NSSH Part 602

National Cooperative Soil Survey Conferences

Definition (602.00)

The National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) coordinates technically and operationally at National, regional, and State levels. Its activities relate to the technology for the collection, management, and presentation of information about the properties, patterns, and responses of soils and to other joint concerns, such as training and coordinated research and operations. Workshops, meetings, and conferences are held at each level to discuss and resolve concerns, proposals, and recommendations for the cooperative soil survey.

(a) The National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference

The national conference primarily discusses subjects of national concern to the NCSS. The Director, Soil Survey Division, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), calls the conference after consulting with the conference steering committee. Attendees to the conference include national representatives of cooperating agencies and institutions. The Director invites other interested foreign and domestic groups and individuals and particularly principal users of soil surveys to participate. NRCS publishes the proceedings of the conference and distributes copies to the cooperators in the NCSS. The conference bylaws specify the objectives, membership, and committee responsibilities. Refer to Exhibit 602-1 for the Bylaws of the National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference.

(b) The NCSS Regional Conferences

The NCSS regional conferences primarily discuss subjects of regional concern. Each region convenes a soil survey conference in even-numbered years. The four regions correspond to the Agricultural Experiment Station regions and are the North Central, Northeastern, Southern, and Western. State and regional soil survey leaders, some national leaders, and other invited persons attend the conference. The conference steering committee publishes the conference proceedings and distributes copies to regional NCSS cooperators and others. The conference bylaws specify the objectives, membership, and committee responsibilities.

(c) NCSS State Conferences

The NCSS state conferences primarily discuss subjects of state concern. The NRCS state soil scientist annually convenes a state conference. Attendees include cooperators and others who contribute to NCSS activities at the state level and principal users of soil survey information. Working agreements govern activities of the NCSS within the state.

(d) Joint Regional or State Conferences

Joint regional or state conferences between two or more regions or states can be held with the agreement of the participants involved.

Bylaws of the National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference (Exhibit 602-1)

Article I. Name

Section 1.0 -- The name of the Conference shall be the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) Conference.

Article II. Objectives

Section 1.0 -- The objective of the Conference is to contribute to the general human welfare by promoting the use of soil resource information and by developing recommendations for courses of action, including national policies and procedures, related to soil surveys and soil resource information.

Article III. Membership and Participants

Section 1.0 -- Permanent chair of the Conference is Director, Soil Survey Division, NRCS.

Section 2.0 -- Permanent membership of the Conference shall consist of:

Section 2.1.1 -- Members of the steering committee,

Section 2.1.2 -- Two State members appointed by each of the four regional conferences and six NRCS soil survey staff leaders, to include representatives of National Headquarters, National Soil Survey Center, and Soil Survey Staff representing each of the four NCSS Regions, as determined by the Director, Soil Survey Division, NRCS.

Section 2.1.3 -- Individuals designated by the Federal agencies listed in Appendix A.

Section 3.0 -- Participants of the Conference shall consist of:

Section 3.1.1 -- Permanent members,

Section 3.1.2 -- Individuals invited by the Steering Committee.

Article IV. Regional Conferences

Section 1.0 -- Regional Conferences are organized in the northeast, north-central, southern, and western regions of the United States.

Section 2.0 -- Regional Conferences determine their own membership requirements, officers, and number and kind of meetings.

Section 3.0 -- Each Regional Conference adopts its own purpose, policies, and procedures, provided these are consistent with the bylaws and objectives of the NCSS Conference.

Section 4.0 -- Each Regional Conference shall publish proceedings of regional meetings.

Article V. Executive Services

Section 1.0 -- The National Headquarters Soil Survey Staff of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) shall provide the Conference with executive services.

Section 1.1 -- The Soil Survey Staff, NRCS, shall:

Section 1.1.1 -- Carry out administrative duties assigned by the Steering Committee.

Section 1.1.2 -- Distribute draft committee reports to participants.

Section 1.1.3 -- Issue announcements and invitations.

Section 1.1.4 -- Prepare and distribute the program.

Section 1.1.5 -- Make arrangements for lodging, food, meeting rooms, and, local transportation for official functions.

Section 1.1.6 -- Provide a recorder.

Section 1.1.7 -- Assemble and distribute the proceedings.

Section 1.1.8 -- Provide publicity.

Section 1.1.9 -- Maintain the Conference mailing list.

Section 1.1.10 -- Maintain a record of all Conference proceedings; proceedings of Regional Conference meetings; and a copy of each Regional Conference's purpose, policies, and procedures.

Article VI. Steering Committee

Section 1.0 -- The Conference shall have a Steering Committee.

Section 1.1 -- The steering committee shall consist of:

Section 1.1.1 -- The Director, Soil Survey Division, NRCS, is permanent chair and is responsible for all work of the Steering Committee.

Section 1.1.2 -- The U.S. Forest Service Soil Survey Leader.

Section 1.1.3 -- The Bureau of Land Management Senior Soil Scientist.

Section 1.1.4 -- Four Agricultural Experiment Station Soil Survey Leaders, one from each respective Regional Conference. This normally is the state representative that will be chair or vice chair of the next Regional Conference.

Section 1.1.5 -- Six NRCS soil survey staff leaders, to include representatives of the National Headquarters, National Soil Survey Center, and Soil Survey Staff representing each of the four NCSS Regions, as determined by the Director, Soil Survey Division, NRCS.

Section 1.1.6 -- A designated representative of the National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists, Inc., as determined by the Society, representing the private sector.

Section 1.1.7 -- A representative of the 1890 College from the vicinity of the next conference recommended by the Conference Chair.

Section 1.1.8 -- A representative of the Tribal College from the vicinity of the next conference recommended by the Conference Chair.

Section 1.1.9 -- A representative of the National Association of State Conservation Agencies.

Section 2.0 -- The Steering Committee shall select a vice chair for a 2-year term. The vice chair acts for the chair in the chair's absence or disability or as assigned.

Section 3.0 -- The Steering Committee shall formulate policy and procedure for the Conference.

Section 4.0 -- The Steering Committee shall:

Section 4.0.1 -- Determine subjects to be discussed.

Section 4.0.2 -- Determine committees to be formed.

Section 4.0.3 -- Select committee chair and obtain their approval and that of their agency for participation.

Section 4.0.4 -- Assign charges to the committee chairs.

Section 4.0.5 -- Recommend committee members to committee chairs.

Section 4.0.6 -- Determine individuals from the United States or other countries with soil science or related professional interest to be invited to participate.

Section 4.0.7 -- Determine the place and date of the Conference.

Section 4.0.8 -- Organize the program and select the presiding chairs for the sessions.

Section 4.0.9 -- Assemble in joint session at least once during each Conference to conduct business of the Conference.

Section 5.0 -- Steering Committee work will normally be done by correspondence and telephone communication.

Section 6.0 -- Fifty percent of the Steering Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Items shall be passed by a majority of members present or corresponding. The chair does not vote except in the case of a tie vote.

