Part
Part 610
610 -- MAINTAINING
MAINTAINING SOIL
SOIL SURVEYS
SURVEYS
CONTENTS
PART
TITLE
PAGE
610.00
Definition and Purpose ......................................................................................................... 610-1
610.01
Policy and Responsibilities................................................................................................... 610-1
610.02
Coordinating Maintenance Within Major Land Resource Areas ......................................... 610-1
610.03
Preparing for Maintenance by Major Land Resource Area or Region ................................. 610-2
610.04
Evaluating Deficiencies to Be Corrected in Soil Survey Maintenance ................................ 610-2
610.05
Need and Content of a Memorandum of Understanding for Soil Survey Maintenance ....... 610-3
610.06
Developing a Plan for Maintaining a Soil Survey Area ....................................................... 610-3
610.07
Amending the Correlation Memorandum as the Result of Maintenance ............................. 610-4
610.08
Printing and Digitizing the Products of Soil Survey Maintenance ....................................... 610-4
Exhibit 610-1
Sample Evaluation Sheet ............................................................................................ 610-5
Exhibit 610-2
Soil Survey Evaluation Worksheet ............................................................................ 610-7
Exhibit 610-3
MLRA Project Plan .................................................................................................. 610-10
610.00 Definition and Purpose.
(a) Maintenance of soil survey information is a continuous activity of data collection, reviews, evaluations,
and additions to existing soil survey information.
(b) The purpose of maintaining soil surveys is to ensure current and accurate soil information in an up-todate seamless database that meets the needs of the majority of users. Part 639 explains the National Soil
Information System.
610.01 Policy and Responsibilities.
An official copy of soil survey information resides in the NRCS field office that serves the county, parish,
or other area for which the soil survey was developed. Only change the "Official Copy" of the soil survey if
the need for the revision is identified and supported in a documented evaluation of the entire soil survey area.
Record approved changes and additions for use until the survey is amended or republished. If the official
copy of the soil survey is produced from digital files, the digital data and any changes must meet SSURGO
standards.
(a) Bring soil surveys up to date as subsets of the effort within a major land resource area. Ensure that
surveys within the major land resource area have common lines, interpretations, and descriptions.
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)
i
610-2 Part 610 - Maintaining Soil Surveys
(b) Coordinate and utilize common standards for updating soil survey information within the major land
resource area with standards established and defined in the project soil survey memorandum of
understanding.
(c) All extensive revisions to soil surveys are part of a conceptual major land resource area project. Each
extensive revision requires an individual soil survey project memorandum of understanding and approval by
the Director, Soil Survey Division. Send the request for approval to the Director, National Soil Survey
Center. The center coordinates the review.
(d) Primary responsibility of maintaining soil surveys is with state offices and MLRA offices. The
General Manual, Title 430, Part 402, Subpart B outlines responsibilities of these and other soil survey
business areas. Refer to part 608.01 for a partial overview of responsibilities.
610.02 Coordinating Maintenance Within Major Land Resource Areas.
Base all updates on a broad area to bring all surveys within the area to a consistent level with joined data
and maps. Join map units, interpretations, and descriptions among adjoining soil surveys during the update
process. Updating an individual soil survey area without improving the join is unacceptable. Soil survey
updates utilize natural physiographic boundaries as soil delineations.
(a) Prepare a legend for the broad maintenance area to facilitate the correlation of map units among
individual soil survey areas within the area. Uniformly named map units and a consistent symbol legend
enhance usability. Update all map units when combining map units during correlation. To prepare a legend
for a state, consolidate the soil legends of major land resource areas.
(b) Use a common map scale, map legend, map unit design, and mapping intensity within broad
physiographic areas to provide soil information at a level commensurate with most user needs.
(c) Consider the major land resource area as a broader aspect of the project soil survey area. The project
soil surveys of counties or other areas within the major land resource area are subsets of the soil survey for
the major land resource area. Update, maintain, and republish as subsets.
(d) Develop a project plan to bring each of the existing soil surveys in the major land resource area to the
standard defined in the MLRA region-wide memorandum of understanding. Exhibit 610-3 illustrates a
sample project plan for a major land resource area.
610.03 Preparing for Maintenance by Major Land Resource Area or Region.
(a) All cooperating agencies within the major land resource area jointly prepare and agree to the project
plan. The MLRA office leader coordinates the effort.
(b) Each soil survey area is evaluated within the context of the major land resource area for maintenance
needs. The goal is to bring all project areas within the major land resource area to a common, coordinated
standard. The states that share the major land resource area are all involved in the maintenance project.
610.04 Evaluating Deficiencies to Be Corrected in Soil Survey Maintenance.
Evaluations identify user needs and what must be done in each existing survey area within the major land
resource area in order to meet these user needs. The individual project soil survey memorandum of
understanding records the user needs and specifications for the survey and supports the standards identified
within the MLRA Region-wide memorandum of understanding. An evaluation of deficiencies requires the
following actions:
(a) Meet with users of the soil survey to identify problem areas.
