NTCHS Annual Meeting Minutes

February 23-24, 2005
Pensacola Beach, Florida

DRAFT Meeting Minutes

Members Present: Chris Noble (COE), Ed Blake (Nevada, NRCS), Mike Lilly (NRCS), Lenore Vasilas (Maryland, NRCS), Chien-Lu Ping (University of Alaska), Mike Vepraskas (North Carolina State University), Jimmie Richardson (North Dakota State University), Ralph Spagnola (EPA), Wade Hurt (NSSC, NRCS), Wayne Skaggs (North Carolina State University), Herb Huddleston (Oregon State University), Dave Zuberer (Texas A&M University), Bill Wilen (USFWS), and Chair, Karl Hipple (NSSC, NRCS).

Members Absent: Randy Davis (FS), Richard Griffin (Prairie View A&M University), and Bill Volk (BLM).

New member is Bill Wilen (Buck Reed's replacement).

Resource Personnel Present: Russ Pringle (Central NTSC, NRCS).

Meeting was called to order by Hipple at 8:02 am Wednesday, February 23.  After introductions, Hipple distributed objectives of this meeting and minutes of the previous meeting.  Members read the minutes and made minor corrections.  A motion for approval of corrected minutes was made by Richardson and seconded by Noble. The motion passed.

Hipple led a review of the 2004 actions items. Item 1 (Richardson, Indicator TS5) was completed. Item 2 (Hipple, Indicator TS5) was completed. Item 3 (Hurt, status of test indicators) was not completed. Item 4 (Hipple, status of test indicators) was not completed because Hurt did not complete Item 3. These 2 action items will be completed in FY05. Item 5 (Hipple, website) was completed. Item 6 (Vepraskas, IRIS committee report) was not completed but will be completed during this FY05 meeting. Item 7 (Hipple, letter to Galbraith) was completed.

Hipple outlined the 2005 NTCHS Meeting Objectives.

Blake led a discussion concerning the documentation of the history of the hydric soil indicators and the data collected during the wet soil monitoring project.  Vepraskas moved that Hipple contact Maury Mausbach to ask Maury to write a history of the hydric soil indicators and that Hipple contact Warren Lynn to ask Warren to compile the data collected during the wet soil monitoring project. The motion was seconded by Blake and the motion passed. Richardson agreed to do a literature search for research papers done on wetland soils in the midwest, Vasilas in the northeast and east, Blake in the arid west, and Lilly in the south and have available to add to a database.

Vepraskas presented the NTCHS IRIS Subcommittee recommendations on IRIS tube use and evaluation for insertion into the Hydric Soil Technical Standard. NTCHS members commented on the report. Vepraskas will revise the recommendations according to the NTCHS’s deliberations, provide the IRIS Subcommittee a copy of the revised recommendations, revise the recommendations, and provide the NTCHS a finalized IRIS Subcommittee recommendation on IRIS tube use and evaluation for insertion into the Hydric Soil Technical Standard. 

Hurt presented a suggested revision to Hydric Soil Technical Note (HSTN) 5 (Using Hydric Soil Indicators in Disturbed Soils). NTCHS members commented on Hurt’s proposal and made changes. Richardson moved that the following paragraph be inserted into HSTN 5 between the paragraph under Vegetative Disturbance and before the section on Filled Disturbance (page 1 of HSTN 5):

"Guidelines

The guidelines established are for recently filled areas. Nonhydric sandy fill material that has been in place for more than about 3 to 5 years and nonhydric loamy/clayey fill material that has been in place for more than about 8 to 10 years should first be evaluated utilizing the protocol outlined in Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States. If one or more of the Indicators is present in the resulting new soil at the required depth the soil is hydric. If no indicator is present at the required depth the guidelines outlined below should be followed".

Noble seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Richardson explained landforms where Indicator TS5 might occur and reported that for Indicator TS5 no really good documentation exists for its use and need. Hurt moved that Indicator TS5 be deleted. Motion was seconded by Lilly and the motion passed.

