 1/2018

Animal Mortality Facility 316 Engineering 3/2016

Anionic Polyacrylamide (PAM) Application 450 Engineering 12/2016

Aquaculture Ponds 397 Engineering / Resources 3/2018

Aquatic Organism Passage 396 Resources / Engineering 7/2016

Brush Management 314 Resources 4/2017

Building Envelope Improvement 672 Engineering 4/2017

Channel Bed Stabilization 584 Engineering 3/2016

Clearing and Snagging 326 Engineering 6/2016

Composting Facility 317 Engineering / Resources 1/2017

Conservation Cover 327 Resources 1/2013

Conservation Crop Rotation 328 Resources 9/2015

Constructed Wetland 656 Engineering 12/2016

Contour Buffer Strips 332 Resources 7/2016

Contour Farming 330 Resources 3/2016

Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops 331 Resources 6/2016

Controlled Traffic Farming 334 Resources 8/2016

Cover Crop 340 Resources 8/2015

Critical Area Planting 342 Resources / Engineering 1/2018

Cross Wind Ridges 588 Resources 6/2016

Cross Wind Trap Strips 589C Resources 6/2016

Dam 402 Engineering 1/2018

Denitrifying Bioreactor 605 Engineering 12/2016

Dike 356 Engineering 9/2016

Diversion 362 Engineering 8/2016

Drainage Water Management 554 Engineering 1/2017

Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces 373 Engineering / Resources 10/2014

Early Successional Habitat Development/Mgt. 647 Resources 5/2014

Emergency Animal Mortality Management 368 Resources 3/2016

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Farmstead Energy Improvement 374 Engineering 10/2016

Feed Management 592 Resources 10/2017

Fence 382 Resources 1/2014

Field Border 386 Resources 1/2017

Field Operation Emissions Reduction 376 Resources 8/2016

Filter Strip 393 Resources 1/2017

Firebreak 394 Resources 8/2016

Fish Raceway or Tank 398 Resources / Engineering 6/2016

Forage and Biomass Planting 512 Resources 1/2013

Forage Harvest Management 511 Resources 8/2016

Forest Stand Improvement 666 Resources 10/2017

Forest Trail and Landings 655 Resources / Engineering 1/2018

Fuel Break 383 Resources 4/2014

Grade Stabilization Structure 410 Engineering 4/2017

Grassed Waterway 412 Engineering / Resources 7/2016

Groundwater Testing 355 Engineering 3/2018

Heavy Use Area Protection 561 Engineering 10/2017

Herbaceous Weed Treatment 315 Resources 6/2016

Herbaceous Wind Barriers 603 Resources 8/2016

High Tunnel System 325 Resources 9/2015

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 595 Resources 1/2013

Irrigation Pipeline 430 Engineering 10/2016

Irrigation Reservoir 436 Engineering 7/2016

Irrigation System, Microirrigation 441 Engineering 4/2016

Irrigation System, Tailwater Recovery 447 Engineering 10/2014

Irrigation Water Management 449 Engineering / Resources 10/2014

Karst Sinkhole Treatment 527 Engineering 3/2016

Lighting System Improvement 670 Engineering 4/2016

Lined Waterway or Outlet 468 Engineering 4/2017

Livestock Pipeline 516 Engineering 12/2016

Livestock Shelter Structure 576 Resources 3/2014

Mine Shaft and Adit Closing 457 Engineering 7/2016

Monitoring Well 353 Engineering 10/2014

Mulching 484 Resources 6/2016

Multi-Story Cropping 379 Resources 8/2016

Nutrient Management 590 Resources / Engineering 12/2015

Obstruction Removal 500 Engineering 7/2016

On-Farm Secondary Containment Facility 319 Engineering 10/2014

Page 2 NRCS, WI

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Open Channel 582 Engineering 4/2017

Phosphorous Removal System 782 Engineering 9/2015

Pond 378 Engineering 4/2017

Pond Sealing or Lining, Compacted Soil Treatment 520 Engineering 10/2017R

Pond Sealing or Lining, Concrete 522 Engineering 10/2017R

Pond Sealing or Lining, Geomembrane or Geosynthetic Clay Li 521 Engineering 10/2017R

Prescribed Burning 338 Resources 3/2016

Prescribed Grazing 528 Resources 4/2017

Pumping Plant 533 Engineering 7/2016

Residue and Tillage Management, No Till 329 Resources 1/2018

Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till 345 Resources 1/2017

Restoration and Management of Rare or Declining Habitats 643 Resources 5/2014

Riparian Forest Buffer 391 Resources / Engineering 1/2013

Road/Trail/Landing Closure and Treatment 654 Resources / Engineering 1/2018

Roof Runoff Structure 558 Engineering 5/2018

Roofs and Covers 367 Engineering 4/2016

Saturated Buffer 604 Engineering 4/2017R2

Sediment Basin 350 Engineering 8/2016

Shallow Water Management for Wildlife 646 Resources 4/2016

Short Term Storage of Animal Waste and By-Products 318 Engineering 10/2017

Silvopasture 381 Resources 10/2017

Spoil Spreading 572 Engineering 7/2016

Spring Development 574 Engineering 3/2014

Sprinkler System 442 Engineering 4/2016

Stormwater Runoff Control 570 Engineering 10/2014

Stream Crossing 578 Engineering 1/2018

Stream Habitat Improvement and Management 395 Resources 8/2016

Streambank and Shoreline Protection 580 Engineering 8/2013

Stripcropping 585 Resources 6/2016

Structure for Water Control 587 Engineering 1/2018

Structures for Wildlife 649 Resources 12/2014

Subsurface Drain 606 Engineering 3/2014

Surface Drain, Field Ditch 607 Engineering 4/2016

Surface Drain, Main or Lateral 608 Engineering 4/2016

Terrace 600 Engineering 3/2015

Trails and Walkways 575 Engineering / Resources 4/2016

Tree/Shrub Establishment 612 Resources / Engineering 1/2018

Tree/Shrub Pruning 660 Resources 3/2016

Page 3 NRCS, WI

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Tree/Shrub Site Preparation 490 Resources 1/2013

Underground Outlet 620 Engineering 3/2014

Upland Wildlife Habitat Management 645 Resources 1/2013

Vegetated Treatment Area 635 Engineering 9/2016R

Vegetative Barrier 601 Resources 8/2016

Waste Facility Closure 360 Engineering / Resources 5/2018

Waste Separation Facility 632 Engineering 4/2014

Waste Storage Facility 313 Engineering 10/2017R

Waste Transfer 634 Engineering 1/2014

Waste Treatment 629 Engineering 1/2017

Water and Sediment Control Basin 638 Engineering 1/2018

Water Well 642 Engineering 10/2014

Watering Facility 614 Engineering / Resources 10/2014

Well Decommissioning 351 Engineering 10/2014

Wetland Creation 658 Resources / Engineering 10/2016

Wetland Enhancement 659 Resources / Engineering 9/2015

Wetland Restoration 657 Resources / Engineering 9/2016

Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management 644 Resources 1/2013

Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment 380 Resources 10/2016

Windbreak/Shelterbelt Renovation 650 Resources 1/2013

Woody Residue Treatment 384 Resources 1/2018

Page 4 NRCS, WI

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INDEXWisconsin Field Office Technical Guide, Section IV

Wisconsin Construction Specifications


Clearing 001 Engineering 5/2018

Excavation 002 Engineering 5/2018

Earthfill 003 Engineering 5/2018

Earthfill (Ditch Fills or Partial Filling) 003A Engineering 5/2018

Concrete 004 Engineering 1/2018

Embedded or Expansive Waterstop 004-WS Engineering 5/2018

Construction Site Pollution Control 005 Engineering 5/2018

Corrugated Metal Pipe Conduits 006 Engineering 1/2012

Mobilization and Demoblization 007 Engineering 5/2018

Drainfill 008 Engineering 5/2018

Rock Riprap 009 Engineering 5/2018

Fences 010 Engineering 5/2018

Small Rock Aggregate (Non-Concrete) 011 Engineering 5/2018

Geotextiles 013 Engineering 12/2016

Timber Fabrication & Installation 014 Engineering 5/2010

Plastic Pipe Conduits 015 Engineering 12/2016

Stream Clearing and Snagging 016 Engineering 5/2012

Wire Mesh Gabions or Mattresses 017 Engineering 5/2012

Sack or Tubular Gabion 018 Engineering 4/2009

Drilled Well Abandonment/Decommissioning 019 Engineering 5/2012

Soil Bioengineering 020 Engineering 5/2012

Structural Measures for Streambank and Shorelines 021 Engineering 5/2012

Temporary Wave Barrier (Breakwaters) 022 Engineering 5/2012

Aluminum or Steel Roof Gutters 023 Engineering 9/2015

Construction Surveys 024 Engineering 5/2012

GPS Machine Control Construction 025 Engineering 3/2015

Topsoiling 026 Engineering 5/2012

Corrugated Polyethylene Tubing 044 Engineering 5/2012

Organic Fill for Ditch Fills or Filling 050 Engineering 6/2013

Organic Fill for Embankments and Ditch Plugs 051 Engineering 6/2013

Poultry Carcass Composter 100 Engineering 4/2009

Grouted Rock Riprap 200 Engineering 5/2012

Steel Sheet Piling 201 Engineering 5/2012

Polyethylene Geomembrane Lining 202 Engineering 9/2012

Geosynthetic Clay Liner 203 Engineering 4/2011

Earthfill for Waste Storage Facilities 204 Engineering 5/2018

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Ethyl Propylene Diene Terpolymer (EPDM) Geomembrane Lining 205 Engineering 1/2018

Vinyl Sheet Piling 211 Engineering 3/2012

Clay Liner 300 Engineering 4/2018

Polyethylene (PE) Pressure Pipe and Tubing for Livestock Pipeline 516 Engineering 12/2016

Waste Transfer Pipe 634 Engineering 3/2015

Page 2 NRCS, WI

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Conservation Practice Standards are reviewed periodically and updated if needed. To obtain the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State office or visit the Field Office Technical Guide. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

nrcs.usda.gov/WI CPS 558 • Page 1 of 4

May 2018

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICECONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD

ROOF RUNOFF STRUCTURECODE 558

(NO.)

DEFINITIONA structure that will collect, control and convey precipitation runoff from a roof.

PURPOSEThis practice is applied to achieve one or more of the following purposes:

• Protect surface water quality by excluding roof runoff from contaminated areas• Protect a structure foundation from water damage or soil erosion from excess water runoff• Increase infiltration of runoff water• Capture water for other uses

CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIESWhere roof runoff from precipitation needs to be:

• Diverted away from a contaminated area or the foundation of a structure;• Collected and conveyed to a stable outlet or infiltration area; or• Collected and captured for other uses such as evaporative cooling systems, livestock water and

irrigation.

CRITERIA

General Criteria Applicable to All PurposesSupports. Evaluate the condition of the existing roof structure prior to installation of a gutter. Install new fascia boards as needed to support gutters and downspouts for the practice life span. Mount gutters on plumb fascia boards.

Ensure that the gutter support system will withstand the anticipated loading, including loads from snow and ice, as applicable. If structural support is missing or insufficient, design the required support for the selected gutter. As an alternative to increasing the structural supports, use a ground gutter design to convey the roof runoff.

Gutter supports shall have a maximum spacing of 18 inches for aluminum gutters and 24 inches for steel gutters. Supports shall consist of either a heavy duty gutter hanger and a roof strap, or a heavy duty gutter hanger screwed to the fascia. For gutter sizes greater than 6 inches, maximum hanger spacing shall be reduced to 12 inches for aluminum gutters and 18 inches for steel gutters.

Lateral support shall be provided with wedges, wrap-around straps, rigid supports, or any combination thereof which will provide the necessary inward and/or outward support. Lateral supports shall have a maximum spacing of 8 feet.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/sitenav/national/states/

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/technical/fotg/


May 2018

Where snow and ice damage will occur, install the roof gutter below the projection of the roof line. Otherwise, the design shall include one or more of the following:

• Wrap-around straps at a maximum spacing of 8 feet.• Rigid supports at a maximum spacing of 8 feet.• “Snow guards” installed per manufacturer’s recommendations.

Gutter Design Capacity. When a roof runoff structure is used to protect roof runoff from contamination by manure, design the roof runoff structure to convey the flow rate generated from a 25-year, 5-minute rainfall event (see EFH-2 for rainfall depth).

For other applications, design the roof runoff structure to convey the flow rate generated from a 10-year, 5-minute rainfall event (see EFH-2 for rainfall depth).

Peak discharge for all roofs will be determined with the following equation:

Downspout. Use downspouts, collector pipes, lateral downspouts or cross-pipes with a capacity equal or exceeding the roof gutter flow rate.

Downspouts shall be securely fastened at the top and bottom with intermediate supports that are a maximum of 10 feet apart. Lateral downspouts and cross pipes shall have supports that are a maximum of 5 feet apart.

When a downspout outlets at the ground level, place an elbow and energy dissipation device at the outlet to provide erosion protection and direct water away from the foundation of the structure.

Use a pipe guard or pipe casing where necessary to protect the downspout, lateral or cross-pipe pipelines of the roof runoff structure from damage by livestock or equipment.

Ground Gutter. Where runoff from the roof eave drops onto the ground surface, provide a ground gutter with adequate provision to convey runoff away from the foundation of the structure.

Ground gutter designs can use a rock pad, a rock filled trench with a subsurface drain, a concrete channel, or a pre-cast channel to convey the roof runoff water to a stable discharge location or infiltration area.

Outlet. Roof runoff can empty into a subsurface drain, underground outlet, a ground gutter, a storage tank or onto stabilized soil.

Size the outlet to ensure adequate design capacity. Provide for a clean-out of the outlet as appropriate.

Use Wisconsin NRCS Conservation Practice Standard (WI CPS) Subsurface Drain (Code 606) to design a subsurface drain used to dewater a ground gutter or infiltration ditch.

Use WI CPS Underground Outlet (Code 620) to design an underground outlet used to convey roof runoff to a stable outlet.

Materials. Roof gutters and downspouts may be made of aluminum, galvanized steel, wood, or plastic. Aluminum gutters and downspouts require a minimum nominal thickness of 0.027 inches and 0.020 inches, respectively. Galvanized steel gutters and downspouts require a minimum 28 gauge. Wood may be redwood, cedar, cypress, or other species that has the desired longevity and will be free of knots. Plastics must contain ultraviolet stabilizers.

0.28 CFS1000 sq. ft. * inches of PrecipitationQp =


May 2018

All materials including gutters, downspouts, hangers, straps, and support components shall be as specified in Wisconsin Construction Specification 23, Aluminum or Steel Roof Gutters.

To prevent corrosion, avoid contact between components of dissimilar metals.

To enable infiltration with rock-filled trenches and rock pads use ‘poorly graded rock’ (rock fragments approximately all the same size) that is free of appreciable amounts of sand or soil particles. Do not use crushed limestone for backfill material unless it has been washed.

Use WI CPS Heavy Use Area Protection (Code 561) for design and installation of pads or slabs.

Additional Criteria to Increase InfiltrationIncrease runoff infiltration by directing flow to existing landscapes (e.g., lawns, mass planting areas, infiltration trenches, rain gardens or natural areas). Ensure these areas have the capacity to infiltrate the runoff without adversely affecting the desired plant species and without creating a soil erosion problem.

Additional Criteria to Protect the Foundation of a StructureFor a design which outlets the roof runoff on the ground, slope the runoff discharge area away from the structure foundation. Use a minimum downspout extension of five (5) feet to discharge runoff away from the foundation of a structure built on expansive soils or a building foundation placed on bedrock.

Additional Criteria to Capture Water for Other UsesDesign a water storage tank of adequate size, strength and durability to hold water for the intended purpose. Install the tank on a firm, unyielding foundation. Anchor above-ground water storage tanks to prevent damage from wind loads.

Prohibit access to water storage tanks by children and animals to prevent drowning. Protect the area around the tank from erosion caused by overflow from the tank.

Construct or select water storage tanks of materials and in a manner that will not degrade the quality of the stored water. Design water supply attachments to meet system needs. Include a first flush diverter as necessary to reduce sediment, pathogens, and chemical pollutants in the collected water.

The water quality must be suitable for the intended use. The landowner is responsible for any water quality testing and treatment.

CONSIDERATIONSConsider the use of multiple downspouts to reduce gutter size.

Discharge of outlets near wells and sinkholes or directly into drainage ditches, streams or ponds can cause point source pollution.

Consider installation of rain gardens at the outlets to clean, transpire and infiltrate runoff water.

When underground outlets are used, consider either a strainer at the head of the downspout, or a clean-out port on the riser pipe.

Consider the use of wrap-around straps in lieu of rigid supports on steep roofs where the outer edge of the gutter cannot be placed below the projected roof line.

On roofs subject to snow and ice slides, consider additional supports even if the gutter is installed below the projected roof line.


May 2018

For cold climates, ensure the underground outlet is deep enough to avoid freezing or include a method to bypass the outlet without damage to the downspout.

PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONSProvide plans and specifications for installing a roof runoff structure that describe the requirements for applying this practice to achieve its intended purpose. At a minimum, include the location, size and any specific installation instructions of all gutters and spacing of downspouts, type of ground gutters, outlets and the types and quality of material to be used.

Include plans and specifications for other practices essential for the proper functioning of the roof runoff structure.

Instruct landowner and contractor of responsibility to locate all buried utilities in the project area, including drainage tile and other structural measures.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCEDevelop an operation and maintenance plan that is consistent with the purposes of the practice, site conditions and safety requirements. The plan will contain, but not be limited to, the following provisions:

• Keep roof runoff structures clean and free of obstructions that reduce flow.• Make regular inspections and perform cleaning and maintenance as needed.

