NSSH Part 644

Delivering Soil Survey Information

Definition and Purpose (644.00)

Soil survey information is the analysis and summary of records gathered either during the initial inventory or added later to enhance the data assembled during the initial investigation and mapping. Soil survey information is distributed in a variety of forms and always includes a geographic component identifying either the spatial or point location of the information. Soil survey information describes, defines, and classifies the soils and interprets them for various uses. It documents the kinds, extent, location, and quality of the soils in the survey area. It contains soil interpretations appropriate for the intended uses of the soils. The memorandum of understanding for the soil survey area describes these uses.
The purpose of soil survey information is to transfer knowledge to those who make decisions about soil use. Soil survey information may utilize several delivery systems and is represented by different soil survey products.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) according to the authority outlined in Title 7 Code of Federal Regulation (October 8, 2004) Subpart B, sec. 611.10, part (a), conducts soil surveys under national standards and guidelines for naming, classifying, and interpreting soils and for disseminating soil survey information. This part of the National Soil Survey Handbook provides standards on dissemination of soil survey information.

Types of Soil Survey Delivery (644.01)

Soil survey information is delivered primarily through four online systems: Web Soil Survey, the Soil Data Mart, the National Soil Characterization Web application, and the Soil Geochemical Spatial Web application.

Web Soil Survey

The Web Soil Survey (http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/) is the primary delivery mechanism for detailed soil survey information. This Web application has several delivery functions. It includes Web-based soil surveys with user-determined text and maps of areas of interest. The Web Soil Survey allows the user to interactively select an area of interest on the map, to view and print the soils map for the area-of-interest, to access soil data for the area, and to obtain information on the suitability of the soils for selected uses. The Web Soil Survey is a dynamic system; any corrections and enhancements made to the spatial and tabular data as a result of soil survey maintenance can be uploaded to the Soil Data Mart and thus made available through the Web Soil Survey. Although the information in the current version is detailed soil survey information, plans are to include general soil information and point data.
Soil Data Mart

The Soil Data Mart is an applications database of the official detailed soil survey tabular and spatial information and the general spatial and tabular data of the Digital General Soil Map of the U.S. (STATSGO). All data in this database have been certified for use. The Soil Data Mart allows the user to download tabular and/or spatial soil data and to view the tabular data as reports for individual survey areas. Downloading and viewing of the tabular data can be tailored to individual selections. A part of the National Soil Information System, the Soil Data Mart is the official source for soil information delivered through various applications such as the data mart, Web Soil Survey, and field office technical guides. The URL for the site is http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/. Point data as pedon descriptions and laboratory data may be included in this database in the future.
NSSC Soil Survey Laboratory Research Database Web Application

The National Soil Characterization Data Website is an applications database that provides analytical data for pedons of U.S. and foreign soils from the Soil Survey Laboratory (SSL), National Soil Survey Center. Standard morphological pedon descriptions are available for most of these pedons. The data are available online at http://ssldata.nrcs.usda.gov/. They are point data.
Soil Geochemical Spatial Web Application

The Soil Geochemical Spatial Web Application is an ArcView-driven Web application. The geographic display consists of two major sets of geochemistry data:
1. Current geochemical data. – These data are displayed in four geographic layers: Site Info, Major Elements, Trace Elements, and Selected Characterization Data.
2. Holmgren Dataset. – These data were produced by the Soil Survey Laboratory during the 1970s and 1980s for a project documenting the content of selected trace elements in agricultural soils of the U.S. This database is available at: http://soils.usda.gov/survey/geochemistry/index.html.

Policy and Responsibilities (644.02)

Title 7 CFR Subpart B paragraph 611.11 directs the NRCS to disseminate soil survey information to the public through electronically accessible maps and reports, electronic access to data files, or printed documents. To the extent limited by commonly accepted technology, soil survey information is disseminated in electronic form. NRCS is to make soil survey information available as soon as is practical following fieldwork or other soil survey activity that provides new soil survey information.

