MLRA REGION 10 NEWSLETTER\--APRIL 1, 2000

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# MICHIGAN'S EQUIPMENT LIMITATIONS ON WOODLAND NOW A NASIS REPORT

For the past 10 to 15 years Michigan has included a special forestry
table in all soil survey manuscripts entitled "Equipment Limitations On
Woodland". The format of this table was developed through consultation
with private, state and federal forestry interests in Michigan and has
been well received.

The table lists the interpretative ratings of soils for Logging Areas &
Skid Trails, Log Landings and Haul Roads for the most limiting time of
year. It then lists the preferred operating season or seasons when
logging operations can best be accomplished, and then shows the
interpretative ratings for the preferred operating season.

For years this table had to be hand generated, as it was not a standard
table. This created real potential for causing errors and
inconsistencies when the table was filled in from one county to the
next.

We have now created a report on both the MO 10 and 11 NASIS sites called
"MANU -- Michigan Equip. Operability (FINAL)" which will generate this
report through the NASIS Interpretation Generator. Other states who have
large acreage's of forestland and with users interested in forestry
interpretations may want to look at this table. A copy of an example
output is below.

Getting this report to format in the way we wanted it was a real
challenge and I would like to thank Gary Spivack at Ft. Collins for
helping me out with the final hurdles.

Bill Frederick

Michigan State Office

\* \* \* \* \*

BARAGA COUNTY AREA, MICHIGAN Print date: 03/08/2000

Equipment Limitations On Woodland

(The information in this table indicates the dominant soil condition but
does not eliminate the need

for onsite investigation. See text for further explanation of ratings in
this table.)

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\| \| \|

\|Rating class and limiting features for\| Preferred \|Rating class and
limiting features for

\| most limiting season(s) \| operating \| preferred operating
seasons(s)

\| \| season(s) \|

\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|
\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\| \| \| \| \| \| \|

Map symbol \| Haul Roads \|Log Landings\| Logging \| \| Haul Roads \|Log
Landings\| Logging

and soil name \| \| \| areas and \| \| \| \| areas and

\| \| \| skid roads \| \| \| \| skid roads

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

15B: \| \| \| \| \| \| \|

Champion\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--\|Poorly \|Moderately \|Moderately \|Summer,
\|Well suited \|Well suited \|Well suited

\|suited \|well suited \|well suited \|winter. \| \| \|

\| Wetness \| Strength \| Strength \| \| \| \|

\| limitation \| limitation \| limitation \| \| \| \|

\| (severe) \| (moderate) \| (moderate) \| \| \| \|

\| \| Wetness \| Wetness \| \| \| \|

\| \| limitation \| limitation \| \| \| \|

\| \| (moderate) \| (moderate) \| \| \| \|

\| \| \| \| \| \| \|

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

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NASIS REPORTS UPDATE

**Lynn DesLauriers, SDQS**

**Region 10 MLRA Office**

This is to update all of you on changes and additions to the reports in
NASIS.

-   The *Region 10 Map Unit Generator* and the *Region 10 General Map
    Unit Generator* reports have been modified to display the months of
    ponding, flooding, and wet soil moisture status horizontally instead
    of vertically which makes the report cleaner looking and somewhat
    shorter.

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-   The *Region 10 Map Unit Generator* and the *Region 10 General Map
    Unit Generator* reports have been modified to allow the display of
    full data for all components or for only major components. Due to
    this change you now need to populate the field *Major component* in
    the component table. Populate *yes* for major components and *no*
    for minor components.

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-   The *Region 10 Map Unit Generator* and the *Region 10 General Map
    Unit Generator* reports have also been modified to allow for the
    population of landform in either the *component geomorphic
    description* or the *component text* tables. The *kind* field in the
    component text table needs to be populated with *miscellaneous
    notes* and the *category* needs to be populated with *landform* and
    you can then populate the landform name in the text editor as you
    wish. This will allow more flexibility in landform population.
    Separate rows should be populated in the component text table for
    each unique landform that you want if you want multiple landforms
    for a component.

-   The *Region 10 Map Unit Generator* and the *Region 10 General Map
    Unit Generator* reports have been modified to allow for the
    selection of more than one representative texture in the horizon
    texture group table. This will allow you to populate and display in
    the miniprofile description more than one texture for soils with a
    B/E or a E and Bt horizon, without the horizon being displayed more
    than once.