REFERENCESNRCS, 2009, National Engineering Handbook, Part 651, Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook, Chapter 10, Agricultural Waste Management System Component Design

NRCS, National Engineering Handbook, Part 650, Engineering Field Handbook, Chapter 2, Estimating Runoff



September 2016R

Natural Resources Conservation ServiceCONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARDVEGETATED TREATMENT AREA

Code 635(Acre)

DEFINITIONAn area of permanent vegetation used for agricultural wastewater treatment.

PURPOSEImprove water quality by using vegetation to reduce the loading of nutrients, organics, pathogens, and other contaminants associated with livestock, poultry, and other agricultural operations.

CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIESThis practice applies where:

• A vegetated treatment area (VTA) can be constructed, operated and maintained to treat wastewater (contaminated runoff from such areas as animal lots, feed storage areas, compost areas, barnyards, and other livestock holding areas; or milking center wastewater) from agricultural operations.

• A VTA is a component of a planned agricultural waste management system in accordance with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook (AWMFH), Chapter 9.

This practice does not apply to:• Treatment of undiluted leachate.• Treatment of runoff from manure stacks or waste storage facilities.• Treatment of milking center wastewater or contaminated runoff using annually grown crops.

CRITERIA

General CriteriaVTAs shall comply with all federal, tribal, state, and local laws, rules, or regulations. The operator is responsible for securing required permits. This standard does not contain the text of the federal, tribal, state, or local laws.

Management AssessmentPerform a management assessment with the owner/operator to determine planned management and explore design options. Conduct, document, and incorporate the assessment into the design. In addition to the Waste Management System Inventory and Planning Worksheet contained in the Wisconsin supplement to Chapter 9 of the AWMFH, the management assessment for a VTA shall address the following:

1) Animal Lota. Animal types and numbersb. Cleaning methods and frequencyc. Drainage area




September 2016R

d. Feeding locations and methodse. Animal time on lotf. Existing pretreatmentg. Waste characterizationh. Type of existing surfacei. Type of proposed surface

2) Feed Storage Areaa. Feed storage method (e.g. bunker, bag, pile)b. Feed storage area dimensionsc. Drainage area contributing contaminated runoffd. Feed typee. Handling, cleaning methods, and frequencyf. Type of existing surfaceg. Type of proposed surface

3) Milking Center Wastewatera. Daily milking center wastewater volumeb. Existing handling of milking center wastewater

Site AssessmentConduct, document, and incorporate a site assessment into the design. The assessment will determine physical site characteristics that may influence the placement, construction, maintenance, and environmental integrity of the VTA. Site assessment shall include, but is not limited to:

1) Distances to the nearest feature listed in the separation distances for the applicable size category and specific criteria.

2) Karst features within 500 feet of the proposed VTA outlet.3) Location and identification of physical site features contributing to the characteristics of the runoff.4) Soil investigation, including:

a. A description of the soil layers using the Unified Soil Classification System and the USDA Textural Classification.

b. The factors to identify subsurface saturation, as defined in Wisconsin NRCS Conservation Practice Standard (WI CPS), Waste Storage Facility (Code 313).

c. Soil boring logs to characterize the soils and to a minimum depth below the planned VTA grade to ensure separation distances are achieved by conducting borings within 50 feet of the VTA footprint. Perform a minimum of one test pit or boring per 30,000 square feet of footprint, with a minimum of two per facility.

d. Depth to bedrock encountered in soil borings and bedrock type.e. Depth to subsurface saturation encountered in the borings.


September 2016R

Tributary Water ExclusionDivert uncontaminated water from the tributary area. The design shall account for precipitation, runoff, or subsurface flow entering the VTA up to the 25-year, 24-hour storm event. When planning to exclude outside tributary water with other conservation practices, their design shall be in accordance with WI Standards located in the Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG).

Cattle AccessExclude all livestock, including grazing, from the VTA.

Vegetation in Treatment AreasWastewater shall be diverted from the VTA until vegetation required in the design is well established.

Establish permanent vegetation in the VTA using a single species or a mixture of grasses, legumes, and other forbs adapted to the soil and climate. Select species to meet the site conditions and intended use. Selected species will have the capacity to achieve adequate density, vigor, and yield within an appropriate time frame to treat wastewater.

Select, establish, and maintain vegetation in VTAs in accordance with criteria specified in WI CPS, Critical Area Planting (Code 342), or WI CPS, Tree/Shrub Establishment (Code 612).

Harvest VTA vegetation when appropriate to encourage dense, upright growth, and remove nutrients and other contaminants that are contained in the plant tissue at least annually. Care shall be taken to minimize damage to the VTA during harvest.

Siting ParametersLocate or construct the VTA with 2 foot minimum depth of soil with at least 20 percent passing the No. 200 sieve (i.e., P200 ≥ 20%).

Take care during construction to prevent soil compaction from construction machinery.

Separation is the closest distance from the finished VTA ground surface to the features listed below:

1) Minimum separation to bedrock shall be 4 feet. Excavation of bedrock is permitted to achieve the required separation distance. Do not remove bedrock by blasting. Evaluate the exposed bedrock surface to ensure a sound base for soil material. Treat fractures or voids to prevent migration of soil material. The surface of excavated bedrock shall have a minimum slope of 1 percent under and away from the VTA to prevent significant ponding on the rock surface. If bedrock is excavated, the material placed on the bedrock shall have a minimum of 20 percent passing the No. 200 sieve.

2) Minimum separation to subsurface saturation shall be 2.5 feet for feed storage contaminated runoff and 3 feet for animal lot contaminated runoff and milk center wastewater.

Subsurface drainage within the VTA is not allowed. Subsurface drain lines are to be at least 10 feet away from the VTA boundary.

Locate the VTA outside of regulated floodplains if possible. Provide protection from inundation or damage from a 25-year, 24-hour storm event.


September 2016R

Specific CriteriaApplicable to operations with over 500 Animal Units

The VTA shall be:

1) ≥ 250 feet from any private well,2) ≥ 1000 feet from any community well,3) ≥ 35 feet from wetlands and navigable streams and rivers, and4) ≥ 75 feet from navigable lakes, ponds and flowages.

Limit the natural or constructed slope of the VTA from 0.3 to 6 percent.

The minimum size of the VTA shall be the area required to balance both the contributing site’s 25- year, 24-hour water runoff and delivered nutrients.

1) Water balance is the soil’s capacity to infiltrate and retain runoff within the root zone. Base the infiltration determination on the most restrictive soil layer within the root zone regardless of its thickness. Use the soil’s water holding capacity in the root zone, infiltration rate, permeability, and hydraulic conductivity to determine its ability to absorb and retain runoff.

2) Nutrient balance utilizes the nutrients from the waste runoff to meet the nutrient removal requirements in the harvested vegetation. Base the nutrient balance on the most limiting nutrient (i.e., nitrogen or phosphorus)

Design a Waste Storage Facility* (criteria contained within WI CPS, Waste Storage Facility (Code 313)) when required to hold leachate, wastewater, and manure during the growing and non-growing season with freeboard of 1 foot for operations ≥ 1000 animal units and 0.25 feet for all others.

Wastewater ApplicationApplication by surface flow across the full width of a sloped VTA is not permissible. Distribute the wastewater uniformly over the entire VTA through sprinkler irrigation or other uniform application system. Match the sprinkler nozzle(s) application rate to the most restrictive soil infiltration rate or other factors to prevent non-uniform absorption and treatment in the VTA.

Apply wastewater only during the growing season of the VTA vegetation.

Apply wastewater only when soils are below field capacity. Avoid percolation below the root zone by not exceeding field capacity during application.

Use Table 1 for Available Water Capacity (AWC) in the VTA’s root zone. Use the typical AWC unless lab data or specific soil map unit data found in NRCS Web Soil Survey are used.

Annual nutrient uptake of VTA vegetation shall be obtained from University of Wisconsin Extension publication A2809 “Nutrient Application Guidelines for Field, Vegetable, and Fruit Crops in Wisconsin” or other science-based publications.


September 2016R

Table 1. Available Water Capacity by Texture.1

Texture Typical AWC (in./ft.)

Loamy sand 0.85Loamy fine sand 1.25Sandy loam 1.45Fine sandy loam 1.70Loam 2.00Silt loam 2.40Silt 2.00Sandy clay loam 1.80Clay loam 2.40Silty clay loam 2.40Sandy clay 1.90Silty clay 1.90Clay 1.801Adapted from NRCS National Engineering Handbook, Part 652 Irrigation Guide (1997).

Applicable to operations with over 300 and 500 or less Animal UnitsCriteria for sites where the down gradient end of the VTA is:

1) ≥ 1000 feet from navigable lakes, ponds and flowages,2) ≥ 300 feet from wetlands and navigable streams and rivers,3) ≥ 500 feet from conduits to groundwater,4) ≥ 300 feet from surface inlets that discharge to navigable waters,5) ≥ 150 feet from channelized flow (i.e., a drainage area of ≥ 5 acres), and6) ≥ 150 feet from subsurface drains.

Locate the VTA > 100 feet from any private water well.

Limit the natural or constructed slope of the VTA from 1 to 6 percent. Each VTA shall treat a single source of wastewater.

Design shall use a Manning’s n = 0.30 for shallow flow conditions.

Provide an analysis demonstrating wastewater applied to the VTA does not discharge to navigable waters for rainfall up to the 25-year, 24-hour storm event.

Apply wastewater uniformly across the full width of the VTA (e.g., level spreader, distribution pipe) or uniformly over the VTA. Place additional devices at intervals not to exceed 150 feet to maintain sheet flow down the length of the VTA.


September 2016R

Animal LotA collection practice is needed to operate the system throughout the year. Below are options:

• Design a Livestock Area Sediment Basin (criteria contained within WI CPS, Waste Separation (Code 632) to retain 100 percent of the 25-year, 24-hour storm event during the growing season.

• Design a Waste Storage Facility (criteria contained within WI CPS, Waste Storage Facility (Code 313) when required to hold contaminated runoff and manure during the non-growing season with 0.25 feet of freeboard.

Apply contaminated runoff only during the growing season for the VTA vegetation.

Apply contaminated runoff not to exceed the 25-year, 24-hour storm event volume per application.

Allow the VTA to rest 3 days between applications of contaminated runoff collected during the non-growing season.

Commence VTA application at least 24 hours after cessation of a ≥ 0.5 inch rain event (i.e., sunny day release), or immediately after cessation of a < 0.5 inch rain event.

Design each VTA to treat ≤ 10,000 square feet of animal lot area and not more than 98 animal units.

Design the VTA for a flow depth of 0.5 to 1.0 inches for the water separation facility’s flood-routed 25-year, 24-hour storm event.

Design the minimum VTA size to be 150 percent of the animal lot size for paved lots and 100 percent of the animal lot size for earth lots.

The annual output of phosphorus from the VTA shall be 5 pounds or less as determined based on potentially affected resources documented in the site assessment, using the Agricultural Research Service procedure outlined in “An Evaluation System to Rate Feedlot Pollution Potential” and a series of rainfall events for a year contained in the Wisconsin supplement to Chapter 10 of the AWMFH.

Feed StorageDesign the feed storage area/collection system to achieve a maximum VTA flow depth of 1.75 inches for the 25-year, 24-hour storm event.

Design the VTA for a minimum flow through time of 22 minutes. The maximum VTA width shall not be greater than 200 feet.

Feed storage contaminated runoff can be applied year-round.

Collect all leachate and the initial runoff volume of 0.20 inches from each rain event in a Reception Structure designed in accordance with the criteria contained in WI CPS, Waste Transfer (Code 634). This leachate and runoff shall not be applied to the VTA.


September 2016R

Milking Center WastewaterVTA treatment is applicable for operations producing a maximum of 500 gallons of milking center wastewater per day.

Provide Reception Structure in accordance with criteria contained in WI CPS, Waste Transfer (Code 634) (i.e., pretreatment tanks), and size it to provide a minimum three-day hydraulic retention time prior to discharge to the VTA. The outlet from the pretreatment tank(s) shall be gravity flow to a dosing tank or chamber which shall be separate from the pretreatment tank(s). Locate a pump or siphon for pressure distribution of milking center wastewater in the dosing tank or chamber.

Size the VTA on the greater of either:1) A minimum flow through time of 30 minutes at a maximum flow depth of 0.5 inches, or2) A minimum area to accommodate up to an application depth of 0.9 inches per week.

The allowable soil dosing rate is shown in Table 2.

Evenly distribute milking center wastewater across the VTA discharging a minimum of 1.0 foot above the ground.

Applicable to operations up to 300 Animal Units1) Criteria for sites where the down gradient end of the VTA is:

a. ≥ 1000 feet from navigable lakes, ponds and flowages,b. ≥ 300 feet from wetlands and navigable streams and rivers,c. ≥ 500 feet from conduits to groundwater,d. ≥ 300 feet from surface inlets that discharge to navigable waters,e. ≥ 150 feet from channelized flow (i.e., a drainage area of ≥ 5 acres), andf. ≥ 150 feet from subsurface drains.


Infiltrate and treat a portion of the 25-year, 24-hour storm event and provide additional above separations to prevent significant discharges of pollutants (Wisc. Admin. Code NR 243.26(2)).

Limit the natural or constructed slope of the VTA from 1 to 6 percent. Each VTA shall treat a single source of wastewater.

Apply wastewater uniformly across the full width of the VTA (e.g., level spreader, distribution pipe), or uniformly apply over the VTA. Place additional devices at intervals not to exceed 150 feet to maintain sheet flow down the length of the VTA.

Design shall use a Manning’s n = 0.30 for shallow flow conditions. Wastewater is allowed to be applied year round.

Animal LotDesign a collection practice using the Livestock Area Sediment Basins criteria contained within WI CPS, Waste Separation (Code 632) or Reception Structures, Channels, Hoppers, and Pumps criteria contained in WI CPS, Waste Transfer (Code 634).



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Design the VTA for a flow depth of 0.5 to 1.0 inches for the waste separation and holding facility’s flood-routed 25-year, 24-hour storm event.


The annual output of phosphorus from the VTA shall be 5 pounds or less as determined based on potentially affected resources documented in the site assessment, using the Agricultural Research Service procedure outlined in “An Evaluation System to rate Feedlot Pollution Potential” and a series of rainfall events for a year contained in the Wisconsin supplement to Chapter 10 of the AWMFH.

Feed StorageDesign the feed storage area/collection system to achieve a maximum VTA flow depth of 1.75 inches for the 10-year, 24-hour storm event.


Collect all leachate and the initial runoff volume of 0.10 inches from each rain event to a Reception Structure designed in accordance with the criteria contained in WI CPS, Waste Transfer (Code 634). This leachate and runoff shall not be applied to the VTA.


Design a Reception Structure in accordance with the criteria contained in WI CPS, Waste Transfer (Code 634) (i.e., pretreatment tanks) and size it to provide a minimum three-day hydraulic retention time prior to discharge to the VTA. The outlet from the pretreatment tank(s) shall be gravity flow to a dosing tank or chamber which shall be separate from the pretreatment tank(s).

Locate a pump or siphon for pressure distribution of milking center wastewater in the dosing tank or chamber.

Size the VTA on the greater of either:• A minimum flow through time of 20 minutes at a maximum flow depth of 0.5 inches, or• A minimum area to accommodate up to an application depth of 0.9 inches per week.


Table 2. Allowable soil dosing rates (gal/ft.2 of VTA)

Soil Drainage Class Soil Depth > 40” Soil Depth 24” - 40”

Well Drained 0.300 0.250Moderately Well Drained 0.250 0.200Somewhat Poorly Drained 0.125 0.075


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2) Criteria for sites where the down gradient end of the VTA (x) is between:a. 250 ≤ x < 1000 feet from navigable lakes, ponds and flowages,b. 150 ≤ x < 300 feet from wetlands and navigable streams and rivers,c. 250 ≤ x < 500 feet from conduits to groundwater,d. 150 ≤ x < 300 feet from surface inlets that discharge to navigable waters,e. 50 ≤ x < 150 feet from channelized flow (i.e., a drainage area of ≥ 5 acres), andf. 50 ≤ x < 150 feet from subsurface drains.


Infiltrate and treat a portion of the 25-year, 24-hour storm event and provide additional above separations to prevent significant discharges of pollutants (Wisc. Admin. Code NR 243.26(2)).

Limit the natural or constructed slope of the VTA from 1 to 6 percent. Each VTA shall treat a single source wastewater.

Uniformly apply wastewater across the full width of the VTA (e.g., level spreader, distribution pipe), or uniformly over the VTA. Place additional devices at intervals not to exceed 150 feet to promote sheet flow down the length of the VTA.

Animal LotA collection practice is needed to operate the system throughout the year. Below are options:

• Design a Livestock Area Sediment Basin (criteria contained within WI CPS, Waste Separation (Code 632)) to retain 100 percent of the 25-year, 24-hour storm event during the growing season.

• Design a Waste Storage Facility (criteria contained within WI CPS, Waste Storage Facility (Code 313)) when required to hold contaminated runoff and manure during the non-growing season with 0.25 feet of freeboard.

Apply contaminated runoff only during the growing season for the VTA vegetation.

Apply contaminated runoff not to exceed the 25-year, 24-hour storm event volume per application.

Allow the VTA to rest 3 days between applications of contaminated runoff collected during the non- growing season.

Commence VTA application at least 24 hours after cessation of a ≥ 0.5 inch rain event (i.e., sunny day release), or immediately after cessation of a < 0.5 inch rain event.


Design the VTA for a flow depth of 0.5 to 1.0 inches for the water separation facility’s flood-routed 25-year, 24-hour storm event.



