Soil surveys provide an orderly, on-the-ground, scientific inventory of soil
resources that includes maps showing the locations and extent of soils, data
about the physical and chemical properties of those soils, and information
derived from that data about potentialities and problems of use on each kind of
soil in sufficient detail to meet all reasonable needs for farmers, agricultural
technicians, community planners, engineers, and scientists in planning and
transferring the findings of research and experience to specific land areas.
Soil surveys provide the basic information needed to manage soil sustainably.
They also provide information needed to protect water quality, wetlands, and
wildlife habitat. Soil surveys are the basis for predicting the behavior of a
soil under alternative uses, its potential erosion hazard, potential for ground
water contamination, suitability and productivity for cultivated crops, trees,
and grasses. Soil surveys are important to planners, engineers, zoning
commissions, tax commissioners, homeowners, developers, as well as agricultural
producers.
Section II of the Electronic Field Office Technical Guide
includes
the following information for each county: soil legend; soil
description; and cropland, engineering, forestry, non-agricultural, pasture/hayland,
recreation, waste disposal and wildlife interpretations.
This web site allows online viewing of soil survey maps and reports.
The new application greatly enhances access to information on soils.
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