(b) Assemble and review existing data, such as the map unit information, unpublished soil information,
join of soil survey lines and interpretations, correlation documents, special investigations and laboratory data,
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)
Part 610 - Maintaining Soil Surveys 610-3
correlation notes, pedon descriptions, transect data, soil databases, and the official file copy of the published
soil survey.
(c) Evaluate the accuracy of map unit boundaries and the suitability of map detail. Road checking is one
procedure. Randomly selecting tracts of land, such as 1 square mile, and revising the map as needed to meet
current needs and objectives is another. Analyze the cost of the revision in comparison to the anticipated
gain of additional information.
If soil boundaries and mapping detail are suitable, evaluate the base photography used for the soil map .
Consider:
 the join to adjacent surveys;
 the extent of the change in land use within the survey area;
 the need for a controlled base map for digitizing; and
 landform changes from catastrophic events.
(d) Evaluate the composition of each map unit by selecting a representative sample of delineations from
the entire soil survey area for observation and study. Use a systematic sampling method, such as transecting,
to document any deficiencies. Make a determination of the additional documentation required to make
reliability statements about map unit composition and interpretation. Evaluate the concept of each taxonomic
unit. Determine whether or not the concepts define the components named in the map unit and support the
interpretations made. Evaluate pedons in the taxonomic unit descriptions for accurate classification in soil
taxonomy.
(e) Review the kind and accuracy of the soil interpretations. Consider:
 interpretations that were not included in the publication;
 revisions to interpretation criteria since the soil survey was published;
 improvements that can be made by new and better data;
 changes in land use since the base photography was acquired;
 the need for additional soil property or soil quality information; and
 knowledge of soil response to different uses and management.
610.05 Need and Content of a Memorandum of Understanding for Soil Survey
Maintenance.
A revision to a soil survey or a group of soil surveys within a major land resource area begins with an
evaluation. Exhibit 610-1 is a sample evaluation sheet for individual map units. Exhibit 610-2 is a sample
soil survey evaluation worksheet for the soil survey area. The state conservationist arranges for the
evaluation.
Prepare a memorandum of understanding for a county or other subset soil survey area that requires partial
or limited revision to clarify local requirements and for supplements.
610.06 Developing a Plan for Maintaining a Soil Survey Area.
Actions to update a soil survey depend on the evaluation.
(a) If only the soil interpretations are not current, prepare new or revised interpretations, and issue an
interpretations supplement. Consider these procedures as the normal maintenance of a soil survey. Identify
the soil survey as published on the Soil Survey Schedule. A memorandum of understanding for the
individual soil survey area is optional.
(b) Revisions or supplements to the soil map fit into five categories. In all cases, use a planimetrically
correct base and join adjacent surveys. Support all revisions with a documented evaluation of the entire soil
survey area.
(1) Extensive revision. Extensive revision usually requires considerable field work involving at least
some remapping, updated soil descriptions, updated interpretations, and issuance of a new official copy of
the soil survey.. If documentation supports a need for extensive revision, change the status of soil survey
legend from published to a status of out-of-date on the Soil Survey Schedule. A new legend with a status of
update is added to the Soil Survey Schedule when project activities begin. These actions require approval of
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)
610-4 Part 610 - Maintaining Soil Surveys
the Director, Soil Survey Division. Send the request to the Director, National Soil Survey Center, for review
of the documentation. Revising the soil map for every acre in an existing soil survey is rarely needed. A
practical and efficient method of maintenance is using a new base map to revise deficient areas and
transferring the lines and symbols in non-deficient areas. A project soil survey memorandum of
understanding is required.
(2) Partial revision. If more than a few map unit delineations need revision, as documented in a soil
survey area evaluation, prepare revised map sheets. If needed, issue revised map sheets, legends, relevant
taxonomic and map unit descriptions, and interpretations, in a supplement to the published report. Clearly
identify the revised areas on the official copy of the published soil survey that is maintained in the field
office. The NRCS General Manual, Title 430, Part 402, Subpart A, 402.4(c) gives more information. Also
identify the revised areas on copies of the old map sheets that are distributed to users. This action is normal
maintenance of the soil survey. The status of soil survey legend is changed from published to maintenance
on the Soil Survey schedule and back to published once maintenance activities are completed. A project soil
survey memorandum of understanding is optional.
(3) Limited revision. If revision of the soil map or a map unit is needed for a few scattered areas and
documented in an evaluation of the soil survey area, the revision may be done on an individual request basis.
However, this is only done after a documented evaluation of the map unit in the context of the entire soil
survey area. Do not issue such a revised map as a supplement to a published soil survey. Record the revised
information on the official copy of the published soil survey that is maintained in the field office. The NRCS
General Manual Title 430, Part 402, Subpart A, 402.5(e) gives more information. Consider this action as
normal maintenance of the soil survey. The status of soil survey legend is changed from published to
maintenance on the Soil Survey schedule and back to published once maintenance activities are completed.
