Do erosion control and snakes mesh?

Excerpt

In the battle to curb soil erosion and sedimentation, numerous techniques and products for controlling erosion and sedimentation have been developed and are being implemented. Rolled erosion control products, such as temporary erosion control blankets and permanent turf reinforcement mats, represent one type of erosion control product that has been used extensively. The rolled products use stitching and net-like mesh fabrics made of various materials (plastic, nylon, twine, etc.) to hold materials (straw, coconut husk, jute, wood, polypropylene, etc.), which serve as an organic matrix to retain soil moisture, promote seed germination, and disperse erosion causing energy from raindrop impact and water runoff. Even though the rolled products have proven their value in erosion prevention and control, potential problems associated with their use were discovered on a project implemented to restore Carolina bay depressional wetlands in South Carolina. We found that the products are a hazard to snakes and possibly other wildlife and suggest the products need a smaller mesh size.

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Savannah River Site in west-central South Carolina contains approximately 350 Carolina bays. Nearly, two-thirds of the bays were degraded or destroyed prior to federal acquisition of the land. …