Article VII. Meetings

Section 1.0 -- A meeting of the Conference normally shall be held every 2 years in odd-numbered years for the presentation and discussion of committee reports; exchange of ideas; and transaction of business. It shall consist of committee sessions and general sessions. Opportunity shall be provided for discussion of items members may wish to have brought before the Conference.

Section 2.0 -- The time and place of meetings shall be determined by the Steering Committee.

Section 3.0 -- The Steering Committee is responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the conference.

Section 4.0 -- The Steering Committee shall meet immediately after the conference to summarize recommendations and propose actions to be taken.

Section 5.0 -- Meetings of the Steering Committee, other than at the conference, may be called with the approval of the Steering Committee.

Article VIII. Committees

Section 1.0 -- The committees of the Conference shall be determined by the Steering Committee. Permanent or standing committees, ad hoc committees, and task force groups are considered to be committees of the Conference. The Steering Committee shall select committee chairs.

Section 2.0 -- Committee members shall be selected by the committee chairs. Committee members shall be selected after considering Steering Committee recommendations, Regional Conference recommendations, individual interests, technical proficiency, and continuity of the work. They are not limited to members of the National Cooperative Soil Survey.

Section 3.0 -- Each committee commonly conducts its work by correspondence among committee members. Committee chairs shall provide their committee members with the charges as assigned by the Steering Committee and procedure for committee operation.

Section 4.0 -- Each committee chair shall send copies of a draft committee report to the Steering Committee prior to the Conference.

Section 5.0 -- Each committee shall report at the Conference.

Article IX. Amendments

Section 1.0 -- The bylaws may be amended by ballot with a majority vote of the permanent members. An amendment shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be effective immediately upon adoption and shall remain in effect until changed.

Appendix A

Memorandum of Understandings with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in the National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior
• Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior
• Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Department of the Interior
• Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Defense Mapping Agency, U.S. Department of Defense
• Economics and Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Farm Services Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
• National Association of State Conservation Agencies
• National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
• National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
• National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists, Inc.
• Office of Territorial Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior
• Tennessee Valley Authority (quasi Federal)
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Defense
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior

Bylaws of the Western Regional Cooperative Soil Survey Conference (Exhibit 602-2)

(Update June 2004)

Article I - Name

Section 1.0 -- Conference Name. The name of the conference shall be the Western Regional Cooperative Soil Survey Conference. It is formed of and represents the area within the state boundaries of the following thirteen western states and U.S. Territory: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Montana, Oregon, Pacific Basin, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Article II - Objectives

Section 2.0 -- Objectives and Purposes. The objectives and purposes of the Western Regional Cooperative Soil Survey Conference are to bring together Western States representatives of the National Cooperative Soil Survey for discussion of technical and scientific questions. Through the actions of committees and conference discussions, experience is summarized and clarified for the benefit of all; new areas explored; procedures are synthesized; and ideas are exchanged and disseminated. The conference also functions as a clearinghouse for recommendations and proposals received from individual members and State Conferences for transmittal to the National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference. The conference promotes the use of soil resource information by others and develops recommendations for courses of action, including national policies and procedures, that relate to making soil surveys and using soil resource data and information.

Article III - Membership And Participants

Section 3.0 -- Permanent Membership. Permanent membership of the conference shall consist of:

• National Leader for Soil Taxonomy and Standards who serves as Executive Secretary for Conference Steering Committee
• NRCS State Soil Scientists / MLRA Leaders
• Representatives from Western State Experiment Stations and Land Grant Universities
• Regional Soil Scientists from the 7 Western U S Forest Service Regions – Northern Region, Rocky Mountain Region, Southwest Region, Intermountain Region, Pacific Southwest Region, Pacific Northwest Region, and Alaska Region
• USDI, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) State Soil Scientist or State Soil Liaison from 11 Western States (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon/Washington, Utah, and Wyoming)
• Representatives from 7 Western Regions of USDI, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Regions – Alaska Region, Navajo Region, Northwest Region, Pacific Region, Rocky Mountain Region, Southwest Region, and Western Region.
• NCSS Representative from the USDI National Park Service (NPS)
• President-elect or delegated representative from the National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists (NSCSS)
• A representative from the National Congress of American Indians
• Program Manager for Land Suitability and Water Quality, USDI, Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)
• A Representative from USDI Corps of Engineers (COE)

Section 3.1 -- Associate Membership. Invitations may be extended to a number of other individuals to participate in committee work or for a specific conference or conferences. A representative from the NRCS National Cartographic and Geospatial Center (NCGC) and a representative from the NRCS Information Technology Center (ITC) shall be associate conference members. Any soil scientist, technical specialist, or other individual of any local, state, or federal agency or interest group whose participation will benefit particular objectives or projects of the conference may be invited to participate. Any permanent member of the conference may invite one additional participant. If a permanent member wishes to invite more than one guest (or associate member), the request should be cleared through the Chair or Vice-Chair of the conference, or the Chair of the Steering Committee. Names of all associate members of a specific conference should be provided to the conference Chair.

Article IV - Conference Officers

Section 4.0 -- Conference Officers. A Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary of the conference are elected to serve for a two-year term. Their tenure runs from the end of a conference to the end of the following conference. Elections are held during the biennial business meeting. Conference officers shall be from the state hosting the next conference. Officers should rotate among the agencies. That is to say, the Chair-elect should represent a different agency than the past Chair. Similarly, the Vice-Chair and Secretary must be of different agencies than their predecessors.

Section 4.0.1 -- Responsibilities of the Chair (specific tasks may be delegated to the Vice-Chair)

• Plans and manages the biennial conference.
• Serves as a steering committee member.
• Presides at the conference business meeting.
• Issues conference announcements and invitations.
• Organizes the conference program.
• Selects presiding Chair for the various sessions.
• Develops the conference agenda, and has copies of the agenda prepared and distributed.
• Make necessary arrangements for lodging accommodations for conference participants, for food functions, if any, for meeting rooms (including committee rooms), for a field trip, and for local transport for other official functions.
• Assembles, reproduces, and distributes the Conference Proceedings.
• Provides for appropriate conference publicity.
• Arranges for conference guest speakers.
• Presides over the conference business meeting.

Section 4.0.2 -- Responsibilities of the Vice-Chair

• Serves as a steering committee member.
• Acts for the Conference Chair in the Chair's absence or disability.
• Assists the Conference Chair in carrying out his/her responsibilities, and performs other duties as assigned by the Conference Chair.
• Compiles and maintains the conference mailing list.

Section 4.0.3 -- Responsibilities of the Secretary

• Maintains conference business meetings minutes and other conference meetings minutes as assigned by the Conference Chair.
• Obtains copies of all committee reports and papers presented at the conference and makes copies available to all conference members.
• Compiles the conference proceedings and assists the Chair in their duplication and distribution.

