Part 607 - SURVEY PREPARATION
CONTENTS
PART
TITLE
PAGE
607.00
Purpose ................................................................................................................................. 607-1
607.01
Policy and Responsibilities................................................................................................... 607-1
607.02
Preliminary Survey Activities............................................................................................... 607-1
(a)
The Memorandum of Understanding ......................................................................... 607-1
(b)
Preparation of the Field Sheets .................................................................................. 607-1
(c)
Reference Material .................................................................................................... 607-1
(d)
Assembly of Equipment ............................................................................................. 607-2
Exhibit 607-1
Reference Materials For Soil Surveys ....................................................................... 607-3
Exhibit 607-2
List of Potential Sources of Equipment for Soil Surveys .......................................... 607-5
(430-VI-NSSH, 1999)
i
Part 607 - Table of Contents
(430-VI-NSSH, 1999)
ii
Part 607 - SURVEY PREPARATION
607.00 Purpose.
The purpose of soil survey preparation is to
ensure the efficient use of people and equipment
and to meet the intent of the soil survey. The
preparations help the project soil scientists to
understand the intent and specifications detailed in
the memorandum of understanding.
607.01 Policy and Responsibilities.
The memorandum of understanding sets the
time period to complete the soil survey. Staffing
should correspond to this scheduled completion
period. The time period specified in the
memorandum of understanding is recorded in the
Soil Survey Schedule. Project soil surveys are
scheduled for completion within a 5-year period.
Surveys that take longer than 5 years to complete
should be reconsidered in staffing or subdivided
into more manageable areas.
The soil survey project office is responsible for:
-- reviewing the soil survey memorandum of
understanding,
-- preparing and indexing the field sheets,
-- collecting and reviewing reference material,
-- assembling equipment,
-- making preliminary field studies,
-- preparing the initial descriptive legend before
project field mapping begins in contiguous
blocks,
-- initiating the collection of soil performance
data to support soil interpretations, and
-- ensuring that map unit descriptions meet
program needs.
607.02 Preliminary Survey
Activities.
(a) The Memorandum of Understanding.
(1) After the project office has gained some
familiarity with the survey area, the memorandum
of understanding is reviewed jointly with the
MLRA office, the state soil scientist, the line
officer representing the lead agency, and
representatives from each major cooperator. The
following items are reviewed:
-- survey objectives and specifications;
-- the role and function of each cooperating
agency;
-- the mapping base suitability in relation to
landforms and soil complexity of the area;
-- interpretation needs for regulations and
programs;
-- adequacy of plans to compile, digitize, and
publish;
-- needs for laboratory and soil investigations
for soil classification and soil
interpretations; and
-- publication plans and schedules.
(2) If changes are needed later, the project
office notifies the MLRA office or the appropriate
supervisor of the lead agency. If the MLRA office
or appropriate supervisor concurs, the
memorandum of understanding for the survey area
is amended as outlined in part 606.04. .
(b) Preparation of the Field Sheets.
(1) The field sheets are properly identified to
aid in their use and to ensure recovery of the
sheets if they are lost. If the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) is the lead agency,
each field sheet displays the following
information:
-- USDA, Natural Resources Conservation
Service, and the full name of the
cooperating agencies;
-- the total acreage of the soil survey area on
the field sheet;
-- the soil survey area name and state and
field sheet number;
-- a place for the names of the soil scientist(s)
who mapped the sheet, for the date(s); and
-- the date that the field sheet was completed.
(2) The note "ADVANCE COPY SUBJECT
TO CHANGE", the name of the soil survey area,
the field sheet number, a bar scale, and a north
arrow are placed on the front of all field sheets
distributed to users.
(c) Reference Material.
(1) Reference material is gathered, reviewed
and summarized before the preliminary fieldwork
begins.
(2) The kinds of reference material that may
be available and useful are listed in Exhibit 607-1.
Sources of reference material are:
(430-VI-NSSH, 1999)
607-2 Part 607 - Survey Preparation
-- the U.S. Department of the Interior,
Geological Survey, and State geological
surveys or comparable State agencies with
other names;
-- the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service;
-- the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Agriculture Research Service;
-- the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau
of Reclamation;
-- the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau
of the Census;
-- the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau
of Indian Affairs;
-- the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish
and Wildlife Service;
-- the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau
of Land Management;
-- the libraries of local schools, universities,
municipalities, historical societies, and
State agencies;
-- local weather stations;
-- the Crop Reporting Service; and
-- knowledgeable people, such as faculty
members of universities; representatives of
the NRCS, Soil Conservation District,
Cooperative Extension Service, and Farm
Services Agency; vocational agriculture
teachers; local representatives of planning
boards, sanitation departments, and State
and county highway departments;
agricultural product dealers; and State and
local geologists.
(d) Assembly of Equipment.
(1) The kinds and use of equipment are
discussed in Chapter 4 of the Soil Survey Manual.
Some potential sources of equipment are listed in
Exhibit 607-2.
(2) A camera is necessary in all soil survey
areas. A camera should be available to take
photos when opportunities arise. Labeling and
filing photographs in a systematic manner provide
for easy retrieval.
