The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) has named James H. Dooley, P.E., ASABE fellow, recipient of the 2008 ASABE Rain Bird Engineering Concept of the Year Award. The award, endowed by Rain Bird Intl., honors an engineer or engineering team for a unique contribution to developing or advancing a new engineering concept. The award was presented July 2 at the 2008 ASABE Annual International Meeting in Providence, R.I.
Dooley, co-founder and chief technology officer of Forest Concepts LLC, Auburn, Wash., was honored for WoodStraw wood-strand erosion control material. He was challenged by state and federal agencies to create a wood-based replacement for agricultural straw to control erosion associated with municipal watersheds, restoration of land burned in wildfires and road construction and removal. Dooley organized a program of research to understand surface erosion in a way that enabled the design of new erosion control materials.
From the research data, a millimeter-scaled surface water hydrology model was constructed that led to the general specifications for WoodStraw. In addition to controlling erosion, the material boasts a long functional life, resistance to wind and interlocking strands to cling to steep slopes. Additionally, it is naturally weed-free.