Hurt provided his comments concerning including the concepts of Indicator TF7 into Indicator F5 and the need to include the concepts of Indicator TS2 (based on Roger Hammer’s data) into Indicators F4 and F5. Hurt suggested the following:

F4 becomes A11 and would read as follows:
A11.  Depleted Below Dark Surface.  For use in all LRRs except W, X, and Y; for testing in LRRs W, X, and Y.  A layer with a depleted matrix that has 60% or more chroma 2 or less starting within 30 cm (12 inches) of the soil surface that has a minimum thickness of either:
a.  15 cm (6 inches), or
b.  5 cm (2 inches) if the 5 cm (2 inches) consists of fragmental soil material (see glossary).
The layer(s) above the depleted matrix have value 3 or less and chroma 2 or less.

and F5 becomes A12 and (combining with Hurt's recommendation Number 2 above) would read as follows:
A12.  Thick Dark Surface.  For use in all LRRs.  A layer at least 15 cm (6 inches) thick with a depleted matrix that has 60% or more chroma 2 or less (or a gleyed matrix) starting below 30 cm (12 inches) of the surface.  The layer(s) above the depleted or gleyed matrix have value 2.5 or less to a depth of 30 cm (12 inches) and value 3 or less and chroma 1 or less in the remainder of the epipedon.

The NTCHs discussed the suggestion. After NTCHS discussion, Noble moved that the indicators TS2, TF7, F4 and F5 be deleted and replaced with:

"A11.  Depleted Below Dark Surface. For use in all LRRs except W, X, and Y; for testing in LRRs W, X, and Y. A layer with a depleted or gleyed matrix that has 60% or more chroma 2 or less starting within 30 cm (12 inches) of the soil surface that has a minimum thickness of either:
a. 15 cm (6 inches), or
b. 5 cm (2 inches) if the 5 cm (2 inches) consists of fragmental soil material (see glossary).

Loamy/clayey layer(s) above the depleted or gleyed matrix must have value 3 or less and chroma 2 or less. Sandy layer(s) above the depleted or gleyed matrix must have value 3 or less and at least 70% of the visible soil particles must be covered, coated or similarly masked with organic material.

A12. Thick Dark Surface. For use in all LRRs.> A layer at least 15cm (6 inches) thick with a depleted matrix that has 60% or more chroma 2 or less (or a gleyed matrix) starting below 30cm (12 inches) of the surface. The layer (s) above the depleted or gleyed matrix have value 2.5 or less to a depth of 30cm (12 inches) and value 3 or less and chroma 1 or less in the remainder of the epipedon. If the epipedon is sandy at least 70% of the visible soil particles must be covered, coated, or similarly masked with organic material".

Richardson seconded the motion and the motion passed.

With these changes F4 is allowed to have a gleyed matrix, a sandy depleted or gleyed matrix (TS2), and named A11 and F5 is combined with TF7, allowed to have a sandy depleted or gleyed matrix (TS2), and named A12.

Noble provided the NTCHS an overview of the COE approved Hydrology Technical Standard.

Spagnolo provides an overview of EPA Issues focusing on COE Manual Regionalization.

Noble led a discussion on the proposed Alaska hydric soil indicators. Without discussion or motion the NTCHS approved Indicators A1, A2, and A3 for use throughout Alaska instead of the proposed Alaska Indicator 1: Saturate Organic Surfaces. Richardson moves that the proposed Alaska Indicator 2: Positive Reaction to Ferrous Iron Test in itself is not a positive indicator of Hydric Soils and should be included in any discussion concerning problem areas. Blake seconded the motion and the motion passed. Without discussion or motion the NTCHS approved Indicators A4 for use throughout Alaska instead of the proposed Alaska Indicator 3: Hydrogen Sulfide Odor. Vepraskas moved that existing Indicator S10 be deleted and be replaced with the following:

A13. Alaska Gleyed. For use in LRRs W, X, and Y. A mineral layer with a dominant hue of N, 10Y, 5GY, 10GY, 5G, 10G, 5BG, 10BG, 5B, 10B, or 5PB, with value 4 or more in more than 50 percent of the matrix. The layer starts within 30cm (12 in) of the mineral surface, and is underlain within 1.5m (60 inches) by soil material with hue 5Y or redder in the same type of parent material.

Ping seconded the motion and the motion was passed.  Huddleston moved that existing Indicator S10 be deleted and be replaced with the following:

A14. Alaska Redox. For use in LRRs W, X, and Y. A mineral layer that has dominant hue 5Y with chroma of 3 or less, or hue N, 10Y, 5GY, 10GY, 5G, 10G, 5BG, 10BG, 5B, 10B, or 5PB, with 10 percent or more distinct or prominent redox concentrations as pore linings with value and chroma 4 or more.  The layer occurs within 30 cm (12 in) of the soil surface.