Article V - Meetings

Section 5.0 -- Time of Meetings. The conference convenes every two years, in even numbered years. It convenes the third week in June, unless a different date is agreed to by a majority of permanent conference members at the previous conference.

Section 5.1 -- Location of Meetings. The conference will be held on a rotational basis throughout the region according to the following schedule. States may trade years to host the conference for good cause and upon approval by a majority vote of the conference members at the business meeting preceding the next conference.

• 2006 -- Utah
• 2008 -- Washington
• 2010 -- Nevada
• 2012 -- California
• 2014 -- Oregon
• 2016 -- Alaska
• 2018 -- Arizona
• 2020 -- Idaho
• 2022 -- Montana
• 2024 -- New Mexico
• 2026 -- Hawaii
• 2028 -- Colorado
• 2030 -- Wyoming

Article VI- Committees

Section 6.0 -- Kinds and Functions of Committees. The conference will have permanent standing, ad hoc, and special task force committees. Duly constituted official committees accomplish most conference work. The kinds of committees and their charges are determined by the Steering Committee, based on the recommendations of the conference members. Committee members are appointed by the Steering Committee after first determining the interests of conference members. Each committee shall make an official report at the designated time at each biennial conference. Committee reports shall be duplicated and copies distributed as follows:

• One copy to each permanent member (whether present or not) and to each participant in the conference.
• One final copy to the Conference Secretary for inclusion in the conference proceedings. This copy will include all revisions approved by the conference.

Much of the work of committees will, of necessity, be conducted by correspondence during the interval between conferences.

Section 6.1 -- Committee Structure. Each committee has a Chair. A Secretary, or recorder, may be elected by the committee or appointed by the Chair, if necessary. Committee Chairs are selected by the Steering Committee or are elected by the conference. Chairs for the standing committees should rotate at the conclusion of each conference. Chairs are recommended by the committees and approved by the Steering Committee at least 4 months prior to the conference. Term of responsibility starts at the end of one conference and finishes with end of next. The Committee Chairs are responsible for prompt submission of their reports to the Chair of the Steering Committee who will duplicate and distribute the reports. This should be done prior to the beginning of the conference.

Section 6.1.1 -- Committee Chair Responsibilities. Committee Chairs are charged with the responsibility of initiating and carrying forward this work. They shall provide their committee members with the charges as directed by the Steering Committee and with additional instructions they deem necessary to complete the committee charge(s). Committee Chairs should initiate committee work at the earliest possible date to assure completion by the next scheduled conference.

Committee Chairs shall also give a verbal summary of committee actions/recommendations at designated times during the conference.

Section 6.2 -- Permanent Standing Committees. Permanent standing committees are established by the By-laws of the National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference as contained in the NSSH Part 602.00 and Exhibit 602-1.

• Soil Survey Standards
• Soil Taxonomy
• Research Needs
• Applied Technology

Section 6.2.1 -- Conference Steering Committee. The Conference Chair will also serve as the Chair of the Conference Steering Committee. The National Leader for Soil Classification and Standards will serve as the permanent Executive Secretary of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee formulates policy on conference membership and participation. Final approval or disapproval of policy changes is by vote, during the biennial business meeting of the conference. The Steering Committee will assure that there is a balance among states and among agencies or each committee - that is to say that no one state or agency will dominate any single committee. The Conference Steering Committee shall consist consists of the following five (5) members:

1. Conference Chair
2. Conference Vice-Chair.
3. Conference Secretary
4. Executive Secretary
5. Past conference Chair

Section 6.2.2 -- Responsibilities of the Conference Steering Committee. Conference Steering Committee responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Steering Committee Chair will call a meeting of the committee about 1 year prior to the conference to plan the meeting agenda and establish Conference Committees and develop committee charges
• Formulate statements of conference policy
• Formulate committee charges as recommended by the conference.
• Select committee Chair and committee members as recommended by the conference.
• Review conference activities and develop an executive summary of conference recommendations.
• Send applicable conference recommendations to the Steering Committee Chair of the National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference.
• Send applicable conference recommendations to the soil survey leaders of appropriate agencies for consideration and possible implementation.
• Establish and maintain liaisons between the conference and:
  • The National and other Regional Conferences
  • State Conservationists of 13 Western States and Pacific Basin
  • West Regional Soil Consortium
  • Directors of the Western Experiment Stations
  • National Congress of American Indians
  • State, Regional, and National Offices of NRCS, US Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, American Indian Tribes, and National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists
  • NRCS Institutes and Centers
  • Other committees or work groups associated with the conference
  • Others as identified by the Steering Committee
• Shall meet immediately after the conference to summarize recommendations and propose actions to be taken.

At least sixty percent of the Conference Steering Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Items shall be passed by a majority of members present. The Chair does not vote except in the case of a tie vote.

Section 6.3 -- Ad hoc Committees. Ad hoc committees may be established by the Steering Committee as needed to meet specific needs and/or goals.

Section 6.4 -- Special Task Force Committees. Special task force committees may be established by the Steering committee as needed to meet specific needs and/or goals.

Article VII - Conference Advisors

Section 7.0 -- Conference Advisors. Conference advisors are invited to the conference and shall act in an advisory capacity to assist in items related to agency line and policy. Advisors to the conference are the State Conservationist (STC) of the host state, or as selected by the conference, the Experiment Station Director for the host state, or as selected by the conference, a Forest Service Regional Forester and a BLM State Director as selected by the conference.

Article VIII - Historical Records

Section 8.0 -- Conference Historical Records. The Executive Secretary of the Conference Steering Committee will maintain a permanent, cumulative file of conference programs, correspondence, committee reports, proceedings, by-laws and other material generated by or related to the conference..

Article IX - Amendments

Section 9.0 -- Amendments. Any part of these by-laws may be amended for purposes, policy, and procedures at any time by ballot with a majority vote of the permanent membership. An amendment shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be effective immediately upon adoption and shall remain in effect until changed or deleted.

Bylaws of the Northeastern Cooperative Soil Survey Conference (Exhibit 602-3)

Article I - Name

Section 1.0 -- The name of the Conference shall be the Northeast Cooperative Soil Survey Conference.

Article II - Purpose

Section 1.0 -- The purpose of the Northeast Cooperative Soil Survey Conference is to bring together representatives of the National Cooperative Soil Survey in the northeastern states for discussion of technical and scientific questions. Through the actions of committees and conference discussions, experience is summarized and clarified for the benefit of all; new areas are explored; procedures are synthesized; and ideas are exchanged and disseminated. The conference also functions as a clearing house for recommendations and proposals received from individual members and state conferences for transmittal to the National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference.

Article III - Participants

Section 1.0 -- Permanent participants of the conference are the following:

Section 1.1 -- The NRCS state soil scientist responsible for each of the 13 northeastern states:  Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland (also representing the District of Columbia), Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia.

Section 1.2 -- The experiment station or university soil survey leader(s) of each of the 13 northeastern states.

