The Hearings Board interpret the Growth Management Act and can advise the governor to impose sanctions on a county or city that does not comply with the Act. Currently there is no provision in the Growth Management Act requiring cities or counties to consider soil when planning. However, many local officials recognize that soil plays a major role in determining land use. In ESC 311 we learned that buildings require stable foundations and that engineering only goes so far. Without a stable soil, many buildings are unsound.
Drainage is another important quality of soil.
If a soil has no structure, water will not seep into the soil for plant use. It is also more likely to cause erosion of the soil into local rivers and streams. Soils with a balance are usually desired for building. Agricultural land is a prime example of incorporating soil into the planning process. The soil used in farming is a rapidly disappearing commodity.