(3) Computers, scanners, plotters, data
collection and recording devices, and similar
equipment are important tools that improve and
enhance data analysis, revision, and summary. A
computer that is capable of running field soil
survey software such as, Pedon Description
Program, is essential.
(430-VI-NSSH, 1999)
Part 607 - Survey Preparation 607-3
Exhibit 607-1 Reference Materials For Soil Surveys.
A. Soil Surveys in the MLRA
Older soil surveys of the current survey area and nearby areas
Soil surveys of adjoining areas
Soil surveys for conservation planning
B. Reference Maps
Major land resource area maps
General soil map
All available aerial photography and other remote sensing coverage
U.S.G.S. topographic and slope maps
Maps and text on geology, geography and water resources
Maps and text on vegetation and land use
Climatic maps and data
Flood plain maps
Maps and text on air resources
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wetland maps
C. Reports and Inventories
Census reports
Crop reporting service reports
Multi-spectral data
River basin reports
State, regional, or county land use plans and regulations
RC&D work plans
Public lands management reports and inventories
Bulletins and reports of State Agricultural Experiment Stations
Theses and dissertations of college or university students
National Food Security Act Manual and similar manuals
National Resource Inventory data
Field office technical guides
D. Scientific and Research Reports and Data
ISCOM reports - wet soils, cold Aridisols, Aridisols, Andisols
Articles in scientific and technical journals
Well logs from local or State agencies
NRCS drainage, irrigation, and erosion control guides and maps
Percolation test results from local agencies
Highway soil test data
E. Forestry, Range, and Wildlife Inventories and Studies
Forest inventories
Range inventories
Studies and reports on wildlife habitat recreational sites.
F. Official Soil Series and Soil Interpretations
Soil interpretations information in the databases for the taxa assumed to be in the survey area
Official soil series descriptions
G. Databases
Pedon database
National Soil Information System
State Soil Geographic (STATSGO) database
(430-VI-NSSH, 1999)
607-4 Part 607 - Survey Preparation
(430-VI-NSSH, 1999)
Part 607 - Survey Preparation 607-5
Exhibit 607-2 List of Potential Sources of Equipment for Soil Surveys.
“The sources indicated herein are in no way endorsed
by the Government as being the preferred vendor of
choice. Proposed acquisitions by the Government shall
be in accordance with the applicable Federal
Acquisition Regulations and in full compliance with the
Competition and Contracting Act and Procurement
Integrity Act”
Design Products, Inc.
P.O. Box 8125
Albuquerque, NM 87108
Auger or probe, hand
Art's Manufacturing and Supply
105 Harrison on Oregon Trail
American Falls, ID 83211
Abney level
Ben Meadows Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 80549
Atlanta, GA 30366-9987
Ben Meadows Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 80549
Atlanta, GA 30366-9987
Phone 1-800-241-6401
Web site www.benmeadows.com
Phone 1-800-241-6401
Web site www.benmeadows.com
Clements Associates, Inc.
RR 1, Box 186
Newton, IA 50208
Federal Supply System
Altimeter
American Pauline
1522 South Flower St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Concord Environmental Equipment
RR 1 Box 78
Hawley, MN 56549
218-937-5100
Ben Meadows Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 80549
Atlanta, GA 30366-9987
Oakfield Apparatus Company
P.O. Box 65
Oakfield, WI 53065
Phone 1-800-241-6401
Web site www.benmeadows.com
Sauze Technical Products Corp.
116 W. Service Road, Unit 128
Champlain, NY 12919
Forestry Suppliers, Inc.
Box 8397
205 West Rankin St.
Jackson, MS 39284-8397
Schlatters
Francesville, IN 47946
Service Truck Body Shop
1529 Murray
Alexandria, LA 71301
Recreational Equipment Co.
Seattle, WA
Wallace & Tiernan Division
Pennwalt Corporation
25 Main Street
Beltsville, NJ 07109
Auger or probe, power
Christensen Mining Products
P.O. Box 830
Scranton, PA 18501
Area measurement systems
Concord Environmental Equipment
RR 1 Box 78
Hawley, MN 56549
218-937-5100
Ben Meadows Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 80549
Atlanta, GA 30366-9987
Phone 1-800-241-6401
Web site www.benmeadows.com
Gidding Machine Company
P.O. Drawer 2024
Ft. Collins, CO 80522
(430-VI-NSSH, 1999)
607-6 Part 607 - Survey Preparation
Correlation trays (boxes)
Soiltest Products Division
ELE International
P.O. Box 8004
86 Albrecht Drive
Lake Bluff, IL 60044-8004
Diamond Die Co., Inc.
1015 N. 16th St.
Omaha, NE 68102
Electrolytic conductivity meter
Soil Testing and Consulting
Box 83
Davenport, ND 58021
A.H. Thomas Company
P.O. Box 779
Philadelphia, PA 19105
Clinometer
Beckman Instrument, Inc.
Scientific Instrument Division
P.O. Box C-19600
Irvine, CA 92664
Ben Meadows Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 80549
Atlanta, GA 30366-9987
Phone 1-800-241-6401
Web site www.benmeadows.com
Chemtrix, Inc.