Section 1.3 -- National Leader for Investigations or as assigned by the NRCS Director of the Soil Survey Division.

Section 1.4 -- NRCS, MLRA Office (MO) 12, 13, and 14 Team Leaders

Section 1.5 -- Lead Soil Scientist Eastern Region Technical Center

Section 1.6 -- A representative from the NRCS National Cartographic and Geospatial Center (NCGC)

Section 1.7 -- Three representatives from the soils staff of the USDA Forest Service as follows:

1. One from the Eastern Region, National Forest System
2. One from the Southern Region, National Forest System
3. One from the Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry

Section 2.0 -- On the recommendation of the Steering Committee, the Chair of the Conference may extend invitations to a number of other individuals to a number of other individuals to participate in committee work and in the conference. Any soil scientist or other technical specialists whose participation is helpful for particular objectives or projects of the conference may be invited to attend.

Article IV - Organization and Management

Section 1.0 -- Steering Committee. A Steering Committee assists in the planning and management of biennial meetings, including the formulation of committee memberships and selection of the committee chair and vice-chair.

Section 1.1 -- Membership. The Steering Committee consists of the following four members:

1. National Leader for Investigations or as assigned by the NRCS Director of the Soil Survey Division (Steering Committee chair)
2. The conference chair
3. The conference vice-chair
4. The past conference chair

The Steering Committee may designate a conference chair and vice-chair if the persons are unable to fulfill their obligations.

Section 1.2 -- Meetings and Communications. A planning meeting is to be held about one year prior to the conference.  Additional meetings may be scheduled by the chair if the need arises. Most of the committee's communications will be in writing. Copies of all correspondence between members of the committee shall be sent to the chair.

Section 1.3 -- Authority and Responsibilities

Section 1.3.1 -- Conference Participants. The Steering Committee formulates policy on conference participants, but final approval or disapproval of changes in policy is by consensus of the participants. The Steering Committee makes recommendations to the conference for extra and special participants in specific conferences.

Section 1.3.2 -- Conference committees and Committee Chair. The Steering Committee formulates the conference committee membership and selects the committee chair and vice-chair. The Steering Committee is responsible for the formulation of committee charges.

Section 1.3.3 -- Conference Policies. The Steering Committee is responsible for the formulation of statements of conference policy. Final approval of such statements is by consensus of the conference participants.

Section 1.3.4 -- Liaison. The Steering Committee is responsible for maintaining liaison between the regional conference and:

1. The Northeastern Experiment Station Directors.
2. The East Region State Conservationists, NRCS.
3. Director, Soil Survey Division of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
4. Regional and national offices of the U.S. Forest Service and other Cooperating and participating agencies, and
5. The National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference.

Section 1.4 -- Responsibilities of the Steering Committee Chair are:

Section 1.4.1 -- Call a planning meeting of the Steering Committee about one year in advance of, and if possible, at the place of the conference to plan the agenda.

Section 1.4.2 -- Develop with the Steering Committee the first and final drafts of the conference's committees and their charges.

Section 1.4.3 -- Send committee assignments to committee members. The committee assignments will be determined by the Steering Committee at the planning meeting. The proposed chair and vice-chair of each committee will be contacted personally by the conference chair or vice-chair and asked if they will serve prior to final assignments. NRCS people will be contacted by an NRCS person and experiment station people will be contacted by an experiment station person.

Section 1.4.4 -- Compile and maintain a conference mailing list that can be copied on mailing labels.

Section 1.4.5 -- Serve as a member of the editorial board of the Northeast Cooperative Soil Survey Journal.

Section 2.0 -- Conference Chair and Vice-Chair. An experiment station representative and an NRCS state soil scientist alternate as conference chair and vice-chair. This sequence may be altered by the steering committee for special situations. The conference chair and vice-chair will serve a two-year term. The conference chair and vice-chair are chosen following the selection of a place for the next meeting and are from the state where the meeting is to be held.

Section 2.1 -- Responsibilities of the conference chair include the following:

Section 2.1.1 -- Function as chair of the biennial conference.

Section 2.1.2 -- Planning and management of the biennial conference.

Section 2.1.3 -- Function as a member of the Steering Committee.

Section 2.1.4 -- Send out a first announcement of the conference about 3/4 year prior to the conference.

Section 2.1.5 -- Send written invitations to all speakers or panel members and representatives from other regions. These people will be contacted before hand by phone or in person by various members of the Steering Committee.

Section 2.1.6 -- Send out written requests to experiment station representatives to find out if they will be presenting a report at the conference.

Section 2.1.7 -- Notify all speakers, panel members, and experiment station representatives in writing that a brief written summary of their presentation will be requested after the conference is over. This material will be included in the conference's proceedings.

Section 2.1.8 -- Preside over the conference.

Section 2.1.9 -- Provide for appropriate publicity for the conference.

Section 2.1.10 -- Preside at the business meeting at the conference.

Section 2.1.11 -- Serve as a member of the editorial board of the Northeast Cooperative Soil Survey Journal.

Section 2.2 -- Responsibilities of the conference vice-chair include the following:

Section 2.2.1 -- Function as Program Chair of the biennial conference.

Section 2.2.2 -- Serve as a member of the Steering Committee.

Section 2.2.3 -- Act for the chair in the chair's absence or disability.

Section 2.2.4 -- Develop the program agenda of the conference.

Section 2.2.5 -- Make necessary arrangements for lodging accommodations for conference members, for food functions, for meeting rooms, including committee loans, and for local transport on official functions. Notify all persons attending the meeting of the arrangement for the conference (rooms, etc.) included in the last mailing will be a copy of the agenda.

Section 2.2.6 -- Compile and distribute the proceedings of the conference.

Section 2.2.7 -- Serve as a member of the editorial board of the Northeast Cooperative Soil Survey Journal.

Section 3.0 -- Post Conference Chair. The primary responsibility of the past conference chair is to provide continuity from conference to conference. Additional responsibilities include the following:

Section 3.1 -- Serve as a member of the Steering Committee.

Section 3.2 -- Assist in planning the conference.

Section 3.3 -- Serve as the editor of the Northeast Cooperative Soil Survey Journal. This responsibility encompasses gathering information with the other editorial board members, printing the Journal, and distributing it.

Section 4.0 -- Administrative Advisors. Administrative advisors to the conference consist of the NRCS Regional Assistant Chief, East or their designee, Director of the NSSC, and the chair of the NE Agricultural Experiment Station Directors or their designated representatives.

Article V - Time And Place Of Meetings

Section 1.0 -- The conference convenes every two years, in even-numbered years. The date and location will be determined by the Steering Committee.

Article VI - Conference Committees

Section 1.0 -- Most of the work of the conference is accomplished by duly constituted committees.

Section 2.0 -- Each committee has a chair and vice-chair. A secretary or recorder may be selected by the chair, if necessary. The committee chair and vice-chair are selected by the Steering Committee.

