Abstract:
A wildlife deterrent for preventing waterfowl egress from bodies of water, said wildlife deterrent consisting of a sheet material, attachment and securing means, where the sheet material is secured in proximity to the shoreline of the body of water.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure pertains to methods and apparatus generally relating to the field of deterrents for nuisance wildlife. More specifically, the present methods and apparatus are directed toward preventing waterfowl from egressing water features which, otherwise, leads to nuisance issues as they graze and defecate on the surrounding grounds. 
         [0003]    2. Statement of the Problem 
         [0004]    Human-animal conflicts and nuisance situations continue to increase around the world and the impact ranges from property damage to bodily injury including fatalities. Conflicts and/or nuisance conditions with federally protected migratory birds have dramatically increased as their population in the United States continues to grow at an alarming rate. By way of example, the Canada goose ( Branta canadensis ) population in North America was estimated at 1.1 million birds in the 1940s. Today, the population has increased to over 6 million birds in the United States alone, many of which no longer migrate during the spring and fall. With this increase also comes an increase in human-goose conflicts. Throughout the country, large populations of resident Canada geese are often considered a nuisance and potential health risk because they foul land and water with their droppings. Recent studies have found bacteria strains associated with human disease in Canada goose feces. Each year thousands of golf courses, parks, airports, backyards, sports fields and even cemeteries are inundated with goose droppings. Golf courses have reported that as many as 10,000 geese invade their course a day, leaving behind as much as 30,000 pounds of droppings. Although many communities want a reduction in resident goose nuisance problems, the use of lethal control of geese is not an acceptable option. Addressing the conflict or nuisance situations generally requires an integrated approach involving multiple mitigation strategies to effectively reduce the impact of the animals in a humane manner. 
         [0005]    A favored habitat for waterfowl and specifically Canada geese, are water features (ponds and lakes) surrounded by grass landscapes. This coincides with the predominate design of parks, golf courses, commercial business developments and common areas of residential subdivisions. Typical water feature designs for these locations have open or unobstructed shorelines to optimize the visibility of water and other reasons to support their intended use, such as to create a suitable golf course hazard. Unfortunately, this makes it impractical to introduce any mitigation or deterrent strategies because the open shoreline permits easy egress for the waterfowl from any point around the shoreline. Many methods have attempted to deter the birds with no success and are either impractical given the amount of shoreline, are unsightly or inhibit the intended use of the area. 
         [0006]    Chemical deterrents are expensive, require repeated application to large areas and have proven to have had limited effectiveness. Fake coyotes or other predator effigies have also proven to be ineffective even when moved frequently as recommended by the manufacturers. Vertical fencing has been used around water feature shorelines but is unsightly, causes ground maintenance issues and creates a new hazard for both people and animals. New deterrent devices have proven effective at deterring geese, such as the Goose Guardian, manufactured by TKO Enterprises, Inc., of Boulder County, Colo. (www.gooseguardian.com), but the open shorelines make it impractical to deploy such devices around the entire perimeter of the water feature. Furthermore, in the case of golf courses, the boundaries of the course most often coincide with the water feature shoreline so the device would need to be placed in fair territory, detracting from the game and irritating players. There is a need to provide an acceptable and effective waterfowl deterrent that prevents or limits egress points around a water feature to function on a standalone basis or in cooperation with other wildlife deterrents. 
         [0007]    Wildlife barriers generally constitute fences or other land-based barriers to inhibit wildlife passage. Examples of such barriers include U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,076 by Hancock-Bogese, et al, titled “Wildlife Barrier”, where the inventors disclose a plastic sheet for fences so that animals cannot climb and, U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,651 by Koljonen, titled “Wildlife Barrier,” shows a fence for preventing alligators and turtles from crossing a boundary between two (land-based) areas. Floating barriers generally relate to containment of contaminates for such events as oil spins. Most barriers float vertically to rise out of the water, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,262, issued to Russo, III, tilted “Oil Containment boom” or, “Floating fence for the collection of liquid impurities as for example oil on a water surface”, U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,214 issued to Nyfeldt, et al. 