Official soil survey information
1. The official source of soil information is the Soil Data Mart, a part of the National Soil Information System.
  1. This system provides for the collection, storage, manipulation, and dissemination of detailed and general soil survey information.
  2. The system includes certified tabular and spatial data at various scales.
2. The goal is to distribute and maintain accurate and complete information on the current condition of the soils of the United States in a seamless sequence of spatial and tabular data.
  1. Soil survey information is published and issued to users soon after the completion of the fieldwork.
  2. Initial detailed soil survey information is to be posted when the spatial data is certified, the NASIS data is certified and both databases are ready to send to the Soil Data Warehouse; at least within 1 year after mapping is complete.
Interpretations
1. Interpretations are generated from soil property data and approved interpretation criteria.
2. Interpretations used in disseminating soil survey information are extracted directly from information hosted on the Soil Data Mart.
3. The interpretation results are not modified or adjusted individually in any way. They are the results generated by the criteria.
Responsibilities
1. The MLRA Soil Survey Office is responsible for:
  1. creation and maintenance of fully populated soil survey databases in the National Soil Information System with the properties to generate tables of soil survey information and interpretations for all soil surveys in their assigned area;
  2. detailed soil mapping for digitized and certified detailed soil spatial data;
  3. primary authorship and preparation of soil survey manuscripts for complete soil survey publications;
  4. developing technically correct, consistent, complete, current, organized, clear, and concise soil survey manuscripts;
  5. responding to the customer needs and expectations defined in the memorandum of understanding;
  6. meeting NCSS standards;
  7. preparing illustrations and photographs;
  8. requesting the assistance of staff specialists for soils and other disciplines, as needed; and
  9. developing schedules and meeting established dates.
2. The MLRA Soil Survey Region Office is responsible for:
  1. ensuring that detailed and general soil survey products and information conform to NCSS standards;
  2. providing support and leadership to the project office in describing soil properties and making estimations used as data elements;
  3. providing support and leadership to the project office in preparing soil survey manuscripts and maps and the processes involved, such as map compilation and digitizing;
  4. ensuring that soil survey products and information are technically correct, consistent, complete, current, and organized in a clear and concise manner;
  5. ensuring that soil survey information reflects current local conditions and needs;
  6. providing training to authors;
  7. recommending the action needed to correct an error in a database;
  8. monitoring the key dates in the Soil Survey Schedule and assisting the project office in keeping the soil survey on schedule;
  9. ensuring multidiscipline and cooperator input when soil survey information is prepared and reviewed;
  10. editing, formatting, proofreading, and preparing text and tables for soil survey manuscripts; and
  11. ensuring conformity of publications to the Government Printing Office Style Manual.
3. The State Office is responsible for:
  1. certifying and posting official detailed soil survey information in the Soil Data Mart;
  2. populating and maintaining general soil information in the NASIS database and submitting to the national coordinator for the Digital General Soil Map of the U.S.;
  3. developing criteria for local or state interpretations, as needed;
  4. selecting the appropriate tables of detailed soil information for use within the Soil Data Mart;
  5. developing a program that ensures equitable distribution of soil survey information and products;
  6. populating the electronic field office technical guide (eFOTG) with soil survey information from the Soil Data Mart; and
  7. ensuring that any directive included in the MOU or other working agreement directing the restriction of information sensitive to national security is complied with (see part 606.01).
4. The National Soil Survey Center is responsible for:
  1. developing national standards and procedures for disseminating soil survey information;
  2. developing national interpretations using detailed and general soil survey information;
  3. maintaining the general soil information data set;
  4. maintaining a national list of published soil surveys, including out-of-print surveys; and
  5. providing for the delivery of soil survey information on Web delivery tools.
5. The National Cartography and Geospatial Center is responsible for:
  1. quality of the electronically disseminated maps on the Web and on the CD-ROMs.