135 Northwest Adams Street
Hillsboro, OR 97123
Forestry Suppliers, Inc.
Box 8397
205 West Rankin Street
Jackson, MS 39284-8397
GLA Agricultural Electronics
4120 Horizon Lane
San Luis Obispo, CA 93104
Color charts
Global positioning systems
Ben Meadows Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 80549
Atlanta, GA 30366-9987
Ben Meadows Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 80549
Atlanta, GA 30366-9987
Phone 1-800-241-6401
Web site www.benmeadows.com
Color Communications, Inc.
229D Manchester Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
1-800-575-6064
Magellan Systems Corporation
260 East Huntington Drive
Monrovia, CA 91016
John Michaels (818) 358-2363
Forestry Suppliers, Inc.
Box 8397
205 West Rankin Street
Jackson, MS 39284-8397
Trimble Navigation, Ltd.
645 North Mary Avenue
P.O. Box 3642
Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3642
(408) 730-2900
Munsell Color Co., Inc.
2441 N. Calvert Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
Compass, magnetic
Hand lens
Ben Meadows Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 80549
Atlanta, GA 30366-9987
Ben Meadows Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 80549
Atlanta, GA 30366-9987
Phone 1-800-241-6401
Web site www.benmeadows.com
Phone 1-800-241-6401
Web site www.benmeadows.com
Federal Supply System
Federal Supply System
(430-VI-NSSH, 1999)
Part 607 - Survey Preparation 607-7
Light tables
Soil Testing Laboratory
Purdue Univ Agronomy Dept
West Lafayette, IN 47906
Porta-Trace Division
1080 Chenango Street
Binghamton, NY 13901
Truog Soil Reaction Test
Hellige, Inc.
877 Stewart Avenue
Garden City, NY 11530
Map board
A.E. Boyce Company
300 East Jackson Street
Muncie, IN 47302
pH meter
A. H. Thomas Company
P. O. Box 779
Philadelphia, PA 19105
Ben Meadows Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 80549
Atlanta, GA 30366-9987
Beckman Instrument, Inc.
Scientific Instruments Div
P. O. Box C-19600
Irvine, CA 92664
Forestry Suppliers, Inc.
Box 8397
205 West Rankin Street
Jackson, MS 39284-8397
Ben Meadows Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 80549
Atlanta, GA 30366-9987
Office Supplies, Inc.
507-509 Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone 1-800-241-6401
Web site www.benmeadows.com
Pen
Chemtrix, Inc.
135 Northwest Adams Street
Hillsboro, OR 97123
Koh-I-Nor, Inc.
Bloomsbury, NJ 08804
Penetrometer
Cole-Parmer Instrument Co
7425 North Oak Park Avenue
Chicago, IL 60648
Ben Meadows Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 80549
Atlanta, GA 30366-9987
Corning Glass Works
Corning, NY 14830
Phone 1-800-241-6401
Web site www.benmeadows.com
Hach Company
P.O. Box 389
Loveland, CO 80539
Soiltest Products Division
ELE International
P.O. Box 8004
86 Albrecht Drive
Lake Bluff, IL 60044-8004
LaPine Scientific Company
920 Parker Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
pH kit
Markson Scientific, Inc.
275 Oak Street
DelMar, CA 92014
Ben Meadows Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 80549
Atlanta, GA 30366-9987
Phone 1-800-241-6401
Web site www.benmeadows.com
Orion Research, Inc.
529 Main Street
Boston, MA 02129
Lamotte Chemical Products
Chestertown, MD 21620
(430-VI-NSSH, 1999)
607-8 Part 607 - Survey Preparation
Seismograph
Nimbus Model ES-1A Pocket Sets
Douglas B. Crice
2791 Del Monte Street
West Sacramento, CA 95691
1524 Princeton Avenue
Modesto, CA 95352-3837
Stereoscope
Ben Meadows Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 80549
Atlanta, GA 30366-9987
Sieves
Soiltest Products Division
ELE International
P.O. Box 8004
86 Albrecht Drive
Lake Bluff, IL 60044-8004
Forestry Suppliers, Inc.
Box 8397
205 West Rankin Street
Jackson, MS 39284-8397
Weather instruments
Soil analysis - portable field lab
Ben Meadows Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 80549
Atlanta, GA 30366-9987
Hach Company
P. O. Box 389
Loveland, CO 80539
Science Associates, Inc.
230 Nassau Street
P.O. Box 230
Princeton, NJ 08540
Soil sample bags
Soiltest Products Division
ELE International
P.O. Box 8004
86 Albrecht Drive
Lake Bluff, IL 60044-8004
U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Prisons Industries, Inc.
Washington, D.C. 20534
Soil test kit
Lamotte Chemical Products Company
Chestertown, MD 21620
Soil thermometer
Daystrom, Inc.
Weston Instruments Division
Newark, NJ 07102
Tri-R Instruments
144-13 Jamaica Avenue
Jamaica, NY 11803
Spot plate
NASCO
901 Jamesville Avenue
Ft. Atkinson, WI 53538-0901
or
(430-VI-NSSH, 1999)