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The annual output of phosphorus from the VTA shall be 5 pounds or less as determined based on potentially affected resources documented in the site assessment, using the Agricultural Research Service procedure outlined in “An Evaluation System to rate Feedlot Pollution Potential” and a series of rainfall events for a year contained in the Wisconsin supplement to Chapter 10 of the AWMFH.

Feed StorageDesign the feed storage area/collection system to achieve a maximum VTA flow depth of 1.75 inches flow depth on the VTA for the 25-year, 24-hour storm event.


Feed storage contaminated runoff can be applied year-round.

Collect all leachate and the initial runoff volume of 0.20 inches from each rain event to a Reception Structure designed in accordance with the criteria contained in WI CPS, Waste Transfer (Code 634). This leachate and runoff shall not be applied to the VTA.


Design a Reception Structure in accordance with criteria contained in WI CPS, Waste Transfer (Code 634) (i.e., pretreatment tanks), and size it to provide a minimum three-day hydraulic retention time prior to discharge to the VTA. The outlet from the pretreatment tank(s) shall be gravity flow to a dosing tank or chamber which shall be separate from the pretreatment tank(s). Locate a pump or siphon for pressure distribution of milking center wastewater in the dosing tank or chamber.

Size the VTA on the greater of either:• A minimum flow through time of 30 minutes at a maximum flow depth of 0.5 inches, or• A minimum area to accommodate up to an application depth of 0.9 inches per week.



3) Criteria for sites where the down gradient end of the VTA is:a. < 250 feet from navigable lakes, ponds and flowages,b. < 150 feet from wetlands and navigable streams and rivers,c. < 250 feet from conduits to groundwater,d. < 150 feet from surface inlets that discharge to navigable waters,e. < 50 feet from channelized flow (i.e., a drainage area of ≥ 5 acres), orf. < 50 feet from subsurface drains.

See criteria for operations with over 300 and 500 or less Animal Units


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CONSIDERATIONSProvide more than one VTA to allow for resting, harvesting vegetation, and maintenance, and to minimize the potential for overloading.

To maximize nutrient uptake, use warm and cool season species in separate areas to ensure that plants are actively growing during different times of the year.

Supplement water as necessary to maintain plants in a condition suitable for the treatment purpose.

Direct wastewater to a waste storage facility during excessively wet or cold climatic conditions.

Consider suspension of application to VTA when weather conditions are not favorable for aerobic activity or when soil temperatures are lower than 39° F. When soil temperatures are between 39° F and 50° F, consider reducing application rate and increasing application period while maintaining a constant hydraulic loading rate.

Consider installing a berm and/or a pumping system at the downstream end of the VTA to contain and/or recirculate the wastewater to the top of the VTA or transfer to a waste storage facility.

Consider storing wastewater from the VTA for land application, recycling through the VTA, or otherwise used in the agricultural operation.

Install fences or other measures to exclude or minimize access of the VTA to humans or animals.

PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONSPrepare plans and specifications in accordance with the criteria of this standard that describe the requirements for applying the practice to achieve its intended use. Include critical construction parameters, necessary construction sequence, vegetation establishment requirements, and nutrient removal.

Plans and specifications will include:• A plan view showing the location of the VTA,• Details of the length, width, elevation, and slope of the VTA to accomplish the planned purpose,• Herbaceous species, seed selection, and seeding rates to accomplish the planned purpose,• Planting dates, care, and handling of the seed to ensure that planted materials have an acceptable

rate of survival, and• Site preparation sufficient to establish and grow selected species.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCEAn operation and maintenance plan shall be developed that is consistent with the purposes of the practice, its intended life, safety requirements, and the criteria for its design. The plan may include the following items as appropriate:

• Scheduling of wastewater application, depth of application, rates, resting periods, etc. as applicable.• Empty waste transfer structures after rainfall and runoff events to maintain storage for the next

event.• Control undesired weed species, especially state-listed noxious weeds, and other pests that could

inhibit proper functioning of the VTA.• Inspect and repair VTAs after storm events to address gullies, remove flow-disrupting sediment

accumulation, reseed disturbed areas, and take other measures to prevent concentrated flow.


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• Apply supplemental nutrients and soil amendments as needed to maintain the desired species composition and stand density of herbaceous vegetation.

• Maintain or restore the VTA as necessary by periodically grading or removing excess material when deposition or signs of burned-out areas persist and jeopardize its function. Re-establish herbaceous vegetation.

• Manage the VTA to maintain vegetative treatment effectiveness throughout the growing season. Time the harvest of the VTA plants so vegetation can regrow to a sufficient height to effectively filter wastewater late in the growing season.

• Routinely dethatch or aerate a VTA in order to promote infiltration.• Conduct harvesting and other maintenance activities only when the VTA is dry and moisture content

in the surface soil will not result in compaction or rutting.• Clean the animal lot and/or settling areas as needed or before rain events when possible to prevent

migration of solids to the VTA.• Maintain the VTA spreader to the initial design function.• Harvest VTA vegetation as appropriate to encourage dense growth, maintain upright growth, and

remove nutrients and other contaminants that are contained in the plant tissue.• Monitor all VTAs to maintain optimal crop growth and environmental protection.• Periodic checks of nozzles and spray heads for proper operation and wear• Schedule of soil sampling and testing to ensure that neither phosphorus is accumulating in the soil

profile, nor nitrogen is leaching below the root zone.• Prior to construction, the owner/operator shall sign the operation and maintenance plan to indicate

an understanding of the requirements and a commitment to operate and maintain the practice as specified.

REFERENCESKoelsch, R., B. Kintzer, and D. Meyer. (ed.) 2006. Vegetated Treatment Systems for Open Lot Runoff – A Collaborative Report. USDA, NRCS.

Koelsch, R. K., Lorimor, J. C., and Mankin, K. R. (2006). Vegetative Treatment Systems for Management of Open Lot Runoff: Review of Literature. Applied Engineering In Agriculture, 22(1), 141-153.

Laboski, C.A.M. and J.B. Peters. (2012). Nutrient Application Guidelines for Field, Vegetable, and Fruit Crops in Wisconsin (A2809). University of Wisconsin Extension, Madison, WI.

R.A. Larson, and S.I. Safferman. (2012). Field Application of Farmstead Runoff to Vegetated Filter Strips: Surface and Subsurface Water Quality Assessment. Journal of Environmental Quality, 41:1- 12.

Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. NRCS Wisconsin Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG), Section IV, Practice Standards and Specifications.

Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. (1997). National Engineering Handbook, Part 652, Irrigation Guide.

Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. (1995). Wisconsin Supplements to the National AWMFH. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/wi/technical/engineering/?cid=nrcs142p2_025411

Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. (2009). National Engineering Handbook, Part 651, Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook.


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NR 213, Wisconsin Administrative Code, https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/ nr/200/213

NR 243, Wisconsin Administrative Code, http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/ nr/200/243.pdf

Young, R.A., Otterby M.A., and Roos, A. 1982. An Evaluation System to Rate Feedlot Pollution Potential, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, ARM-NC-17.

DEFINITIONSAnimal lots – An animal lot is an area, a building, or combination of contiguous areas and buildings intended for the confined feeding, breeding, raising or holding of beef and/or dairy cattle. An animal lot is specifically designed as a confinement area in which beef/dairy waste may accumulate, or where the concentration of beef or dairy animals is such that a vegetative cover is denuded and cannot be maintained within the enclosure.

Animal Units – A unit of measurement used to determine the total number of single animal types or combination of animal types, as specified in NR 243, which are fed, confined, maintained or stabled in an animal feeding operation.

Available water capacity (AWC) – The portion of water in a soil that can be readily absorbed by plant roots of most crops, expressed in inches per inch, inches per foot, or total inches for a specific soil depth. It is the amount of water stored in the soil between field capacity (FC) and permanent wilting point (PWP). Also called available water holding capacity (AWHC).

Bedrock – The solid or consolidated rock formation typically underlying loose surficial material such as soil, alluvium or glacial drift. Bedrock includes but is not limited to limestone, dolomite, sandstone, shale and igneous and metamorphic rock.

Note: Although solid or consolidated bedrock can sometimes be removed with typical excavation equipment, these materials are included in the above definition.

Channelized flow – Water movement in a surface drainage feature including, but not necessarily limited to: swales, draws, grass waterways, ditches, gullies, creeks, or rivers.

Conduits to groundwater – Sinkholes, swallets, fractured bedrock at the surface, mine shafts, non-metallic mines, tile inlets discharging to groundwater, quarries, or depressional groundwater recharge areas over shallow fractured bedrock. Wells were intentionally left out of this NR 151 list.

Contaminated Runoff – Runoff that has come through or across a barnyard or animal lot or feed storage area. It generally includes the runoff and any manure, sediment, feed, or other material carried in the runoff. It contains lower concentrations of contaminants than leachate from feed or manure.

Feed Storage Area – An area used to store livestock feed. Livestock feed may include field corn silage, haylage, and industrial by-products (i.e., distillers grain, brewers grain, candy, pizza crust, bakery waste, cotton seed, soy bean meal, animal fats, blood meal, fish meal, cannery waste, beet pulp, citrus pulp, soy hulls, corn midlings, whey, potatoes, grocery store vegetables). This is the area defined by the outside edge of the surface of where the feed is stored, including the apron.

Field capacity – The amount of water retained by a soil after it has been saturated and has drained freely by gravity. Can be expressed as inches, inches per inch, bars suction, or percent of total available water.

Hydraulic Loading Rate – Considered as the flow rate distributed over the surface area calculated as: HLR = Flow Rate / Surface Area.


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Karst – Refers to areas of land underlain by carbonate bedrock (limestone or dolomite). Typical land features in karst areas include sinkholes, disappearing streams, closed depressions, blind valleys, caves, and springs. See the companion document in Chapter 10 of the AWMFH for additional discussion of karst features.

Leachate – Concentrated liquid which has percolated through or drained from animal feed. It contains much higher concentrations of contaminants than feed storage contaminated runoff. See WI CPS Waste Treatment (Code 629), for leachate quantity calculations.

Milking Center Wastewater – Consists of wash water used to clean the milk harvesting and milk cooling equipment. Other contaminated sources of wastewater (water softener) and wash water used to clean the floors and walls can be included in the combined flow of the milking center wastewater discharge. Wastewater from the floor of the holding area is excluded from treatment systems specified by this standard. Clean discharge water sources (plate cooler, roof water) and sanitary wastewater (toilets, sinks, clothes laundry) must be excluded from the treatment system.

Navigable Waters – As defined in Section 30.01 (4m) of the Wisconsin State Statutes, “navigable waters” means any body of water which is navigable under the laws of the State of Wisconsin. (Navigable stream, rivers, lakes, pond, flowages, etc.)

Permanent wilting point (PWP) – The moisture percentage, on a dry weight basis, at which plants can no longer obtain sufficient moisture from the soil to satisfy water requirements. Plants will not fully recover when water is added to the crop root zone once permanent wilting point has been experienced. Classically, 15 atmosphere (15 bars) or 1.5 mPa, soil moisture tension is used to estimate PWP.

Root Zone – Depth to which the roots of mature crops will extract available soil water.

Waste storage facility* (used for feed storage wastewater or a combination of manure and feed storage wastewater) – This is a new category of waste storage facilities that must meet the most stringent criteria contained in WI CPS Waste Storage Facility (Code 313), and Wisconsin administrative code NR-213.

Well Established – Vegetation is well established when there is 100% ground cover. This can be achieved by adequate existing sod, installed sod that is rooted and growing, or newly established vegetation that has gone through a growing season and provides 100% ground cover.

Wetlands – For the purposes of this technical standard, this includes all wetlands, including areas determined as prior converted (PC) in accordance with the 1985 Food Security Act (or similar FSA determinations), which retain wetland characteristics. This includes areas that may be exempt under the Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions, but that meet wetland criteria.



May 2018

Natural Resources Conservation ServiceCONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD

WASTE FACILITY CLOSURECode 360

(No.)

DEFINITIONThe decommissioning of facilities, and/or the rehabilitation of contaminated soil, in an environmentally safe manner, where agricultural waste has been handled, treated, and/or stored and is no longer used for the intended purpose.

PURPOSE• Protect the quality of surface water and groundwater resources.• Mitigate air emissions.• Eliminate a safety hazard for humans and livestock.• Safeguard the public health.

CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIESThis practice applies to agricultural waste storage facilities that are no longer needed as a part of a waste management system and are to be permanently closed or converted for another use.

This practice applies where impoundments that are to be converted to fresh water storage meet the current Wisconsin NRCS Conservation Practice Standard (WI CPS) to which the impoundment is proposed to be converted.

This practice applies to removal of soil contaminated by agricultural wastes that have been stored at the animal production area.

This practice does not apply to sites contaminated by materials that are considered hazardous wastes or are subject to specific clean-up criteria in state or federal laws, such as fuel or pesticides.

CRITERIA

General Criteria Applicable to all PurposesThe closure of waste facilities shall comply with all federal, tribal, state, and local laws, and rules or regulations including national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) requirements.

Existing waste transfer components that convey waste to facilities or provide drainage from the facility area shall be removed and replaced with compacted earth material or otherwise rendered unable to convey waste.

Fill used for closure may include solid waste materials exempt for use pursuant to Wisconsin Administrative Code, Section NR 500.08, including used brick, building stone, concrete, reinforced concrete, broken pavement, and unpainted and untreated wood. If these materials are used, they shall be covered with at least 3 feet of clean mineral soil. The backfill height shall exceed the design finished grade by a minimum of 5 percent to allow for settlement. The top one foot of the backfill shall be constructed of the most impervious soil material readily available and mounded to shed rainfall runoff. If the area will have a soil surface, it shall also be covered with at least 3 inches of topsoil and be vegetated.




May 2018

Precautions (fencing and warning signs) shall be used where necessary to ensure that the facility is not used for purposes incompatible with the facility modification.

Entry into an enclosed waste storage or waste transfer component shall not be allowed unless procedures published in ASABE Standard 470, Manure Storage Safety, are followed.

Erosion and Pollution Control. All disturbed areas shall be re-vegetated or treated with other suitable measures used to control erosion and restore the aesthetic value of the site. Sites, not suitable for re-vegetation through normal cropping practices, shall be vegetated in accordance with WI CPS Critical Area Planting (Code 342).

Measures shall be taken during construction to minimize site erosion and pollution of downstream water resources. This may include such items as silt fences, hay bale barriers, temporary vegetation, and mulching.

Liquid or Slurry Waste and Sludge (Accumulated Solids) Removal. Liquid and slurry wastes shall be agitated and pumped out to the maximum extent possible. Water shall be added as necessary to facilitate the agitation and pumping.

Remove manure and agricultural waste from the storage facility and waste transfer system to the maximum extent practicable. All manure and agricultural waste that could negatively impact water and/or air quality or pose a safety hazard shall be removed as deemed practical. All liquid, slurry, sludge, and solid waste, and soil removed from the facility shall be utilized in accordance with WI CPS Nutrient Management (Code 590) or stored in a facility meeting WI CPS Waste Storage Facility (Code 313). In lieu of field application, removed soil may also be thinly spread as topsoil at the closure location and vegetated.

During sludge removal operations, the integrity of the liner, if one is present, shall be maintained to the extent possible to minimize the volume of contaminated soil removal.

Impoundment Liner Removal.

1. Flexible membrane liners shall be:• Removed and properly disposed of, or• Cleaned and rendered unable to impound water (punctured).

Removed flexible membrane liners may be buried within the closure with a minimum cover of 3 feet of mineral soil.

2. Concrete liners shall be:• Removed and properly disposed of, or• Cleaned and rendered unable to impound water (punctured), or• Cleaned and remain in place if the site grade allows rainfall to drain off the concrete surface.

Removed concrete liners may be buried within the closure with a minimum cover of 3 feet of mineral soil.

Foundry sand previously placed under a concrete liner in accordance with NR 538, Beneficial Use of Industrial Byproducts, will require site-specific Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) approval of the closure plan.


May 2018

3. Constructed clay liners shall be:• Completely removed, or• Rendered unable to impound water (partially excavated), or• Remain in place if the site grade allows rainfall to drain off the surface.

Contaminated Soil Removal. Flexible membrane, concrete, soil liners, or in-place soils shall be systematically investigated for leaks and contaminated soils (soil mixed with waste) beneath them. When contaminated soils are found, they must be removed to the extent necessary with a minimum depth of 6 inches.

The extent (area and depth) of contaminated soil to be removed shall be determined by color, odor, or consistency of the soil indicating permeation or saturation with waste.

Additional Criteria Applicable to Impoundment Closure or ConversionEmbankment Impoundments shall be breached so that they no longer impound waste. Portions of the embankment may remain in place. The slopes and bottom of the breach shall be stable for the soil material involved, however the side slopes shall be no steeper than three horizontal to one vertical (3:1).

The embankment material can be graded into the impoundment area; compacted in accordance with Wisconsin Construction Specification 3, Earthfill; and the area vegetated for another use.

Excavated Impoundments shall be backfilled and compacted in accordance with Wisconsin Construction Specification 3, Earthfill, so that these areas may be reclaimed for other uses.

Impoundments converted to fresh water storage shall be closed in accordance with the General Criteria and converted to a use that meets the requirements as set forth in the appropriate NRCS practice standard for the intended purpose. Where the original impoundment was not constructed to meet NRCS standards, the investigation for structural integrity shall be in accordance with National Engineering Manual (NEM) 501.23. When it is not possible to remove all the sludge and contaminated soils from a waste impoundment that is being converted to fresh water storage, the impoundment shall not be used for fish production, swimming, or livestock watering until the water quality is adequate for these purposes.