Section 3.0 -- The kinds of committees and their members are determined by the Steering Committee. In making their selections, the Steering Committee makes use of expressions of interest filed by the conference participants.

Section 4.0 -- Each committee shall make an official report of the designated time at each biennial conference. Chair of committees are responsible for submitting the required number of committee reports promptly to the vice-chair of the conference. The conference vice-chair is responsible for assembling and distributing the conference proceedings. Suggested distribution is:

Section 4.1 -- One copy to each participant on the mailing list.

Section 4.2 -- One copy to each State Conservationist, NRCS, and Experiment Station Director of the Northeast.

Section 4.3 -- Five copies to the Director of Soil Survey, NRCS, for distribution to National Office staff.

Section 4.4 -- Ten copies to the National Soil Survey Center (NSSC) for distribution to staff in the center.

Section 4.5 -- Two copies to the NRCS Regional Assistant Chief, East and Eastern Region Technical Center

Section 4.6 -- One copy to each MO 12, 13, and 14 office.

Section 4.7 -- Two copies to the Eastern and Southern Regions of the National Forest System

Section 4.8 -- One copy to Agriculture and Ag Food Canada office.

Section 4.9 -- Much of the work of committees will of necessity be conducted by correspondence between the times of biennial conferences. Committee chairs are charged with the responsibility for initiating and carrying forward this work.

Article VII - Representatives to the National and Regional Soil Survey Conferences

Section 1.0 -- The Experiment Station chair or vice-chair will attend the national conference the year prior to the regional conference for which they were selected. A second Experiment Station representative also will attend the conference. The second representative is to be selected by the Experiment Station representatives at the regional conference.

Section 2.0 -- One NRCS lead soil scientist from the East Region will be designated to attend the National Conference in addition to the NRCS member of the National Conference Steering Team.

Section 3.0 -- One member of the Steering Committee will represent the Northeast Region at the South, Midwest, and West Regional Soil Survey Conference. If none of the members of the Steering Committee can attend a particular conference, a member of the conference will be selected by the Steering Committee for this duty.

Article VIII - Northeast Soil Taxonomy Committee

Section 1.0 -- Membership of the standing committee is as follows:

1. Chair
2. Three federal representatives
3. Three state representatives

Section 2.0 -- The term of membership is three conferences, with one third replaced each conference. The Experiment Station representatives nominate new Experiment Station representatives to the Steering committee for the following conference. The federal representatives nominate new federal representatives to the steering committee for the following conference.

Section 3.0 -- The Committee Chair is nominated to the Steering Committee by the Northeast Soil Taxonomy Committee. The Chair for the committee should rotate at the conclusion of each conference. Term of responsibility starts at the end of one conference and finishes with end of next.

Article IX - Northeast Research Needs Committee

Section 1.0 -- This is a standing committee, the purpose of which is to maintain a formal mechanism within the Northeast Region to identify, document, prioritize and address the critical research and development issues related to soil survey.

Section 2.0 -- Membership of this standing committee is as follows:

• 2.1 National Leader for Investigations or as assigned by the NRCS Director of the Soil Survey Division. (permanent chair)
• 2.2 One MO Team Leader (four-year term)
• 2.3 One NRCS State Soil Scientist (two-year term)
• 2.4 Two experiment station/university representatives (two-year term)
• 2.5 One NRCS field soil scientist (two-year term)
• 2.6 Lead Soil Scientist Eastern Region Technical Center
• 2.7 U.S. Forest Service Representative (permanent)

Section 3.0 -- The state soil scientist and field soil scientist will be selected from a different state every two years alternating between each MO. The state soil scientist and field soil scientist will be from different states and different MOs.

Section 4.0 -- The National Leader for Investigations or as assigned by the NRCS Director of the Soil Survey Division will be responsible for selecting the state soil scientist and NRCS field soil scientist.

Section 5.0 -- The Experiment Station Conference chair, or vice-chair is responsible for overseeing the selection of the experiment station/university representatives as described in Section 2.4 above.

Section 6.0 -- The Northern Forest Research Station Research Director will select the appropriate U.S. Forest Service representative.

Article X - Northeast New Technologies Standing Committee

Section 1.0 -- Membership of the standing committee is as follows:

1. Chair
2. Three federal representatives
3. Three state representatives

Section 2.0 -- The term of membership is three conferences, with one third replaced each conference. The Experiment Station representatives nominate new Experiment Station representatives to the Steering committee for the following conference. The federal representatives nominate new federal representatives to the steering committee for the following conference.

Section 3.0 -- The Committee Chair is nominated to the Steering Committee by the Northeast New Technology Committee. The Chair for the committee should rotate at the conclusion of each conference. Term of responsibility starts at the end of one conference and finishes with end of next.

Article XI - Silver Spade Award

Section 1.0 -- The award will be presented every two years at the conference meeting. It will be presented to a member of the conference who has contributed outstanding regional and/or national service to soil survey. One or two individuals can be selected for the award every two years. The selection committee will be made up of past award winners with the last award recipient acting as chair of the selection committee. If multiple awards were given at the previous meeting, the chair of the selected committee will be elected by the committee. The recipients of the award will become members of the Silver Spade Club.

Article XII - Amendments

Section 1.0 -- Any part of this statement for purposes, policy and procedures may be amended any time by majority agreement of the conference participants.

By-Laws Adopted January 16, 1976
By-Laws Amended June 25, 1982
By-Laws, Amended June 15, 1984
By-Laws, Amended June 20, 1986
By-Laws, Amended June 17, 1988
By-Laws, Amended June 10, 1994
By-Laws, Amended June 13, 1996
By-Laws, Amended June 22, 2000
By-Laws, Amended May 25, 2006

Bylaws of the North Central Regional Soil Survey Conference (Exhibit 602-4)

2002 (revised)

Article I - Name

The name of the Conference shall be the North Central Regional Soil Survey Conference. The letters NCRSSC may be used as the official acronym of the conference.

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of the conference is to bring together North Central States representatives of the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) for discussion of technical questions. Through the actions of committees and conference discussions, experience is summarized and clarified for the benefit of all; new areas are explored; procedures are proposed; and ideas are exchanged and disseminated. The conference also functions as a clearinghouse for recommendations and proposals received from individual members and state conferences for transmittal to the National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference (NCSSC). It also acts on recommendations from the national conference and other Regional conferences.

Article III - Membership

Participants of the conference are the National Cooperative Soil Survey soil scientists of Federal, State, University, local units of government and private organizations of the North Central Region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin). A National Leader of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Survey Division will be a Liaison to the NCRSSC and will maintain a membership list for the Conference and distribute it to the incoming chair. All cooperating agencies and organizations will be responsible to provide update membership information to a Liaison National Leader of Soil Survey Division. All soil scientists or other technical specialists of any cooperating agency or organization whose participation would be helpful for particular objectives or projects of the Conference may be sent including those from the host state.