Soil Survey Products (644.03)

Soil survey information is assembled at various scales to meet the needs of various customers. The product types are:

Point soil data. These are data that are sampled in one location.
1. Point data include pedon description data and lab characterization data that are geo-referenced. Some of this information is currently delivered:
  1. through the laboratory characterization database or
  2. within printed publications, such as soil survey reports and soil survey investigation reports.
2. Most point data gathered as field documentation for soil survey are now captured within the National Soil Information System but are not made available elsewhere.
Detailed soil survey information.
1. This information consists of soil survey spatial data (soil maps or digital data) and reports, such as the standard product of detailed soil surveys, and generally is at a scale of either 1:12,000 or 1:24,000.
2. This information is delivered by the Soil Data Mart and Web Soil Survey.
Complete soil survey publication. The complete soil survey publication includes materials and sections identified in Exhibit 644-1. The complete soil survey publication:
1. Includes detailed soil survey information and other explanatory information.
2. Is delivered as standardized PDF files of text, tables, and maps both by CD-ROM and in the Web Soil Survey as a soil survey manuscript.
3. New or old, whether published in printed form, on CD-ROM, or on the Web, is listed on the national list of published soil surveys, which is maintained by the National Soil Survey Center at http://soils.usda.gov/survey/printed_surveys/. This site includes the list of completed soil survey publications, information on ordering printed copies or CD-ROMs, and information about online soil survey publications.
General Soil Map of the U.S. This dataset includes both spatial and tabular data.
1. The level of mapping is designed for maps to be used for broad planning and management covering state, regional, and multi-state areas.
2. Soil maps for the General Soil Map of the U.S. database are produced by generalizing the detailed soil survey data.
3. The mapping scale for the general soil map is 1:250,000 (with the exception of Alaska, which is 1:1,000,000).
4. Web access to the Digital General Soil Map of the U.S. is provided with capability to download data within the Soil Data Mart.
5. Eventually, online viewing and analysis of the Digital General Map will be part of the Web Soil Survey.
Major Land Resource Areas of the United States. The map of the Major Land Resource Areas of the United States is a generalization of the map units in the General Soil Map of the U.S. Some line work is also taken from USFS and USEPA ecoregion maps.
1. Delineations are compiled to a base map of 1:250,000 and displayed at scales of 1:3.5 million to 1:7.5 million. Currently, no tabular database has been developed for this data layer.
2. All connected soil data are in text fields, except for National Resource Inventory data. However, the MLRA map is linked to a companion dataset, called Common Resource Areas, that has linkages to short narratives and the Conservation Systems Guides (CSGs) database, used by the field office technical guide.

Development of Point Data (644.04)

Point data become a product of soil survey when they are incorporated into the database. These data include soil profile descriptions, soil water or temperature measurements, transects, field notes, and data derived from characterization or engineering test laboratories.

Development of Detailed Soil Survey Information (644.05)

Detailed soil survey information becomes a product of soil survey when it is entered into the Soil Data Warehouse. It includes all soil map unit and component information and spatial information.

Development of a Complete Soil Survey Publication (644.06)

Planning.
1. The memorandum of understanding for the soil survey area is the guidance document for soil surveys from design to delivery. It must be specific, and signers must commit to its contents.
2. The workload analysis identifies the tasks and the timeframe to complete each task. Part 608.05 provides more information. Part 608.09 provides information on scheduling. Exhibit 608-1 identifies the basic activities that must be completed.
3. During the initial field review, the project office and the MLRA office assign each section of the manuscript to an author. They also identify dates for completion.
4. The layout and design of a “complete soil survey publications” are standardized so that the publications have a consistent corporate look and meet government standards. Flexibility is available to authors in the presentation of this soil survey information, as outlined in Exhibit 644-1, which indicates required and optional sections. The content should meet the needs of the intended users. These needs are identified in the memorandum of understanding.
Quality Control and Assurance.
1. Progressive correlation and certification help to resolve soil survey problems and meet soil survey needs throughout the course of the soil survey project. The MLRA office assists the project office during the project activities, including manuscript preparation, to ensure the timely completion of the manuscript and database and conformance to standards.
2. The author(s) and the MLRA office control the technical quality of a soil survey manuscript. Technical specialists in such fields as range, forestland, wildlife, and engineering provide assistance.
3. The MLRA office and technical specialists review the soil survey manuscript and database for technical accuracy and adherence to standards. Quality control occurs during each stage in the project. The editor and soil scientists on the MLRA office staff control the quality of the text and maps. The MLRA office certifies the soil survey legend, descriptions, database, mapping, and manuscript during progressive reviews.
4. The National Cartography and Geospatial Center controls the quality of printing the CD-ROMS.
Ordering Copies.
1. The state conservationist submits a consolidated state order for CD-ROMs or print copies of surveys and map copies on form NRCS-SOI-7 to the National Cartography and Geospatial Center about 3 months before manuscript completion. Exhibit 644-2 is an example of the form. Include the shipping addresses of those locations receiving copies.
  1. The state conservationist coordinates with the cooperating agencies and libraries, institutions, and officials of interested agencies. Up to 1000 CD-ROMs and 500 sets of maps can be ordered.
  2. Each cooperating agency is entitled to 50 copies of the published soil survey on CD-ROM at no cost.
  3. In special situations, where printed and bound copies are required, approval by the Director of Soil Survey is required. The state conservationist will indicate on the NRCS-SOI-7 the number of copies to be printed on paper and the number to be published on CD-ROMs.
  4. Prior to final publication, the state conservationist checks the submitted form NRCS-SOI-7 to ensure that it still is current. The state conservationist notifies the National Cartography and Geospatial Center of any change in the number of copies ordered. The revised form NRCS-SOI-7 must be received before the survey is sent for the production of CD-ROMS.
2. Senators and Representatives are informed of the availability of the publication. Refer to Exhibit 644-3 for a sample.
Printing Requirements and Options for Soil Surveys.
1. Soil survey publications are issued only as electronic copies of text and maps on CD-ROMs and/or on the Web; however, maps may be available as flat maps where printing from electronic media is not feasible. Printing of paper copies of the text requires special approval by the Director of Soil Survey.
2. All surveys must be sent to the National Cartography and Geospatial Center for the production of original CD-ROMs and electronic files. States and cooperators can produce copies of issued CD-ROMs as needed.
3. The National Cartography and Geospatial Center maintains the printing materials for maps. States ensure that other printing materials, such as photographs, are stored for future use.
4. Electronic files can be provided to cooperators and others, who can then produce additional copies of the survey for distribution or sale to the public.
Detecting and Correcting Errors in Printed Copies of Published Soil Surveys.

Printing and binding errors include blank pages, duplicate or missing pages, poor binding, misplaced pages, and blurred print. Some errors may occur in every copy of the survey. They include missing paragraphs, misplaced captions, wrong entries in tables, and defective maps. Determine the extent of the error before selecting a corrective action. The National Cartography and Geospatial Center can provide assistance to the state soil scientist in determining the corrective action to be taken.
Distributing a Published Soil Survey.
1. When the soil survey publication of an area is printed on a CD-ROM or other electronically readable media, the National Cartography and Geospatial Center notifies the state conservationist to expect delivery of the publication. The state conservationist and the cooperating agencies implement their marketing plan and distribute the soil survey to maximize its utilization.
2. The distribution ensures that each published soil survey is available to all people, regardless or race, color, national origin, sex, religion, marital status, or age. The distribution may entail printing paper copies from the CD-ROM or downloaded from the Web.
3. Prior to distribution, check all copies. Be sure all sections of the PDF files open properly. Also, check maps if they are printed separately. Report errors to the state soil scientist, who in turn notifies the National Cartography and Geospatial Center.

Development of the Digital General Soil Map of the U.S. (644.07)

Digital General Soil Map of the U.S.
1. The basis for the Digital General Soil Map of the U.S. is the former State Soil Survey Geographic Database (STATSGO2). This database includes spatial and tabular data.
2. It uses the Geographic Coordinate System with North American Datum (NAD) 1983.
3. This database is established and managed as one data set; however, states are required to fully populate a minimum data set of properties.
4. Data will be refreshed annually. The database uses a standard state boundary vector and the National Atlas Coastline.
5. The Soil Data Mart (SDM) and the Web Soil Survey (WSS) are desired public distribution points.
This data set provides:
1. a nationally consistent soil geographic database;
2. soil data compatible with other data digitized from 1:250,000-scale maps, such as land use/land cover, political boundaries, and federally-owned land;
3. soil information at a level of detail for a state or broader geographic information system;
4. a set of consistent, joined county general soil maps of the same scale used for a state or broader geographic information system;
5. maps for interim general soil data for areas where digital detailed soil survey maps are not complete;
6. general soil data to determine optimal locations for various uses;
7. general soil maps for publications in soil survey and watershed reports; and
8. a tool for use with other resource information for the state, region, or nation in a geographic information system.
Components of the General Soil Map of the U.S.
1. In general, map units are a combination of associated phases of soil series that enable the most precise interpretations. Where soil series are not established or are not adequately described, some map units are combinations of associated taxonomic subgroups or families. Components are also miscellaneous land types, such as Rock outcrop, Dune land, and Playas. Water areas not large enough to be delineated, but of sufficient composition, will be included as components of map units.
2. Map units have a maximum of 21 soil components. The percentages of the components of a map unit add up to 100 percent. Highly contrasting components are kept separate, even though they are of minor extent. For instance, 1 percent Rock outcrop is significant and should be identified in the composition.
3. Not all components are in all delineations of a general soil map unit, and the composition percentage may vary by delineation.
4. The information about map units includes reliable estimates of the components and their composition percentages. The methods by which the composition was determined is included. Composition is determined by using transects, measuring components, or calculating in a geographic information system from digital Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) data. Transects are commonly located and examined on soil survey field sheets.

Required and Optional Sections of a Soil Survey Publication (Exhibit 644-1)

Accessibility statement -- Required

Cover -- Required

“How To Use This Soil Survey” -- Required

“Box” information and EEO statement -- Required

Contents -- Required

Foreword (or Preface) -- Required

“General Nature of the Survey Area”

Introductory information and locator map -- Required
Climate tables and “Climate” section -- Optional (link to WCC)
Other sections, such as “History,” “Natural Resources,” and “Transportation Facilities” -- Optional
“How This Survey Was Made” -- Required
- “Survey Procedures” -- Optional
“General Soil Map Units” -- Optional link to Digital General Soil Map of the U.S.
Detailed soil map unit descriptions -- Required
“Use and Management of the Soils” and interpretive tables -- Required but only for relevant uses (Cropland, pasture, woodland, range, wildlife habitat, recreation, and engineering uses are all optional, depending on relevancy.)
“Land Capability Classification” -- Required
“Prime Farmland” -- Required if relevant

“Soil Properties” and properties tables

“Engineering Index Properties” -- Required
“Physical Properties” -- Required
“Chemical Properties” -- Required
“Soil Features” -- Required
“Water Features” -- Required
“Physical and Chemical Analyses of Selected Soils” -- Optional (link to NSSL data)
“Engineering Index Test Data” -- Optional

“Classification of the Soils” and classification table -- Required

Series descriptions -- Optional (link to OSDs)¹

“Formation of the Soils” -- Optional

References -- Required

Glossary -- Required

General soil map -- Optional link to Digital General Soil Map of the U.S.

Detailed soil maps

Detailed map sheets -- Required
“Index to Map Sheets” -- Required
“Conventional and Special Symbols Legend” -- Required
“Soil Legend” -- Required

Photographs -- Optional

Block diagrams and other drawings -- Optional

¹As we have progressed to automated development and delivery of soil survey information, taxonomic descriptions (series or higher taxa) are not required for a manuscript to meet minimum standards. Please note that you are not prohibited from publishing these descriptions, including the option to use the OSD. The MLRA regional office leader in the region may have additional insight and suggestions about this.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Soil Survey Manuscript Format

Soil survey publications on CD-ROM include the soil descriptions, interpretations, and maps published on one disk. Flexibility is available for MLRA offices that desire to have additional maps printed.

Editing Prewritten Material

Authors should use the latest version of the prewritten material distributed by the MLRA office. This material introduces major sections and describes the tables used in soil surveys. It should be edited only as needed. Authors need to ensure that table letters are changed to the appropriate numbers and that statements that misrepresent the survey area are changed or deleted. They should not, however, delete rating factors when these factors are not limitations in the survey area. The factors were considered when the soils were rated. Deleting references to them implies that they were not considered.

A. COVER

This is prewritten material. The names of cooperating agencies are to match the “Classification and Correlation Document.”

B. HOW TO USE THE SURVEY

A page entitled “How To Use This Soil Survey” is inserted into the text by the editorial staff prior to sending the manuscript for publication. This page is included as part of the electronically generated prewritten material.

C. CREDITS

This page is referred to by the editorial staff as the “box.” It is prewritten material. Dates and cooperators are to match the “Classification and Correlation Document.” Credit for financial or other assistance by agencies other than cooperators can be given at the end of the second paragraph on this page. Insert the caption for the cover photo.

D. CONTENTS

This is prewritten material with addition or deletion of headings as needed. Series names are to match the correlation document. The table of contents must accurately represent the actual contents of the survey. Do not list page numbers.

E. FOREWORD

This is prewritten material with insertion of the name of the survey area and the state conservationist’s name. (Note: If the state conservationist’s name is not used, change “Foreword” to “Preface”; be sure also to change the listing in the table of contents.)

F. TITLE PAGE

This is prewritten material. Fill in the name of the survey area, the author’s name, and the names of soil survey project members. Fill in the names of the cooperating agencies as they appear in the correlation document.

G. INTRODUCTION TO THE SURVEY AREA

This part of the survey is not assigned a heading. A few short paragraphs describe the location of the survey area, the size of the area, and some important facts about the area. If a soil survey of the area or part of the area has been previously published, it is pointed out that this survey supersedes the older one. Make sure that the older published survey is cited in the list of references.

H. GENERAL NATURE OF THE SURVEY AREA

This section highlights the natural and cultural features in the survey area that affect the use and management of the soils. Brief discussions of the history and development of the area, climate, physiography, drainage, natural resources, farming, etc., can be included. If history and development are described, the emphasis should be on land use. Significant trends in population and in soil use can be described. A discussion of the trends in land use is especially appropriate for survey areas that have been subject to recent extensive changes. Data from census or other sources should be supported by appropriate references. This section should give the reader a general impression of the area.

Information given in the introduction to the survey area is not repeated. Technical material does not belong in this section. If general enough for the lay reader, a brief discussion of the geology of the survey area can be included here. A highly technical discussion belongs in the section on “Formation of the Soils.”

The climate section is required as either a link to the Climate Data Access Facility or as a section. If possible, use the prewritten material. MLRA offices are encouraged to use the automated climate tables from the Climate Data Access Facility located in Portland, Oregon. The standard “normal” period of 1971 to 2000 is used, but long term or climates of other periods can supplement this required period.

I. HOW THIS SURVEY WAS MADE

This is prewritten material with the following additions. Explain all locations that are not exactly joined briefly at the end of this section. Explain a blank or unmapped area on the map within the boundaries of the survey. Is the area unmapped because it is a restricted military installation or because access was denied?

The purpose of the survey procedures section is to describe and document specific procedures used to make or update the soil survey.

J. GENERAL SOIL MAP UNITS

The general soil map, if used, is a subset of the Digital General Soil Map of the U.S.. This section consists of prewritten material, general soil map unit descriptions, and a discussion of broad land use considerations. The broad land use considerations part is optional. Three-dimensional block diagrams and cross-sectional diagrams that show the location of the major soils of a general soil map unit on a landscape and their relationship to underlying material is optional.

K. DETAILED SOIL MAP UNITS

Map unit descriptions, if used, provide users in nontechnical terms the typical profile of the named soil or soils, information about the basic soil interpretations and management concerns that could reasonably be expected for the common land uses. Map unit descriptions are written in a way that will help the reader understand the behavior of the soils within a survey area. If detailed soil map units are used they must add value to the information provided in the tables. The descriptions sequence is:

Map symbol and map unit name
Major features, setting, and composition
Brief soil profile
Included areas
Soil properties and qualities
Use and management
Interpretive groups

The information in the use and management section of the map unit description is intended to alert the user to significant problems or qualities of the soil. The discussion should be brief, concise, and informative. The description of the major hazards and management concerns must be consistent with the assigned interpretive groups.

L. USE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE SOILS

This section gives, mainly in tables, information applicable to the use and management of the soils. It discusses yields and suitability or potential and limitations of the soils for major land uses. There is a prewritten explanation for each table. In addition, there are discussions of general management concerns and practices applicable to all soils that are used for a particular purpose, such as crops and pasture

M. SOIL PROPERTIES

Data about soil properties are listed in tables in this section. All tables are generated by the soil data mart. Information includes estimates of engineering index properties, physical and chemical properties, and soil and water features. Also, available field and laboratory data are given in this section.

N. CLASSIFICATION OF THE SOILS

This section consists of a brief description of the system of soil classification and tables. Taxonomic unit descriptions define the range in characteristics of a soil series as mapped within the major land resource area or utilize or link to the official soil series descriptions. The description is written for those individuals who need a detailed technical description of the soil and the associated range in characteristics.

O. FORMATION OF THE SOILS

This section allows soil scientists to record their concepts of the soil genesis in the survey area. The formation of the soils section can be an important part of the manuscript because it describes the models used by soil scientists in making the soil survey, however, the section is optional. This information is useful to soil scientists as well as other users of the soil survey.

P. REFERENCES

References are to be shown in the reference section only. List only the references cited in the text. Previously published soil surveys of the area should always be cited.

Q. GLOSSARY

A glossary is required. The glossary defines terms, words, and phrases in the manuscript that are likely to be unfamiliar to most readers.

R. TABLES

All tables are exact replicas of the tables extracted from the soil data mart. No adjustments are made to these reports.

S. ILLUSTRATIONS

Illustrations help convey important facts to readers. They relate specifically to the soils shown on the map and to places within the survey area. Each illustration must be referred to in the text. Photographs and drawings, such as maps, diagrams, and charts, are useful types of illustrations.

Record Sheet for Collating State Orders for Published Soil Surveys (Exhibit 644-2)

Record Sheet for Collating State Orders for Published Soil Surveys

High Resolution Image (2571 x 3311, 786 KB)

Example of a Letter to a Senator -- Notification of Availability of Soil Survey (Exhibit 644-3)

Honorable _________________________
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.

Dear Senator _________________________:

The National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) is a nationwide partnership of federal, regional, state, and local agencies and institutions. Partners in NCSS work together to inventory, document, and interpret the soils of the United States and its trust territories and to disseminate information about the soils.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture, is responsible for leadership of the National Cooperative Soil Survey. We have completed a soil survey titled ___________________________. This soil survey is now available at the State Office of NRCS in ___________________________ and on the Web at: http://soils.usda.gov/survey/.

Sincerely,

State Conservationist

cc:

_________________________, Chairperson, _________________________ Conservation District

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Technical References

National Soil Survey Handbook