-   The *Region 10 Forest Haul Road Considerations, Region 10 Forest
    Land Harvest Equipment Considerations, and Region 10 Forest Log
    Landing* consideration reports have been modified so that they
    ignore the organic *duff* layer horizon for some considerations. In
    addition, the slope criteria for the *Region 10 Forest Log Landing*
    consideration report has been changed so that slope becomes a
    consideration when the component slope (rv) is greater than 6
    percent. This slope change is based on feedback from field soil
    scientists.

The manuscript procedure manual and prewritten material have been
updated to reflect changes in the Region 10 reports. You can download
updates to these documents on the Region 10 website at
<http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/mo10/mo10.html>.

Some of you may have noticed older versions of the map unit generator
and other reports that have "*test"* in the name. These reports should
not be used. They have been developed for testing purposes only or for
archiving previous versions. The only reports that should be used for
manuscript generation are reports with a name beginning with *Region
10.*

Currently, there is a problem with populating windbreak heights in the
*component potential windbreak* table. Heights in feet need to be
converted to heights to the nearest whole meter, which means that they
need to be rounded. Thus, when the windbreak height report is generated
in NASIS, some species may not appear in the proper height group. The
solution would be to allow for the population of species height to
tenths of a meter. I notified the NASIS programmers about this problem
and they have agreed to make this change in the next full release of
NASIS. When that takes place, I will be modifying the Region 10
Windbreak and Environmental Plantings report to accommodate tenths of a
meter.

Some of you have been using the NASIS national interpretations with
fuzzy logic numbers. The only interpretations that are still not
available are *Water Management*. Bob Nielsen is planning to have these
interpretations available in May. Please continue to test these
interpretations to verify that they work properly. We have already
encountered problems and have forwarded these problems to Bob.

**I would like to emphasize that you should always review the output
from any report in NASIS to verify that there are no problems with the
reports or the soil data.**

If you have problems please contact:

Lynn DesLauriers, SDQS

Phone: (651) 602-7864

Email: <lynn.deslauriers@mn.usda.gov>

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**VALUATION 2000 CONFERENCE**

The largest gathering of NRCS\' resource information customers,
especially regarding soil survey, may be at the business, education, and
networking conference sponsored by the American Society of Appraisers,
American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, and the
Appraisal Institute. The conference's focus will be on environmental
concerns and their impact on valuation, technology in valuation and its
use, employment, regulatory concerns, trends, and other unique valuation
problems. The dates are July 10-13; the place is Las Vegas, Nevada.

For more information, see <http://www.val2000.org/>

## From: NRCS This Week

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### **CABLES AND PIPES AND WIRES\...OH MY**

Field season is fast approaching, and may have even arrived in some
parts of MLRA Region 10. In your preparations for mapping, transecting,
and other field work involving digging, have you ensured your safety?

More and more utilities are being placed underground, sometimes in
remote and obscure locations. Sites can have underground cables,
pipelines, or wires that you may not know about; in some places, there
are no obvious surface features that would indicate that there is an
underground utility.

One contact with an electrical cable or a gas pipe can have fatal
results. You (or your estate) are liable for damages. Cutting through a
simple phone wire can cost \$700 or more for repairs.

Utility companies maintain detailed information on the locations of
their underground equipment. They will arrange to have all underground
utility equipment marked to

prevent you from accidentally cutting an underground cable or pipeline.
Their contact addresses and phone numbers can usually be found in your
phone book.

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**NRCS MD SOIL SCIENTIST RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD**

Dr. George Demas, a soil scientist in Worcester County, Maryland, was
awarded

the 1999 Emil Truog Award by the Soil Science Society of America. The
award

is presented to one Ph.D. student each year in the United States whose

dissertation significantly advanced soil science. George received his
award

at the American Society of Agronomy\'s annual meeting.

