Use of composted waste materials in erosion control

Proceedings of the 2003 Georgia Water Resources Conference, held April 23-24, 2003, at the University of Georgia.The objective of this series of studies was to investigate the use of compost and mulch materials in erosion control and stabilization projects. The first phase of the study looked primarily at the impacts of surface blankets of twelve different compost and mulch materials on solids loss and water quality and found that mulch blankets produced runoff with the lowest solids and nutrient contents. Compost blankets were significantly less erodible than bare soil, and compost maturity seemed to be an important factor as respiration rate was significantly correlated to solids loss. Raw poultry litter produced more runoff and erosion than bare soil and three different poultry litter composts. Effective erosion control strategies must both protect the soil surface and establish and sustain vegetation. The second part of this project looked at the impacts of these same materials on grass establishment and growth. The findings indicated that the compost treatments produced more vegetative biomass and cover than the mulch treatments. The final phase of this study compared four combinations of compost blankets and berms to both bare soil and conventional treatments such as hydroseeding and silt fences. Preliminary results indicate that the use of compost blankets and berms offer significant improvements in water quality through improved erosion control, reduction in nutrient loads and improved the establishment of vegetation. Further analysis is ongoing to document the long term changes in soil quality and vegetation using these treatments. This paper will only report on the first phase of the study due to space limitations

Correlates of physical, psychological, and social frailty among formerly incarcerated, homeless women

Frailty is a deficit accumulation in physical, psychological and social domains. Correlates of frailty were explored among formerly incarcerated, homeless women (N = 130, Mage = 38.9). Significant correlates of physical frailty were age, years homeless, prior violence, witnessing less violence, drug dependence, PTSD symptoms and tangible support. Significant correlates of psychological frailty were age, years homeless, witnessed violence, jail time, divorced less, drug use/dependence, prison time, methamphetamine use, and bodily pain. Significant correlates of social frailty were drug use, emotional regulation, and daily alcohol use. Reentry interventions are needed for formerly incarcerated, homeless women who experience physical, psychological and social frailty

Beef Cattle Production Impacts on Water Quality

Proceedings of the 2001 Georgia Water Resources Conference, April 26 and 27, 2001, Athens, Georgia.Water quality monitoring was begun in March of 1999 on the Redbud Farm near Calhoun, Georgia to evaluate the effects of beef cattle production on water quality. The monitoring network includes streamwater entering and leaving the farm, and sites comparing areas where the cattle have no access to the stream and unrestricted access. Overall water quality during baseflow is good. Average nutrient and sediment concentrations increase where cattle have stream access. Average stormflow concentrations of nutrients and sediment are five to 15 times higher than baseflow concentrations. Preliminary data indicate water quality can be maintained by restricting cattle access to the stream.Sponsored and Organized by: U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of TechnologyThis book was published by the Institute of Ecology, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2202. The views and statements advanced in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not represent official views or policies of The University of Georgia, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Georgia Water Research Institute as authorized by the Water Resources Research Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-397) or the other conference sponsors

Predictors of High Level of Hostility among Homeless Men on Parole.

High levels of hostility present a formidable challenge among homeless ex-offenders. This cross-sectional study assessed correlates of high levels of hostility using baseline data collected on recently-released male parolees (N=472; age 18-60) participating in a randomized trial focused on prevention of illicit drug use and recidivism. Predictors of high levels of hostility included greater depressive symptomatology, lower self-esteem, having a mother who was treated for alcohol/drugs, belonging to a gang, more tangible support, having used methamphetamine and having a history of cognitive difficulties. These findings highlight the need to understand predictors of hostility among recently released homeless men and how these predictors may relate to recidivism. Research implications are discussed as these findings will shape future nurse-led harm reduction and community-based interventions

Impact of an intervention for recently released homeless offenders on self-reported re-arrest at 6 and 12 months.

A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 600 paroled men, homeless prior to incarceration, to assess varying levels of peer-coach and nurse-partnered interventions on re-arrest at 6 and 12 months. Findings revealed that positive predictors of re-arrest at 12 months included having received social support from drug users and non-drug users, as well as having used marijuana at least once a week prior to their most recent incarceration. In terms of protective factors, those who participated in a substance abuse program contract within a residential drug treatment program or spent 90 days or greater in a residential drug treatment program were less likely to have been re-arrested within 12 months

Impact of an intervention for recently released homeless offenders on self-reported re-arrest at 6 and 12 months.

A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 600 paroled men, homeless prior to incarceration, to assess varying levels of peer-coach and nurse-partnered interventions on re-arrest at 6 and 12 months. Findings revealed that positive predictors of re-arrest at 12 months included having received social support from drug users and non-drug users, as well as having used marijuana at least once a week prior to their most recent incarceration. In terms of protective factors, those who participated in a substance abuse program contract within a residential drug treatment program or spent 90 days or greater in a residential drug treatment program were less likely to have been re-arrested within 12 months

Field evaluation of compost and mulches for erosion control

Soil erosion is one of the largest contributors to nonpoint source pollution in Georgia. The use of surface applied organic amendments has been shown to reduce runoff and erosion and improve vegetative establishment on degraded soils such as those common to Georgia. In this study, four types of compost blankets, hydroseed, silt fence, and a bare soil (control) were applied in field test plots. Treatments were seeded with common bermuda grass. Simulated rainfall was applied at an average rate equivalent to a 50 yr one-hour storm event, and runoff samples were collected and analyzed for solids as well as runoff quantity. Three simulated rain events were conducted: immediately after treatment application, at vegetation establishment, and at vegetation maturity. In the short term, compost treatments produced significantly less runoff than the hydroseeded and bare soil plots. All treatments proved better than the control at reducing solids loss. Total solids loads were as much as 350% greater from the hydroseeded plots compared to the composts during the first storm and as much as 36 times greater during the second storm. Vegetative growth and nutrient loss data were also evaluated.Sponsored by: Georgia Environmental Protection Division U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute The University of Georgia, Water Resources Facult

Correlates of Serious Violent Crime for Recently Released Parolees With a History of Homelessness

This study used baseline data on recently-released homeless paroled men who are homeless (N = 157), residing in a residential drug treatment program, and enrolled in a longitudinal study to examine personal, developmental, and social correlates of parolees who are homeless and parolees who have committed serious violent offenses. Having experienced childhood sexual abuse, poor parental relationships, and early-onset incarceration (prior to 21 years of age) were important correlates of serious violent crimes. These findings highlight the need for interventions that address offenders’ prior adult and childhood victimization, and suggest that policies for reentering violent offenders should encompass an understanding of the broader family contexts in which these patterns of maltreatment often occur