An Approach to the Development of Inherent Soil Productivity Indices

ational November 2006 Issue 37 N ooperative oil C urvey SS Newsletter

In This Issue— An Approach to the indices occur with only a minor difference in the numerical values Development of Inherent between the same data element. Figure An Approach to the Development Soil Productivity Indices 1 demonstrates the use of a continuous of Inherent Soil Productivity evaluation to assign numerical rating Indices ...... 1 By H. Raymond Sinclair, Jr., Robert R. Dobos, and Sharon W. Waltman, Soil Scientists, values for a soil property. The Wade G. Hurt Receives SSSA NRCS. continuous evaluation typically assigns Award ...... 6 values ranging from 0.01 to 1.0. In table 1, rating classes are assigned NRCS Receives ESRI Award ...... 7 Introduction numerical values. The rating classes are Retirement of Frederick M. Kaisaki ... 8 This article describes a prototype typically assigned values ranging from model of Soil Rating for Plant Growth, 5 to 100. The numerical values Retirement of Robert J. Engel ...... 8 version 4 (SRPG4), which generates assigned to the rating classes are more Nonretirement of Stanley P. inherent productivity indices for soils ambiguous than the values in a Anderson: A Reprise...... 8 in the United States using soil survey continuous evaluation. In this example, data. The article demonstrates how this both the class and continuum indicate a Web-Based Soil Extent Mapping system assigns productivity indices to condition that is more favorable for Tool ...... 9 soils growing commodity crops. The plant growth as the assigned numerical Phil Derr Passes Away ...... 10 soil data elements in NASIS and soil values become larger. interpretations model (Soil Survey Rooftops to Rivers Publication Staff, 2006a and 2006b) in the NASIS Table 1.—Values assigned to crisp Available ...... 11 interpretation module will be used to classes Job Aids ...... 11 generate the productivity indices. The Class definition Assigned value article will outline how the model is being developed. It is the first in a Most favorable 100, or else series of publications that will explain 95, or else, the development and use of this model. Future publications will discuss all 85, or else aspects of the SRPG4 model in detail. 75, or else This article will not discuss some aspects that are still in developmental 60, or else Editor’s Note stages. These planned aspects are Least favorable 5. Issues of this newsletter are available in the NASIS interpretation available on the World Wide Web module. (http://soils.usda.gov/). Under Quick The Soil Survey Staff (2000) K.W. Flach (1985) indicated the Access, click on NCSS, then on explained the use of rating classes or need for modeling in soil science, that Newsletters, and then on the desired traditional “crisp” limits (table 1) to is, the need for “a model of the issue number. assign soil productivity indices for relationship between kinds of soils and You are invited to submit stories for commodity crops. Users suggested that landscape.” The mapper “maps ahead this newsletter to Stanley Anderson, a continuous evaluation of soil using this model.” Verbalizing the National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, properties (SRPG4) could possibly model usually is difficult, as is “putting Nebraska. Phone—402-437-5357; assign soil productivity indices that it into quantitative terms,” but the FAX—402-437-5336; email— avoid boundary conditions where mapper “could not function effectively [email protected]. drastically different productivity without it.”