A project soil survey memorandum of understanding is optional.
(4) Supplemental soil mapping. Supplemental mapping is another soil data layer that is made for a
specific purpose. It provides more detailed soil information for areas of limited extent, such as a small part
of the survey area. Document the objective, purpose, and expected use of the information. Map the area and
record supporting data such as the soil legend, map unit descriptions, soil properties and qualities, and
interpretations. Outline the area of more detailed information on a file copy of the published soil survey, and
reference the supplemental mapping. Issue supplemental information as needed on a local basis. These
actions, however, do not constitute a change to the "Official Copy" of the soil survey. The status of soil
survey continues as published in the Soil Survey Schedule. A memorandum of understanding is not required.
(5) Updating the soil map base. Obtain a new base and compile soil delineations, symbols, and
cultural features only when the soil map base is not current. Digitize a new soil map and issue as needed.
Purchase of a new base requires approval by the Director, Soil Survey Division. Send requests to the
Director, National Soil Survey Center, for coordination. This action is normal maintenance of the soil
survey. The status of soil survey continues as published in the Soil Survey Schedule. A project soil survey
memorandum of understanding is not required.
(c) If the soil interpretations and map unit descriptions are current but some data are lacking or need
updating, such as moisture status on certain soils, develop a plan to collect the needed data.
610.07 Amending the Correlation Memorandum as the Result of Maintenance.
The MLRA office prepares an amendment to the correlation document if changes are made to correct
deficiencies in the names of soil map units or taxonomic units. An update of the interpretations accompanies
an amendment to the correlation. This is normal maintenance of the soil survey. The MLRA office and State
Conservationist sign the amendment. Distribution is the same as the final correlation. Refer to part 609.06
(c)(5). The status of soil survey continues as published on the Soil Survey Schedule.
610.08 Printing and Digitizing the Products of Soil Survey Maintenance.
(a) Before reprinting or digitizing published soil surveys that are out of print, evaluate the survey in respect
to current needs, joining with adjacent surveys, and overall quality and currency. Reprint the soil survey, as
it is, if it meets these quality factors, or revise it to meet the needs. Make new interpretations or update map
unit descriptions and other changes. Reprinting out-of-print soil surveys requires approval of the Director,
Soil Survey Division. Send requests to the Director, National Soil Survey Center, for coordination.
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)
Part 610 - Maintaining Soil Surveys 610-5
(b) Requests for reprints of soil surveys are considered only if funding is available after all the first
printings of manuscripts have been funded for the year. States may provide their own funding of reprints for
faster publication. The MLRA office ensures that the soil surveys to be digitized meet the current needs of
users and digitized according to NRCS standards. After obtaining approval for reprinting from the Director,
Soil Survey Division, the MLRA office sends:
-- Form SCS-CGI-019 and a clean copy of the original soil survey to the National Cartography and
Geospatial Center to order the reprinting of the soil map, flat or folded, and
-- Form NRCS-SOI-7 Collating Order, the original text negatives if available, and a clean copy of the soil
survey to the National Cartography and Geospatial Center. Part 644.07 of this handbook provides more
information.
(c) If needed, a supplement containing additional soil interpretations that are not in the original publication
can accompany the reprinted survey. For example, if interpretations for irrigation were not included in a
published soil survey but are now important, issue them as a supplement to the reprinted survey.
(d) All cooperating agencies review supplements before publication. The MLRA office coordinates and
approves supplements that are not printed through the National Cartography and Geospatial Center. If the
cost of preparation and printing of new materials exceeds $1,000, printing must be coordinated with the
National Cartography and Geospatial Center. Keep to the minimum cost needed to achieve specific local
objectives. Make direct reference to the soil map and legend of the original soil survey publication. Explain
how and why the original soil survey is being supplemented. Give the date of the supplement.
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)
610-6 Part 610 - Maintaining Soil Surveys
Exhibit 610-1 Sample Map Unit Evaluation Sheet.
(Used for the evaluation of each map unit, the evaluation of the taxa used in the map unit name, and the
evaluation of individual delineations of the map unit.)
Soil Survey Area Identification: Name ________________________________
Number ___________
Map Unit Symbol ____________________________________________________________________
MLRA ____________________________________________________________________________
Part A. Evaluation of the map unit.
Map unit name as published ___________________________________________________________
Probable map unit name if recorrelated ___________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________.
Acres of the map unit correlated in the survey area ________, percent of the survey area _________.
Is the unit adequately described? ________. If not, what is inadequate? _________________________
Does the map unit meet current user needs? _______________________________________________.
Are limiting dissimilar soils named as minor map unit components? _______________.
Is the amount consistent with NSSH guidelines? __________________.
Major uses of the map unit at the time it was correlated ____________________________, _________,
now ___________________________.
Comments: _________________________________________________________________________
Are soil properties consistent with the current land use? ______________________________________.
Are soil property entries to the NASIS database complete? ____________________________________
Part B. Evaluation of the (taxa) series used to name the map unit.
Series name and classification as published _______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________.
Probable series (taxa) name and/or classification if updated __________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________.
Can series (taxa) be classified as presently described? _______. If no, why not? __________________
__________________________________________________________________________________.
Depth of typifying pedon _______inches. Does the series (taxa), as described, overlap with other series
(taxa) ______? If yes, how so? _________________________________________________________
Does the typical pedon used represent the map unit component? _______________________________
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)
Part 610 - Maintaining Soil Surveys 610-7
Is there lab data for the series (taxa)? __________ If yes, is it adequate? ________________________
Is the representative pedon within the RIC of the OSD? _________ If not, why not? _______________
__________________________________________________________________________________.
Is the series consistent with parent material? _____________
With geomorphic landform? _______________ With geographic setting? _______________________,
MLRA? __________.
Comments: _________________________________________________________________________
Part C: Evaluation of the map unit delineations.
Do soil boundary lines fit major landform breaks? __________
Do lines correctly separate map units in the soil landform? __________
Is there a need to delineate dissimilar soils? __________
Are dissimilar soils consistent with the map unit description? __________.
Is the intensity of mapping suitable for the land use? __________________________.
Does the series concept, as correlated, fit mapped areas? __________.
How was the mapping evaluated?________________________________________________________
User comments __________ transects __________ field notes __________ descriptions __________
remapping __________ or road checking line placement ___________.
Is there an exact join with surrounding surveys? ___________________
Comments: _________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Does the use of features and symbols reflect current definitions and use standards on the Feature and
Symbol Legend for Soil Survey, NRCS-SOI-37A 5/2001? __________________________________
Part D. Summary.
In updating this survey, this map unit will require_________ revision.
The main concerns in updating this unit are ________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
It is estimated that updating this map unit of ________acres will require about _______ staff days. Included
in this estimate is about ______ staff days of remapping at a rate of about ______ acres per staff day and
about ______ staff days for transecting, describing, sampling, and gathering other documentation data. This
estimate does not include map compilation, soil digitizing, manuscript activities, and
other tasks required in conducting the soil survey, which require ________ staff days.
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)
610-8 Part 610 - Maintaining Soil Surveys
Exhibit 610-2 Soil Survey Area Evaluation Worksheet.
Soil Survey Area Evaluation Worksheet
For
____________________________Survey Area
I. General Information
Acreage: Private _____________ Public ___________
State ______________
USFS ______________
BLM ______________
Indian _____________
NPS _______________
DOD ______________
FWS ______________
BIA _______________
Other ______________
Date: Published ____________ Correlated __________
Base map: Scale ____________ Kind ______________
Field work: Began ____________ Completed ________
Land Use, in acres from NRI:
Cropland ___________
Pastureland _________
Rangeland __________
Forest land _________
Urban land __________
Wildlife land ________
Other ______________
List the extent in acres of important land use changes since the existing soil survey was mapped:
____________acres from___________________to ____
____________acres from___________________to ____
____________acres from___________________to ____
____________acres from___________________to ____
II.
Quality of the Existing Soil Survey
A. Soil maps:
On a separate attachment list the symbols and the acreage of the map units that require remapping.
Briefly explain how the determinations were made and what corrective actions are needed. The map
units generally have one or more of the following problems.
1. The soil lines do not delineate landform segments, which can be identified on the ground and on the
maps.
2. Delineations of the same map unit do not consistently identify the same landform segment.
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)
Part 610 - Maintaining Soil Surveys 610-9
3. Additional delineations of landform segments can be made within the map unit and are needed by
users. For example, the existing map unit design may be inadequate for current needs.
B.
Map unit names and descriptions
On a separate attachment list the names and acreages of map units that do not need remapping but
require recorrelation to meet the standards for naming and interpretation. Briefly describe how the
determinations were made and what corrective actions are needed. The map units generally have in
one or more of the following problems.
1. The information about map unit composition and/or soil patterns is inadequate.
2. The map units are improperly named at the series or higher category of soil taxonomy.
3. The map units have incorrect phase criteria.
C. Interpretations:
On a separate attachment list those map units that do not need remapping or recorrelation but
require additional data to provide updated or new interpretations. Briefly describe how the
determinations were made and what corrective actions are needed.
III. Plans to Improve the Soil Survey
Is this update a part of a multi-county or regional project? Yes_____ No _____
Will the soil maps be digitized?
What is the new base map?
Yes_______ No ______________
Kind __________________________________
Scale _________________________________
What additional soil data do users need?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
What additional interpretations do users need?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Briefly describe the investigative and laboratory support needed to provide the new data and
interpretations.
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)
610-10 Part 610 - Maintaining Soil Surveys
Briefly describe how this survey will be improved by the update.
Briefly describe the publication plans.
IV.
Staffing and Budgeting Needs
Estimate the staff years to complete:
Item II. A. Soil mapping__________________staff years
Item II. B. Map unit names________________staff years
Item II. C. Interpretations_________________staff years
Item II. D. Investigations__________________staff years
Item II. E. Manuscript____________________staff years
Item II. F. Database entries ________________staff years
Others (soils)__________________staff years
Total (soils)___________________staff years
Estimate the kind and amount of support needed from other disciplines.
Estimate the kind and amount of additional support available for the update.
Federal
State
Local
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)
Part 610 - Maintaining Soil Surveys 610-11
Exhibit 610-3 MLRA Project Plan.
PROJECT WORK PLAN
FOR DELTA LAKE PLAIN PART OF THE
MLRA-00 PROJECT SOIL SURVEY
JANUARY 1998
Introduction: The plan of work for the MLRA-00 modernization project contains information regarding the status of soil
data at the initiation of the project. It also contains specific action items and completion their dates. The action items are
designed to direct the work needed to raise all soils information for the project area to NCSS standards and to maintain
the information at the current standards after the project.
As new information is gathered, the plan of work needs to be reviewed and possibly revised. Accordingly, it will be
reviewed by the steering committee biannually beginning in 1994 to consider any appropriate adjustments.
The companion to this document is the memorandum of understanding (MOU). It contains cooperating agency
agreements that are needed to complete the work of the project. It also contains specifications that pertain to products
produced during the project.
Description of the Work Area: MLRA -00 is about 8.1 million acres and includes all or parts of 33 counties in Alpha,
Beta, and Gamma states; of which 17 are in Beta, 15 are in Alpha, and 1 county is in Gamma. The existing MLRA
boundary may be altered slightly during the project if a revision is warranted.
Nearly nine-tenths of the MLRA is farmland. About two-thirds of this land is cropland. Corn, soybeans, winter wheat,
and hay are the major crops, but sugar beets and canning crops also are important. Some fruit and truck crops are grown
in areas of coarser textured soils. Livestock operations are an important enterprise, but they are limited in number and
typically are large confinement operations. About one-third of the farmland is used for permanent pasture or for other
purposes, such as small farm woodlots. About one tenth of the MLRA is urban land, the largest concentration of which is
in the Metro area, that has a population of over 1 million people. Almost all of the area is privately owned.
Elevation ranges from about 575 to 725 feet and gradually increases inland from the lake shore. Local relief on this
nearly level, broad lake plain is typically less than 10 feet, but some beach ridges and low moraines rise 15 to 30 feet
above the general level. The average annual precipitation ranges from 27 to 36 inches. The average annual air
temperature ranges from 45 to 52 degrees F.
The dominant soils are very deep, somewhat poorly to very poorly drained, and fine textured. Some well drained, coarse
textured soils are on beach ridges. The dominant soils formed in lacustrine sediments, eolian deposits, and glacial drift
on lake plains, beach ridges, outwash plains, and deltas.
Purpose for Doing the Work: The purpose of this project is to coordinate and maintain soil surveys in MLRA-00 in
accordance with National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) standards. It is also to study and refine the Major Land
Resource Area (MLRA) boundary line placement and align it with other natural resource boundaries (such as hydrologic
unit boundaries).
County soil surveys were published from 1961 to 1987, for except Sigma County, Beta State, which is scheduled for
publication in 1994. About half of the soil surveys were published before 1975. About two thirds of the surveys are at a
map scale of 1:15,840, and the remainder is at a scale of 1:20,000. The information provided in the reports reflects the
knowledge of soil properties and soil behavior relative to the interpretation needs at the time of the field mapping. Allen,
Erie, Hancock, and Paulding Counties, Alpha State, are presently being modernized according to NCSS standards at a
scale of 1:12,000.
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)
610-12 Part 610 - Maintaining Soil Surveys
The published reports remain an excellent source of data. However, most surveys do not meet NCSS standards since new
information about soils is needed due to changes in demographics, technologies, environmental questions, and intensities
of land use. Existing soil surveys should be built upon, and a coordinated database should be developed to address local,
regional, and national concerns. The project will provide a coordinated soil database for use by private and public
service sectors. The database will enable decision makers to make more informed environmental assessments and
resource management decisions.
The project will provide more comprehensive soil and site data for managing cropland and forest land, conserving water
and protecting water quality, improving and maintaining pasture, developing wildlife habitat, developing soil potential
ratings, and preparing plans for watersheds and recreational and urban areas.
Status of the Project: This project is scheduled to begin in 1998. The fieldwork is scheduled to be completed by 2015, as
per the draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) and as local, state, and federal funding permits. Work has been done
on evaluating existing surveys, reviewing laboratory data, compiling individual county legends into an MLRA legend,
formulating modernization plans, and soliciting local cost share funds.
A steering committee was formed in November 1997 to direct and manage the MLRA project. The MLRA team leader
in Alpha State will serve as chairperson of the committee. Other members will include a representative of each
cooperating agency within each state.
Project Approach: Initial work will be directed toward legend development, investigations and data gathering to build on
work already done in the evaluation process. It will include assessments of user needs, geomorphology investigations,
and evaluations of existing information from the current soil surveys, previous special projects, geological mapping,
water table studies, existing soil characterization data, various air photos, and any other pertinent information. A strong
emphasis is to be placed on working with all users of the soil survey to assure that the modernization addresses users
needs. Early fieldwork will transect existing map units and sample soils. Recorrelation, map revision, remapping, and
map compilation activities will begin later in the project when the legend development is more complete.
Work on the project will be grouped to address a specific problem or work on a group of soils across the entire MLRA.
For example, in several counties in Beta and Alpha States, the major flood plains were mapped as alluvial land (coarse,
medium, and moderately fine textured in Beta). A specific task will be to remap these areas and to recorrelate them with
the soil series of the map unit name. Enough investigation across the MLRA will be done to assure that the legend design
and correlations are valid throughout the MLRA. At this point individual areas or counties can be updated as funds and
staff become available. Work done in recent surveys will be used as a starting point in legend development.
Segments that could be worked on as specific tasks are:
1. Flood plain soils
2. Beach ridge soils
3. Till areas (outliers) within MLRA-00
4. Frigid soils correlated in this MLRA prior to soil taxonomy
5. Hydric and nonhydric soils that are mapped and correlated in complexes
6. Soils that developed over bedrock
7. Broad areas of soils that have glacial till underlying lacustrine sediments at depths of 40 to 60 inches and 60
to 80 inches
8. The relationship of prime farmland to areas not prime farmland
Working on specific landforms and parent materials at the same time, will assure accurate and consistent correlations in
the most efficient way possible. Sufficient work will be done on all major landform types early in the project to assure
the proper development of the legend. Some investigative work will need to be done in all counties, even if local costshare agreements have not been reached.
Investigative work in the first year or two of the project will be the key to establishing a sound, stable legend that can be
used throughout the MLRA and the life of the project. This approach will allow the show of progress as specific tasks
are completed. The foundation will be laid and the tools set up to complete the project efficiently as one survey area.
A. Data Collection
Data gathering and sampling will be started early in the survey in all parts of the MLRA to assure that results are ready as
needed.
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)
Part 610 - Maintaining Soil Surveys 610-13
1. Retrieval of Archived Data
The chair of the steering committee will ensure that the archived information is retrieved and supplied to project offices
for county operations. Information will include available field notes, original field sheets, notes on correlation decisions,
lab data, and geology reports.
2. Evaluation of Current Data and Information
a. The steering committee chair will assign an ad hoc "lab data committee" to oversee the indexing and analysis
of existing laboratory data.
b. All lab data will be updated on NRCS-SOIL-8(s) - Index of Laboratory Data. The lab data committee will
classify the assembled lab data and pedons. Latitude and longitude coordinates will be provided where possible. These
coordinates will allow the spatial referencing of pedons for an evaluation of data voids. The expected date of completion
is March 2000.
c. The laboratory data committee will work with the NSSC Soil Survey Laboratory to develop a system to
incorporate existing lab data into the laboratory database and identify a system that will allow the effective use and
analysis of existing and future lab data at the field level. This system should be compatible with NASIS data format, data
dictionary, and methods of retrieval. ______________ and _____________ are the contacts in the Soil Survey
Laboratory. The expected date of completion is December 2000.
d. An ad hoc committee will prepare a "landform/soil classification and characteristics genetic key." The genetic
key will be used to identify soils that require specific investigation. This key will also be extremely useful in
familiarizing all soil scientists and users of the soil survey information with the soils and the specific landforms on which
they occur. The key will provide the necessary details to guide the soil scientist in differentiating soil series. The
expected date of completion is June 1999.
e. An ad hoc committee will evaluate the soil series in the project area. All series and their records will be
evaluated and updated early in the project. Lab data will be used to update the range in characteristics of the series to
provide quantified statements. The differentiating criteria among competing series will be evaluated. Where separations
with other series are not clear, plans will be made to study the series more closely. Where differences cannot be
identified and substantiated, series will be combined. Suites of soils will be studied by major landform, as grouped in
item d. The expected date of completion is December 1999.
3. Detailed Sampling Plan
The information gathered from the evaluation of current data and information will determine where emphasis is
needed for detailed sampling and investigations. Data on particle size for most of the dominant or benchmark soils are
extensive; other characterization data, however, are limited. Samples will be taken to a depth of 80 inches (2 meters) or
to bedrock if it occurs within that depth. The expected date of completion is June 2000.
4. Documentation
Transects of map unit delineations will determine map unit composition and additional mapping needs. The
minimum standards of documentation for the survey area are outlined in Attachment No. 1. The National Soil
Information System (NASIS) will be used to store and analyze transects and will facilitate data sharing.
5. Special Studies
a. Soil moisture--Since the NC-109 water table study did not include MLRA-00, a regional study will be
initiated and coordinated by the university experiment stations to study the relationship between redoximorphic features,
water table depths, and duration of wetness. Long-term monitoring sites will be established in areas that are determined
to be representative. An interagency committee will be assigned by the chair of the steering committee to develop a plan
and provide the necessary guidance. The expected date of completion of the plan is December 1999.
b. Crop yield and forest land inventory--Additional data are needed. Current data will be evaluated, and data
voids will be determined. Interdisciplinary ad hoc committees will be assigned the responsibility of developing an
inventory plan. An agronomist and a forest land specialist will have the leadership role in the ad hoc committees. The
expected date of completion of the plan is December 1999.
c. Soil temperature--Soil temperature will be monitored in locations that relate to forestland and hydric soils and
to separate mesic and frigid temperature regimes. Soil temperature will be monitored at 20 inches below the soil surface
at weekly or monthly intervals. An ad hoc committee will develop a plan for carrying out all phases of the study. Sites
will be established in areas that are determined to be representative. The expected date of completion of the plan is June
1999.
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)
610-14 Part 610 - Maintaining Soil Surveys
d. Additional studies that are necessitated by questions identified during field investigations will be organized as
early as possible. An ad hoc committee will be assigned to develop individual plans to assure comprehensive study
throughout the area in question. Plans for special studies will be sent to the MLRA office to be distributed within the
state for review and comment.
B. Classification
1. Numerous variants and subsoil or substratum phases of series are used in the current soil surveys. Many of these will
be correlated to existing series that have been established in recent years. Some new series will need to be established.
All laboratory sampling will extend to a depth of 80 inches or more. Several series will be proposed for current
substratum phases.
2. The Pedon Description Program will be used for all descriptions taken in the project.
3. Current laboratory data indicates that some existing series may need to be reclassified. During the evaluation of
existing data, these series will be identified and any additional sampling needs will be incorporated into the sampling
plan. Based on the analysis of existing and new laboratory data, series will reclassified if appropriate. The expected date
of completion is December 2002.
C. Legend Development
An initial overall MLRA legend will be developed using existing information, such as the MLRA-00 and MLRA
database. An ad hoc committee will begin work on this effort in 1999. In addition to an initial list of map unit names,
consideration should be given to the coordination of soil symbols, whether alpha or numeric, and to the coordination of
features and symbols.
D. Field Reviews
NRCS MLRA office soil scientists in cooperation with all cooperators will conduct field reviews. Reviews will be
conducted over multi-county areas when needed. The MLRA steering committee will be kept abreast of all field review
activities and will have the option of attending all field reviews.
E. Remapping
During soil survey evaluations for ongoing modernization, a significant variability was identified in soil material between
depths of 60 and 80 inches in the soils that were correlated when observations were at a depth of 60 inches or less. Based
on these evaluations and subsequent county soil survey evaluations, an estimated 1,075,000 acres, (13 percent of the
MLRA) will need to be remapped. Much of the remapping will be relatively minor, such as subdividing existing
delineations into two or more delineations or changing some line placement. The evaluations identify specific problems
and generally identify where on the landscape to expect them. In some map units, individual delineations may not
change, but delineations on different landform positions will be correlated to different map units. Some remapping will
be needed to correct joining problems between existing surveys. Joins will be made as directed in Attachment 1.
F. Recorrelation
Based on the county evaluation worksheets, an estimated 2,015,000 acres (25 percent of the MLRA) will only need to be
recorrelated. Many of these areas, which were mapped prior to soil taxonomy, can be correlated to new series that are
based on recent work done in adjacent counties, if the work is supported by documentation as described in Attachment 1.
New series will need to be established to correlate some of these map units.
G. Map Compilation
The remainder of the acreage can be accepted and transferred to new base maps; however, the documentation described
in Attachment 1 will also be needed for these series and map units. A large and demanding map compilation workload is
anticipated for this type of project, and soil scientists will have a great demand on their non-field time throughout the
project. For some recent surveys the major task will be to recompile the survey to new orthophoto base maps.
H. Manuscript Development
Plans are to produce one comprehensive manuscript and to publish individual county subsets as needed. This
arrangement should improve efficiency and greatly improve consistency. The comprehensive manuscript will be
published in two or more parts. One part will include technical soil descriptions. Other parts may include map unit
descriptions and interpretive data and may be frequently updated. Maps will be published on quarter quad orthophoto
base maps at a scale of 1:12,000. Some differences are anticipated in the application of terminology from state to state,
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)
Part 610 - Maintaining Soil Surveys 610-15
such as permeability, runoff, and drainage class. An ad hoc committee will be assigned by the chairperson of the steering
committee to develop the guidelines for the use of terminology in manuscripts. The expected date of completion is June
2000.
I. Computer Soil Database Development
The soil attribute database will be developed and maintained as the project progresses using the National Soil
Information System (NASIS) software. It will be used in guiding the planning for field investigations and in testing
interpretations. County subsets of the database will be used to provide attribute data for the Field Office Technical Guide
for use with the geographic information systems of all cooperating agencies, and for other computer and interpretive
applications that may be developed during or after the project.
J. Interpretations
Data from research studies will be used to develop new interpretations, especially water quality interpretations and
interpretations for local needs. Special emphasis will be placed on coordinating interpretations between similar soils and
between soils that are associated on a given landscape. An ad hoc committee will be assigned by the chair of the steering
committee to investigate and resolve differences in interpretations regarding items such as capability classification,
drainage classification, permeability, soil erodibility, soil loss tolerance, and other factors. Coordinating and sharing data
mapunits in the National Soil Information System and agreement on common interpretative criteria will eliminate these
differences. The anticipated date of completion is December 2001.
K. Coordination
Soil classification, correlation, interpretations, and mapping concerns that are identified during fieldwork will be brought
to the attention of other participants.
L. Map Finishing and Digitizing
Map finishing and digitizing will be handled by the map finishing and digitizing units. The survey will be digitized and
loaded into statewide geographic information systems and the Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) database. All map
work will be done according to current NRCS standards and the specifications for map finishing or digitizing.
M. Hierarchy of Terminology
A hierarchy of terminology will be developed to describe landscapes, landforms, and positions on landforms consistently
throughout the MLRA. A tour of MLRA-00 was conducted in October 1998. Observations from this tour will be used to
develop a plan for sampling, special studies, and a hierarchy of terminology.
Potential Special Research Projects: This project will take a new approach to soil surveying, and many new technologies
and methodologies will be used or tested during the project. The following paragraphs discuss potential special projects.
The agricultural experiment stations and the Natural Resources Conservation Service will take the lead in these projects.
Assistance will be obtained from the National Soil Survey Center and the National Cartography and Geospatial Center.
In many cases, some research has already been done and the project should try to put the research to practical use, where
economically feasible. The development of special projects will be dependent to some extent on the availability of funds
from local, state, and federal sources.
List Of Potential Special Projects:
1. The role of GIS technology and ancillary digital geographic databases in soil survey updates--GIS technology has
primarily been viewed as a tool to display and manipulate soil survey information after the mapping is completed.
However, GIS technology can also contribute to mapping operations by analyzing spatial relationships among ancillary
geographic data sources (such as digital elevation models, digital aerial photos, satellite imagery, geologic mapping,
surface hydrology, and/or existing soil mapping) and by producing products prior to mapping. These GIS derived
products describe and map combinations of landscape features correlated to the spatial distribution of soil properties. In
essence, this approach uses GIS to exploit existing resource mapping to enhance soil surveys.
2. Soil-landscape studies of certain major landforms--Mapping consistency can be improved by understanding the soillandscape relationships and the soil genesis related to landforms of regional importance. Studies should include
geomorphological investigations and a consideration of the soil continuum to a depth of 10 to 20 feet. These
investigations can provide valuable information for making interpretations related to water quality.
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)
610-16 Part 610 - Maintaining Soil Surveys
Attachment 1
SUMMARY AND ORGANIZATION OF SUPPORT DATA
The project office ensures the systematic collection of useful notes by providing each party member with a list of specific
instructions about the kind of information needed for each taxonomic unit or map unit.
The official description of a new soil series is based on descriptions of at least 10 pedons that represent the central
concept of the series and on laboratory data and field notes.
The recommended minimum standards of documentation that are needed to support the taxonomic units and map units in
a project soil survey descriptive legend are as follows:
1. Taxonomic unit
Each named component in a map unit must be described. Three complete pedon descriptions that represent the
concept of the taxon in the major land resource area are required before a taxonomic unit can be added to the descriptive
legend. This documentation is adequate for the correlation of established soil series or higher taxonomic categories that
are used to name map units that are fewer than 1,000 acres in extent. For map units that are 1,000 to 10,000 acres in
extent, one additional pedon description per 1,000 acres is required. Two additional pedon descriptions are required for
each 10,000 acres of a map unit surveyed thereafter. Pedon descriptions may be from transects within the named map
units.
2. Map unit
Three 10-stop transects of representative areas of each map unit are required before a map unit can be added to
the descriptive legend. This documentation is adequate for the correlation of map units that are fewer than 1,000 acres in
extent. For map units that are 1,000 to 10,000 acres in extent, one additional 10-stop transect per 3,000 acres is required.
Three additional 10-stop transects are required for each 10,000 acres of a map unit surveyed thereafter.
All joins between former survey areas will be matched exactly using basic soil properties and selected soil qualities and a
common legend for this area.
(430-VI-NSSH, 2003)