Article IV - Meetings

Section 1 -- Time. The conference will ordinarily convene every 2 years in even-numbered years. The conference chair determines time of year for next meeting. Additional meetings may be called by request of the steering committee or the conference with the administrative approval of the participating agencies and organizations.

Section 2 -- Host State. The host state is determined two meetings in advance: (e.g., the 2002 conference selects the host state for 2006, the 2004 conference selects the host state for 2008, etc.). During the conference business meeting invitations from the various states are considered and voted upon. A simple majority vote decides the host state. The conference may be held at any suitable location within the host state. The state rotation for the NCRSSC is as follows: Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, North Dakota, Kansas, Ohio, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, South Dakota, and Missouri.

Section 3 -- Separate Meetings. University Agricultural Experiment Station representatives to the North Central Regional Committee No. 3 (NCR-3) on soil surveys will meet during the conference. Concurrently, soil scientists of the other cooperating agencies may meet to discuss their issues.

Section 4 -- Basic Structure of Regional Conference. Although the agenda for each conference will vary depending upon current issues and items of interest, the following is a basic recommended list of items that would be included in a North Central Regional Soil Survey Conference. This list can be used as an aid for states planning future conference meetings:

1. Welcome by cooperating host state agencies.
2. Reports by cooperating agencies such as NRCS, NCR-3, Forest Service (FS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and other agencies and groups as needed.
3. Reports from Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) Regional Offices (MO’s) within the North Central Region. These would include: Indianapolis, IN; St. Paul, MN; Salina, KS; Bismarck, ND; Amherst, MA; Morgantown, WV, Little Rock, AR and Lexington, KY.
4. Time allotted for breakout session. These typically are NRCS and NCR-3.
5. Time allotted for committees to meet and discuss charges presented to them by the steering committee as well as time allotted for conference attendees to make input to each committee’s activities.
6. Time allotted for committee reports to the conference.
7. Time allotted for a business meeting toward the end of the conference.
8. A half or full day field trip to look at soil related problems or landscapes of some special areas that might be of interest to the group.

Article V - Steering Committee, Officers and Committee Chairs

Section 1 -- The Conference shall have a Steering Committee. The steering committee shall consist of:

• NRCS State Soil Scientist of host state
• The University representative for host state
• NRCS and University representative from the next host state
• Past NCRSSC chair and co-chair
• Liaison National Leader of Soil Survey Division
• MO leader for the host site

Officers rotate among agencies. That is, the chair must be of a different agency than the past chair. Similarly, the secretary must be of a different agency than the past secretary. At each biennial conference a secretary is elected for the succeeding conference. The secretary (whoever will be the next NCRSSC chair - either the NRCS State Soil scientist or University Representative) becomes chair when his/her successor is elected. When an officer is unable to complete his/her term of office, the steering committee shall appoint a successor.

Responsibilities of the Steering Committee include the following:

• The committee will meet once after the business meeting of each conference and may meet at other times if necessary.
• The steering committee may select individuals that will represent the NCRSSC in conferences of other regions.
• The steering committee assists in the formulation of charges to committees.
• The steering committee will be responsible for compiling, editing and distributing the NCRSSC Proceedings to all conference attendees within the 120 days after the conference.
• Steering committee will forward action items, recommendations and resolutions to appropriate Liaison National Leader of Soil Survey Division and Director of Soil Survey Division.

Section 2 -- Conference Officers

A. Chair. The chair is from the host state. Responsibilities include the following (specific tasks may be delegated to the secretary):

1. Functions as head of the Steering Committee.
2. Plans and manages the biennial conference.
3. Determines, in consultation with the steering committee, the kinds of committees, selects the committee chairs and assistant chairs, formulate, and transmits charges to committees, and appoints committee members.
4. Issue announcements of and invitations to the conference.
5. Writes the program and has copies prepared and distributed to the membership.
6. Makes necessary arrangements for: food and lodging accommodations; special food functions; meeting rooms (including committee rooms); and local transport for official functions.
7. Provides for appropriate publicity for the conference.
8. Presides at the business meeting of the conference.
9. Make arrangements for a half or full day field trip.

B. Secretary. The secretary is from the state that will host the next biennial conference. The secretary for the succeeding conference (in 2 years) is elected by simple majority vote at NCRSSC business meeting. Responsibilities of the Secretary include the following:

1. Assists in the planning and management of the conference.
2. Assists in the selection of committee chairs and assistant chairs and in the selection of committee members.
3. Responsible for taking of all business meeting minutes, collecting final reports from committees, and collecting any papers or presentations given during the conference.
4. Responsible for forwarding all conference minutes, reports and papers to the Liaison National Leader of Soil Survey Division for the final preparation and distribution of the NCRSSC Proceedings.
5. Updates the conference membership list (given to him/her by the Chair upon conclusion of each conference) and provides the list to the Liaison National Leader of Soil Survey Division.

Section 3 -- Committee Chairs. The conference chair in consultation with the steering committee selects the chair and co-chair for each committee.

Article VI - Committees

Section 1 -- The constituted committees accomplish most of the technical work of the conference. The committees of the Conference shall be determined by the Steering Committee. Some committees will continue from the previous conference. Permanent or standing committees, ad hoc committees, and task force groups are considered to be committees of the Conference.

Section 2 -- The Committee Chair will select a secretary, or recorder. Committee members shall be selected after considering Steering Committee recommendations, National Conference recommendations, individual interests, technical proficiency, and continuity of the work. They are not limited to members of the National Cooperative Soil Survey.

Section 3 -- Each committee commonly conducts its work by correspondence among committee members. Most of the committee’s communications will be by correspondence. Copies of all correspondence between members of the steering committee shall be sent to each member of the committee. Committee chairs shall provide their committee members with the charges as assigned by the Steering Committee and procedure for committee operation. Committee chairs are charged with responsibility for initiating and carrying forward this work. Chairs should initiate committee work at the earliest possible date. Each committee shall meet during the conference to permit other conference attendees to make input to each committee’s activities.

Section 4 -- Each committee chair shall send copies of a final committee report to the Secretary within the 30 days after the Conference.

Section 5 -- A standing committee will address proposed changes in soil taxonomy. Three members to be determined by NCR-3 and three members to be appointed the conference chair.

Article VII - Representation

Delegates to the National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference will include the Liaison National Leader of Soil Survey Division, and a NCR-3 (state) delegate from the current host state for NCRSSC. These two delegates will also serve on the steering committee for the NCSSC. Two additional delegates to the NCSSC will include one NCRS soil scientist and one NCR-3 (state) representative (with appropriate administrative approval). The NCRS soil scientist will be chosen by simple majority vote during the separate federal session. The second NCR-3 delegate will come from the next NCRSSC host state and be assigned the task of presenting the NCRSSC report at the NCSSC. Both NCR-3 delegates will be chosen by simple majority vote during the separate NCR-3 session at the NCRSSC.