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module of the soil survey database indicates the degree of membership of system (Soil Survey Staff, 2006b) to that attribute in the set of soils that are assess the impact of numerous soil productive. In this example, a soil constraints or qualities on plant growth component having a pH of 6.5 would and thus compute a soil productivity or receive a score of 1, whereas a soil inherent soil quality index for component having a pH of 5.0 would components of soil map units (Soil receive a score of less than 1. The Figure 1.—Values assigned for a continuous Survey Staff, 2006a). The SRPG4 shape of the curve depends on the soil evaluation. calculations followed the “Storie Index attribute being modeled (see figures 2 Rating” (Storie and Weir, 1958; Storie, through 5). 1978), which was based on soil The rating from the evaluation is fed Many crop indices with their characteristics that govern the land’s into a base rule indicating the impact of published methodology have been potential utilization and productive the soil attribute in question on the land developed for many geographical areas capacity. The Storie index was use. The base rule is a logical diagram over the past years. Each model originally adapted to semiarid and arid depicting the relationship between the developed criteria and used data regions and included profile soil attributes and the land use being elements that enable it to work for a characteristics that influenced the modeled. Base rules can be put selected area. Everyone should study effective rooting depth and the quality together to make various levels of the methodology that results in the of the root zone; subsurface properties subrules, depending on the complexity generation of indices that satisfy the (permeability, available water capacity, of the land use situation being customers using these models. After the drainage class, and soluble salts); and considered (Soil Survey Staff, 2001). models were examined, none seemed to landscape properties, such as slope, Table 2 lists the four subrules generate indices that would array the microrelief, and the degree of erosion. (chemical and physical properties and soils of the United States for growing SRPG4 also considers climate as an climate and landscape factors) used to commodity crops. Huddleston (1984) additional factor in calculating the calculate SRPG4. As is indicated in details the development and use of soil index. Climate is a particularly table 2, base rule level 2 has 22 productivity ratings in the U.S. The significant parameter, given the range elements, which mathematically Storie Index is a method of soil rating of climate across regions. SRPG4 calculate the values for the four that is based on soil characteristics that provides a reasonable semi-quantitative elements in subrule level 1. govern the land’s potential utilization index (from 0.01 to 1) of soil Soil attribute data can be and productive capacity. It is productivity applicable to map unit manipulated in a variety of ways to independent of other physical and components of the soil survey database. arrive at a value that is meaningful in economic factors that might determine A table near the end of this article terms of soil productivity. For example, the desirability of growing certain (table 4) shows a productivity index roots are sensitive to the bulk density of plants in a given location. The generated by an early version of a soil layer, since penetration resistance publications by Huddleston and Storie SRPG4. is partially a function of bulk density. are only two of the more than 90 The conceptual model of the soil At some point, a soil layer becomes too citations available on the subject of interpretations module, or prototype as dense for root ramification. The values crop indices. outlined in this article, consists of four for nonlimiting, critical, and root- basic parts. These are “main rules” limiting bulk densities for each family Methodology and Development (also called “interpretations”), particle-size class are shown in table 3 of SRPG4 “subrules” (composed of “base rules”), (Pierce et al., 1983). “evaluations,” and “properties.” A The information in table 3 is Soil productivity is strongly “property” is a Structured Query manipulated in a property script to influenced by the capacity of a soil to Language (SQL) script that retrieves arrive at a way of comparing the supply the nutrients and soil-stored the desired soil attribute data, such as populated bulk density to a bulk water that a crop growing in a given the pH of the surface horizon. This density that is conducive to root growth climate needs (Olson and Lang, 2002). piece of data is placed into an for any particular combination of sand, SRPG4 uses the soil interpretations evaluation, which is a graph that silt, and clay. The resulting number is

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Figure 2.—Precipitation. Figure 3.—pH, 0-20 cm, weighted average.

Figure 4.—Available water capacity (AWC), 0-150 cm. Figure 5.—Frost-free days. then scored on the basis of its zone. Table 4 illustrates the numerical productivity index for commodity estimated impact on soil productivity values generated by the rule, subrules, crops. using the appropriate evaluation. and base rules in the SRPG4 model. The SRPG4 model should be The soil interpretations module The table also indicates the taxonomic tested in many different geographical allows the logical relationships, such as classification of the soil. areas. Constructive suggestions interactions and weighting, among soil, The ratings for the subrule level 1 would be appreciated. Ideas and landscape, and site features to be factors are weighted and used in the suggestions are continually being modeled. In SRPG4, the weight of a calculation of the final SRPG tested and incorporated into the particular variable can be assigned in the subrule diagram. Figure 6 is an example of how physical soil factors might be related in a subrule. The “divide” boxes are used to adjust the weight of the individual factors or groups of factors. The results are multiplied together, as in the Storie index. Some products that can be generated using the SRPG4 model are indicated in figure 7 and table 4. Figure 7 shows the available water capacity of the root zone for the soils in Tazewell County, Illinois (Soil Survey Staff, 2005). There is a very good relationship between crop yields and the available water capacity of the root Figure 6.—A subrule diagram of physical soil properties.

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Table 2. —Schema for rule, subrules, and base rules to determine indices of model. Thus, the SRPG model is inherent soil productivity continually being improved. Using the model keeps us current with its Main rule Subrule level 1 Base rule level 2 dynamic capabilities.

SRPG4: Concluding Remarks Climate factors: mean air annual temperature Soil scientists in NRCS want to be frost-free days recognized as members of a dynamic mean annual precipitation discipline that is able to provide the integrated soil survey interpretations Chemical properties: cation-exchange capacity that rapidly changing societies in the soil reaction United States and other parts of the sodium adsorption ratio world need. One of the challenges is to gypsum develop a soil productivity rating electrical conductivity system for use in federal programs, calcium carbonate such as programs that relate to crop production. To meet our nation’s needs, Landscape factors: slope a computer modeling approach is being water table developed to assign productivity surface rock fragments indices to soils used for commodity flooding crops. The SRPG4 module is ponding operational and produces test results. It accelerated erosion appears to correctly array test sets of soils. The next phase of testing will be to generate the productivity indices for Physical properties: content of organic matter soils with other taxonomic saturated hydraulic conductivity classifications. The model quantifies bulk density soils without regard to their political linear extensibility percent boundaries. It is testing past and available water capacity current concepts and verifying their rock fragment content validity. The statistics used to develop root zone depth the SRPG4 model will be documented in future publications. The Table 3.—Nonlimiting, critical, and root-limiting bulk densities for each development of SRPG version 2, for family texture class (Pierce et al., 1983) irrigated commodity crops, forestry SRPG version 1, and rangeland SRPG Family texture Nonlimiting Critical bulk Root-limiting version 2 can be accomplished with class bulk density density bulk density minor changes in the base rules and evaluations of SRPG4 for commodity g cm-3 g cm-3 g cm-3 crops. The soil scientists in the Sandy ...... 1.60 1.69 1.85 National Cooperative Soil Survey should evaluate SRPG4 to ensure that it Coarse-loamy...... 1.50 1.63 1.80 arrays the soils of the United States Fine-loamy...... 1.46 1.67 1.78 realistically. Coarse-silty ...... 1.43 1.67 1.79 References Fine-silty ...... 1.34 1.54 1.65 Flach, K.W. 1985. Modeling and soil Clayey (35-45%) ...... 1.40 1.49 1.58 survey. Soil Survey Horizons Clayey (45-100%) ...... 1.30 1.39 1.47 26(2): 15-20.

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Table 4.—Numerical values generated for subrule level 1, base rule level 2, and rule by SRPG model

Cation- Sodium exchange adsorption Electrical Calcium Chemical capacity pH ratio Gypsum conductivity carbonate 0.971 1 0.971 1 1 1 1

Water Surface rock Accelerated Landscape Slope table fragments Flooding Ponding erosion 0.947 0.947 1 1 1 1 1

Content of Linear Available Rock Root organic Bulk extensibility water fragment zone Physical matter Ksat density percent capacity content depth 0.901 0.842 1 1 1 0.951 1 1

Mean Soil rating annual Frost- Mean for plant air free annual growth Climate temperature days precipitation (SRPG) 0.845 0.9 1 0.939 0.91

Classification Family texture class Suborder Fine-silty, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Argiudolls Fine-silty Udolls

Subrule level 1 ratings are weighted and used to calculate SRPG.

Huddleston, J.H. 1984. Development Service, National Soil Survey National Soil Information System and use of soil productivity ratings Center. (NASIS). in the United States. Geoderma Soil Survey Staff. 2001. Getting Soil Survey Staff. 2006b. Soil survey 32(4): 297-317. started. United States Department interpretations model (electronic Olson, K.R., and J.M. Lang. 2002. of Agriculture, Natural Resources media). United States Department Average crop productivity index Conservation Service, NASIS. of Agriculture, Natural Resources ratings for Illinois soils. Soil http://nasis.usda.gov/documents/ Conservation Service, National Survey Horizons 43(1): 22-30. tutorial5/. Soil Information System Pierce, F.J., W.E. Larson, R.H. Dowdy, Soil Survey Staff. 2005. Soil survey (NASIS). and W.A.P. Graham. 1983. geographic database, version 2.1, Storie, R.E. 1978. Storie index rating Productivity of soils: Assessing for Tazewell County, Illinois. (revised). Special Publication long-term changes due to erosion. United States Department of 3203, Division of Agricultural Journal of Soil and Water Agriculture, Natural Resources Sciences, University of California, Conservation 38(1): 39-44. Conservation Service, Champaign, Berkley, California. Soil Survey Staff. 2000. Soil rating for Illinois. Soil Data Mart. http:// Storie, R.E., and W.W. Weir. 1948 with plant growth, a system for arraying soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov 1958 supplement. Storie index soils according to their inherent Soil Survey Staff. 2006a. Digital soil rating. In Manual for identifying productivity and suitability for survey area attribute tables and classifying California soil crops. C.S. Holzhey and H.R. (electronic media). United States series. California Agricultural Sinclair, Jr. (eds.). United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Experiment Station, Berkley, Department of Agriculture, Resources Conservation Service, California. Natural Resources Conservation

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Figure 7.—Available water capacity of the root zone in the soils of Tazewell County, Illinois.