         [0008]    Some erosion-control devices are anchored off-shore. U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,561 issued to Holmberg, titled “Shoreline erosion control devices” discloses a device that is anchored near the shoreline. This device floats vertically and is deployed perpendicular to the shore in order to inhibit shore currents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,433 to Holmberg, titled “Shoreline erosion control mat and method of use therefor” discloses a mat with pockets that is anchored below the surface of the water, where the pockets collect sediment from wave action to build up the shore. None of these documents contemplate wildlife deterrence, and would not be suitable for the purpose regardless. 
         [0009]    One wildlife deterrent for water is a commercial product used for industrial waste ponds where the ponds are covered with floating plastic balls, such as those manufactured by Advanced Water Treatment Technologies, LLC of The Dalles, Oreg. This product is advertised for heat retention and wildlife deterrent and states when the balls cover the pond, birds do not recognize it as water so the birds never land. This deterrent differs in that it prevents birds from landing rather than egress from the water. Covering a pond with these plastic balls requires 10 balls per square foot so a pond that is 100 feet by 100 feet requires 100,000 balls. While this may be a practical solution for industrial applications with a secure perimeter, this is completely impractical for parks, golf courses and other public areas, not to mention its rejection by the patrons for esthetic reasons. 
         [0010]    Wildlife deterrence generally requires an integrated approach that combines one or more methods be employed to effectively reduce the human-animal conflict. In the case of waterfowl and geese in particular, there is a need to provide a method and apparatus to restrict egress from water features in a humane and esthetically acceptable manner. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    The present disclosure overcomes the problems with unobstructed shorelines outlined above by providing an unobtrusive, effective and humane water feature shoreline barrier that prevents waterfowl egress from water features. The disclosed system and method consists of a sheet material with attachment points that is secured in proximity to the shoreline of a body of water. The sheet material has sufficient buoyancy to remain about the surface of the water and extends outward from the shoreline and parallel to the water surface to provide a wildlife deterrent that effectively inhibits waterfowl egress from the body of water. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, an aquatic barrier for waterfowl is made of a buoyant sheet material that can be deployed proximate a shoreline. As deployed, the sheet material is secured or anchored to the shoreline by use of stakes, pins, or other anchors buried in the earth. 
         [0013]    In one aspect, a rope, such as a wire rope or fiber rope, may be clamped to the sheet material and deployed permitting the sheet material to follow generally the contour of a shoreline. 
         [0014]    The sheet material is, alternatively staked in a fashion to present a generally concave or convex configuration that follows the shoreline. In one aspect, the stakes may present a smooth outer surface, such that the sheet material rides up and down on the stakes in consequence of wave action in the water. 
         [0015]    In one aspect, the deployed sheet material protects the shoreline from erosion. This function may be facilitated by the action of flaps in the sheet material or porosity that allows water to pass through the sheet material. 