Additional Criteria Applicable to Fabricated Liquid Waste FacilitiesIf fabricated structures are to be demolished, disassembled or otherwise altered, it shall be done to such an extent that no water can be impounded. Disassembled materials such as pieces of metal shall be temporarily stored in such a manner that they do not pose a hazard to animals or humans until their final disposition.

Demolished materials shall be buried on-site within the facility or moved off-site to locations designated for such use by state or local officials.

Under-building reception structures, channels, or storage structures may be filled with clean mineral soil, sand, or controlled low strength materials (flowable fill) after complete removal of manure. The fill shall be surfaced with concrete, gravel, or other material appropriate for the intended use following closure.


May 2018

CONSIDERATIONSConsiderations include additional design recommendations that are not required criteria, but may be used to enhance or avoid problems with the design and function of this practice.

Conduct pre-closure soil and water (surface and subsurface) testing to establish base line data surrounding the site at the time of closure. Establishing baseline data can be used in the future to address soil and water issues.

Alternative methods of sludge removal may be required where the impoundments contain large amounts of bedding, sand, oyster shells, soil, or other debris.

Minimize the impact of odors associated with land applying dry wastes and with agitation, emptying, and land applying wastewater and sludge from a waste impoundment by conducting these operations at a time when the humidity is low, when winds are calm, and when wind direction is away from populated areas. Adding chemical and biological additives to the waste prior to agitation and emptying can reduce odors. Odor impacts from land application can also be mitigated by using an incorporation application method.

Minimize agitation of the wastes to only the amount needed for pumping to reduce the potential for release of air emissions.

Soil to fill excavated areas should not come from important farmlands (prime, statewide, local, and/or unique).

If large-size material or wood is used as fill, consideration shall be given to filling methods and additional thickness of clean mineral soil cover to prevent and accommodate excess settling. It may be necessary to limit the quantity of wood, because it degrades.

Waste facility closure may improve utilization and aesthetics of the farmstead.

Breached embankments may detract from the overall aesthetics of the operation. Embankments should be removed and the site returned to its original grade.

Disassembled fabricated structures may be suitable for assembly at another site. Care should be taken during closure to minimize damage to the pieces of the facility, particularly coatings that prevent corrosion of metal pieces.

To minimize potential impacts to livestock, such as nitrate poisoning, initiate a testing and monitoring program of nutrient levels in crop products, particularly livestock feeds, harvested from sites of closed animal confinement facilities.

Consider the need for special permits or procedures concerning harmful materials to demolish an adjacent or associated buildings.

PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONSPlans and specifications for the decommissioning of abandoned waste facilities and the rehabilitation of contaminated soil shall be in keeping with this standard and shall describe the requirements for applying the practice to achieve its intended purpose. At a minimum, include the following:

• A plan view showing the location and extent of the practice.• Pertinent elevations and cross sections of the existing facility and excavation limits.• Number, capacity, and quality of facility(ies) and estimate of liner material and soil volume to be

moved.• Location of known utilities.


May 2018

• Requirements for salvage and disposal of structural or liner materials.• Vegetative requirements.• Utilization Plan for animal wastes and soil.• Odor management or mitigation requirement.• Safety plan requirements. Note: Per Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

confined space entry protocol, personnel shall not enter confined space of an enclosed waste facility without breathing apparatus or taking other appropriate measures.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCEThe proper decommissioning and rehabilitation of a waste facility should require little or no operation and maintenance. However, if it is converted to another use, such as a fresh water facility, operation and maintenance shall be in accordance with the needs as set forth in the appropriate NRCS conservation practice standard for the intended purpose.

Monitor the closed site for settlement of filled areas that may need grading to shed rainfall runoff.

REFERENCESUSDA, NRCS National Engineering Handbook (NEH), Part 651, Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook.

USDA, NRCS Wisconsin Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG), Section IV, Practice Standards and Specifications.

Wisconsin Administrative Code, Department of Natural Resources, Chapter NR 500, General Solid Waste Management Requirements.

Wisconsin Administrative Code, Department of Natural Resources, Chapter NR 538, Beneficial Use of Industrial Byproducts.

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) Standard 470, Manure Storage Safety.

Rice, J.M., D.F. Caldwell, and F.J. Humenik. Ed. 2006. Closure of Earthen Manure Structures in Animal Agriculture and the Environment: National Center for Manure and Animal Waste Management White Papers. ASABE. Pub. Number 913C0306.

DEFINITIONSAnimal Production Area – Means any part of the livestock operation that is used for the feeding and housing of livestock. This includes the entire animal confinement and feeding area, and any adjacent manure storage areas, raw materials storage areas, and waste containment areas. This does not include pasture and cropland.

Embankment Impoundments – those with a depth of waste at the design level that is three feet or more above natural ground.

WCS-1-1 USDA | NRCS | WisconsinSection IV, Technical Guide

Updated: 05/2018

WISCONSIN CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATION

1. CLEARING

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of the clearing and disposal of trees, snags, logs, brush, shrubs, stumps, and rubbish from the designated areas.

B. MARKINGThe limits of the areas to be cleared will be marked by means of stakes, flags, tree markings, or other suitable methods. Trees to be left standing and uninjured will be designated by special markings placed on the trunks at approximately 6 feet above the ground surface.

C. PROTECTION OF EXISTING VEGETATIONTrees and other woody vegetation designated to remain undisturbed shall be protected from damage throughout the entire construction period. Any damage resulting from the Contractor's operations or neglect shall be repaired by the Contractor.

Earthfill, stockpiling of materials, vehicular parking, and excessive foot or vehicular traffic shall not be allowed within the dripline of vegetation designated to remain in place. Vegetation damaged by any of these or similar actions shall be replaced with viable vegetation of the same species.

Any cuts, skins, scrapes, or bruises to the bark of the vegetation shall be carefully trimmed and local nursery accepted procedures used to seal damaged bark.

Any limbs or branches 0.5-inch or larger in diameter that are broken, severed, or otherwise seriously damaged during construction shall be cut off at the base of the damaged limb or branch flush with the adjacent limb or tree trunk.

All roots 1 inch or larger in diameter that are cut, broken, or otherwise severed during construction operations shall have the end smoothly cut perpendicular to the root. Roots exposed during excavation or other operations shall be covered with moist earth and/or backfilled as soon as possible to prevent them from drying.

D. CLEARINGTrees, brush, shrubs, stumps, and other woody growth shall be cleared to a height not exceeding 12 inches above the ground surface. Such growth may be cleared by cutting, pulling, grubbing, or other approved methods.

Trees shall be felled in such a manner as to avoid damage to trees that are to be left standing, existing structures, utilities, and with regard for the safety of persons.

When the designated areas to be cleared include borrow areas and/or areas upon which improvements are to be constructed, the required grubbing of stumps, roots, and other objectionable material in these areas shall be a part of this specification. The grubbing shall consist of the removal of all stumps, roots of 1 inch in diameter or larger, buried logs, and other objectionable material to a minimum depth of 2 feet below a structure subgrade or 1 foot below an embankment foundation.


Updated: 05/2018

E. SITE EROSION CONTROLMeasures shall be installed, or the work performed in a manner that will minimize site erosion, and the production of sediment. Protective measures shall include but are not limited to diversions, waterways, seeding, mulching, sediment basins, and silt fences.

F. DISPOSALAll materials cleared from the designated areas shall be burned or buried at approved locations or otherwise removed from the site. Buried materials shall be covered with a minimum of 2 feet of earthfill (including any topsoil added for seeding).

The Contractor is responsible for complying with all rules and regulations for disposal at locations away from the construction site or for the burning of cleared materials.


Updated: 05/2018


2. EXCAVATION

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of the excavation of all materials necessary for the construction of the work.

B. USE OF EXCAVATED MATERIALSTo the extent that they are needed, all suitable materials removed from the specified excavations shall be used in the construction of the required earthfill. The suitability of materials for specific purposes will be determined by the Technician. The Contractor shall not waste or otherwise dispose of suitable excavated materials.

C. DISPOSAL OF WASTE MATERIALSAll surplus or unsuitable excavated materials will be designated as waste and shall be disposed of at the locations shown on the drawings or as approved by the Technician. Waste materials shall not be placed in wetlands or regulated floodplains.

Material placed in designated waste disposal areas shall be left in a sightly condition and sloped to provide positive drainage. Compaction of the waste materials will not be required unless specified by the construction plans.

Waste material excavated from channels may be deposited in leveled spoilbanks or areas adjacent to the channel work (if permissible). The shape and slopes of the spoilbanks shall be indicated on the drawings or as approved by the Technician. Spoil piles shall be located a minimum of 12 feet from the top of the channel side slope.

Spoil piles or disposal areas shall be protected to minimize site erosion and the production of sediment. Protective measures may include but are not limited to diversions, seeding, mulching, sediment basins, and silt fences.

D. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR STRUCTURE AND TRENCH EXCAVATIONThe required dimensions and side slopes of all structure and trench excavations shall be as shown on the drawings.

Excavation beyond the limits of the specified lines and grades shall be corrected by filling the resulting voids with approved compacted materials.

Excavation for the installation of pipes shall follow the practices contained in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Subpart P, Excavation, of 29 CFR 1926.650, .651 and .652.

Side slopes shall be excavated or braced to safeguard the work and workers. When bracing or supporting is required, the width of the excavation shall be adjusted to allow for the space occupied by the sheeting, bracing, or other supporting installations. The Contractor shall furnish, place, and subsequently remove such supporting installations.


Updated: 05/2018

E. REMOVAL OF WATERThe Contractor shall construct and maintain all necessary cofferdams, channels, flumes, pumping equipment, and/or other temporary diversion and protective work for dewatering the various parts of the work. Foundations, cutoff trenches, and other parts of the work shall be maintained free from water as required for constructing each part of the work. After having served their purpose, all cofferdams and other temporary protective works shall be removed or leveled to give a sightly appearance and so as not to interfere in any way with the operation, usefulness, or stability of the permanent structure.

F. BORROW EXCAVATIONWhen the quantities of suitable materials obtained from specified excavations are insufficient to construct the specified fill portions of the permanent works, additional materials shall be obtained from the designated borrow areas.

When shown on the drawings, sediment basins, terraces, diversions, or other measures shall be constructed to protect the borrow areas from erosion and retain sediment within the borrow area.

The upper six (6) inches of soil shall be stripped from all borrow areas. This stripping shall be performed immediately prior to use of the borrow material to reduce the time the area is exposed to erosion. For large borrow areas, only a portion of the area should be stripped at a time. This material shall be redistributed over the area from which it came after borrow excavation is completed.

The extent of excavation and the selection of materials from the borrow area shall be as directed by the Technician. On completion of excavation, all borrow areas shall be left in a sightly condition. All borrow areas shall be graded to blend with existing topography and sloped to prevent ponding and provide positive drainage.


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3. EARTHFILL

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of placing the earthfill required by the drawings. This specification does not apply to the earthfill required for waste storage facilities.

B. MATERIALSAll fill materials shall be obtained from required excavations and designated borrow areas. The selection, blending, routing, and disposition of materials in the various fills shall be subject to approval by the Technician.

Fill materials shall contain no sod, brush, roots, frozen soil, or other perishable materials. Stones larger than two-thirds of the uncompacted layer thickness shall be removed from the materials prior to compaction of the fill.

C. FOUNDATION PREPARATIONThe foundation area shall be cleared of trees, stumps, roots, brush, rubbish, and stones having a maximum dimension greater than six (6) inches. Foundations shall be stripped to remove vegetation and other unsuitable materials or to the depth shown on the drawings, whichever is greater. Topsoil shall be stripped from the foundation area and stockpiled for use as a top dressing for vegetation establishment unless otherwise shown on the drawings.

Earth foundations shall be graded to remove surface irregularities and slopes steeper than 1:1.

The foundation surfaces shall be scarified parallel to the centerline of the fill to a minimum depth of 2 inches. The surface materials of the foundation shall be compacted and bonded with the first layer of earthfill. The moisture content of the scarified materials shall be maintained as specified for the earthfill.

D. PLACEMENTFill shall not be placed until the required excavation and preparation of the underlying foundation is completed and inspected and approved by the Technician. No fill shall be placed upon a frozen surface nor shall snow, ice, or frozen material be incorporated in the fill.

Fill shall be placed in approximately horizontal layers beginning at the lowest elevation of the foundation. The thickness of each layer of fill prior to compaction shall be as specified in Table 1. Materials placed by dumping in piles or windrows shall be spread uniformly to not more than the specified layer thickness prior to compaction.

Adjacent to structures, earthfill shall be placed in 4-inch lifts (prior to compaction) in a manner adequate to prevent damage to the structure and to allow the structure to gradually and uniformly assume the backfill loads.

The height of the fill shall be increased at approximately the same rate on all sides of the structure.

Placement of fill adjacent to concrete structures may begin after the concrete has cured for the minimum time specified.


Updated: 05/2018

Earthfill in dams, levees, and other structures designed to impound water shall be placed to meet the following additional requirements:(1) The distribution of materials throughout each zone shall be essentially uniform, and the fill

shall be free from lenses, pockets, streaks, or layers of material differing substantially in texture, moisture content, or gradation from the surrounding material.

(2) The embankment top shall be maintained approximately level during construction except for sectional construction as described in Section 7.

(3) Dam embankments shall be constructed in continuous layers from abutment to abutment, except where openings to facilitate construction or to allow passage of stream flow during construction are specified.

(4) If the surface of any layer becomes too hard and smooth to achieve a suitable bond with the succeeding layer, it shall be scarified parallel to the axis of the fill to a depth of not less than 2 inches before the next layer is placed.

E. CONTROL OF MOISTURE CONTENTFill materials shall have a moisture content sufficient to insure the required compaction. When kneaded in the hand, the soil will form a ball which does not readily separate and will not extrude out of the hand when squeezed tightly. The adequacy of the moisture content will be determined by the Technician.

Fill material or the top surface of the preceding layer of compacted fill that becomes too dry to permit suitable bond shall either be removed or scarified and wetted by sprinkling to an acceptable moisture content prior to placement of the next layer of fill.

Fill material that is too wet when deposited or the top surface of the preceding layer of compacted fill that becomes too wet shall be either removed or allowed to dry to an acceptable moisture content before compaction or placing additional layers of fill.

F. COMPACTIONThe Contractor shall furnish and operate the types and kinds of equipment necessary to compact the fill materials.

Unless otherwise specified on the plans or approved by the Technician, compaction requirements for each layer of fill material are as shown in Table 1. The Technician shall determine the adequacy of compaction. Equipment passes in addition to those shown in Table 1 may be required.

Each pass shall consist of at least one complete coverage by the wheel, track, or roller over the entire surface of the fill layer in a direction parallel to the main axis of the fill.

Adjacent to structures or in confined areas, compaction of the fill shall be accomplished by means of manually directed or backhoe mounted power tampers or plate vibrators, hand tamping, or other methods approved by the Technician. The Technician shall determine if adequate compaction is being achieved. Heavy equipment shall not be operated within 2 feet of any structure. Compaction by means of drop weights operating from a crane or hoist of any type will not be permitted.

G. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SECTIONAL CONSTRUCTION OF EMBANKMENTSWhen sectional (or phase) construction of embankments is authorized, the work shall be accomplished in the following manner:


Updated: 05/2018

(1) Each section of the embankment that is constructed in the first phase shall be so placed that a slope not steeper than 3 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical is maintained at the end of the embankment section adjacent to the gap in construction or closure section.

(2) Prior to placement of the closure sections, the surfaces of completed fills and excavations that will be in contact with the closure shall be stripped of all loose material, scarified, moistened, and recompacted as necessary.

Table 1. Equipment Compaction Requirements

Equipment Type Applicable Soils1Maximum Fill

Height2 (feet)

Layer Thickness3

(inches)

Minimum Passes

Sheepsfoot roller (10,000 lb. min. operating weight)

ML, MH, CL, CH or

SM, SC, GM, GC with >20% fines

None 9 1

Vibratory tamping roller (9,000 lb. min. operating weight) SM, SC, GM, GC None 9 2

Rubber-tired scraper or articulated haul truck (fully loaded)

GM, GC, SM, SC, ML, MH, CL, CH None 9 1

Rubber-tired front end loader (fully loaded)

GM, GC, SM, SC, ML, MH, CL, CH 20 6 1

Track-type crawler (standard tracks)

30,000 lb. min.GM, GC, SM, SC, ML, CL 10** 6 2

SP, SW, GP, GW 6** 12 4CL, ML, SC, SM 15## 3 2

less than 30,000 lb.

GM, GC, GP, GW, SM, SC, SP, SW, ML, CL 6** 6 2

Farm tractor (2,400 lb. min.) GM, GC, SM, SC, ML, MH, CL, CH 15 6 2

Smooth steel drum vibratory roller (10,000 lb. min.) SP, SW, GP, GW None** 12 2

1 Unified Soil Classification System.2 Measured from the top of the fill to the lowest point along the centerline of the fill.3 Prior to Compaction.** The fill shall not have a permanent body of water stored against it.## This method may only be used for embankments that will not have the potential for a permanent body of water stored against it that is greater

than 1/4 acre in surface area or more than 6 feet deep.

WCS-3A-1 USDA | NRCS | WisconsinSection IV, Technical Guide

Updated: 05/2018


3A. EARTHFILL (DITCH FILLS OR PARTIAL FILLING)

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of placing the earthfill in drainage ditches as required by the drawings. Wisconsin Construction Specification 3, Earthfill, shall be used for mineral soil ditch plugs and embankments.