George\'s research showed that soil-forming processes were active in
shallow

water sediments. With that research, he co-authored the new national

definition of soil in \"Soil Taxonomy\"; the definition now includes
subaqueous

soils that support rooted submersed aquatic vegetation. He also
developed a

subaqueous soil mapping protocol for use in permanent underwater
estuarine

environments for the development of subaqueous soil surveys. Presently,

George is applying his techniques for the development of a subaqueous
soil

survey of the Delaware Inland Bays and Maryland Coastal Bays.
Previously,

George was recognized by Secretary Glickman with the USDA Honor Award

for Scientific Research. Your contact is Carol Hollingsworth, NRCS State

Public Affairs Specialist, on (410) 757-0861x313.

From: NRCS This Week

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**NASIS GENERATED INTERPRETATIONS FOR MANUSCRIPTS**

Update from MO16

We presently have NASIS Interpretation Reports for the following uses:

Building Site Development

Recreational Development

Sanitary Facilities

Construction Materials and Excavating

Wildlife Habitat Suitability

Water Management

Waste Management

Forest Land Management

The reports differ from the NSSC version, in that we have expanded the

reports to 5 rating classes as illustrated below. The restrictive terms

closely resemble those in the NSH. The reports can be generated with or

without the numeric values. Included below is an example of how the

prewritten material would appear in the publication if numeric values

are used. The prewritten material is available for all the reports.

Interpretive Ratings

The interpretive tables in this survey rate the soils in the survey

area for various uses. Many of the tables identify the limitations that

affect specified uses and indicate the severity of those limitations.

The ratings in these tables are both verbal and numerical.

Rating Class Terms

Rating classes are expressed in the tables in terms that indicate

the extent to which the soils are limited or not limited by all of the

soil features that affect a specified use. Terms for the limitation

classes are *not limited, slightly limited, moderately limited,*

*limited*, and *very limited*.

Numerical Ratings

Numerical ratings in the tables indicate the severity of individual

limitations. They also indicate the overall degree to which a soil is

limited or not limited for a specific use. The numerical ratings are

shown as decimal fractions ranging from 0.00 to 1.00. Limitation

classes are assigned as follows:

Not limited\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--0.00

Slightly limited\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--0.01 to 0.30

Moderately limited\-\-\-\-\--0.31 to 0.60

Limited\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--0.61 to 0.99

Very limited\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--1.00

The numerical ratings used to express the severity of individual

limitations indicate gradations between the point at which a soil

feature has the greatest negative impact on the use and the point at

which the soil feature is not a limitation.

In tables that use limitation class terms, such as *very limited*

or *limited*, etc. , limitation ratings and numerical ratings are

shown for each soil feature listed. As many as three soil features may

be listed for each soil component if applicable. The overall limitation

rating for the soil component is based on the most severe limitation.

Building Site Development

Soil properties influence the development of building sites,

including the selection of the site, the design of the structure,

construction, performance after construction, and maintenance. Table \*
\*

shows the degree and kind of soil limitations that affect dwellings with

and without basements, small commercial buildings, local roads and

streets, and lawns and landscaping.

The ratings in the table are both verbal and numerical. Rating class

terms indicate the extent to which the soils are limited by all of the

soil features that affect building site development. *Not limited*

indicates that the soil has features that are very favorable for the

specified use. Good performance and very low maintenance can be

expected. *Slightly limited* indicates that the soil has features

that are favorable for the specified use. The limitations are minor and

can be easily overcome. Good performance and low maintenance can be

expected. *Moderately limited* indicates that the soil has features

that are moderately favorable for the specified use. The limitations can

be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or installation.

Fair performance and moderate maintenance can be expected.

*Limited* indicates the soil has one or more features that are

significant limitations for the specified use. The limitations can be

overcome, but generally require special design, soil reclamation, or

installation procedures which may result in additional expense. Fair

performance and moderate to high maintenance can be expected. *Very*

*limited* indicates that the soil has one or more features that are

unfavorable for the specified use. The limitations generally cannot be

overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or expensive

installation procedures. Poor performance and high maintenance can be

expected.

Numerical ratings in the tables indicate the severity of individual

limitations. The numerical ratings are shown as decimal fractions

ranging from 0.00 to 1.00. Limitation classes are assigned as follows:

Not limited\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--0.00

Slightly limited\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--0.01 to 0.30

Moderately limited\-\-\-\-\--0.31 to 0.60

Limited\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--0.61 to 0.99

Very limited\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--1.00

The numerical ratings used to express the severity of individual

limitations indicate gradations between the point at which a soil

feature has the greatest negative impact on the use and the point at

which the soil feature is not a limitation.

Limitation class terms, such as *very limited* or *limited*,

etc., and numerical ratings are shown for each soil feature listed.

As many as three soil features may be listed for each soil component if

applicable. The overall limitation class for the soil component is

based on the most severe limitation.

*Dwellings* are single-family houses of three stories or less. For

dwellings without basements, the foundation is assumed to consist of

spread footings of reinforced concrete built on undisturbed soil at a

depth of 2 feet or at the depth of maximum frost penetration, whichever

is deeper. For dwellings with basements, the foundation is assumed to

consist of spread footings of reinforced concrete built on undisturbed

soil at a depth of about 7 feet. The ratings for dwellings are based on

the soil properties that affect the capacity of the soil to support a

load without movement and on the properties that affect excavation and

construction costs. The properties that affect the load-supporting

capacity include a water table, ponding, flooding, subsidence, linear

extensibility (shrink-swell potential), and compressibility.

Compressibility is inferred from the Unified classification. The

properties that affect the ease and amount of excavation include a water

table, ponding, flooding, slope, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan,

hardness of bedrock or a cemented pan, and the amount and size of rock

fragments.

*Small commercial buildings* are structures that are less than three

stories high and do not have basements. The foundation is assumed to

consist of spread footings of reinforced concrete built on undisturbed

soil at a depth of 2 feet or at the depth of maximum frost penetration,

whichever is deeper. The ratings are based on the soil properties that

affect the capacity of the soil to support a load without movement and

on the properties that affect excavation and construction costs. The

properties that affect the load-supporting capacity include a water

table, ponding, flooding, subsidence, linear extensibility (shrink-swell

potential), and compressibility (which is inferred from the Unified

classification). The properties that affect the ease and amount of

excavation include flooding, a water table, ponding, slope, depth to

bedrock or a cemented pan, hardness of bedrock or a cemented pan, and

the amount and size of rock fragments.

*Local roads and streets* have an all-weather surface and carry

automobile and light truck traffic all year. They have a subgrade of cut

or fill soil material; a base of gravel, crushed rock, or soil material

stabilized by lime or cement; and a surface of flexible material

(asphalt), rigid material (concrete), or gravel with a binder. The

ratings are based on the soil properties that affect the ease of

excavation and grading and the traffic-supporting capacity. The

properties that affect the ease of excavation and grading are depth to

bedrock or a cemented pan, hardness of bedrock or a cemented pan, a

water table, ponding, flooding, the amount of large stones, and slope.

The properties that affect the traffic-supporting capacity are soil

strength (as inferred from the AASHTO group index number), subsidence,

linear extensibility (shrink-swell potential), the potential for frost

action, a water table, and ponding.

*Lawns and landscaping* require soils on which turf and ornamental

trees and shrubs can be established and maintained. Irrigation is not

considered in the ratings. The ratings are based on the soil properties

that affect plant growth and trafficability after vegetation is

established. The properties that affect plant growth are reaction; a

water table; ponding; depth to bedrock or a cemented pan; the available

water capacity in the upper 40 inches; the content of salts, sodium, or

calcium carbonate; and sulfidic materials. The properties that affect

trafficability are flooding, a water table, ponding, slope, stoniness,

and the amount of sand, clay, or organic matter in the surface layer.

The reports can be accessed by logging in as \"nasisclient\" and are
found

under options, standard reports, local (Mo16). Only \"major components\"

should be used for the reports.

If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.

Rick Fielder

SDQS Databases

MO16, Little Rock AR

<rfielder@ar.usda.gov>

\* \* \* \* \*

An example of the "Recreational Development" report using the 15B map
unit from Baraga County, Michigan:

BARAGA COUNTY AREA, MICHIGAN: Detailed Soil Map Legend

03/21/2000 PAGE - 1 OF 1

RECREATIONAL SITE DEVELOPMENT

(The information in this report indicates the dominant soil condition
but does not eliminate the need for onsite investigation. The numbers in
the value columns range from 0.00 to 1.00. The larger the value, the
greater the potential limitation. See text for further explanation of
ratings in this table.)

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

\| \| \| \| \| \|

\|Map symbol and soil name\| Camp areas \| Picnic areas \| Playgrounds
\| Paths and trails \|

\|\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--\|\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--\|\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--\|\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--\|\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--\|

\| \| Limitation \|Value\| Limitation \|Value\| Limitation \|Value\|
Limitation \|Value\|

\|15B: \| \| \| \| \| \| \| \| \|

\| Champion\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--\|Very limited \| \|Very limited
\| \|Very limited \| \|Limited \| \|

\| \|\~percs slowly \|1.00 \|\~percs slowly \|1.00 \|\~percs slowly
\|1.00 \|\~wetness \|0.60 \|

\| \| (very limited) \| \| (very limited) \| \| (very limited) \| \|
(limited) \| \|

\| \|\~wetness \|0.97 \|\~wetness \|0.60 \|\~large stones \>25% \|1.00
\|\~large stones \|0.17 \|

\| \| (limited) \| \| (limited) \| \| (very limited) \| \| (slightly
limited) \| \|

\| \|\~large stones \|0.17 \|\~large stones \|0.17 \|\~wetness \|0.97 \|
\| \|

\| \| (slightly limited) \| \| (slightly limited) \| \| (limited) \| \|
\| \|

\| \| \| \| \| \| \| \| \| \|

\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|\_\_\_\_\_\|

\#########################################################################

**SSURGO -- WHAT IS IT?**

This strange sounding word that you occasionally hear Soil Scientists
and

GIS folks throw around does actually have meaning. It stands for
[S]{.mark}oil [SUR]{.mark}vey

[G]{.mark}e[O]{.mark}graphic Database. (Granted, this isn\'t your
typically-arrived at

acronym, but work with me here \...)

What is a SSURGO dataset? SSURGO databases, in their simplest form, are

referred to as digital soil survey datasets. If you think of them in
terms

of a published soil survey report, a SSURGO database would be composed
of

all the soil maps, soil properties, and interpretation tables for a
county

or a specified soil survey area.

In the digital world, the soil map lines (delineations) and mapping unit

symbols are referred to as \"spatial data\" because they act as a
boundary,

space, or area on the surface of the land. Linked to this spatial
database,

this \"space,\" is a large relational database that contains attribute

information about the soils. This includes specific characteristics of
the

soils in that space, such as soil texture, depth, permeability, pH,
organic

matter, and engineering properties. Soil interpretations are also part
of

the relational database and include information on whether or not the
spot

is suited or unsuited for uses like sanitary facilities, building site

development construction materials, etc.

When the NRCS Soils Staff releases an \"official\" SSURGO dataset to the

public, it means that we are certifying not only the accuracy of soil
line

placement (for the spatial data part of it), but also the accuracy of
the

attribute relational database information (all the other characteristics
and

suitability data). We are also certifying that we digitize the soils
data

according to national standards established by the Soil Survey Division,
the

Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC), and the National Spatial Data

Infrastructure (NSDI). Why is this important to you? Its important
because

it verifies the quality and consistency of the data. NRCS datasets are

required to be consistent with industry standards and must be compatible

with other sources of geographic information. When \"building\" a GIS,
all the

\"pieces\" that make up all the individual layers have to be \"in
synch,\" or

the whole concept and the quality of the final product flops.

Keep in mind that SSURGO datasets are not a complete digital soil survey

report. They contain no imagery or written soil survey information. The
base

imagery for SSURGO is actually a separate data layer called a Digital

Ortho)photo Quad (DOQ). DOQs are rectified, geo-referenced, digital
aerial

photos. SSURGO data can be combined with DOQs in a GIS to produce
standard

soil survey atlas sheet but they are actually just two separate data
layers,

that when combined, help to tell a story of what\'s on the land.

Remember also that SSURGO datasets are not interactive soil surveys on
CD

ROM, like Soil View (or Soils Explorer). You need a GIS software package
in

order to use SSURGO data as a framework for building a valuable system.

SSURGO datasets are essential for the construction of the interactive
and

complex digital soil surveys we will use everyday in the not-so- distant

future!