         [0016]    In one aspect, the deployed sheet material includes materials in its construction that provide beneficial microbial and supporting nutrients that improve the water quality where the waterfowl barrier is deployed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a sheet material in continuous form that may be adapted for use as a wildlife barrier as described herein; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows an alternate embodiment of the sheet material in sectional form; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 3   a - c  show an elevation profile view of the sheet material detailing acceptable buoyancy characteristics of sheet material when deployed on a shoreline, wherein  FIG. 3   a  shows buoyancy at a first level,  FIG. 3   b  shows buoyancy at a second level, and  FIG. 3   c  shows buoyancy at a third level; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows the roll form of the sheet material in shipping configuration; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows structure for securing the sheet material to the shoreline according to one embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show the sheet material in the deployed configuration according to respective embodiments; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a level drawing of the preferred embodiment in the deployed configuration. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 - 8 ′ of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0025]      FIGS. 9   a - d  show alternate embodiments for joining sheet material sections, wherein  FIG. 9   a  shows a first embodiment  FIG. 9   b  shows a second embodiment,  FIG. 9   c  shows a third embodiment, and  FIG. 9   d  shows a fourth embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a system level drawing showing the deployed configuration of the sheet material alternate embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 ′- 11 ′ of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is an elevation profile view of the sheet material subjected to wave action when deployed in a body of water. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a sheet material  102  that may be used according to the instrumentalities described herein. The sheet material  102  may be made of a variety of materials, including a combination of different materials, to achieve the desired performance parameters described herein. The preferred embodiment has the sheet material  102  constructed from barley straw, wheat or rice chaff, coconut fiber, jute or other organic material that may be fashioned into a sheet-like form, in combination with a variety of methods that permit the organic material to retain its sheet-like shape. By way of example, the organic material may be formed into a sheet material using photo biodegradable netting, organic and plastic netting, geo-textile or other fabric material, weaving or sewing with suitable thread or a combination of these techniques. Examples of this type of material may be purchased on commercial order, such as the material found in erosion control mats including products manufactured by Granite Environmental of Sebastian, Fla. Other methods are contemplated by using a liquid binding agent that cures to form an organic sheet material. 
         [0030]    The netting along edge  104  provides attachment points through which stakes or anchors (not shown) may be placed for securing the sheet material  102  in place on a shoreline. For additional floatation and stiffness, foam strips  364 ,  374  may be optionally added at intervals oriented in parallel or perpendicularly to the edge  104 . Additional layers may be optionally added, for example, as shown below in  FIG. 11 . By way of example, an additional layer of organic material followed by a layer of netting may complete a layered construction. This layered configuration is then bound together using a variety of suitable means, such as stitching, weaving, heat staking, bound underlayer or other methods similar to cable ties or baling wire. The layered configuration may also be bound using a liquid binding agent that, once cured, adheres the components together. The binding method is applied such that the foam inserts  364 ,  374  are captured in place so they remain in their selected positions. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  provides an alternate embodiment where the sheet material or mat  202  is constructed from non-organic materials, such as polyurethane foam, closed cell foam, other foam forms, nylon, polyester, various forms of rubber, or any other fabric like material with suitable sheet-like characteristics. In particular, polyethylene foam has a very low water absorption rate, remains flexible over a wide range of temperatures and has high tensile characteristic to resist tearing. The foam is commercially available in roll form down to thicknesses of ⅛″ that provides sufficient buoyance at a favorable cost. Other foams are possible but closed-cell polyethylene foam offers the preferred solution. A reinforced edge  210  on the long dimension  208  includes attachment points  212 , which may further be coupled at adjacent edges  214 . Further alternate embodiments for sheet material  202  include construction from plastics, wood products, rubber or any other material that may be fashioned into a sheet-like form to achieve the desired performance parameters described herein. The preferred embodiment of the sheet material however, is made of a recyclable material and has the quality of a “green” product, which minimizes its impact on the environment. 
         [0032]    The sheet material  102 ,  202  is buoyant and preferably flexible enough to mirror the contour of the water surface and remain semi-submerged at the surface level given its buoyancy characteristics or specific gravity, as shown in  FIG. 3   a - c . In  FIG. 3   a , sheet material  312 , which for example may be sheet material  102  or  202 , is bisected by the water surface  310  such that a first portion  314  of the sheet material  312  is above the surface of the water and a second portion  316  is below while the sheet material remains in proximity to shoreline  305 . Utilizing partial water saturation of the sheet material assists in maintaining it in its deployed position and minimizes the attachment and installation requirements. This semi-submerged state allows the material to be as unobtrusive as possible and resistant to wind shear that could, otherwise, flip the sheet material over onto the shore to become ineffective as a shoreline barrier. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3   b  shows another embodiment where the top plane  330  of sheet material  312  is coincident with the water surface  310 , which is also an acceptable condition. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3   c , the bottom plane  332  of sheet material  312  is coincident with the water surface, which is less desirable however, it provides an acceptable condition provided the sheet material  312  is constructed with the appropriate materials of sufficient weight that wind shear will not flip it out of the water and onto the shore  305 . A weighting material, such as sand or crushed rock, may also be added during manufacture of foam products to vary the density for the various flotation depths as described above in accordance with Archimedes&#39; principle of buoyancy. Other construction options include using nylon bird netting that is stretched tight and selectively coated with spray on foam that adheres to the netting or, closed cell foam in combination with a cotton or polyester batting adhered or stitched together. By way of example, in this configuration the foam provides the buoyancy for the sheet material to remain on or near the surface and the batting becomes saturated with water to provide the ballast to the sheet material to hold it in place when subjected to wind shear or surface disruption. When using the preferred organic material, it may be required to add additional components to maintain the required buoyance over extended periods of time as the organic material becomes fully saturated with water. 