B. MATERIALSAll fill shall be obtained from required excavations and designated borrow areas. The selection, blending, routing, and disposition of materials shall be subject to approval by the Technician. Rubbish and trash is not an acceptable fill material and shall be disposed of in an appropriate and legal manner.

Fill shall contain: 1) minimal amounts of sod, brush, or roots 2) no stumps or woody vegetation greater than 3” in diameter. Stones larger than 9 inches in diameter shall be removed from the materials prior to placement of the fill.

C. FOUNDATION PREPARATIONThe foundation area shall be cleared of trees greater than 3” in diameter. Foundations shall be stripped to remove vegetation to the depth shown on the drawings or as approved by the Technician. The materials removed from the foundation shall be disposed of as required by the drawing, or as approved by the Technician. The brush material does not need to be removed if it meets the fill material criteria above.

D. BORROW EXCAVATIONThe borrow area shall be cleared of trees greater than 3” in diameter, stumps, and stones having a maximum dimension greater than 9 inches. The borrow area shall be stripped to remove vegetation to the depth shown on the drawings or as approval by Technician. The cleared materials removed from the borrow area shall be disposed of as required by the drawings. The brush and roots do not need to be removed if it meets the fill material criteria above.

This work shall be performed immediately prior to use of the borrow material to reduce the time the area is exposed to erosion.

The extent of excavation and the selection of materials from the borrow area shall be as shown on the drawings or as directed by the Technician. On completion of excavation, all borrow areas shall be left to contain microtopography features (topography less than 6 inches in height or depth) or as directed by the Technician.

All borrow areas shall be graded to blend with existing topography or as shown on the drawings.

E. PLACEMENTFill shall not be placed until the required excavation and preparation of the underlying foundation is completed, inspected, and approved by the Technician. No fill shall be placed upon a frozen surface nor shall snow, ice, or frozen material be incorporated in the fill.

WCS-3A-2 USDA | NRCS | WisconsinSection IV, Technical Guide

Updated: 05/2018

Fill shall be placed to the neat lines and grades shown on the construction plans unless otherwise approved by the Technician.

The contractor shall furnish and operate the types and kinds of equipment necessary to place and shape the ditch fill.

F. CONTROL OF MOISTURE CONTENT AND COMPACTIONFill materials shall have a moisture content sufficient to insure the required compaction. When kneaded in the hand, the soil will form a ball which does not readily separate and will not extrude out of the hand when squeezed tightly. The adequacy of the moisture content will be determined by the Technician.

Compaction will be accomplished by pushing and shaping the fill unless additional compaction is specified by the construction plans. The Technician shall determine if adequate compaction is being achieved.

The Contractor shall furnish and operate the types and kinds of equipment necessary to compact the fill materials.

WCS-004-WS-1 USDA | NRCS | WisconsinSection IV, Technical Guide

Updated: 05/2018

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.


004-WS EMBEDDED OR EXPANSIVE WATERSTOP

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of furnishing, welding, placing and installation of embedded waterstop base seal waterstop, or expansive waterstop as required on the construction drawings. All material shall meet the requirements of the latest edition of the applicable ASTM designation.

B. QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE DURING CONCRETE PLACEMENTThe contractor shall provide the technician a construction quality control plan at the pre- construction conference.

The plan shall detail the requirements for waterstop installation, including as a minimum:

• Waterstop placement and welding methods that will be utilized during construction,• Name, contact information and responsibilities of a quality control (QC) individual providing

continuous quality control during concrete placement around the embedded waterstop to ensure proper placement and consolidation.

• The quality control person may be an employee of the contractor or the owner of the project, without other duties during concrete placement.

• Name, contact information and responsibilities of an individual performing continuous quality assurance (QA) during concrete placement around the embedded waterstop to ensure proper placement and consolidation.

• The quality assurance individual shall be a person under the direction and control of the individual responsible for approving the as-built construction plan.

OR

• A qualified consultant hired by the owner to assure and document the installation complies with the manufacturer’s recommendations and procedures and this specification. The third party consultant shall provide documentation to the owner and the Technician.

C. MATERIALSThe Contractor shall provide evidence from the manufacturer showing that the waterstop materials meet the requirements of this specification. All materials proposed for use shall be approved by the Technician.

Preformed expansion joint filler shall be commercially available products made of sponge rubber, closed cell foam, or boards containing bituminous materials. The joint filler shall have a minimum thickness of ½ inch and a width equal to the full cross sectional width of the concrete at the joint.

Embedded waterstops shall be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic elastomeric rubber (TPE-R), or polyethylene (PE or VLDPE). The minimum width of waterstop shall be 6 inches, or the width and material shown on an NRCS approved Wisconsin Standard Drawing. The waterstop web thickness shall be a minimum of 3/8 inches throughout the entire cross section of the waterstop. The maximum bulb size shall not exceed 1 inch. Waterstops shall be the type intended for placement


Updated: 05/2018

entirely within the concrete cross section, or as shown on an NRCS approved Wisconsin Standard Drawing or other drawings as approved by the NRCS State Conservation Engineer. Waterstops shall have ribbed or “dumb-bell” type anchor flanges and a hollow tubular center bulb. Split flange waterstops are prohibited.

Base seal waterstops shall be made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic elastomeric rubber (TPE-R), or polyethylene (PE or VLDPE). The minimum width of waterstop shall be 9 Inches. This waterstop shape is limited to NRCS approved Wisconsin Standard drawing for feed storage facilities and pre-engineered waste storage structures approved by the Wisconsin State Conservation Engineer (SCE).

Expansive waterstops shall consist of preformed strips or mastic (caulk) made of hydrophilic materials that expand when subjected to moisture and shall not contain bentonite. Use shall be limited to non-movement joints (fixed joints).

D. WELDING OF WATERSTOPManufacturers’ fabricated waterstop intersections shall be provided.

Only straight butt joint splices are allowed for field fabrication. Splices in waterstops shall be welded as recommended by the manufacturer. The specific splicing iron and the temperature of the iron shall be in accordance with the manufactures instructions for the type of waterstop being spliced.

Manufacturer-certified contractors may fabricate waterstop intersections in a controlled environment with the proper manufacturer’s equipment. Prior to the time of delivery of the fabricated intersections, documentation of certification must be presented to the Technician.

E. PLACEMENT AND INSTALLATION OF WATERSTOPEmbedded Waterstop

Joints with embedded waterstops shall not be placed horizontally across sloped slabs.

Embedded waterstops shall be located as shown on the drawings and secured in position so that displacement does not occur during concrete placement.

Vertical applications (footing to wall joints and wall to wall joints) shall be secured to reinforcement using wire or “hog ring” type fasteners or factory installed grommets at the outermost rib at the spacing as recommended by the waterstop manufacturer (usually 12 inches on center). Hog rings shall be factory installed, if the manufacturer has that option available. Each waterstop shall be placed and secured with the hollow bulb aligned in the center of the planned joint.

Split forms should firmly hold the waterstop in place to prevent misalignment of the waterstop during concrete placement. A tight fit between the waterstop and the form is also necessary to prevent excessive leakage of concrete paste, which could lead to honeycombing of the concrete.

Waterstop clearance shall be a minimum of 1½ inches from reinforcement and one half the waterstop’s width to the face of the concrete (3 inches for 6 inch wide waterstop).

Internal vibration is required along the entire length of all joints that contain embedded waterstops for both formed surfaces and slabs and shall be performed in the presence of the QC and QA individuals.


Updated: 05/2018

Continuous placement of concrete through a waterstop joint is not allowed, except for control joints in formed walls where preformed joint control formers are used in conjunction with the waterstops, or in control joints as shown on an NRCS approved Wisconsin Standard Drawing or other drawings as approved by the NRCS SCE.

EXPANSIVE WATERSTOP

Expansive waterstop shall be placed at the locations shown on the drawings in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Preformed strips may require adhesive or other forms of mechanical fastening to existing concrete based on the manufacturer’s instructions. The adhesive for preformed expansive waterstop and the mastic for caulk type expansive waterstop shall be allowed to cure for the duration as indicated by the manufacturer prior to placing concrete over the waterstop.

Mastic (caulk) type expansive waterstops shall be placed to the bead size as recommended by the manufacturer based on the amount of concrete cover provided.

Colder temperatures will require longer curing periods prior to concrete placement. Do not allow the expansive waterstop to become wet prior to placing concrete over the waterstop.

F. REPAIR PROTOCOLWaterstop which does not comply with this specification, damaged or otherwise defective shall be repaired or replaced by the Contractor in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations or a repair plan developed by the contractor and approved by the Technician. All repairs shall be completed prior to additional work on the waterstop joint.


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5. CONSTRUCTION SITE POLLUTION CONTROL

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of installing measures or performing work to control erosion and minimize the production of sediment and other pollutants to water and air from construction activities.

B. MEASURESErosion and sediment control measures and works shall be installed to prevent or minimize sediment production and transport off-site. The measures and works shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Diversions - Divert water from work areas and collect water from work areas for treatment and safe disposition. Temporary diversions shall be removed and the area restored to its near original condition when the diversions are no longer required or when permanent measures are installed.

(2) In-Channel Sediment Control - Sediment produced within the stream channel during construction will be retained in the work area. Sediment retention will be accomplished by using a temporary, excavated sediment trap and/or a barrier constructed of geotextile and hay bales. Turbid water in the retention area may be pumped to a well-vegetated area away from the stream. The vegetation will serve to filter the sediments before the flow returns to the stream. Discharge areas from all pump hoses shall be stabilized. At no time shall the pump discharge be allowed to cause erosion at the discharge point.

(3) Mulching - Mulch provides temporary protection of the soil surface from erosion. The method of application is specified on the construction drawings.

(4) Sediment Basins - Sediment basins collect, settle, and eliminate sediment from eroding areas from impacting properties and streams below the construction site(s). These basins are temporary and shall be removed and the area restored to its original condition when they are no longer required or when permanent measures are installed.

(5) Sediment Filters - Straw bale filters or geotextile sediment fences (silt fence) trap sediment from areas of limited runoff. Sediment filters shall be properly anchored to prevent erosion under or around them as shown on the construction drawings. These filters are temporary and shall be removed and the area restored to its original condition when they are no longer required or when permanent measures are installed.

(6) Seeding - Seeding to protect disturbed areas shall occur as soon as reasonably possible following completion of the earthwork activity. All seeding operations shall be performed in such a manner that the seeds are applied in the specified quantities uniformly in the designated areas. The method and rate of seed application are specified on the construction drawings.

(7) Silt Curtain or Turbidity Barrier - Silt Curtain and Turbidity Barriers can be used to minimize the transport of sediment from an area where construction activities are occurring within or directly adjacent to a waterway or waterbody. The fabric shall be removed after the construction activities have ceased and the sediment has settled. Care should be taken to prevent the re-suspension of sediment during removal.

(8) Staging of Earthwork Activities - The excavation and moving of soil materials shall be staged to minimize the area disturbed and the time these locations are vulnerable to erosion.


Updated: 05/2018

(9) Stockpiling Material - The stockpiled materials shall be protected from concentrated flows and/or flooding, to minimize sediment movement off-site.

(10) Stream Crossings - Culverts or bridges should be used where equipment crosses streams. They are temporary and shall be removed and the area restored to its near original condition when the crossings are no longer required or when permanent measures are installed.

(11) Waterways - Waterways shall be used to safely dispose of runoff from fields, diversions, and other structures or measures. These works are temporary and shall be removed and the area restored to its original condition when they are no longer required or when permanent measures are installed.

(12) It is the responsibility of the contractor or their designee for the cleanup or removal of sediment transported off-site due to failure to maintain erosion control measures during all phases of the construction.

C. CHEMICAL POLLUTIONThe contractor shall safely dispose of chemical pollutants (such as drained lubricating or transmission fluids, grease, soaps, concrete mixer washwater, or asphalt, produced as a byproduct of the construction activities) off site. The contractor is responsible for reporting and clean up of all accidental spills and leaks.

In the event a piece of equipment develops a leak during the construction work, the leak shall be repaired before work continues. All excess fluids will be cleaned from the machine prior to its return to the work area.

If a leak occurs when equipment is working in or near a waterbody, the machine shall be immediately moved a safe distance away from the waterbody.

D. AIR POLLUTIONThe burning of brush or slash and the disposal of other materials shall adhere to state and local regulations.

Fire prevention measures shall be taken to prevent the start or spreading of wildfires that may result from project activities. Firebreaks or guards shall be constructed and maintained.

All public access or haul roads used by the contractor during construction of the project shall be treated to suppress dust. All dust control methods shall ensure safe construction operations at all times. If chemical dust suppressants are applied, the material shall be a commercially available product specifically designed for dust suppression. The application shall follow manufacturer's requirements and recommendations. A copy of the product data sheet and manufacturer's recommended application procedures shall be provided to the Technician before the first application.

E. MAINTENANCE, REMOVAL AND RESTORATIONAll pollution control measures and temporary works shall be adequately maintained in a functional condition for the duration of the construction period. All temporary measures shall be removed and the site restored to near original condition.

All equipment used within the construction site shall be well maintained. All equipment lines and fittings shall be checked on a daily basis to ensure that they are in good working order.


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7. MOBILIZATION AND DEMOBILIZATION

A. SCOPEThe work consists of the mobilization and demobilization of the Contractor's forces and equipment necessary for performing the work.

B. EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALMobilization shall include:

• All activities and associated costs for transportation of the Contractor's personnel, equipment, and operating supplies to the site.

• Establishment of necessary general facilities for the Contractor's operations at the site.• Premiums paid for performance and payment bonds, if required.• Construction and maintenance of haul roads and equipment parking areas.• Other job related items.

Demobilization shall include:• All activities and costs for transportation of personnel, equipment, and supplies not utilized in

the project from the site.• Disassembly, removal, and site cleanup of facilities assembled on the site.• Repair of access roads, temporary haul roads, and equipment parking areas leaving the project

site in the same or better condition than at the start of the project.• General cleanup and housekeeping needed to restore a neat and orderly project site.

Access to the site, equipment parking, and staging areas are limited to that shown on the drawings or as approved by the technician.


Updated: 05/2018


8. DRAINFILL

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of furnishing and placing the required drainfill as shown on the drawings.

B. MATERIALSDrainfill materials shall be sand, gravel, crushed stone, or mixtures thereof. The material shall be clean, hard, durable particles free from organic matter or other deleterious substances that would interfere with free-draining properties.

C. GRADATIONThe gradation of the drainfill shall be in accordance with the following:

• The gradation of the material shall be as shown on the drawings.• If the gradation is not shown on the drawings, the material shall be a reasonably well graded

sand-gravel mixture with 50 to 85 percent passing a No. 4 sieve. The maximum size of the material shall be 3 inches. No more than 5 percent by weight shall pass a No. 200 sieve.

• Unless otherwise specified, not more than 5 percent by weight of the material finer than a No. 4 sieve shall be crushed limestone or dolomite.

D. BASE PREPARATIONDrainfill shall not be placed on the subgrade or over a pipe or drain tile until they have been inspected and approved by the Technician.

Required excavations shall be accomplished as shown on the drawings and in accordance with Wisconsin Construction Specification 2, Excavation.

Foundation surfaces and trenches shall be clean and free of organic matter, loose soil, foreign substances, and standing water when the drainfill is placed. Earth surfaces upon or against which drainfill will be placed shall not be scarified.

E. PLACEMENTDrainfill shall be placed in uniform layers not more than 12 inches in thickness. When compaction is required and accomplished by manually controlled equipment, the layers shall be a maximum of 8 inches thick prior to compaction or as shown on the drawings.

The drainfill shall be placed in a manner to avoid segregation of particle sizes. No foreign materials will be allowed to become intermixed with or otherwise contaminate the material.

Any damage to the foundation surface or to the sides or bottoms of trenches occurring during placement of drainfill material shall be repaired before proceeding with the work.

The upper surface of drains constructed concurrently with adjacent zones of earthfill shall be maintained at or above the surface of the adjacent fill.


Updated: 05/2018

Drainfill placed over or around conduits shall be placed in a manner to avoid any displacement in line or grade of the pipe. The maximum fill height on the conduit shall be as shown on the drawings or in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Drainfill shall not be placed adjacent to concrete structures until the concrete has cured for a minimum of 7 days.

F. COMPACTIONUnless otherwise stated on the drawings, no compaction will be required beyond that resulting from the placing and spreading operations.

When compaction is required, the methods stated in Wisconsin Construction Specification 3, Earthfill, shall be adhered to. The drainfill material shall be thoroughly wetted prior to equipment or manually controlled compaction.


Updated: 05/2018


9. ROCK RIPRAP

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of testing, furnishing, transporting, and placing rock riprap, including filter, bedding or geotextile materials where specified, in the construction of loose rock riprap revetments, blankets, rock toes, crossings, rock chutes, channel linings and other similar structures.

B. QUALITY OF MATERIALSThe rock shall be obtained from tested sources unless exempted below. Rock sources used for streambank protection, lined waterways, rock chutes, or other similar major projects (Engineering Job Approval Authority Job Class II and greater) shall be tested prior to use. A test is required a minimum of every ten (10) years. The Technician may require a more current test.

Rock riprap from igneous or metamorphic origins such as granite, basalt, and quartzite may be used without testing. Dolomite from quarries within the map legend units shown in Figure 1 may also be used without testing:

• Dolomite (Sd) - all counties.• Sinnipee Group (Os) and Prairie du Chien (Opc) exempt only in the following counties:

Marinette, Oconto, Shawano, Brown, Outagamie, Calumet, Winnebago, Green Lake, and Fond du Lac.

The Technician shall inspect and approve sources of these rock types prior to use and determine if testing is required.

Rock for equipment or cattle channel crossings, access roads, heavy use area protection or similar minor structures need not be tested.

Individual rock fragments shall be dense, sound and free from cracks, seams and other defects conducive to accelerated weathering. The rock fragments shall be angular to subrounded in shape. The least dimension of each individual rock fragment shall be not less than one-third the greatest dimension of the fragment. It should also be free from dirt, clay, sand, rock fines and other materials not meeting the gradation limits. Rock shall be excavated, selected and handled as necessary to meet the grading requirements stated in the construction plans.

Representative samples of rock requiring testing shall conform to the following requirements:

Bulk Specific Gravity (saturated surface-dry basis). Not less than 2.50 when tested in accordance with ASTM Specification C 127 on samples prepared as described for soundness testing.

Absorption. Not more than four (4.0) percent when tested in accordance with ASTM C 127 on samples prepared as described for soundness testing.

Soundness. The weight loss in five cycles shall not be more than 28 percent when tested by the sodium sulfate soundness test method in the modified ASTM C 88 or AASHTO T 104. Losses in excess of 20 percent are acceptable only when the design D50 rock size has been increased by 10 percent for a loss of 20-23.9 percent or 20 percent for a loss of 24-28 percent.


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C. METHODS OF TESTINGBulk Specific Gravity and Absorption shall be determined by ASTM C 127 on samples prepared as described for rock cube soundness testing.

Rock Cube Soundness. Soundness testing shall be performed by ASTM C 88 for coarse aggregate modified as follows.

The sodium sulfate soundness test shall be performed on a test sample of 5000 ± 300 grams of rock fragments, reasonably uniform in size and cubical in shape and weighing, after sampling, approximately 100 grams each. The test sample shall be obtained from rock samples that are representative of the total rock mass, as noted in ASTM Specification D 4992, and that have been sawed into slabs as described in ASTM Specification D 5121. The samples shall be further reduced in size by sawing the slabs into cubic blocks. The thickness of the slabs and the size of the sawed blocks shall be determined by the size of the available test apparatus and as necessary to provide, after sawing, the approximate 100 gram samples.

Due to internal defects, some of the cubes may break during the sawing process or during the initial soaking period. Cubes that break during this preparatory process shall not be tested. Such breakage, including an approximation of the percentage of cubes that break, shall be noted in the test report.

After the sample has been dried, following completion of the final test cycle and washing to remove the sodium sulfate, the loss of weight shall be determined by subtracting from the original weight of the sample the final weight of all fragments which have not broken into three or more fragments. (Samples that break into three or more large fragments during testing will be assigned a final weight of 0.0.) The test report shall show the percentage loss of the weight. Photographic documentation of all samples before and after testing shall be part of the test report.

A rock source may be rejected if the rock from that source deteriorates in less than 5 years under similar use and exposure conditions expected for the rock to be installed under this specification, even though it meets the testing requirements stated above.

Deterioration is defined as the visual loss of more than one-quarter of the original rock volume, or severe cracking that would cause a rock to split.

D. GRADATIONThe gradation of the rock riprap and filter or bedding material shall be as shown in the construction plans.

Rock used for streambank protection, lined waterways, rock chutes, or other similar major projects (Engineering Job Approval Authority Job Class II and greater) shall have a gradation verification be done by one of the following methods.

Method AMeasurement of a random truck load of stone (reference sample) according to the procedure outlined in EFH-17, Procedure for Determining Rock Weights, Sizes, and Gradations; or ASTM D5519, Standard Test Methods for Particle Size Analysis of Natural and Man-Made Riprap Materials (Test Method A).


Updated: 05/2018

Method BCreation of reference samples of rock of at least 0.5 tons, made according to the procedure outlined in EFH-17 (Tables 1 - 5), creating the envelope limits of the gradation specified.

Control of project gradation will be by visual inspection comparing rock delivered to the reference samples.

The reference sample(s) may be used as part of the finished riprap or remain at the quarry.

Any difference of opinion between the Technician and the Contractor shall be resolved by dumping and checking (by measurement) the gradation of a random truck load of stone by Method A. Mechanical equipment, a sorting site, and labor needed to assist in checking gradation shall be provided by the Contractor at no additional cost.

E. SUBGRADE PREPARATIONThe subgrade surfaces on which the riprap, filter or bedding material is to be placed shall be cut or filled and graded to the lines and grades as shown on the drawings or as directed by the Technician. When fill to subgrade lines is required, it shall consist of approved materials and shall be compacted as specified in Wisconsin Construction Specification 3, Earthfill. Riprap, filter, bedding or geotextile shall not be placed until the foundation preparation is completed, and approved by the Technician.

F. FILTER AND BEDDINGFilter or bedding material, when required, shall be spread uniformly on the prepared subgrade surfaces to the depth shown on the drawings. The surfaces of the layers shall be finished reasonably free of mounds, dips or windrows and shall meet the gradation shown on the plans or as specified in Wisconsin Construction Specification 8.

Geotextile, when required, shall meet the requirements shown on the drawings and as specified in Wisconsin Construction Specification 13, Geotextiles.

G. PLACING ROCK RIPRAPThe rock riprap shall be placed by equipment on the surfaces and to the depths specified. The rock riprap shall be installed to the full course thickness in one operation and in such a manner as to avoid displacement of underlying materials. The rock for riprap shall be delivered and placed in a manner that will ensure that the riprap in-place shall be reasonably homogeneous with the larger rocks uniformly distributed and firmly in contact one to another with the smaller rocks and spalls filling the voids between the larger rocks. Some hand placing may be required to provide a neat and uniform surface or to prevent damage to structures.

H. VEGETATED ROCK RIPRAPIf the rock riprap is to be vegetated, topsoil shall be placed by equipment in the riprap voids (surface) and on the surface of the rock to the depth specified. The topsoil placement shall not take place before the placement of the rock riprap is approved by the Technician. Topsoil shall be placed in such a manner as to avoid displacement of the underlying rock.

The topsoil may extend from the top of the riprap down to the bankfull elevation (OHWM) or as shown on the drawings. Care shall be taken so topsoil is retained on the rock and is not allowed into the water body. The area shall be seeded and mulched within 12 hours following topsoil placement.


Updated: 05/2018

Figu

re 1


Updated: 06/2018


10. FENCES

PART I. STANDARD BARBED WIRE FENCE (SBWF)

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of furnishing all materials required and installation of the fence at the locations shown on the plans. Part I of this specification applies to standard barbed wire fence (SBWF). The minimum fence height, number of wires, and wire spacing is shown on the drawings.

B. MATERIALS(1) Wire.

Wire shall conform to the requirements of ASTM A 121, Standard Specification for Metallic-Coated Carbon Steel Barbed Wire with galvanizing meeting ASTM 641, Standard Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Carbon Steel Wire.

The wire will be new and consist of 2 twisted strands of 15.5-gauge minimum high tensile wire with galvanizing. The wire supplied must carry a 20 year supplier’s warranty or documentation from the supplier that the wire will remain durable for the practice lifespan. The barbs shall be minimum 2 point on 5 inch centers.

(2) Fasteners.(i) Staples shall be 9-gauge, galvanized steel or heavier. They shall securely attach the wire

to wood posts.(ii) Manufacturer’s clips or 14-gauge wire may be used to fasten wires to steel posts.

(3) Posts.(i) Wood.

All wooden posts and brace members (except red and white cedar, tamarack, osage orange, black locust, and white oak) shall be treated by a method listed in Table 1, and ensure that complete penetration of the sapwood is obtained. All bark shall be removed from the cedar, tamarack, osage orange, black locust, and white oak. At least one-half the diameter of cedar shall be heartwood. The quality of treated wood shall provide sufficient strength and last for the expected life of the fence.

Unless otherwise specified, minimum preservation retention values shall be as listed in Table 1.

http://www.astm.org/Standards/A641.htm



Updated: 06/2018

Table 1. Preservative Treatment Method and Minimum Retention

Treatment Method Retention (lbs./ft.3)

Creosote Solution 8.00Copper Naphthenate 0.055Pentachlorophenol 0.40Ammoniacal Copper Arsenate (ACA) 0.40Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA), Type A, B, or C 0.40Micronized Copper Azole (MCA) 0.15Micronized Copper Quaternary (MCQ) 0.34Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ or AC2) 0.40

All corner, end, pull, and gate assembly posts shall be wooden with a minimum top diameter of 5 inches.

Wooden line posts shall have a minimum 4-inch diameter.

(ii) Steel.Steel line posts shall have the standard “T” section, and nominal dimensions of 1⅜ inches by 1⅜ inches by ⅛ inch with anchor plate. The posts shall be rolled from high carbon steel, weigh at least 1.25 pounds per foot of length, and shall be painted with a weather resistant paint for steel, enameled and baked, or hot dip galvanized. The posts shall be studded to aid in wire attachment.

(iii) Other.Other materials may be used for corner, end, gate assembly, line posts, and brace members if they are of equal or greater strength and quality of above. They must be preapproved by the technician.

C. INSTALLATION(1) Post Installation and Spacings.

Post spacing for line posts shall not exceed 16 feet for standard barbed wire fence and 25 feet for high tensile barbed wire fence.

(2) Corner, End, Pull, and Gate Assemblies.One of the following braces will be used:(i) A floating diagonal brace or H-brace is required on corners or ends.(ii) H-bracing is required at all pull assemblies and must be installed every 660 feet

maximum.


Updated: 06/2018

Wood horizontal or diagonal brace member shall be a minimum of 4 inches in diameter and a minimum of 7 feet in length, and 8 feet for diagonal braces. A tension wire composed of two complete loops of 9-gauge smooth wire, 12-gauge double strand wire, or a single loop of 12.5-gauge high tensile smooth wire shall be used for H-braces. One end of the tension member shall be at the height of the horizontal brace member and the other end shall be 4 inches above the ground line on the other post.

If the posts are to be set or driven to a 3-foot depth or more below the ground line, a single H-brace assembly may be used. Otherwise, a double H-brace assembly shall be used.

A corner assembly shall be used wherever the horizontal alignment changes more than 15 degrees and/or where vertical alignment changes more than 15 degrees.

(3) Line Post.Wooden line posts shall be set or driven a minimum of 24 inches below the ground line. Steel line posts shall be set or driven a minimum of 18 inches below the ground line. If posts are not driven, the backfill around the post shall be well compacted.

(4) Fastening.The top wire shall be at least 2 inches below the top of a wooden post, and 1 inch below the top of a steel post. Tension will be applied with an in-line stretcher on each strand. The wire shall be visibly taut with no sag. All wires shall be attached to each line post.

Staples should be driven diagonally to the wood’s grain and at a slight downward angle, (upward if pull is up) to avoid splitting the post and loosening of the staples. Space should be left between the inside crown of the staple and post to permit free movement of high tensile barbed wire. Barbed staples shall be used for wooden posts.

Wires shall be attached to steel posts using manufacturer’s clips or by two turns of 14-gauge galvanized wire.

Wire shall be spliced by means of a Western Union splice or by suitable splice sleeves applied with a tool designed for the purpose. The Western Union splice shall have not less than 8 wraps at each end about the other. All wraps shall be tightly wound and closely spaced.


Updated: 06/2018


10. FENCES

PART II. HIGH TENSILE PERMANENT ELECTRIC WIRE FENCE (HTPEWF) AND HIGH TENSILE NON-ELECTRIC WIRE FENCE (HTNEWF)

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of furnishing all materials required and installation of the fence at the locations shown on the plans. Part II of this specification applies to high tensile permanent electric wire fence (HTPEWF) and high tensile non-electric wire fence (HTNEWF). The minimum fence height, number of wires, and wire spacing is shown on the drawings.

Barbed wire shall not be used on electric fences because of the safety hazard created by the high capacity energizers needed to charge the heavy gauge wire.


The galvanized wire will be new, smooth, and meet or exceed the following:• Gauge – 12.5• Tensile Strength – 140,000 psi (minimum)• Breaking Strength – 900 lbs. (minimum)• ASTM A 854, Metallic-Coated Steel Smooth High-Tensile Fence and Trellis Wire• ASTM A 854, Metallic-Coated Steel Smooth High-Tensile Wire Core with UV-Resistant,

White, Electrically Conducive Polymer Coating.• Carry a 20 year supplier’s warranty or documentation from the supplier that the wire will

remain durable for the practice lifespan.

(2) Fasteners.(i) Staples shall be of 9-gauge galvanized steel or heavier. They shall securely attach the

wire to wood posts.(ii) Manufacturer’s clips or 14-gauge galvanized wire meeting the appropriate ASTM for

the fencing material specified may be used to fasten wires to steel, plastic/composite, or fiberglass posts.

(3) Posts.(i) Wood.

All wooden posts and brace members (except red or white cedar, tamarack, osage orange, black locust, and white oak) shall be treated by a method listed in the table below to ensure that complete penetration of the sapwood is obtained. All bark shall be removed from the cedar, osage orange, black locust, and white oak. At least half the diameter of cedar shall be heartwood. The quality of treated wood shall provide sufficient strength and last for the expected life of the fence.

Unless otherwise specified, minimum preservative retention values shall be as listed in Table 2.


Updated: 06/2018




All corner, end, and gate assembly posts shall be wooden with a minimum top diameter of 5 inches. Assembly posts shall be a minimum of 8 feet long for single H-brace assemblies.

Wooden line posts shall have a minimum 4-inch diameter (2 ½-inch for osage orange).

(ii) Plastic/Composite.Plastic/composite line posts shall be at least 1 inch in diameter and be durable for the life of the fence. All plastic/composite posts shall be UV protected for the life of the fence. Fence posts that are damaged or failing shall be replaced according to the Operation and Maintenance plan developed with the fence design.

(iii) Steel.Steel line posts shall have the standard “T” section, nominal dimensions of 1⅜ inches by 1⅜ inches by ⅛ inch with anchor plate. The posts shall be rolled from high carbon steel, weigh at least 1.25 pounds per foot of length and shall be painted with a weather resistant paint for steel, enameled and baked, or hot dip galvanized. The posts shall be studded to aid in wire attachment.

(iv) Fiberglass.Fiberglass reinforced posts must be at least ⅞-inch diameter, or fiberglass reinforced T-post at least 1-inch diameter and be durable for the life of the fence. Fence posts that are damaged or failing shall be replaced according to the Operation and Maintenance plan developed with the fence design.

(v) Other.Other materials may be used for corner, end, gate assembly, line posts, and brace members if they are of equal or greater strength and quality of above. They must be preapproved by the technician.


Live trees are not acceptable to use as posts.


Updated: 06/2018

Line Posts Maximum Spacing

Interior Electric Fence 50 feetInterior Lane Fence 70 feetPerimeter Electric Fence 30 feet 50 feet (if land slope < 5%)Perimeter Electric Fence with stays every 33.3 feet 100 feet

For high tensile non-electric fence, the maximum post spacing shall be 12 feet if the fence is used to restrain animals.

(2) Corner, End, and Gate Assemblies.Brace assemblies are required at all corners, gates, pull, and end assemblies.

One of the following assemblies shall be used for all corners, ends, and gates:(i) A floating diagonal brace.(ii) An H-brace.(iii) A substantial corner post. Corner posts are to be set or driven to a minimum of 4 feet

below the ground line.

All brace members shall be wood and the horizontal member centerline shall be 4 to 9 inches below the top of the post. Other brace material of equal strength may be used with the preapproval of the technician. Floating diagonal braces shall be placed at ½ - ⅔ the height of the fence, measured from the ground up.

Wood horizontal brace members shall be a minimum of 3 inches in diameter and a minimum of 7 feet in length, 8 feet for floating diagonal braces. A tension wire composed of two complete loops of 9-gauge smooth wire, 12-gauge double strand wire, or a single loop of 12.5-gauge high tensile strength smooth wire shall be used. One end of the tension member shall be at the height of the horizontal brace member and the other end shall be 4 inches above the ground line on the other post.

If the posts are set or driven to 3 feet or more below the ground line, a single H-brace assembly or floating diagonal brace may be used. Otherwise a double H-brace assembly shall be used.

A corner assembly shall be used when the horizontal alignment changes more than 30 degrees.

(3) Line Post.Wood, fiberglass, steel, and plastic/composite posts for HTNEWF shall be set or driven a minimum of 24 inches below the ground line for single or multiple wire fences. Wood posts for HTPEWF shall be driven a minimum of 24 inches below the ground line for single or multiple wire fences. Fiberglass, steel, and plastic/composite posts for HTPEWF shall be set or driven to a minimum of 12 inches below the ground line for a single wire fence and a minimum of 18 inches below the ground line for a multiple wire fence.

If posts are not driven, the backfill around the post shall be well compacted.

In areas where soil depth restricts the post embedment depth, additional anchors or deadman applied against the direction of pull shall be used.


Updated: 06/2018

(4) Fastening.The top wire shall be at least 2 inches below the top of the wooden post and 1 inch below the top of all other posts. Tension will be applied with an in-line stretcher or other tightener on each strand to achieve no visible sag. All wires shall be fastened to each line post.

Staples should be driven diagonally to the wood’s grain and at a slight downward angle (upward if pull is up) to avoid splitting the post and loosening of the staples. Barbed staples shall be used for wood posts.

Wire shall be attached to steel, fiberglass, and plastic/composite posts using manufacturer’s clips or two turns of 14-gauge galvanized wire.

The staples, wires, and clips should allow free movement of the high tensile fence wire.

Wire shall be spliced by means of a manufacturer’s recommended splice or knot, or by suitable splice sleeves applied with a tool designed for the purpose.

(5) Interior Fences.For 1-wire electric or other temporary interior fences a brace is not required at corners, gates, pull, and end assemblies.

(6) Offset Brackets.Offset brackets made of galvanized high tensile spring wire with insulator of high density polyethylene with ultra-violet stabilizer or porcelain can be attached to standard barbed wire fence or woven wire fence to provide a transmission line and/or to protect a standard fence. Place the offset brackets no further than 60 feet apart and attach to the wires of the standard fence next to the post. Place offset brackets at chest height of the animals to be controlled. Ensure that no wires of any existing fence comes in contact with the electric fence wire, as an electrical short will occur.

D. LIGHTENING PROTECTIONLightening protection is required for all electrified fences. Follow the fence energizer manufacturer’s recommendations.

E. ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR HTPEWF(1) Energizers.

(i) Power Source.Electronic energizers or power fence controllers shall be installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and will meet the following minimum specifications:• High power, low impedance system with solid state circuitry capable of at least 5,000

volt peak output and a short pulse that is less than 300 mAmps in intensity, finished within .0003 of a second and a rate of 35-65 pulses per minute.

• High impact weather resistant cases.• 110 volt, 220 volt conventional powered electric fence energizers.• 12-volt battery powered capable of operating three weeks without recharging. If the

length of fence requires an energizer of more than 4 joules, a solar charger will be needed on the battery systems.


Updated: 06/2018

• Minimum voltage output by livestock species:• cattle: 3000v• sheep and goats: 4000v• hogs and horses: 2000v

• Utilize a safety pace fuse to prevent over pulsing.

(ii) Size.Under normal operating conditions, the energizer should be capable, at a minimum, of producing 1 joule of energy for each mile of wire used. (Joules are units of electrical energy. One joule does about 0.74 ft-lb. of work. Watts x seconds = joules.) If a significant portion of the fence will be exposed to dense vegetation, additional energy requirements may be needed.

(2) Grounding.All electric fences must be properly grounded. The energizer ground wire shall be connected to a galvanized pipe or rod 0.5 inch or larger in diameter. A minimum of 3 feet of ground rod for each joule of energy output shall be installed to properly ground the fence.

Ground rods shall be placed where soil remains moist for best results. Drive a sufficient number of 6- to 8-foot long rods into the soil 10 feet apart to provide the required length of ground rod exposure to the soil. Connect a continuous ground wire from the energizer to each rod. The energizer terminals, ground wire, and ground rods shall be made of the same material (steel to steel, copper to copper) to prevent accelerated corrosion which could cause a loss of electric continuity.

Additional ground rods may be needed for the system to function properly. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations where they exceed the requirements of this standard.

The ground wire(s) of the fence may be connected to the same grounding system as the energizer or a separate grounding system. Where a combined grounding system is used, the design shall meet or exceed the minimum design criteria specified for both the energizer and lightening protector.

Do not use the grounding system for other existing applications, such as power poles, breaker boxes, and milk barns. At least 65 feet shall separate the fence grounding system from any other electrical grounding system.

(3) Spike Protector.A voltage spike protector is recommended for use with 120 and 140-volt energizers. Also, a ground rod shall be installed at the electric company’s transformer pole (primary ground) and another ground rod installed at the electrical circuit breaker box (secondary ground), if they do not exist at the time of electric fence construction. Additionally, a surge protector shall be installed between the energizer and power supply.

(4) Insulation and Insulated Cable.Insulation used for positively charged wire(s) must be high-density polyethylene with ultra-violet stabilizer.


Updated: 06/2018

All underground wire(s) installations must be double insulated; molded; high tensile strength steel, 12.5-gauge or larger wire. The insulation must be high density polyethylene or polypropylene with ultra-violet stabilizer.

Insulators for steel and other conductive material posts shall be capable of withstanding at least 10,000 volts of current leakage and shall be made of high-density polyethylene with ultra-violet stabilizer or porcelain.

Insulators for end, corner, and angle braces shall be capable of withstanding at least 10,000 volts of current leakage and shall be made of high-density polyethylene with ultra-violet stabilizer, high-density polypropylene with ultra-violet stabilizer, or porcelain. Red insulators should not be used as they might attract hummingbirds.

Use insulated galvanized wire to cross gates and areas where electrical shocks to humans and livestock should be prevented (e.g., working facilities). For underground burial, use wire designed for burial. Placing buried cable inside plastic pipe helps to decrease the incidence of short-circuiting. Do not use insulated copper wire due to the potential for corrosion at the splice and a lack of tensile strength.

(5) Gates.(i) Electrified Gates.

Electrified gates may be constructed of a single straight wire, galvanized cable, polytape or electrified rope with a spring loaded insulated handle, or an expandable, coiled, high tensile, 12.5-gauge wire attached to an insulated handle. The number of wires shall be determined by the fence objective. The gate shall be constructed so that it is non-electrified when the gate is open. Overhead or underground transmission lines will be used to carry electricity past the gate to the remainder of the fence.

(ii) Flood Gates.An electrified floodgate may be used in lieu of a non-electrified gate if desired. The electrified floodgate is constructed by stretching an electrified wire across the drainage above high water flow level. Attach droppers of 12.5-gauge high tensile fence wire, galvanized cable, or galvanized chains to the electrified wire at a spacing of 6 inches above average normal water level. Connect gate to electric fence with double insulated cable through a cut-off switch and floodgate controller. If flooding is expected for extended periods of time, switch the floodgate off.

F. ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR HTNEWF(1) Grounding for Lightening Protection.

Non-electrical wire fences using wood posts shall be grounded at least every quarter mile. Ground rods should be driven not less than 4 feet into the ground. The rods shall be galvanized steel and a minimum of 0.5 inch in diameter. All line wires of the fence must be grounded.


Updated: 06/2018


10. FENCES

PART III. TEMPORARY ELECTRIC FENCE (TEF)

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of furnishing all materials required and installation of the fence at the locations shown on the plans. Part III of this specification applies to Interior Temporary Electric Fence (TEF). The minimum fence height, number of wires, and wire spacing is shown on the drawings.

B. MATERIALSAll materials provided shall be durable for the intended use and life of the fence. Materials that fail prior to the end of the practice lifespan established by the design shall be replaced with equal or higher quality fencing materials.

(1) WirePoly-wire, poly-tape, or poly-rope shall have a minimum of 6 strands of stainless steel wire filament and be made with UV stabilized polyethylene. Aluminum wire shall not be used.

A minimum of two reels of poly-wire are needed for sub-dividing pastures. In strip-grazing systems with a “back fence”, 3 reels are more convenient. Poly-wire is typically sold on reels containing 660 or 1320 feet of fence.

Energized netting may be used for livestock that will not be controlled by a single strand interior electric temporary fence. Energized netting shall be constructed of UV stabilized polyethylene.

(2) FastenersManufacturer’s clips may be used to fasten wires to plastic/composite, or fiberglass posts.

Insulated gate handles, clips or jumpers may be used to attach the poly-wire fence to the adjoining permanent electric fence.

(3) Line Posts(i) Plastic Step-in Posts

All plastic or plastic coated posts shall be UV protected for the life of the fence. Step-in posts shall be made of durable plastic, plastic covered steel or fiberglass. Plastic posts shall have a steel pin at least 3 inches long. Smaller pins are easier to get into the ground during dry and frozen periods. Step-in posts shall be durable for the life of the fence. Fence posts that are damaged or failing shall be replaced according to the Operation and Maintenance plan developed with the fence design.

(ii) Fiberglass PostsFiberglass posts shall be at least 3/8 inch in diameter. All fiberglass post shall be UV protected for the life of the fence. Fence posts that are damaged or failing shall be replaced according to the Operation and Maintenance plan developed with the fence design.


Updated: 06/2018

(iii) Steel Pig-tail Insulated PostsSteel Pig-tail posts shall be at least 3/8 inch in diameter with a UV protected plastic insulator coating over the entire surface or the post that may be contacted by the poly-tape. Fence posts that are damaged or failing shall be replaced according to the Operation and Maintenance plan developed with the fence design.

C. INSTALLATION(1) Post Installation and Spacing

Post shall be spaced a maximum of 50 feet. Add more posts for uneven terrain.

(2) FasteningPoly-wire shall be attached to fiberglass posts using manufacturer’s clips.

Poly-wire shall be attached to Step-in posts by inserting the poly-wire into the clip or loop molded onto the body of the post.

Poly-wire shall be attached to Pig-tail posts by inserting the poly-wire through the open loop on the top of the post.

Electric gate handles should be used to attach temporary poly-wire to electric sources such as an exterior high-tensile electric fence wire. These are typically attached to the end of the poly-wire on the reel. Most reels can be hung on the opposite reach on a high tensile fence wire. Insulated clips or jumpers may also be used to attach the poly-wire to the adjoining electric fence.

(3) Fence Height and Number of WiresPoly-wire fences will typically be installed at a 30 inch height measured from the ground surface

Multiple wires or a different top wire height may be necessary based on the fence design requirements found in Table 1of the Wisconsin NRCS Field Office Technical Guide, Section IV, Standard 382, Fence.


Updated: 06/2018


10. FENCES

PART IV. WOVEN WIRE FENCE (WWF)

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of furnishing all materials required and installation of the fence at the locations shown on the plans. Part IV of this specification applies to woven wire fence (WWF). The minimum fence height, number of wires, and wire spacing is shown on the drawings.


SWWF shall be made from low-carbon steel wire, and conform to the requirements of ASTM A 116, Metallic-Coated, Steel Woven Wire Fence Fabric. The woven wire shall have the top and bottom strands 10-gauge or heavier. The intermediate and stay wires shall be 14.5-gauge or heavier. The stay wires shall be spaced a maximum of 12 inches apart.

HTWWF and SHTWWF will be made from high tensile steel wire with Class 3 galvanizing meeting ASTM A 641, Standard Specification for Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Carbon Steel Wire, and conform to the requirements of ASTM A 116, Metallic-Coated, Steel Woven Wire Fence Fabric. The top and bottom strands of the woven wire shall be 12.5-gauge or heavier. The intermediate and stay wires shall be 14.5-gauge or heavier. The stay wires shall be spaced a maximum of 12 inches apart for non-electric woven wire, and 24 inches when the wire is electrified.

Barbed wire used with SWWF and HTWWF shall meet the requirements of Part I of this specification, Standard Barbed Wire Fence (SBWF).

Galvanized high tensile wire used with SWWF, HTWWF, or SHWWF will be smooth and meet or exceed the following:

• Tensile Strength – 140,000 psi (minimum)• Gauge – 12.5

(2) Fasteners.(i) Staples shall be 9-gauge, galvanized steel or heavier. The staple shall securely attach the

wire to wood posts.(ii) Manufacturer’s clips or 14-gauge, galvanized wire may be used to fasten wires to steel

posts.(3) Posts.

(i) Wood.All wooden posts and brace members (except red or white cedar, tamarack, osage orange, black locust, and white oak) shall be treated by a method listed in the table below, and ensure that complete penetration of the sapwood is obtained. All bark shall be removed from the cedar, tamarack, osage orange, black locust, and white oak. At least one-half the diameter of cedar shall be heartwood. Quality of treated wood shall provide sufficient strength and last for the expected life of the fence.




Updated: 06/2018

Unless otherwise specified in the construction plan, minimum preservative retention values shall be as listed in Table 3.




Corner, end, pull and gate assembly posts for HTWWF and SWWF shall be wooden with a minimum top diameter of 5 inches. Assembly posts shall be a minimum 7 feet long for single H-brace assemblies and for double H-brace assemblies. For SHTWWF, the length will depend upon the height of the fence and shall be as specified in the construction plan.

Bend assembly posts shall have a minimum top diameter of 4 inches and will be a minimum 7 feet long.

Wooden line posts shall have a minimum top diameter of 4 inches and shall be a minimum length of 7 feet. Fence posts for SHTWWF must be a minimum 5 inches in diameter.

(ii) Plastic/Composite.Plastic/composite line posts shall be durable for the life of the fence. All plastic/composite line posts shall be UV protected for the life of the fence. Fence posts that are damaged or failing shall be replaced according to the Operation and Maintenance plan developed with the fence design.

Plastic/composite line posts for SHTWWF and HTWWF shall be at least 1⅛ inches in diameter. Plastic/composite line posts cannot be used with SWWF.

(iii) Steel.Steel line posts shall have the standard “T” section, and nominal dimensions of 1⅜ inches by 1⅜ inches by ⅛ inch with anchor plate. The posts shall be rolled from high carbon steel, weigh at least 1.25 pounds per foot of length, and shall be painted with a weather resistant paint for steel, enameled and baked, or hot dip galvanized. The posts shall be studded to aid in wire attachment. Steel line posts shall be a minimum length of 5 feet.


Updated: 06/2018

(iv) Other.Other materials may be used for corner, end, gate assembly, line posts, and brace members if they are of equal or greater strength and quality than above. They must be preapproved by the technician.


Post spacing for line posts shall not exceed 16 feet for SWWF and SHTWWF and 25 feet for HTWWF. Corner posts shall be set or driven 3 feet below the ground line unless a restrictive layer prevents installation to the required depth.

(2) Corner, End, Pull, and Gate Brace Assemblies.Brace assemblies are required at all corners, gates, pulls and ends.

One of the following assemblies for all corners, ends, pulls and gates shall be used:(i) A floating diagonal brace.(ii) If the posts are to be set or driven to 3 feet below the ground line, a single H-brace

assembly may be used.(iii) If the posts are to be set or driven to less than 3 feet below the ground line, a double

H-brace assembly shall be used.

All brace members shall be wood and the horizontal member centerline shall be 4 to 9 inches below the top of the post. Other brace material of equal strength may be used with the preapproval of the technician.

The horizontal brace member shall be a minimum 4 inches in diameter and a minimum 7 feet in length. A tension wire composed of 2 complete loops of 9gauge smooth wire, or a single loop of 12.5-gauge high tensile smooth wire shall be used. One end of the tension wire shall be at the height of the horizontal cross brace member and the other end of the tension wire shall be 4 inches above the ground line on the other post.

A corner assembly or bend assembly shall be used when the horizontal alignment changes more than 15 degrees and a pull assembly shall be used when vertical alignment changes more than 15 degrees. A bend assembly will be used only when it will not affect the integrity of the fence. Post spacing for a bend assembly can be determined by placing 3 stakes, each spaced 14 feet apart, along the fence line. A string then is stretched between the first and third stake. A measurement then is taken from the second stake and the string. The spacing of the posts is determined in Table 4.


Updated: 06/2018

Table 4. Post Spacing

Distance Between String and Stake Post Spacing

0 to 4 inches 14 feet5 to 7 inches 12 feet8 to 10 inches 10 feet11 to 15 inches 8 feet

16 or more inches 6 feet

These bend assembly posts will be wood and set with a 6-inch lean from vertical to the outside of the curve, and set or driven 36 inches below ground line.

Pull assemblies for SWWF shall be installed at intervals not to exceed 660 feet. The continuity of the wire shall be interrupted at the pull assembly.

HTWWF and SHTWWF will not require the installation of pull assemblies.

(3) Line Post.Wooden and plastic/composite line posts shall be set or driven a minimum of 24 inches below the ground line. If soil depth is less than 24 inches, use standard “T” steel posts.

Steel line posts shall be set or driven a minimum of 18 inches below ground line.

If posts are not driven, the backfill around the post shall be well compacted.

In areas where soil depth restricts the embedment depth, additional anchors or deadman applied against the direction of the pull shall be used.

(4) Fastening.The top wire shall be at least 2 inches below the top of a wooden post and 1 inch below the top of all other types of post. Tension of the fence should be set such that the sag between posts is no more than 1 inch. The tension crimp should be half the size of an untensioned crimp when stretched. All horizontal wires shall be fastened to each line post.

Wire shall be attached to steel, fiberglass, and plastic/composite posts using manufacturer’s clips or two turns of 14-gauge galvanized wire.

Staples should be driven diagonally to the wood’s grain and at a slight downward angle (upward if the pull is up) to avoid splitting the post and loosening of the staples. Space should be left between the inside crown of the staple and post to permit free movement of high tensile wire. Barbed staples shall be used for wood posts.

The staples, wires, and clips should allow free movement of the high tensile fence wire.

All wire shall be spliced by means of a crimp or suitable knot, or by suitable splice sleeves applied with a tool designed for the purpose. The splice shall have not less than 8 wraps at each end about the other. All wraps shall be tightly wound and closely spaced.


Updated: 06/2018


10. FENCES

PART V. CHAIN LINK FENCE (CLF)

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of furnishing all materials required and installation of the fence at the locations shown on the plans. Part V of this specification applies to chain link fence (CLF). The minimum fence height, number of wires, and wire spacing is shown on the drawings.

B. MATERIALS(1) Chain Link Fence Fabric.

Chain link fence fabric shall be 9-gauge wire with a minimum tensile strength of 1,290 pounds. Chain link fence fabric shall conform to the requirements of ASTM A 392, “Standard Specification for Zinc-Coated Steel Chain-Link Fence Fabric,” 2-inch woven mesh, and 9-gauge galvanized steel wire. Zinc coating shall be Class 2. Polymer coated chain link fence fabric shall conform to the requirements of ASTM F 668, Standard Specification for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Other Organic Polymer-Coated Steel Chain-Link Fence Fabric. Any damage to the coating shall be repaired in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations, or the damaged fencing material shall be replaced.

(2) Posts and Fence Framework.Posts and fence framework shall conform to the requirements of ASTM F 1043 “Standard Specification for Strength and Protective Coatings on Steel Industrial Chain Link Fence Framework,” Group 1A, for Heavy Industrial Fence. Coatings shall be Type A galvanized for both internal and external surfaces. Any damage to the coating shall be repaired in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations, or the damaged fencing material shall be replaced.