Adapted from an article in the California NRCS\' Current Developments
Newsletter

\#########################################################################

**ILLINOIS STATE SOIL LEGISLATION SUPPORTED BY HIGH SCHOOL**

A special element of the NRCS and the Illinois Cooperative Soil Survey

workshop last September 16 & 17 was a brief presentation by a group

of high school students from Monticello High School. The students,
leaders

of the FFA Chapter for Monticello, told the group their story and their

fight for the declaration of a state soil. The students have been

petitioning with the Illinois General Assembly for more than one year,

working to have the state legislators declare Drummer silty clay loam
the

official Illinois State Soil. Although the students have met great

resistance and have been initiated into the political red tape, their

commitment to the cause remains strong. Hats off to these persistent

students and their equally persistent Agricultural Sciences instructor,

Mindy Elvidge!

\#########################################################################

## **SOIL SURVEY CENTENNIAL CELEBRATED**

#### Submitted by: 

#### Roger Hammer, Soil Scientist, O'Neill field office &

#### Nathan McCaleb, State Soil Scientist, Lincoln state office

Roger Hammer attended the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science
Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America's Annual
Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, October 31 through November 4.

In conjunction with the Soil Survey Centennial, Hammer presented a paper
on the "Soil Mapping Concepts of the Nebraska Sandhills" during the
session on Soil Survey Techniques.

Hammer attended several other sessions including: Morphology and Mapping
of Wetland Soils, Symposium/Research and Extension Agendas for Organic
Agriculture, Soil Survey-Past and Present, and a symposium on soil
quality.

Nathan McCaleb, State Soil Scientist, also had an opportunity to educate
a local Kiwanas Club about the Soil Survey Centennial. He gave a power
point presentation on the history of the soil survey. Historical photos
were used to demonstrate how the survey began. GIS and SURGO data was
then shown to demonstrate how far the soil survey has come.

1999 was the 100^th^ anniversary of the Soil Survey.

## From: NEB NEWS

## The Nebraska Natural Resources Conservation Service Monthly Newsletter

\#########################################################################

**GETTING A HIGH-TECH LOOK INTO IDAHO\'S HISTORY**

Modern technology is helping Jim Doolittle give NRCS Idaho and the
Bureau of

Land Management (BLM) a look into the history hidden beneath the
State\'s

soil.

Jim, a Research Soil Scientist for NRCS Pennsylvania, recently returned
to

Idaho with equipment that lets him explore archaeological sites without

disturbing the soil. In addition to continuing the work he and a BLM
archaeologist began last year at a Shoshone cemetery, Jim examined an
historic stagecoach station and

determined the depth of deposits above bedrock at a prehistoric site.
The

information he collects helps BLM archaeologists decide how to preserve
and

protect cultural resources.

To bring Idaho\'s history into view, Jim used two tools from a modern

archaeologist\'s toolbox: ground-penetrating radar and electromagnetic

induction, which, depending on the soils and geology of an area, can
detect

graves, metal artifacts, as well as house floors and other architectural

features. Though the equipment doesn\'t produce a picture-perfect image
of

what\'s underground, it does give NRCS and BLM a reliable look into the
past,

all without lifting a shovel.

For more information, contact Sharon Norris, NRCS State Public Affairs
Specialist, at (208) 378-5725.

From: NRCS This Week

\#########################################################################

**HYDRIC SOILS INTERACTIVE CD-ROMs AVAILABLE**

The NRCS\' Wetland Science Institute has available a limited number of
Hydric

Soils Interactive (HSI) CD-ROMs. The HSI presents text, graphics,
pictures,

and animations that explain landscape formation and hydrology, wetland

recharge-discharge relationships, and the genesis and description of
soil

morphology related to wetness. The CD-ROMs are in Windows 3.1 and
Windows

95 formats.

To request copies, please contact Michael Whited at
<michael_whited@fws.gov>

\#########################################################################

**NASIS PANGAEA RELEASE NOTES**

Pangaea data recently updated at all NASIS Sites.

*AREA TYPES AND AREAS*

Contact: Russ Kelsea 402-437-5878 <russ.kelsea@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

The following areas had name changes or acreage adjustments (mostly

changing area names from all upper case to mixed case):

Non-MLRA Soil Survey Area

IL011 Bureau County, Illinois 559,110

IL015 Carroll County, Illinois 298,535

IL067 Hancock County, Illinois 521,220

IL071 Henderson County, Illinois 253,310

IL073 Henry County, Illinois 528,120

IL085 Jo Daviess County, Illinois 395,985

IL095 Knox County, Illinois 461,675

IL103 Lee County, Illinois 466,500

IL109 McDonough County, Illinois 377,750

IL131 Mercer County, Illinois 363,600

IL161 Rock Island County, Illinois 288,910

IL175 Stark County, Illinois 184,115

IL187 Warren County, Illinois 348,100

IL195 Whiteside County, Illinois 446,170

IL811 Bureau County, Illinois 1

KS043 Doniphan County, Kansas 254,228

*REPORTS*

Contact: Russ Kelsea 402-437-5878 <russ.kelsea@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

Jim Fortner 402-437-5755 <jim.fortner@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

The following reports were added or modified:

AASHTO and UNIFIED calculations

CORR - Pedon Description (english)

CORR - Pedon Description (metric)

CORR - Series Acreage by MLRA (selected set)

INTERP - Landscape Table

INTERP - Portrait Table

MANU - Table AWM-1. Ag Waste Interp. w/fuzzy rating

MANU - Table AWM-2. Ag Waste Interp. w/fuzzy rating

MANU - Table ENG-1. Construction Materials. w/fuzzy rating

MANU - Table ENG-2. Construction Materials. w/fuzzy rating

MANU - Table ENG-3. Building Site Development w/fuzzy rating

MANU - Table ENG-4. Building Site Development w/fuzzy rating

MANU - Table ENG-5. Sanitary Facilities w/fuzzy rating

MANU - Table ENG-6. Sanitary Facilities w/fuzzy rating

MANU - Table FOR-1. Forestland Management w/fuzzy rating

MANU - Table FOR-2. Forestland Management w/fuzzy rating

MANU - Table FOR-3. Forestland Management w/fuzzy rating

MANU - Table FOR-4. Forestland Management w/fuzzy rating

MANU - Table FOR-5. Forestland Management w/fuzzy rating

MANU - Table REC-1. Recreation w/fuzzy rating

MANU - Table REC-2. Recreation w/fuzzy rating

PGRM - Hydric Soils List

SSS - NHQ Data Dump

SSS - State FY Progress by Reporting Category

SSS - Status Map Data Dump

UTIL - Property Values (L-RV-H)

UTIL - Property Values (RV only)

*QUERIES*

Contact: Rick Bigler 402-437-5879 <rbigler@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

No changes.

*RULES*

Contact: Bob Nielsen 402-437-4149 <bnielsen@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

John Patterson 402-437-4016 <jpatterson@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

Arnold Mendenhall 402-437-4176 <amendenhall@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

The following rules were added or modified:

FSG-AWC \>6 inch in 10-40 inches (Available Water Capacity)

GRL-MLRA 112 Forage Suitability Groups

HYDRIC SOILS LIST, TEST MODEL

MOFSG-05 Wet Loamy, Occas. Long Flooding 0-8% Slope

MOFSG-11 Mod. Droughty Loam \>8-15% Slope

MOFSG-21 Mod. Deep Loam/Clay \>8-15% Slope

MOFSG-23 Clay/Loam 0-8% Slope

MOFSG-27 Subirr. Clay Loam/Clay \>8-15% Slope

MOFSG-28 Subirr. Clay Loam/Clay Occa. Long Flooding

MOFSG-29 Subirr. Clay Loam/Clay 0-8% Slope

MOFSG-30 Clay Loam/Clay 0-8% Slope

MOFSG-31 Clay Loam/Clay \>8-15% Slope

MOFSG-32 Mod. Deep Clay Loam/Clay \>8-15% Slope

MOFSG-33 Mod. Deep Clay Loam/Clay \>15 & =\<35% Slope

MOFSG-42 Subirrigated Loam/Clay Overflow 0-8% Slope

Organic Matter \< 1% to a Depth of 72 inches

*EVALUATIONS*

Contact: Bob Nielsen 402-437-4149 <bnielsen@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

John Patterson 402-437-4016 <jpatterson@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

Arnold Mendenhall 402-437-4176 <amendenhall@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

The following evaluations were added or modified:

FSG-AWC \>15cm, in 25-100cm (Available Water Capactiy)

OM .5 to 1 Percent, Thickest Layer to a Depth of 72 inches

*PROPERTIES*

Contact: Bob Nielsen 402-437-4149 <bnielsen@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

John Patterson 402-437-4016 <jpatterson@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

Arnold Mendenhall 402-437-4176 <amendenhall@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

Russ Kelsea 402-437-5878 <russ.kelsea@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov>

The following properties were added or modified:

AASHTO Calculation

ANY MONTH WITH NO WET SOIL MOISTURE STATUS

MONTHS OF MAXIMUM DEPTH TO WET SOIL MOISTURE STATUS

MONTHS OF MINIMUM DEPTH TO WET SOIL MOISTURE STATUS

MONTHS WITH NO WET SOIL MOISTURE STATUS

UNIFIED Calculation

UNIFIED Calculation-rv

USDA TEXTURE THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-100cm

USDA TEXTURE THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-50cm

USDA TEXTURE THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-75cm

USDA TEXTURE THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 25-150cm

USDA TEXTURE THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 25-180cm

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Last month, the following **Official Series Descriptions** were updated.
Please access the following web site to view and print them:

<http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/cgi-bin/osd/osdname.cgi>

FRIGID: aftad \... branstad \... caffey \... crex \... grettum \...
hegge \... karlsborg \... lupton \... markey \... meenon \...newson \...
perchlake \... perida \... rib \... smestad \... spoonerhil \... tawas
\... totagatic \... tradelake

MESIC: derrynane \... ossian \... vanmeter

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CHANGED ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS

1\. Joe Falkenberg has transferred from Waterloo, Iowa (where he was
assigned to the Blackhawk County subset of MLRA 104) to Rochester,
Minnesota as the Soil Survey Project Leader for MLRA 105. His new
communications links are: Phone: 1-507-289-7454 Fax: 1-507-289-3742

Email: <joe.falkenberg@mn.usda.gov>

2\. Sam Steckley has transferred from Onawa, Iowa (where he was assigned
to the Woodbury and Crawford county subsets of MLRA 107) to Waverly,
Iowa

as the Project Leader for the Blackhawk County subset of MLRA 104. His
new communication links are: Phone: 1-319-352-4037

Fax: 1-319-352-5846 His email address remains
<sam.steckly@ia.nrcs.usda.gov>

3\. Peter Hartman has transferred from Brooklyn Center, Minnesota (where
he was a Soil Scientist with the Wright County subset of MLRAs 103 and
91) to Rochester, Minnesota as the Soil Survey Project Leader for MLRA
104. His new communications links are: Phone: 1-507-289-7454

FAX: 1-507-289-3742 His email address remains
<peter.hartman@mn.usda.gov>

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ACTIVITY SCHEDULE (through May 15\--subject to change)

MLRA DATE ACTIVITY LOCATION MO 10 STAFF

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\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-- \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

90 Apr 03-07 Final Correlation (Taylor Co) Rhinelander Jahnke

102A Apr 24-27 Final Correlation (Swift Co) Marshall Giencke

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CONTRIBUTIONS, IDEAS, SUGGESTIONS, AND QUESTIONS ARE WELCOME

This newsletter is intended to be a forum to distribute information of

a general nature that will benefit soil scientists in soil survey
project

offices. It is hoped that it will foster communications and sharing of

knowledge among those soil scientists in MLRA Region 10.

\* \* \* \* \*

Articles from other newsletters are often included to distribute ideas

and comments from other areas of the country; these ideas and comments

are not necessarily identical to those used in MLRA Region 10.

\* \* \* \* \*

The format of this newsletter is intentionally simple so that it can be

received, read, and printed by the project office having the least

sophisticated computer and printer setup.

\* \* \* \* \*

Thanks to those individuals who participated this month. It is your

efforts that have made this newsletter a success.

\* \* \* \* \*

Please submit your articles at least five days before the end of the

month for inclusion in the following month\'s newsletter. Otherwise it

will appear the following month. Occasionally, due to other workload

demands, it may be an additional month before the article appears.

Generally, articles are inserted in the order they are received.

Articles in an electronic format can be submitted to:

<john.handler@mn.usda.gov>

Articles in a paper format can be sent or faxed to:

John Handler

MLRA Region 10 Office

USDA - NRCS

375 Jackson Street - Suite 600

St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1854

FAX: 1-651-602-7914

\* \* \* \* \*

Previous month\'s copies of this newsletter are available at:

<http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/mo10/mo10.html>

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