Article VIII - Historical Record

A cumulative file of conference programs shall be turned over to each incoming conference chairman. A cumulative file should be keep at office of a Liaison National Leader of Soil Survey Division.

Article IX - Amendments

The by-laws may be amended at any time by a simple majority vote of the participants attending the biennial business meeting. An amendment shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be effective immediately upon adoption and shall remain in effect until changed.

Bylaws of the Southern Regional Cooperative Soil Survey Conference (Exhibit 602-5)

Article I - Name

Section 1 -- The name of the Conference shall be the Southern Regional Cooperative Soil Survey Conference.

Article II - Geographic Boundary

Section 1 -- The Southern Region corresponds to the Agricultural Experiment Station Southern Region and includes the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the Caribbean Area.

Article III - Purpose

Section 1 -- The purpose of the Southern Regional Cooperative Soil Survey Conference is to bring together representatives of the National Cooperative Soil Survey in the southern states for discussion of technical, scientific, and other general questions and issues of importance to the Cooperative Soil Survey Program. Through the actions of committees and conference discussions, experience is summarized and clarified for the benefit of all; new areas are explored; procedures are synthesized; and ideas are exchanged and disseminated. The conference also functions as a clearinghouse for recommendations and proposals received from individual members and state conferences for transmittal to the National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference.

Article IV - Participants

Section 1 -- Permanent participants of the conference are the following:

Section 1.1 -- The NRCS State Soil Scientist, Staff Soil Scientists, and the MLRA Office Soil Scientists responsible for each of the states and U.S. Territories assigned to the South Region.

Section 1.2 -- The Experiment Station or University's National Cooperative Soil Survey Leader(s) of each of the states and U.S. Territories assigned to the South Region.

Section 1.3 -- Representatives from the 1890 Land Grant Universities and Tuskegee University.

Section 1.4 -- Soil Scientists assigned to the NRCS Southeast and South Central Regional Offices.

Section 1.5 -- National Soil Survey Center Liaisons assigned to the MLRA Offices within the South Region.

Section 1.6 -- Representative from the National Cartography and Geospatial Center.

Section 1.7 -- Representative from the Information Technology Center at Ft. Collins, Colorado.

Section 1.8 -- Representatives from the regional soils staff of the USDA Forest Service.

Section 1.9 -- Soils discipline representative from the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Section 1.10 -- Representative from the National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists, Inc.

Section 2 -- On the recommendation of the Steering Committee, the Chair of the conference may extend invitations to other individuals to participate in committee work and in the conference. Any soil scientist or other technical specialists of any state or federal agency or private consultant whose participation is helpful for particular objectives or projects of the conference may be invited to attend.

Article V - Organization and Management

Section 1 -- Steering Committee. A Steering Committee assists in the planning and management of the biennial conference, including the formulation of committee memberships, selection of the committee chair and vice-chair, and organizing the program of the conference.

Section 1.1 -- Steering Committee Membership. The Steering Committee consists of five members:

1. The conference chair.
2. The conference vice-chair.
3. Soil Scientist assigned to either the Southeast or South Central Regional Office of NRCS.
4. One MLRA Team Leader.
5. The past conference chair.

Appendix III contains a schedule that can be used to determine the appropriate rotations of assignments. The Steering Committee is chaired by the Soil Scientist serving under item 3 above. The Steering Committee may designate a conference chair and vice chair if the persons designated in Section 2.0 are unable to fulfill their obligations.

Section 1.2 -- Meetings and Communications. A planning meeting will be held about 1 year prior to the conference. The chair may schedule additional meetings if the need arises. Most of the steering committee's communications will be in writing. Copies of all correspondence between members of the committee shall be sent to all members of the steering committee.

Section 1.3 -- Authority and Responsibilities.

Section 1.3.1 -- Conference Participants. The Steering Committee formulates policy on conference participants, but final approval or disapproval of changes in policy is by consensus of the participants. The Steering Committee makes recommendations to the conference for extra and special participants in specific conferences.

Section 1.3.2 -- Conference Committees. The Steering Committee formulates the conference committee membership and selects the committee chair and vice-chair. The Steering Committee is responsible for the formulation of committee charges.

Section 1.3.3 -- Conference Policies. The Steering Committee is responsible for the formulation of statements of conference policy. Final approval of such statements is by consensus of the conference participants.

Section 1.3.4 -- Liaison. The Steering Committee is responsible for maintaining liaison between the regional conference and:

1. The Experiment Station Directors within the Southern Region.
2. The State Conservationists, NRCS, for the states within the Southern Region.
3. The Regional Conservationists for the Southeast and South Central NRCS regions.
4. Director, Soils Division, NRCS.
5. Regional and national offices of the U.S. Forest Service.
6. The National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference.
7. Southern Forest Soils Research Council.
8. Other cooperating and participating agencies and private individuals.

Section 1.4 -- Responsibilities of the Steering Committee Chair are:

Section 1.4.1 -- Call a planning meeting of the Steering Committee about 1 year in advance of the conference to plan the agenda, and if possible, at the scheduled location of the conference.

Section 1.4.2 -- Develop with the Steering Committee the conference's committees and their charges.

Section 1.4.3 -- Send committee assignments to committee members. The committee assignments will be determined by the Steering Committee at the planning meeting. The proposed chair and vice-chair of each committee will be contacted personally by a member of the conference steering committee and asked if they will serve prior to final assignments.

Section 1.4.4 -- Compile and maintain a conference mailing list (can be copies on mailing labels).

Section 2 -- Conference Chair and Vice-Chair. The conference chair and vice-chair are the State Soil Scientist and Experiment Station Soil Survey Leader from the state where the next conference is to be held. These officers serve a two-year term from close of conference to close of conference. The chair position, for each two-year period, alternates between the state soil scientist and experiment station representative. This sequence may be altered by the Steering Committee for special situations.

Section 2.1 -- Responsibilities of the conference chair:

Section 2.1.1 -- Functions as chair of the biennial conference.

Section 2.1.2 -- Planning and management of the biennial conference.

Section 2.1.3 -- Serve as a member of the Steering Committee.

Section 2.1.4 -- Send out a first announcement of the conference about 9 months  prior to the conference.

Section 2.1.5 -- Send out written invitations to all speakers or panel members and representatives from other regions. These people will be contacted beforehand by phone or in person by various members of the steering committee.

Section 2.1.6 -- Send out written requests to Experiment Station representatives to find out if they will be presenting a report at the conference.

Section 2.1.7 -- Notify all speakers, panel members, and Experiment Station representatives in writing that a brief written summary of their presentation will be requested after the conference is over. This material will be included in the conference's proceedings.

Section 2.1.8 -- Preside over the conference.

Section 2.1.9 -- Provide for appropriate publicity for the conference.

Section 2.1.10 -- Preside at the business meeting of the conference.