         [0034]    To accomplish this according to one embodiment, the present disclosure contemplates a layered construction of the sheet material as given in  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of sheet material  102  taken along line  11 ′- 11 ′ of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 11  shows the sheet material construction consisting of a first layer of netting  1100 , followed by a layer of organic material  1104 , where the spacing between the components in the figure are exaggerated for clarity. Next is a strip of foam  1106  that provides additional buoyance, where the preferred foam material is of the closed cell type, such as polyethylene foam. The layered configuration of the sheet material  102  may be assembled as individual cut sheets forming the respective layers  1104 ,  1106 ,  1107  shown in  FIG. 11 , or else the sheet material  102  is optionally folded  1110  to form layers  1104 ,  1107  while encasing the foam insert  1106 . The same binding methods can be used for either assembly technique. 
         [0035]    In the intended environment of use, sheet material  102 / 202  is designed to lay flat about the surface of a body of water  310 , and parallel to and in close proximity to the shoreline  305 . Sheet material  102 / 202  provides attachment points along edge  104  as an integral feature that preferably is an aperture made in the sheet without the need for additional support around the aperture. The attachment points along edge  104  and  212  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) may be limited to a single side of the sheet material  102 ,  202 , along one of the long dimensional  104 ,  208  edges. It is contemplated however, that in different embodiments the attachment points may be provided along the other edges including both long dimensional  104 ,  208  edges and/or on either of the short side dimensions  214 . The attachment point  212  as shown through edge  104  is identified for illustrative purposes since the preferred embodiment allows for attachment points to be anywhere along sheet material  102 , either using existing features created during manufacturing or by piercing the sheet material  102 ,  202  at the time the sheet material is installed. 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, the sheet material  102 / 202  is fabricated as a continuous roll form that is about twenty-four (24) inches wide in the short dimension  214 . The roll may be cut to particular lengths for shoreline coverage, depending on the shoreline configuration. Other widths are contemplated, with the width being a function of composition, manufacturability and performance, as an effective waterfowl barrier as described herein.  FIG. 4  shows a rolled configuration  430  of the continuous form of the sheet material that has been cut into a convenient length and rolled up for shipment and delivery. Example lengths of  430  include 25, 50 or 100 foot rolls, where the final roll length is a function of weight, size and customer choice. Alternately, the continuous manufactured roll form of the sheet material may be cut into shorter section lengths for shipment and delivery, such as 4, 8 or 16 foot sections as shown by  202  in  FIG. 2  and either rolled or stacked in bundles. 
         [0037]    The sheet material  102 / 202  may be secured to the shoreline  305  by multiple means, as described below.  FIG. 5  shows one such embodiment where cable clamps  533 ,  534  are positioned along edges  104  or  210  (See  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). A rope, wire, elastic cord or other line material  545  is fed through the cable clamps  533 / 534 , for example, as shown in cross-section in  FIG. 8 . Fastener  836  connects the cable clamp  534  to the sheet material  102 .  FIG. 7  shows the deployment for this configuration, where the line material  545  is placed under tension when connected to anchors  738 / 740  along the length of the sheet material  102 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the anchors  738 / 740  are approximately tangential to the shoreline  305 , thereby accommodating minor or random directional changes corresponding to variations in the shoreline  305 . This approach has the advantage of quick installation and removal for an area where the shoreline  305  is used by people during portion of the day for egress to and from the water, such as a beach or other recreational area. 
         [0038]    Depending on the selected sheet material  102 ,  202 , a variety of methods are possible for providing attachment points. The preferred embodiment is where the production of the sheet material  102  and the material(s) used to fabricate it results in the formation of attachment points along one of the long-dimensional edges  104 ,  208 . For example, when netting  1100  is used in combination to form an organic sheet material as given in  FIG. 11 , the netting  1100  may extend beyond the organic material  1104  along one of the long dimensional  208  edges to form a continuous sequence of possible attachment points. A stake-anchor  620  may be used to secure the sheet material using attachment points, such as attachment point  212 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2   6   a  and  6   b . Alternately, if the sheet material  202  consists of a solid surface and has sufficient structural integrity, then the anchor  620  may penetrate directly through the sheet material  102 / 202  without reinforcement. Holes for this may be made either at the time of manufacture or during installation of the sheet material  102 / 202  in the field by piercing the sheet material as it is being installed. 
         [0039]    For use where the selected sheet material  102 / 202  does not have sufficient structural integrity or rigidity to withstand the combined stress of surface disturbances and other environmental forces relative to its weight, including any water saturated portions,  FIG. 6   b  shows a grommet-reinforced attachment point  212  in the sheet material  202 . For example, if the selected sheet material is an open cell foam, given its weight when partially saturated with water, the attachment points are likely to require grommet reinforcement as shown in  FIG. 6   b  by attachment point  212 . This reinforcement is alternatively accomplished by bonding or stitching a fabric, vinyl or other similar material to the sheet material  102 / 202  for additional structural integrity in the area where the attachment point  212  is located. This may either be a localized addition to the sheet material  202  or may be added to the entire long dimension  208  where the attachment points  212  are located. If additional structural integrity is desired, the reinforcement material may be added to the entire perimeter of the sheet material and/or bisect its central region. 
         [0040]    Securing the sheet material  102 / 202  in proximity to the shoreline  305  requires a component of the system and method to be fixed to the earth, which is hereinafter referred to as a securing means, such as stake or pin anchor  620  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The anchor  620  is provided by any well-known method for anchoring sheet material to the earth such as stakes of wood or metal, ground anchors, submersible weights (i.e. concrete blocks), or other methods for fixing the sheet material  102 / 202  in position. The preferred method is to use metal stakes such as a length of rebar, landscape stakes, landscape fabric staples or other metal forms intended to be driven into the ground, as shown by the anchor  620  in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0041]    In one embodiment, the anchors  620  are smooth rods that have a smaller diameter than the attachment points, such as grommet  212  so that the attachment points can slide freely along the length of the anchor  620 . The configuration allows the sheet material  102 / 202  to move freely up and down via the attachment point  212  so that the sheet material remains about the surface of the water  310  as the water level changes due to waves or changing volume of the body of water. This system feature prevents elevation changes of the weighted sheet material  102 ,  202  from stressing the attachment points and causing a premature failure, provided there is sufficient slack between the anchor points to accommodate this vertical motion without binding the sheet material  102 / 202 . In the case of waves impacting the shoreline, the elevation changes otherwise occur very rapidly and may produce a high level of stress on the attachment points, such as grommet  212 . 
         [0042]    There exist other methods of securing the sheet material  102 / 202  to a fixed location while permitting the material freedom of movement to accommodate variations in the level of the water feature. This includes, for example, a response to surface disruptions (i.e. waves) without breaking free or damaging the sheet material  102 / 202 . As shown above, one embodiment is for the anchor  620  to feed directly through the attachment points  212  to minimize the complexity and provide the simplest installation. For example, when using netted organic sheet material with the netting extending along one edge  104 , a length of rod  620  may be inserted through the netting  1100  and driven into the ground to secure the sheet material  102  in proximity to the shoreline  305  as shown in  FIG. 6   a . Alternate embodiments for connecting the attachment points  212  of the sheet material  102 / 202  to the anchor  620  include using baling wire, band clamps, plastic wire ties or similar fastening methods that pass through the attachment points  212  and connect to the anchor  620 . In another embodiment, using the preferred form of the sheet material  102 , cable clamps  534  may be added to the attachment points  212  for support of a guy wires, ropes or elastic cords  545 . 