Lilly seconded the motion and the motion passed. The NTCHS approved the following indicator:

A15. Alaska Gleyed Pores. For use in LRRs W, X, and Y. A mineral layer that has 10 percent or more hue N, 10Y, 5GY, 10GY, 5G, 10G, 5BG, 10BG, 5B, 10B, or 5PB with value 4 or more along root channels or other pores starting within 30cm (12 inches) of the soil surface.  The matrix has dominant hue of 5Y or redder.

Without discussion or motion the NTCHS approved the new Indicators A12 (see above) for use throughout Alaska instead of the proposed Alaska Indicator 7: Alaska Thick Dark Surface. With little discussion and no motion the NTCHS disapproved the proposed Alaska Indicator 8: Abrupt Boundary Color. NTCHS desires data. Hurt moved that the following indicator be added as a test indicator:

TA4. Alaska Color Change. For testing in LRRs W, X, and Y. A mineral layer 10cm (4 inches) or more thick starting within 30cm of the surface (12 inches) of the soil surface that has a matrix value of 4 or more and chroma of 2 or less that becomes redder by one or more in hue and/or chroma when exposed to air within 30 minutes.

Vepraskas seconded the motion and the motion passed.  Hurt moved that the following indicator be added as a test indicator:

TA5. Alaska Alpine Swales. For testing in LRRs W, X, and Y. On concave landforms, the presence of a surface mineral layer 10cm (4 inches) or more thick having hue of 10YR or yellower, value 2.5 or less, and chroma 2 or less. The dark surface layer is at least twice as thick as the surface mineral layer of soils on adjacent convex micro-positions.

Huddleston seconded the motion and the motion passed. Richardson moved that Indicator TF3 (Alaska Concretions) be deleted. Vepraskas seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Hipple led a discussion concerning linking VPI’s Hydric Soil Forum to NTCHS web site. Richardson moved that there be no such link, seconded by Ping, and the motion passed. 

NTCHS discussed the new national list of hydric soils. NTCHS likes the idea the national list is but a compilation of the survey area hydric soil lists. Existing format was reviewed. Vepraskas moved that a column be added with the header “Dominant Field Indicator(s)”, seconded by Wilen, and the motion passed.

Activities ceased at 4:40 pm on February 23 and the meeting was re-called to order by Hipple at 8:00 am Thursday, February 24.

Huddleston reported that research in the wet soil arena is mostly moving away from the search for hydric soil indicators into other arenas such as restoration success and failures, rainfall evaluations, lateral effects of drainage ditches and barrow areas, iron reducing bacteria identification, and phosphorus cycling in wetlands.

Wilen reported he liked the idea of the “one hydric soil list which will be the NASIS list” and commented that the plant list is still being updated. Wilde likes the idea recording the history of the development of hydric soil indicators and the regionalization of the hydric soil indicators.

Skaggs presented his ideas concerning a technical standard for water table monitoring of potential wetland sites.

Vasilas presented data collected mainly in Maryland by Marty Rabenhorst and others on soils that were wet but had no currently identified hydric soil indicator.  Noble moved that the following indicator be added:

F19. Piedmont Flood Plain Soils. For use in MLRAs 149A and 148 of LRR S; for testing on flood plains subject to Piedmont deposition throughout LRRs P, S, and T. On active flood plains, a mineral layer at least 15cm (6 inches) thick starting within 25cm (10 inches) of the soil surface with a matrix (60 percent or more of the volume) chroma less than 4 and 20% or more distinct or prominent redox concentrations as soft masses or pore linings.

Motion was seconded by Blake and the motion passed. Huddleston moved that the following indicator be added:

F20. Anomalous Bright Loamy Soils. For use in MLRA 149A of LRR S and MLRA 153C and 153D of LRR T; for testing in MLRA 153B of LRR T. Within 200m (656 feet) of estuarine marshes or waters and within 1m (3.28 feet) of mean high water, a mineral layer at least 10cm (4 inches) thick starting within 20cm (8 inches) of the soil surface with a matrix (60 percent or more of the volume) chroma less than 5 and 10% or more distinct or prominent redox concentrations as soft masses or pore linings and/or depletions.

Motion was seconded by Noble and the motion passed.

Hipple led a discussion concerning the role of NTCHS in the Subaqueous Soils arena including the possibility of creating a subcommittee. Spagnolo agreed to represent NTCHS when the need might arise.  Blake and Huddleston discussed the possibility of hosting the NTCHS annual meeting next year in Nevada sometime in April.  Richardson moved for adjournment, Lilly seconded, and the motion passed at 11:30 am.