Section 2.1.11 -- Appoint a recording secretary to take minutes of the business meeting and prepare minutes for inclusion in the proceedings of the conference.

Section 2.2 -- Responsibilities of conference vice-chair:

Section 2.2.1 -- Serve as Program Chair of the biennial conference.

Section 2.2.2 -- Serve as a member of the Steering Committee.

Section 2.2.3 -- Act for the chair in the chair's absence or disability.

Section 2.2.4 -- Develop the program agenda of the conference. Time is to be provided on the conference agenda for separate state and federal meetings.

Section 2.2.5 -- Make the necessary arrangements for lodging accommodations for conference members, for food or social functions, for meeting rooms, including committee rooms, and for local transport for official functions. Notify all persons attending the conference of the arrangement for the conference (rooms, etc.). Included in the last mailing will be a copy of the agenda.

Section 2.2.6 -- Compile and distribute the proceedings of the conference. If these bylaws are amended, the proceedings shall contain a copy of the new by-laws.

Section 3 -- Past Conference Chair. The primary responsibility of the past conference chair is to provide continuity from conference to conference. Additional responsibilities include the following:

Section 3.1 -- Serve as a member of the Steering committee.

Section 3.2 -- Assist in planning the conference.

Section 4 -- Administrative Advisors. Administrative advisors to the conference consist of a NRCS State Conservationist (usually, but not necessarily, from the state where the conference is held) and an Experiment Station Director (usually, but not necessarily from the state where the conference is held). In addition, other advisors may be selected by the steering committee or the conference.

Article VI - Time and Place of Conference

Section 1 -- The conference convenes every two years, in even-numbered years. During the biennial business meeting, invitations from the various states are considered, discussed and voted upon. A simple majority vote decides the location of the next conference. Appendix I can be used as a guide for determining meeting locations. The date and specific location will be determined by the Steering Committee.

Article VII - Conference Committees

Section 1 -- Most of the work of the conference is accomplished by duly constituted committees.

Section 2 -- Each committee has a chair and vice-chair. A secretary or recorder may be selected by the chair, if necessary. The committee chair and vice-chair are selected by the Steering Committee.

Section 3 -- The kinds of committees and their members are determined by the Steering Committee. In making their selections, the Steering Committee makes use of expressions of interest filed by the conference participants.

Section 4 -- Much of the work of committees will of necessity be conducted by correspondence between the times of biennial conferences. Committee chairs are charged with the responsibility for initiating and carrying forward this work.

Section 5 -- Each committee shall make an official report at the designated time at each biennial conference. Chair of committees is responsible for submitting the required number of committee reports promptly to the vice-chair of the conference.

Section 5.1 -- Suggested distribution is:

Section 5.1.1 -- One copy to each participant on the mailing list.

Section 5.1.2 -- One copy to each State Conservationist, NRCS, and Experiment Station Director in the Southern Region

Section 5.1.3 -- Five copies to the Director of Soils, NRCS, for distribution to National Office staff.

Section 5.1.4 -- Ten copies to the National Soil Survey Center (NSSC) for distribution to staff in the Center.

Section 5.1.5 -- Three copies to the Soil Scientists representing the Southeast and South Central NRCS regions for distribution and circulation to both the NRCS and cooperators within their regions.

Section 5.1.6 -- Five copies to the Forest Service Regional Soil Scientist.

Article VIII - Representatives to the National and Regional Soil Survey Conferences

Section 1 -- At least one state and one federal member will represent this conference at the National Cooperative Soil Survey Conference. Selections are to be made by the appropriate administrators. Representatives will report back to their respective state or federal group.

Section 2 -- One member of the Steering Committee will represent the Southern Region at the Northeast, North Central and West Regional Soil Survey Conference. If none of the members of the Steering Committee can attend a particular conference, a member of the conference will be selected by the Steering Committee for this duty.

Article IX - Southern Region Soil Taxonomy Committee

Section 1 -- Membership of the standing committee is as follows: Lead Scientist, Soil Taxonomy (permanent chair). MLRA Team Leaders representing MLRA Regions 9, 13, 14, 15, and 16 (permanent members). Three experiment station representatives (rotating members).

Section 2 -- At their respective business meetings, the experiment station representatives will be elected to serve on this committee. The term of membership is three years, with two members elected at each biennial conference. One member’s term will begin immediately and the other will begin one year later.

Article X - Southern Regional Technical Committee for Hydric Soils

Section 1 -- Membership of the standing committee is as follows:

• Three university members
• Three USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) members
• One U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) member
• One U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CORPS) member
• One U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Member
• One USDA Forest Service (FS) members
• One member of the National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists, Inc. (NSCSS)

Section 2 -- At their respective business meetings during the biannual conference, the university and NRCS representatives will be elected to serve on this committee. The term of membership is three years, with two members elected at each biannual conference. One newly elected member’s term will begin immediately and the other will begin one year later. The method for placing members on the committee used by the other agencies will be determined by those agencies’ regional or national leadership.

Article XI - Amendments

Section 1 -- Any part of this statement of By-Laws may be amended any time by majority agreement of the conference participants.

By-Laws Adopted June 9, 1990
By-Laws Amended July 11, 1968
By-Laws Amended May 7, 1970
By-Laws Amended May 25, 1984
By-Laws Amended June 22, 1990
By-Laws Amended April 19, 1996
By-Laws Amended June 26, 1998

Appendix I: Southern Regional Technical Committee for Hydric Soils

Appendix II: Recommendations for Future Conference Locations, Conference Chair and Vice Chair, Steering Committee Chair, and MLRA Office Representative to Steering Committee

1998 - LA SSS - LA EXP STA - LA SOUTH CENTRAL RALEIGH
2000 - AL EXP STA - AL SSS - AL SOUTHEAST TEMPLE
2002 - MS SSS - MS EXP STA - MS SOUTH CENTRAL MORGANTOWN
2004 - GA EXP STA - GA SSS - GA SOUTHEAST LITTLE ROCK
2006 - OK SSS - OK EXP STA - OK SOUTH CENTRAL AUBURN
2008 - FL EXP STA - FL SSS - FL SOUTHEAST TEMPLE
2010 - TX SSS - TX EXP STA - TX SOUTH CENTRAL RALEIGH
2012 - KY EXP STA - KY SSS - KY SOUTHEAST LITTLE ROCK
2014 - TN SSS - TN EXP STA - TN SOUTH CENTRAL AUBURN
2016 - PR EXP STA - PR SSS - PR SOUTHEAST TEMPLE
2018 - NC SSS - NC EXP STA - NC SOUTH CENTRAL MORGANTOWN
2020 - AR EXP STA - AR SSS - AR SOUTHEAST LITTLE ROCK
2022 - SC SSS - SC EXP STA - SC SOUTH CENTRAL RALEIGH
2024  -LA EXP STA - LA SSS - LA SOUTHEAST TEMPLE

In addition to the above, the past conference chair also serves on the steering committee.

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