         [0043]    When deploying the preferred form of the sheet material  102  with the preferred continuous sequence of attachment points  212 , the sheet material  430  is un-rolled and set along the shoreline  305 . The sheet material  102 / 202  is slid onto the water surface  310  and secured using a stake for anchor  620  through the extended netting material  1100  that creates attachment point  212 . Stake anchors  620  may be placed at various points and is preferably placed at any shoreline features necessitating directional changes in the layout of sheet material  102 / 202  so that it remains in proximity to the shoreline. Proximity includes the sheet material  102 / 202  attachment edge within a predetermined distance, such as one foot in either direction from the water&#39;s edge, such that the anchor  620  is on dry land or, the anchor  620  is approximately within one foot of the water&#39;s edge, such that the sheet material  102 / 202  is floating and the anchor  620  is in the water. In the latter configuration, the length of anchor  620  that extends above the surface of the water is greater than the maximum wave height of the body of water or else the anchor  620  is affixed with a cap that has a diameter larger than the attachment point  212  to prevent the sheet material from coming free of the anchor  620 . 
         [0044]    As referenced above in  FIG. 7 , an anchor  738  is used at each end of the roll form of the sheet material  102 / 430  and preferably also at shoreline discontinuities to re-direct the sheet material  102  to remain in proximity to the shoreline  305 . Where the shoreline  305  discontinuities are minor, the sheet material  102  may absorb the change of direction without modifying the sheet material  102 . For larger discontinuities, the sheet material  102  may be cut so that the sheet material  102  remains flat on the surface of the water  310 . If the discontinuity requires the sheet material  102  to change directions toward the body of water, which is the predominate situation for smaller water features, cutting and re-directing with anchors  740  will cause the sheet material  102 / 202  to overlap at the discontinuity. If the change of direction is away from the body of water, a gap will result at the discontinuity. It is not required to cut all the way through the sheet material  102  such that at least of portion remains contiguous however, in some instances it may be preferred to cut the sheet material  102  completely and then secure the two sections together using anchor  620 . 
         [0045]    The diagrams in  FIGS. 9   a - d  are provided using the alternate embodiment where the sheet material  202  is produced in shorter, pre-cut sections rather than roll form. If the sheet material is provided in, for example, manageable eight foot long sections, it is contemplated that multiple sheets will be used for a single installation for effective deterrence of waterfowl. The possible configurations for this approach are shown in  FIG. 9   a - d  where  FIG. 9   a  diagrams a common shore-side attachment point  212  for shore-line curvature toward  924  the surface of water  310  or curvature away  925  from the surface of water  310 . Similarly,  FIG. 9   b  shows a common water-side point for curvature toward  926  and away  927  from the surface of water  310 . The configuration of  FIG. 9   b  where the curvature of the shoreline is away  927  from the surface of the water  310  requires sheet material  202  to be pierced to support insertion of anchor  620  (not shown).  FIG. 9   c  presents separate attachment points  212  for curvature toward  928  and away  929  from the surface of water  310 . Lastly,  FIG. 9   d  shows a butt joint  906  where the sheet material has been trimmed. The sheets may be overlapped to provide a continuous barrier along the shore or may be trimmed so that the two ends of the sheet form a butt joint. The dimensional integrity of the sheets will maintain this butt joint to form a continuous barrier or alternately, the two ends of the sheets may be fastened together using well-known methods. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 9   a - d  also apply to the preferred continuous roll form of the sheet material  102 , for example, in 100 foot sections, and the sheet material may be cut to specific lengths as may be required for a particular location. Given the continuous availability of attachment points  212 , the roll form of the sheet material  102  may be cut to any desired length. The various embodiments of  FIGS. 9   a - 9   d  may be used in any combination in a single installation, as shown by way of example in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0047]    A further improvement provided by the present disclosure is where the aquatic waterfowl barrier is used to improve the water quality of the water feature where it&#39;s deployed. Many smaller water features that attract waterfowl, where they subsequently create a nuisance in the surrounding terrain, often have water quality issues. The water quality issues are the result of extensive waterfowl presence, changing weather conditions and low rates of fresh water circulation, which results in an accumulation of organic material and a chemistry imbalance generally related to algae population. Poor water quality impacts water clarity, stifles population of other marine animals and often causes the water feature to emit offensive odors. As mentioned above, barley straw was identified as a possible organic material for production of the sheet material  102  and research has shown that as barley straw decomposes, it emits a natural algal growth inhibitor. There are organic and inorganic agents that may be introduced to the water feature to promote the biodegradation process and improve water quality. One such organic additive treatment is the combination of beneficial microbial and supporting nutrients, produced by BioLynceus, LLC in Estes Park, Colo. The proprietary substance is a combination of materials manufactured by BioLynceus repopulates the naturally occurring microbes and digestive enzymes in a body of water to restore the environmental balance necessary for a healthy ecosystem. The substance consists of live cultures which contain a composite of micro-organism, (aerobic, facultative and anaerobic), amino acids, nutrients and polysaccharides. Other combinations are contemplated and commercially available and any substance that is non-pathogenic and non-toxic is preferred however, substances that violate these characteristics are also acceptable. These materials and others like them may be used to treat the sheet material prior to installation so that the sheet material will promote the health of the water feature while deterring waterfowl from egressing it. 
         [0048]    Yet a further advantage of the present disclosure is shoreline erosion control through wave dissipation. Using the sheet material  102  of the preferred embodiment, where the sheet material  102  is constructed from organic material  1104  using netting  1100 , water is able to flow through the material.  FIG. 12  shows an approaching wave  1200 , where a portion of the wave volume passes through the sheet material  102 , which dissipates some of the wave energy and reduces the amount of deflection experienced by the sheet material  102 .  FIG. 12  also shows the netting  1100  that forms attachment point  212  on anchor  620  rising upwardly to relieve the stress caused by the wave. The use of foam strips  364 ,  374  layered between the organic material  1100  and netting  1104  reduces the volume of water that passes through the sheet material and contributes to the level of rise upon anchor  620  but, nonetheless, still dissipates a portion of the incoming wave energy. This action effectively dampens the wave energy and reduces the shoreline impact energy thereby providing an effective shoreline erosion control method. 
         [0049]    In the alternate embodiment, where the sheet material  202  is constructed from a solid piece of material, such as sheet foam, semi-circle  225 / 226  or other shaped vents in the sheet material  202  allows water pass through the sheet to partially dissipate the wave energy. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of a semi-circle shape, the curved portion  227  of the shape is cut to form a flap and the straight side  228  of the semi-circle remains attached to foam sheet material at a location remote from the edge  210  with the attachment points  212 . Thus, when added to the sheet material, the straight side  228  of the semi-circle faces toward the surface of water  310  and the curved part faces toward the shoreline  305 . As the wave arrives at this configuration of the sheet material  202 , a portion of the wave volume passes through the vents and effectively dissipates a portion of the wave energy. This configuration has reduced wave damping action compared to the method described above, but still effectively dampens the wave energy and reduces the shoreline impact energy thereby providing an effective shoreline erosion control method. 
         [0050]    Those skilled in the art will understand that the preferred embodiments, as hereinabove described, may be subjected to apparent modifications without departing from the true scope and spirit of the disclosed invention. The inventor, accordingly, hereby state his intention to rely upon the Doctrine of Equivalents, in order to protect his full rights in the disclosed invention.