During the afternoon of February 24th the NTCHS participated in a field trip to Garcon Point looking as hydric soils that were reduced in only the upper part and underlain by bright yellow B horizons.

Attachment: Test Indicator Status

• TA1 (Playa Rim Stratified Layers): Deleted. No activity concerning this indicator has been reported. Magnetic susceptibility (MS) technology could capture those hydric soils for which this test indicator was intended.
• TA2 (Structureless Muck): Deleted. No activity concerning this indicator has been reported.
• TA3 (Coast Prairie Redox): Moved to use status as A16.  Data are available.
• TA4. Alaska Color Change. For testing in LRRs W, X, and Y. A mineral layer 10cm (4 inches) or more thick starting within 30cm of the surface (12 inches) of the soil surface that has a matrix value of 4 or more and chroma of 2 or less that becomes redder by one or more in hue and/or chroma when exposed to air within 30 minutes. Added.
• TA5. Alaska Alpine Swales. For testing in LRRs W, X, and Y. On concave landforms, the presence of a surface mineral layer 10cm (4 inches) or more thick having hue of 10YR or yellower, value 2.5 or less, and chroma 2 or less. The dark surface layer is at least twice as thick as the surface mineral layer of soils on adjacent convex micro-positions. Added
• TS1 (Iron Staining): Deleted. Alaska has not reported any activity concerning this indicator and has not requested it’s continuance as a test indicator.
• TS2 (Thick Sandy Dark Surface): Deleted, but incorporated into A12. Roger Hammer, NRCS Nebraska, collected valuable data that was utilized to include the concepts of TS2 into the new Indicator A12, Thick Dark Surface (formerly F5).
• TS3 (Dark Surface 2): Deleted. This is the same indicator as the use Indicator S7 (Dark Surface) which may be tested in any non using LRR.
• TS4 (Sandy Neutral Surface): Deleted. No activity concerning this indicator has been reported.
• TS5 (Chroma 3 Sandy Redox): Deleted. No good documentation exists for its use and need.
• TF1 (? Cm Mucky Peat or Peat): Deleted. No activity concerning this indicator has been reported.
• TF2 (Red Parent Material): Maintained as a test indicator for the present.
• TF3 (Alaska Concretions): Deleted. Alaska has not reported any activity concerning this indicator and has not requested it’s continuance as a test indicator.
• TF4 (2.5Y/5Y Below Dark Surface): Deleted. No activity concerning this indicator has been reported.
• TF5 (2.5Y/5Y Below Thick Dark Surface): Deleted. No activity concerning this indicator has been reported.
• TF6 (Calcic Dark Surface): Deleted. No activity concerning this indicator has been reported.
• TF7 (Thick Dark Surface 2/1): Deleted. Contents have been incorporated into A12.
• TF8 (Redox Spring Seeps):  Deleted. No activity concerning this indicator has been reported. Magnetic susceptibility (MS) technology could capture those hydric soils for which this test indicator was intended.
• TF9 (Delta Ochric): Moved to use status as F17 with use area revised to MLRA 151 of LRR T.
• TF10 (Alluvial Depleted Matrix): Deleted. No activity concerning this indicator has been reported.
• TF11 (Reduced Vertic): Moved to use status as F18 with MLRA 150A of LRR T and MLRA 131 of LRR) as the use areas. Data are available.

Summary:

Deleted are TA1 (Playa Rim Stratified Layers), TA2 (Structureless Muck), TS1 (Iron Staining), TS2 (Thick Sandy Dark Surface), TS3 (Dark Surface 2), TS4 (Sandy Neutral Surface), TS5 (Chroma 3 Sandy Redox), TF1 (? Cm Mucky Peat or Peat), TF3 (Alaska Concretions), TF4 (2.5Y/5Y Below Dark Surface), TF5 (2.5Y/5Y Below Thick Dark Surface), TF6 (Calcic Dark Surface), TF7 (Thick Dark Surface 2/1), TF8 (Redox Spring Seeps), and TF10 (Alluvial Depleted Matrix).

Added are TA4 (Alaska Color Change) and TA5 (Alaska Alpine Swales).

Maintained as a test indicator is TF2 (Red Parent Material).

Moved to use status are TA3 (Coast Prairie Redox) as A16, TF9 (Delta Ochric) as F17, and TF11 (Reduced Vertic) as F18.

< Back to National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils