Part 655 - TECHNICAL SOIL SERVICES
CONTENTS
PART
TITLE
PAGE
655.00
Definition .............................................................................................................................. 655-1
655.01
Types of Service ................................................................................................................... 655-1
655.02
Policy .................................................................................................................................... 655-2
655.03
Responsibilities..................................................................................................................... 655-2
655.04
Order 1 Soil Surveys............................................................................................................. 655-3
655.05
Marketing.............................................................................................................................. 655-5
Exhibit 655-1
Sample Marketing Plan .............................................................................................. 655-7
(430-VI-NSSH, 2002)
i
Part 655 - TECHNICAL SOIL SERVICES
655.00 Definition.
Technical soil services are the presentation and
application of soil survey information to users.
Soil scientists help users to understand the soil
survey, to apply soil information to specific needs,
and to integrate soil survey information with other
resources and technology. Technical soil services
include the derivation and application of soil
information to meet USDA and NRCS policy and
program needs. Technical soil services are
cooperative efforts of the National Cooperative
Soil Survey (NCSS).
655.01 Types of Service.
Technical soil services provide five basic types
of service. The types of service are information
services; technical policy and program services;
planning services; site specific soil investigations,
testing, interpretation, and evaluation; and expert
services for judicial requests.
(a) Information services. Information
services are the distribution and explanation of
National Cooperative Soil Survey procedures and
standards, including the technical content and use
of soil survey products. They commonly provide
and explain on-the-shelf NCSS products and
materials and are part of agency responsibilities
for public information. These services provide
assistance to agencies, companies, groups, or
individuals in written or oral form. Delivery of
these services does not require a formal
agreement. Activities, such as soils training
sessions on the use of soil survey data for specific
application, are part of information services.
services to Federal agencies, State or local units of
government, or private groups or individuals that
use technical soil survey information in their
policy and programs. These services ensure that
those government policies that support improved
planning, management, or regulation of lands use
current and official soil survey information. The
Field Office Technical Guide contains the
agency’s official information. The Field Office
Technical Guide is an interdisciplinary document.
Formal agreements that include a general
reference to technical soil services provide the
operational authority to NRCS when it assists
other agencies.
(c) Planning services. Planning services are
the technical interpretation of soil survey
information for the development of plans that
include conservation practices and systems. Soil
conservation district cooperators and USDA
program participants are the primary recipients of
these planning services. Recipients also include
Federal agencies, State governments, or local
governments. Planning services involve
recommendations on specific tracts of land.
Formal agreement with the soil conservation
district as a cooperator or a formal agreement with
the NRCS that includes specific reference to
technical soil services provides the operational
authority for the NRCS.
Products that are developed by the Soil Survey
Division target specific audiences. Alternative
report formats provide options to meet the
different need of each customer. Various reports
from the National Soil Information System are
examples. Custom interpretations are additional
examples of products and information services for
specific customers. A marketing plan helps to
ensure that products meet customer expectations.
(d) Site-specific soil investigations, testing,
interpretation, and evaluation. Site-specific soil
investigations, testing, interpretation, and
evaluations are services that support the design
and installation of works and structures or the
implementation of agricultural practices, or that
test and evaluate research predictions. These
technical soil services are part of NRCS technical
assistance to individual cooperators or units of
government that have signed agreements
specifying the services. The intention of services
to individual cooperators is usually to help apply a
conservation plan. These are described in general
terms in district agreements with NRCS. These
services are very site specific and often result in
design and practice specifications.
(b) Technical policy and program services.
Technical policy and program services are
(e) Expert services for judicial requests.
Expert services related to judicial requests are
(430-VI-NSSH, 2002)
655-2 Part 655 - Technical Soil Services
technical soil services that originate as a result of
legal actions affecting Federal, State, or local
governments involved with soil resource data.
Agency policy requires agency advice and
authority from NRCS management and USDA
legal counsel before providing these services.
Contact the NRCS state administrative officer if
legal services are requested by any means.
General Manual 360, part 415, subpart E, provides
more information. Also refer to 7CFR1.210 and
subsequent sections throught 7CFR1.219 (also
know as Subpart K).
655.02 Policy.
(a) NRCS technical soil services, except for
information services, go to or through Federal,
State, and local units of government with which
there is a memorandum of understanding or a
cooperative agreement.
(b) Provide onsite technical assistance to
private individuals only though formal agreements
with government entities, such as conservation
districts, that specify the services. This assistance
relates directly to NRCS programs, as defined in
the conservation district memorandum of
understanding.
655.03 Responsibilities.
Soil scientists provide technical soil services
both within the framework of the soil survey
program and as part of other programs.
(a) The responsibility of the resource soil
scientist is to provide technical soil services for
NRCS field offices. (Resource soil scientist is a
generic term and applies more to the role than to
the title.) These services are variable and
individual in nature. Common activities of a
resource soil scientist are:
-- assessing the role of soils in the environment
and the impact of soils on human activities
and the impact of humans on soils;
-- developing and maintaining the soils
information in the field office technical
guide;
-- conducting onsite soil investigations and
special soil-related studies for NRCS and
other client agencies;
-- providing soil consultative assistance to users
of geographic information systems that are
cosponsored by NRCS;
-- serving as a member of interdisciplinary
teams to address resource problems and the
implementation of NRCS programs;
-- training NRCS employees and the technical
staffs of other agencies or groups in the use
of soil survey information;
-- participating in public awareness programs
involving the soil survey and its uses;
-- monitoring the availability of soil surveys
and conducting evaluations of the surveys;
-- collecting soil and site data on soil
performance and behavior; and
-- assisting with the development, testing, and
verification of new soil interpretations.
(b) The responsibilities of the state soil scientist
are:
--coordinating the development of local soil
interpretations;
-- providing for training in generating
interpretations;
-- providing leadership in developing state soil
survey marketing plans;
-- developing an overall technical soil services
strategy in the state, including identification
of needed services and potential clients,
working agreements, memoranda of
understanding, budgets, staffing plans,
position descriptions, and locations for
providing technical soil services;
-- coordinating and communicating the
technical soil services program objectives
with all NRCS offices within the state;
-- encouraging the development of
interdisciplinary, multi-agency teams to
address regional issues;
-- providing statewide technical soil services to
other state office disciplines and outside
clients;
-- providing training to potential users of soil
survey information;
-- providing technical guidance to resource soil
scientists;
-- coordinating research and application
technology development among NCSS
cooperators; and
-- providing quality control of technical soil
services and related activities, including the
field office technical guide.
(c) The responsibilities of the National Soil
Survey Center are:
-- providing technical soil services to divisions
at the NRCS National Headquarters;
-- participating in interagency or
multidisciplinary teams and task forces to
address national concerns related to soils;
(430-VI-NSSH, 2002)
-- providing technical soil services to other
national government organizations;
-- providing technology support for technical
soil services; and
-- coordinating research and application
technology development among NCSS
cooperators.
(d) The responsibilities of the National
Headquarters soils staff are:
-- implementing an outreach program for, and
building alliances with, potential users of soil
survey information.
(e) The responsibilities for cooperators in the
NCSS are:
-- outlined in the Statewide Memorandum of
Understanding.
655.04 Order 1 Soil Surveys.
(a) Definition and Purpose.
Definition: Order 1 soil surveys are soil
inventories produced for very intensive land uses
that require detailed information about soils.
Order 1 soil surveys are commonly use-specific
soil inventories generally made on small tracts of
land at a large scale (usually larger than 1:12000).
The survey may use different tools and criteria for
each specific purpose. An order 1 soil survey
targets multiple soil properties for different
applications. Thus, these site-specific mapping
efforts are tailored for precision farming
applications, for the review of subdivision and site
plans, for management of bio-solids, or for other
unique land uses that require detailed soils
information.
Order 1 soil surveys are site-specific soil
investigations. The Natural Resources
Conservation Service infrequently conducts order
1 soil surveys and only with a signed agreement.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service
seldom publishes an order 1 soil survey.
Exceptions are experiment stations and long term
ecological sites.
Field procedures include observations within
each soil map delineation. The placement of soil
boundaries corresponds with changes in soil
properties or surface configuration. Order 1 soil
surveys can provide reliable information about
soil properties that are near the surface or that
require deep investigations. Information is
gathered from detailed sampling. Soil
descriptions, soil maps, and supporting
information provide well-documented data for
customers.
(b) Order 1 Soil Survey Standards.
Order 1 soil survey standards are operational
procedures and criteria used to conduct order 1
soil surveys. These standards do not preclude the
development of additional criteria.
(1) A soil map, a legend with map symbols
and soil names, and soil map unit descriptions that
address the soil properties are standards for order
1 soil surveys. The maps include the geographic
location and size of the site, the date the soil map
was produced, the surveyor’s initials, and the map
scale.
(2) Order 1 soil surveys require detailed soil
pedon descriptions for all map unit components.
Taxonomic placement of soil components is not
required but may be helpful in the application of
the data to other areas.
(3) Describe soil properties according to the
procedures outlined in Chapter 3 of the Soil
Survey Manual.
(4) Order 1 standards require field
observation of the soils within all soil map
delineations and of each soil boundary.
(5) Georeference all point data for transects
and grid sampling.
(c) Work Plan.
Order 1 soil surveys begin with a work plan for
the survey area. This plan includes the specific
needs and purpose for the survey and other
features agreed upon between the parties involved.
The minimum work plan includes map scale,
mapping base, field procedures, identification of
map units, map labeling, use of special feature
symbols, and the soil properties to be identified.
Add other criteria as needed. These may be such
items as digitizing, geo-referencing, or sampling
for bulk density.
(d) Survey Area Size.
There is no size distinction for order 1 soil
survey areas. Order 1 soil survey areas are
generally less than 300 acres, but no upper limit is
set for general standards. Surveys can be as small
as 1 or 2 acres for the purpose of subdivision or
site plan review. They can be several thousand
acres in size where the application of bio-solids on
land is assessed.
655-4 Part 655 - Technical Soil Services
(e) Map Scale.
The intended users of the soil survey establish
the order 1 map scale. The work plan identifies
this scale. The map scale must conform to the
delineation of the smallest management unit. If the
smallest management unit is 0.25 acre (104 feet by
104 feet), then the map scale should be such that
an area this size can be delineated. Generally, the
map scale is larger than 1:12,000, and frequently it
is 1:1,200 or larger.
(f) Map Unit Kind.
Most map units in an order 1 soil survey use a
single component to represent a homogeneous
unit. A taxonomic class name at the soil family or
soil series level commonly identifies the
component, however alternative naming is
allowable. In some areas, complexes of two or
more soils occur even at the intensity of an order 1
survey. Where a map unit is a soil complex or an
undifferentiated group, indicate the relationship of
the soil components as clearly as possible. If the
components correspond with surface features,
describe the observable feature. If the
components correspond with subsurface features,
such as an undulating bedrock surface, state the
relationship.
(g) Placement of Soil Lines.
Map units are designed to group areas of similar
behavior for the use of the survey. Line placement
therefore depends on the concerns that are being
addressed. Setting accuracy standards for line
placement is not possible. Generally, line
placement is as accurate as practical and within
tolerable limits of human observation and error.
Grid mapping with intervals of 10 to 200 feet (3
to 60 meters) helps to place boundaries between
map units with similar surface and landscape
characteristics. Detailed contour maps and shaded
relief maps, such as digital elevation maps and
digital orthophotography, improve the precision of
line placement at physiographic boundaries. Line
placement on sloping sites may require a contour
map with a 1- to 2-foot interval. If detailed
contour maps are not available, place special
emphasis on measuring slope gradient, slope
shape, and slope length.
(h) Soil Survey Documentation.
Transects on predetermined sites assist in the
identification of the purity of the soil map unit
delineation. They also can be used for designing
map units. Unbiased sampling of soil properties
near the surface and in the subsoil is important for
an order 1 soil survey. Many types of properties
near the surface can be examined. A partial list
includes: surface horizon color (moist and dry for
reflectance), albedo, surface horizon thickness,
content of clay in the surface horizon, content of
rock fragments at the surface, and bulk density in
the upper 50 centimeters of the surface layer.
To aid the transfer of data from the order 1 soil
surveys to other areas, order 1 soil surveys include
detailed soil pedon descriptions for all map unit
components.
Documentation, especially on the larger map
unit polygons, quantifies map unit composition
and the variability of surface features. Examples
are site notes, pedon descriptions, and transects.
All map units include descriptions of slope,
position on the landscape, and land use.
The amount and kind of documentation depend
upon the purpose and application of the survey.
(i) Georeferenced Point Data.
All point data for transects and grid sampling
are georeferenced. These data become spatial
layers.
(j) Order 1 Soil Survey Results.
Order 1 soil survey, as a minimum, include a
soil map, a legend of map symbols and map unit
names, and narrative descriptions of the soils.
The maps include the geographic location and size
of the site, soil map unit delineations, the date the
soil map was produced, the surveyor’s initials, and
the map scale. Optional information includes the
nature of the soil/landscape relationships,
distinguishing landscape features, soil profile
descriptions, transect data, field notes, supporting
laboratory information and interpretations. The
work plan guides the format and subject matter of
the resulting report.
(k) Correlation.
Correlation of an order 1 soil survey with
adjacent soil surveys is optional. Within an order
1 soil survey area, correlation involves the
consistent assignment of map units to
delineations. The order 1 soil survey enhances
previously existing soil information.
(l) Product Delivery.
It is recommended that all products be
electronic if possible. Tools for electronic delivery
include both geographic information systems and
computer-assisted drafting software. Electronic
files for an order 1 soil survey can be posted on an
(430-VI-NSSH, 2002)
ftp server and shared with researchers. The digital
soil coverage requires a populated attribute
database. Digitizing allows for quick delivery of
products.
1. Prepare a goal statement. State clearly and
concisely the problem, the opportunity, or the
need this plan will address. Do not list
specific objectives.
(m) Official Status.
An order 1 soil survey is a supplement to the
“official” soil survey and not a replacement. Data
and maps from the order 1 soil survey may be
published in conjunction with research.
2. Identify target groups. Identify target client
groups that can help accomplish your purpose.
Who can help attain your goal that is
identified in the first step? Take each group
and subdivide it into smaller groups that have
common identifiable characteristics. Who can
make a change? Then, put these target
markets in a priority order for addressing in
this plan. If possible identify the people who
influence the market. These individuals may
be valuable in your strategy for reaching the
target group.
655.05 Marketing
Marketing is a process of organized thought
and action that helps achieve product or
organizational goals.
Marketing is not the same as selling,
promotion, and advertising. Marketing
includes these activities but additionally takes
into account the desires of the intended
audience.
Marketing can be passive or active. Every
interaction with a client as part of regular
activity of the organization is part of passive
marketing. The way you answer the phone, the
timeliness of your assistance, the quality of
your help, the professionalism of your staff,
and the appearance of your products and office
all send a message. This is passive marketing.
People form opinions of your organization
based on these types of factors. Logos and
slogans when used consistently create a visual
or verbal identity for the organization. These
are reminders of the image created through
other methods. The goal of an organization is
to create an image that appeals to the interests
and desires of certain key audiences.
Active marketing is a very focused effort that
ensures customer involvement in the development
of products that support the purpose of the
sponsoring group. A marketing plan helps
organize specific marketing activities. A
marketing plan normally includes 8 steps.
i.
Prepare a goal statement
ii.
Identify target groups
iii.
Research the target clients and the
conditions.
iv.
Identify specific objectives
v.
Develop your market position
vi.
Develop strategic and tactical plans.
vii.
Implement the action plan
viii.
Evaluate the plan
Identify the actions that you want the
customer to carry out in order to benefit your
goal. Perhaps you want them to utilize soils
information to prevent resource damage to a
watershed.
3. Research the target clients and the conditions.
Research the target groups and the
environment and relationships. Learn about
the economics, construction trends,
demographics, age, race and other information
about the target client groups and the areas or
people they serve.
Contact the client groups and visit about their
needs. These customers often share your
goals but have specific product needs in order
to carry out their actions. Listen closely to
their needs. What specific products can be
tailored to these clients? Each step should
ensure that the product meets the needs of
customers. Learn as much as you can about
competitors. These may be other people with
vested interest or consultants providing other
information.
4. Identify specific objectives. Develop a set of
specific objectives with the customer. Be very
specific. In all cases the intended target
groups must be involved. One way to write
your specific objective would be to complete
the statement, “This program is a success if
…” It is important to be realistic in your
objectives. Make sure they are achievable.
5. Develop your market position. Assess your
capabilities to produce and deliver the
requested product. What advantage does your
agency have? Who else can provide the
655-6 Part 655 - Technical Soil Services
needed information? This assessment helps to
determine the outside resources that are
needed.
6. Develop strategic and tactical plans.
Incorporate the above items into an action
plan. Determine your messages and the media
to deliver them. Break down the plan into
various activities. Each activity is clearly
stated as an action item. Assign the person
responsible and agree upon a completion date.
Tie the plan together with mileposts for
completion of various parts. Interrelate
various actions that are prerequisite to other
actions. Fully address implementation and
training that may be needed.
7. Implement the action plan. Assign
resources to carry out the work elements
and take action.
8. Evaluate the plan. Almost all plans need
modification because of unforeseen events.
Stay flexible and in contact with the client
groups. Build the review and evaluation
into the marketing plan so those customers
continue to be involved. Modify the
marketing plan as conditions change or
delays occur.
(430-VI-NSSH, 2002)
Exhibit 655-1 Example of a Marketing Plan
The mission of the Soil Survey Division is to: Provide leadership and service to produce and deliver scientifically-based
soil information to help society to understand, value, and wisely manage global resources.
Marketing Plan for Collapsible Soils Concern
1) Goal statement.
Construction of houses and roads on collapsible soils has led to loss of property and to personal injury.
Roads, houses, and pipelines have been damaged from the collapse of soils. If soil information were
understood and used these areas of collapsible soils could be identified and avoided or the structures could be
designed to withstand or reduce the risks of collapse. The goal is to reduce the loss of property damage from
collapse of these soils.
2) Target client groups.
State and county highway construction engineers and planners and city roads departments handle road
construction. Home builders and land developers design and locate homes on various soils. Land use
planners at the county provide zoning that approves construction plans. Landscapers work with homeowners
and businesses to design and locate vegetation and surface drainage that can accelerate or reduce collapse.
Conservation districts review subdivision plans.
The targeted clients in priority are:
1. County land use planners in county w, x, y, and z where soil conditions occur.
2. Conservation district officials and NRCS field offices in targeted counties.
3. State highway department.
4. City road departments in affected cities.
5. Developers and homebuilders in problem areas.
6. Landscaping companies in affected areas.
3) Research
The land use planners and zoning boards are primarily made up of realtors and developers. In visiting with
some of the key individuals a map of these areas is the first requirement. Secondly they would like a list of
construction practices that can reduce the risk of collapse prior to construction and for areas already built.
They are well aware of problem areas already encountered but not the location of other problem areas.
The conservation districts and local district conservationists have excellent rapport with city and county
officials.
The three counties have rapid growth from retirees. The industrial tax base is low. Urban services are
stressed financially. Low cost affordable housing is the dominant building practice. Slab foundations are
typical.
The counties have good geographic information systems but lack soil information.
4) Specific Objectives.
a. Reduce the number of new homes damaged by collapse by 50% by having developers bypass severe
problem areas and by having them adopt effective land preparation techniques to overcome the problem.
b. Reduce the loss of pipelines and streets by 50% by identifying problem areas and sharing construction
techniques with officials.
c. Reduce the number of currently constructed houses from collapsing by sharing information with
landscapers and homeowners concerning proper roof gutters and landscaping.
655-8 Part 655 - Technical Soil Services
5) Market Position.
The NRCS is the sole source of soil information. The soil survey identifies soils subject to collapse from
hydro-compaction and from gypsum dissolution. The STATSGO map and database provides coverage of the
state but the soil factors needed for identifying areas subject to collapse are not within the database. The
NASIS database includes these data elements. GIS capabilities are lacking because the surveys are not
digitized.
6) Strategic and Tactical Plan.
ACTION
WHO
a. Assemble material concerning collapsible soils
SSS
b. Select priority counties based on problem areas
and land use patterns
SSS
c. Assemble material on demographics, target groups
DC
d. Visit client groups
DC/SSS/RS
e. Develop county maps from SSURGO
SSS
f. Submit draft maps to clients
SSS
g. Work with landscapers and contractors to
assemble methods to overcome limitations
RSS
h. Take pictures of failures, assemble news stories
RSS/DCs
i. Delivery all materials at a presentation to each group DC/SSS
j. Arrange for follow-up assistance and news releases
PAS/SSS
WHEN
8/99
9/99
12/99
2/00
4/00
6/00
1/99
5/00
7/00
9/00
7) Implementation
Commit resources and funds to project.
8) Evaluation
Two counties had active GIS systems and preferred to develop the maps themselves. So instead of making
maps for them the data was provided plus the interpretation for collapsible soils. The county planners and
county officials also took over leadership in working with landscapers and contractors through local
workshops and information handouts at the time zoning changes were requested and building permits were
let.
County extension put out information about landscaping and roof gutters to minimize excess water around
foundations.
County z did not have GIS capability and welcomed a map which they provided to builders and county
planner.
Collapsing structures are minimal since construction began this spring but a dry season makes the success
hard to evaluate. Additional follow-up and workshops need to continue.
(430-VI-NSSH, 2002)