It may be used for agricultural production, but in times of drought, the irrigated water may be diverted to other uses. U rban development - considerations for urban uses are soil volume expansion with water retention, susceptibility to flooding, load bearing capacity and reasonably level topography. You want to avoid sandy soils which are highly erosive and fill soils may subside and have low load bearing characteristics. Scenic areas may be on soils and topography where improvements are not practical to provide access, or drainage, is impractical to allow athletic fields or picnic area development, campsites, roads, etc. High clay content soils that compact are not suitable for high pedestrian traffic.
All soils are suitable for some form of recreation.
Forest lands are often multiple use, that is not only timber but recreation, water, and wildlife production. It is the conflict between timber, recreation, watershed maintenance, and wildlife habitat interests that most often occur. For example, the spotted owls and timber production in the northwest, or the question of water quality and timber production in the Robinson Forest. T hese conflicts are most often on public lands where the timber rights are obtained from the government. Private holdings seem to have less conflict over use.