(3) Gates, Gateposts, and Gate Accessories.Gates, gateposts, and gate accessories shall conform to the requirements of ASTM F 900, Standard Specification for Industrial and Commercial Swing Gates. Coating shall be the same as selected for adjoining fence and framework.

(4) Top Rail and Gate Frames.Top rail and gate frames shall be a minimum 1.66 inch outside diameter standard (Schedule 40) steel pipe or Grade B high strength steel.

(5) Line Posts.Line posts shall be a minimum of 1.9 inches outside diameter standard (Schedule 40) steel pipe or Grade B high strength steel and be of sufficient length to support the height of the fence.

(6) Corner and End Posts.Corner and end posts shall be a minimum of 2.375 inches outside diameter standard (Schedule 40) steel pipe or Grade B high strength steel, be of sufficient length to support the height of the fence, and be set in concrete.


Updated: 06/2018

(7) Gate PostsGate posts shall be standard (Schedule 40) steel pipe or Grade B high strength steel, be set in concrete, and have the minimum O.D. listed below.

Minimum Post Size

Fence Height (ft.)

Gate Leaf Width (ft.)

Post Size O.D. (in.)

≤ 6 ≤ 4 2.375≤ 6 > 4 and ≤ 10 2.875≤ 6 > 10 and ≤ 18 4.0> 6 ≤ 6 2.875> 6 > 6 and ≤ 12 4.0> 6 > 12 and ≤ 18 6.625> 6 > 18 and ≤ 24 8.625

Reference: ASTM F567-Table 2, ASTM F900-Table 2Consult manufacturer on minimum post size needed if using privacy slats

(8) Fence Fittings.Fence fittings shall conform to the requirements of ASTM F 626, “Standard Specification for Fence Fittings.” Fittings shall be galvanized steel. Wire ties and clips shall be 9-gauge galvanized steel.

C. INSTALLATIONInstallation shall be in accordance with the construction plans.

(1) Post Installation.All posts shall be capped immediately after installation. Where posts are installed in highly corrosive soils, the posts shall be vinyl coated in addition to the above requirements and set in concrete poured inside a clay tile or plastic tubing.

(2) Braces and Top Rails.Braces and top rails shall be installed horizontally at the height shown on the drawings or recommended by the manufacturer. Braces and top rails shall be attached to the posts by suitable fittings, as recommended by the manufacturer. A 7-gauge galvanized steel tension wire, meeting the appropriate ASTM for the fencing material specified, tightened by mechanical means, shall be placed approximately 4 inches from the ground level. A similar tension wire shall be placed at the top of the fence if a top rail is not used.

(3) Chain Link Fabric.Chain link fabric is generally installed on the outside of the fence post unless otherwise shown on the drawings. Fencing fabric shall not be stretched until at least 4 days after the posts are grouted into walls or 7 days after the posts are set in the concrete backfill or grouted into concrete walls. The fabric shall be stretched taut and securely fastened, using 9-gauge tie clips,


Updated: 06/2018

to posts at intervals not exceeding 15 inches and to top rails or tension wires at intervals not exceeding 2 feet. Care shall be taken to equalize the tension on each side of each post.

A stretcher bar shall be used at terminal post locations.

(4) Barbed Wire.Barbed wire shall be installed as shown on the drawings and shall be pulled taut and fastened to each post or arm with the tie wires or metal tie clips.

(5) Gate Frames.Gate frames shall be fabricated and hung so they sag no more than 1 percent of the gate width.


Updated: 06/2018


10. FENCES

PART VI. BOARD FENCE (BF)

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of furnishing all materials required and installation of the fence at the locations shown on the plans. Part VI of this specification applies to board fence (BF). The minimum fence height, number of boards, and board spacing is shown on the drawings.

B. MATERIALSAll materials provided shall be durable for the intended use and life of the fence.

(1) WoodAll wood posts, boards (horizontal boards) and brace members (except red or white cedar, tamarack, osage orange, black locust, and white oak) shall be treated by a method listed in the table below to ensure that complete penetration of the sapwood is obtained. Boards may be painted with an exterior paint durable for the life of the fence in lieu of preservative treatment. All bark shall be removed from cedar, osage orange, black locust, and white oak. At least half the diameter of cedar shall be heartwood. The quality of treated wood shall provide sufficient strength and last for the expected life of the fence.

Unless otherwise specified, minimum preservative retention values shall be as listed in Table 5.



BOARDS Retention (lbs./ft.3)

Creosote Solution 8.00 8.0Copper Naphthenate 0.055 0.055Pentachlorophenol 0.40 0.40Ammoniacal Copper Arsenate (ACA) 0.40 0.25Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA), Type A, B, or C 0.40 0.25Micronized Copper Azole (MCA) 0.15 0.06Micronized Copper Quaternary (MCQ) 0.34 0.15Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ or AC2) 0.40 0.20

Wood boards shall be well seasoned or kiln-dried to minimize warping.

(2) Composite WoodAll composite wood products shall be durable for the intended use and life of the fence. Checking, splitting, splintering, rotting, structural damage from termites, and fungal decay of composite wood should be evaluated.


Updated: 06/2018

C. INSTALLATION(1) Posts

Posts shall be spaced to accommodate board lengths. Post spacing for wood fence shall not exceed 8 feet on center. Post spacing, size, and installation for composite wood fences shall meet manufacturer’s recommendations for the intended use, and size and number of boards.

Wood posts will have a minimum top diameter of 6 inches for large livestock applications and 4 inches for small livestock. Rectangular wood posts shall have a minimum top, nominal dimension of 6 inches by 6 inches for large livestock applications and 4 inches by 4 inches for small livestock. Wood line posts will be set or driven a minimum of 36 inches. Gate and corner wood posts will be firmly set or driven in the ground a minimum of 48 inches. Wood posts will be of sufficient length to support the height of the fence and be firmly set or driven in the ground.

(2) BoardsBoards for wood fence used for small animals and low pressure areas for large animals shall be a minimum size of 1 inch by 6 inches (nominal). Wood boards used for large animal confinement shall be a minimum size of 2 inches by 6 inches (nominal). Boards for wood fence shall be a minimum of 8 feet in length.

Board size for composite wood fence shall be in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations for the intended use of the fence.

Board length should be twice the post spacing with staggered seams on the posts. The boards shall be placed on the livestock side in corrals and other high pressure areas.

Each wood board shall be attached to each post with a minimum of two 16d hot dipped galvanized steel, stainless steel, copper, silicon bronze, or equivalent proprietary coated nails. For better holding power, use ring-shank, spiral, or screw-shank instead of common nails. Two 3-inch decking screws with like treatments may be used instead of nails. Increase the number of nails or screws by one additional nail or screw per 2 linear inches of board nominal width for board nominal widths exceeding 6 inches.

Each composite wood board shall be attached to each post in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.


Updated: 05/2018


11. SMALL ROCK AGGREGATE (NON-CONCRETE)

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of furnishing, transporting, and placing small rock aggregate, where specified, in the construction of stream crossings, access roads, heavy use area protection, and other similar structures.

B. MATERIALSThe small rock aggregate material shall be virgin, clean, hard, and durable particles free from organic matter or other deleterious substances that would interfere with free-draining properties. No reclaimed concrete or asphalt is allowed.

Rock for equipment or cattle stream crossings, access roads, heavy use area protection, or similar minor structures need not be tested.

C. DEFINITIONS• Virgin materials – mineral materials in a native or raw form, not previously used.• Sand and fine gravel – a mixture of sand and gravel granular material with 100% passing

½-inch sieve and 5% maximum passing the #200 sieve.• Fine aggregate – 100% passing ⅜-inch sieve and 10% maximum passing the #200 sieve.• Crushed stone – 100% passing ¾-inch sieve and 10% maximum passing the #200 sieve.• Graded rock – 100% passing the base course thickness dimension and a maximum of 10%

passing the ¾-inch sieve. All sizes between the limits shown on the drawings are to be represented.

• Breaker run – aggregate resulting from the mechanical crushing of quarried stone not screened or processed after primary crushing and 10% maximum passing the #200 sieve (typically 2 to 5 inches average diameter).

D. GRADATIONThe gradation of the aggregate material shall be in accordance with one of the following:

• The gradation of the material shall be as shown on the drawings.• If the gradation is not shown on the drawings, refer to definitions for graded rock, crushed

stone, fine aggregate, and sand and fine gravel.

E. SUBGRADE PREPARATIONRequired excavations shall be accomplished as shown on the drawings and in accordance with Wisconsin Construction Specification 2, Excavation.

Foundation surfaces shall be clean and free of organic matter, loose soil, and foreign substances when aggregate is placed.

Aggregate shall not be placed on the subgrade until it has been inspected and approved by the Technician.


Updated: 05/2018

F. PLACEMENTThe aggregate shall be placed in a manner to avoid segregation of particle sizes. No foreign materials will be allowed to become intermixed with or otherwise contaminate the material.

Any damage to the foundation surface occurring during placement of aggregate material shall be repaired before proceeding with the work.

Aggregate shall be placed in uniform layers not more than 12 inches in thickness and machine worked, to the depths specified on the drawings, so as to create a dense aggregate layer.

G. COMPACTIONUnless otherwise stated on the drawings, no compaction will be required beyond that resulting from the placing, spreading, and consolidating operations.

Compaction, when required, shall meet the requirements specified in Wisconsin Construction Specification 3, Earthfill, Table 1, Equipment Compaction Requirements.


Updated: 05/2018

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.


204. EARTHFILL FOR WASTE STORAGE FACILITIES

A. SCOPEThe work shall consist of all operations necessary to place the earthfill or soil liner required by the drawings or directed by the Technician.

B. MATERIALSAll fill materials shall be obtained from required excavations and designated borrow areas. The selection, blending, routing, and disposition of materials shall be subject to approval by the Technician.

Fill materials shall contain no sod, brush, roots, frozen soil, or other perishable materials. Stones larger than two-thirds of the uncompacted layer thickness shall be removed from the materials prior to compaction. Additional soil properties are shown on the drawings.

C. GENERALConstruction operations shall be carried out in such a manner and sequence that erosion and air and water pollution will be minimized. The completed job shall present a professional appearance and shall conform to the lines, grades, and elevations as shown on the drawings or as staked in the field. All operations shall be carried out in a safe and skillful manner. Safety and health regulations shall be observed and appropriate safety measures used by the contractor.

D. FOUNDATION PREPARATIONThe foundation area shall be cleared of trees, stumps, roots, brush, rubbish, frozen soil, and stones having a maximum dimension greater than 6 inches. Foundations shall be stripped to remove vegetation and other unsuitable materials to a minimum depth of 6 inches or to a greater depth if so shown on the drawings. Topsoil shall be stripped from the foundation area and stockpiled for use as a top dressing for vegetation establishment unless otherwise shown on the drawings.

The moisture content of the scarified foundation materials shall be maintained as specified for the earthfill in Section 7. The surface materials of the foundation shall be compacted and bonded with the first layer of earthfill as specified for subsequent layers of earthfill.

E. EXCAVATIONThe required excavations shall conform to the lines, grades, and elevations as shown on the drawings. Excavation beyond specified limits shall be corrected by filling with approved compacted materials.

The required dimensions and side slopes of all structure and trench excavations shall be as shown on the drawings. Trenches deeper than 4 feet shall have side slopes above the 4-foot depth excavated at 0.5:1 or flatter depending on the materials being excavated or the trench shall be braced to safeguard the work and workers. When backfilling pipe trenches in the waste storage facility embankment, the trench slopes shall be cut back to 1:1 from 12 inches above the top of the pipe. The backfill material and compaction shall be equivalent to the surrounding embankment.


Updated: 05/2018

To the extent that they are needed, all suitable materials removed from the specified excavations shall be used in the construction of the required earthfill or soil liner. The suitability of materials for specific purposes will be determined by the Technician.

All surplus or unsuitable excavated materials shall be disposed of at the locations shown on the drawings or as approved by the Technician. Surplus materials shall not be placed in wetlands.

F. BORROW AREASWhen the quantities of suitable materials obtained from specified excavations are insufficient to construct the specified fill portions of the permanent works, additional materials shall be obtained from the designated borrow areas. The borrow area shall be stripped to remove vegetation or other unsuitable materials to a minimum depth of 6 inches or to the depth shown on the drawings. This stripping shall be performed immediately prior to use of the borrow material to reduce the time the area is exposed to erosion. For large borrow areas, only a portion of the area should be stripped at a time.

G. FILL MOISTURE CONTENTFill materials shall have a moisture content sufficient to insure the required compaction. When kneaded in the hand, the soil will form a ball which does not readily separate and will not extrude out of the hand when squeezed tightly. The adequacy of the moisture content will be determined by the Technician.

If the top surface of compacted fill is too dry to permit suitable bond, it shall either be removed or scarified and wetted by sprinkling to an acceptable moisture content prior to placement of the next layer of fill. The applied water must be allowed time to be absorbed by the fill or disked into the dry layer.

Fill material that is too wet shall be allowed to dry to an acceptable moisture content before placement. If the top surface of compacted fill is too wet, it shall be either removed or allowed to dry to an acceptable moisture content before compaction or placing additional layers of fill.

H. FILL PLACEMENTFill shall not be placed until the required excavation and preparation of the underlying foundation is completed and approved by the Technician. Fill shall be placed beginning at the lowest elevation of the foundation. No fill shall be placed on a frozen surface.

If the surface of any layer becomes too hard and smooth for proper bond with the succeeding layer, it shall be scarified parallel to the axis of the fill to a depth of not less than 2 inches before the next layer is placed.

Available topsoil shall be placed on the top and the exposed outside slopes of the waste storage facility embankment, the borrow areas, and any other area where the topsoil was removed during construction and where vegetation will be established.

The pre-compacted thickness of each layer of fill and compaction requirements shall be as stated below unless otherwise specified in the construction plans. Materials placed by dumping in piles or windrows shall be spread uniformly to not more than the specified layer thickness prior to compaction. The Technician shall determine if adequate compaction is being achieved and may require more than the minimum specified passes of the compaction equipment.


Updated: 05/2018

(1) Embankments. The fill shall be placed in horizontal layers extending the entire length and width of the embankment. Unless otherwise specified in the construction plans, compaction requirements shall be as shown in Table 1. Each layer shall be compacted by a minimum of one pass over the entire surface of the fill by the compaction equipment.

(2) Adjacent to Structures and Pipes. Adjacent to structures or pipes, earthfill shall be placed in 4-inch lifts (prior to compaction) in a manner adequate to prevent damage to the structure and to allow the structure or pipe to gradually and uniformly assume the backfill loads. Compaction shall be accomplished by means of manually directed power tampers or plate vibrators or hand tamping unless otherwise specified. Heavy equipment shall not be operated within 2 feet of any structure or pipe. Compaction by means of drop weights operating from a crane or hoist of any type will not be permitted.

All intrusions into or penetrations of a clay or other soil liner will be backfilled with equivalent material and compacted to maintain its integrity. Pipe trenches into a storage facility will be backfilled with the same soils and compaction required for the storage facility for the distance shown on the drawings.

(3) Soil Liners. A soil liner shall be installed as designated on the drawings. This work shall consist of constructing a low permeability earthliner for the inside slopes and the bottom of the earthen basin to the thickness shown on the drawings. It also includes the soil liner material placed in conjunction with other liner materials to form a composite liner as shown on the drawings. Only soils approved by the Technician will be used.

The soil liner fill shall be placed in layers with a maximum thickness of 6 inches prior to compaction. The liner material shall be disked or worked in such a manner as to obtain a maximum clod size of 4 inches prior to compaction. Each layer of liners that do not require a specified density shall be compacted by a minimum of one pass over the entire surface of the fill by a:

• Rubber-tired front end loader (fully-loaded); or• Scraper (fully-loaded); or• Articulated haul truck (fully-loaded); or• Sheepsfoot; or• Tamping roller

Smooth drum rollers are not suitable for compaction of fine-grained liners.

Operation of the compaction equipment will be continuous over the entire area during fill operations. Any liner area disturbed by subsequent construction operations will be scarified and recompacted as specified.

(4) Small Areas of Unsuitable Materials. Lenses or pockets of soil not meeting the criteria requirements in the applicable NRCS Standard or shown on the drawings, shall be removed and replaced with specified materials. The extent of removal and the quality of replacement materials will be as shown on the drawings or approved by the Technician. Excavated slopes shall be 1:1 or flatter. Replacement soil material placement, layer thickness, and compaction will be as stated for soil liners. Manually directed power tampers may be used for compaction and the soil shall be placed in 4-inch lifts prior to compaction.


Updated: 05/2018

Table 1 - Embankment Compaction Requirements

Equipment Type Applicable Soils1 Maximum Fill Height2 (feet)

Layer Thickness3 (inches)

Sheepsfoot or tamping roller 10,000 lb. min. operating weight

ML, MH, CL, CH, SM, SC, GM, GC None 9

Vibratory tamping roller 9,000 lb. min. operating weight SM, SC, GM, GC None 6

Smooth steel drum vibratory roller 10,000 lb. min. SP, SW, GP GW 20 6

Rubber-tired scraper or articulated haul truck (fully loaded)

ML, MH, CL, CH SM, SC, GM, GC None 9

Rubber-tired front end loader (fully loaded)

ML, MH, CL, CH SM, SC, GM, GC 20 6

Track-type crawler standard tracks 30,000 lb. min.

SM, SC, GM, GC, ML, CL, SP, SW, GP, GW 10 6

Farm tractor 2,400 lb. min. ML, MH, CL, CH, SM, SC, GM, GC 15 6

1 Unified Soil Classification System.2 Measured from the top of the fill to the lowest point along the centerline of the fill.3 Prior to compaction.

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