Wade G. Hurt Receives on the indicators of hydric soils. The scientists. The award consists award is described as follows: of a certificate and $1,000 SSSA Award honorarium. This award is given for uring the Soil Science Society outstanding service in Wade edited all versions of Field D of America Awards Program at promoting programs, Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United the 2006 ASA-CSSA-SSSA practices, technology, or States: A Guide for Identifying and International Annual Meetings in products that enhance soil Delineating Hydric Soils, including Indianapolis, Indiana, November 12- science. The aim is to Version 6.0 (2006). Following is a 16, Wade Hurt, Soil Scientist, NRCS, recognize outstanding service picture from the cover of the 2006 received the “Soil Science Professional and leadership by industrial, version of this publication. This picture Service Award” for his important work private, and governmental soil shows a hydric soil that has the hydric

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soil indicators S6 (Stripped Matrix) and S7 (Dark Surface).

From left to right, Ken Harward, Project Manager, ITC, Ft. Collins, Colorado; Jim Fortner, Soil Scientist, NSSC, Lincoln, Nebraska; Jack Dangermond, ESRI president; and Dennis Williamson, State GIS Manager, Temple, Texas.

A picture from the cover of the latest version of Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States.

NRCS Receives ESRI Award

he Natural Resources T Conservation Service was recognized for excellence in the geographic information system (GIS) field with a 2006 Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) award at the Twenty- “The SAG awards celebrate the browser-based soil survey information Sixth Annual ESRI International User achievement and vision of innovators and maps to the general public. WSS Conference in San Diego, California, in the GIS field,” says Jack replaces current paper-based soil August 7-11. ESRI presents the award Dangermond, ESRI president. “Each survey publications. It shortens the to organizations and agencies that winner brings benefits to their time from completion of field mapping display dedication and commitment communities and influences others to to publication of soil survey through their use of GIS technology. do the same.” information. This year 178 awardees were chosen NRCS received the award for the Ken Harward, Jim Fortner, and from more than 3,000 nominations for development of the Web Soil Survey Dennis Williamson accepted the award the award. (WSS). Web Soil Survey provides on behalf of NRCS.

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Retirement of Frederick streams as a volunteer for the country through his instruction in University of Idaho. courses, such as “Basic Soil Survey— M. Kaisaki Lab and Field” and “Soil Correlation.” Bob has been instrumental in working red Kaisaki, supervisory soil internationally with soil scientists scientist on the Soil Survey Retirement of Robert J. F developing the “World Reference Investigations/Soil Survey Laboratory Engel Base” (WRB) soil classification staff, National Soil Survey Center, will system. His efforts have made a retire on January 3, 2007, with more obert (Bob) J. Engel of the significant contribution to aligning than 30 years of Federal service. Fred National Soil Survey Center R WRB with Soil Taxonomy. was born in Lewiston, Idaho. He (NSSC), Lincoln, Nebraska, will retire obtained his B.S. degree in Agricultural on January 3, 2007, after about 40 Biochemistry from the University of years of government service. Bob was Idaho, Moscow. After serving in the born on a dairy farm in Cochrane, Nonretirement of Stanley U.S. Army, Fred returned to college Wisconsin, and spent his early years P. Anderson: A Reprise and obtained his M.S. degree in Soil growing up on the farm, where he Science at the University of Wisconsin, developed a love of nature and the tan Anderson, Editor, NRCS, Madison. outdoors. He obtained his B.S. degree S National Soil Survey Center, Fred started his career with the Soil in plant and earth science in 1968 from has once again decided not to retire. Conservation Service in Burley, Idaho, the University of Wisconsin, River The last time that Stan’s nonretirement in 1978 after working for the Idaho Falls. was announced was February 2005, in Department of Lands as a soil scientist. Bob began his USDA career in 1965 issue 30 of the NCSS Newsletter. He transferred into the National Soil with the Agricultural Stabilization & “If they want to get rid of me, they’ll Survey Laboratory in November 1982. Conservation Service (ASCS) as an have to throw me out,” Stan said in an He was in charge of the Chemical intermittent crop reporter in Alma, exclusive interview in which he Analyses Staff before the Wisconsin. He began his career with muttered to himself. reorganization in 1994. He spent the Soil Conservation Service in June The list of people who are considerable time on the LIMS design 1967 with a summer detail in Buffalo disappointed by Stan’s decision is too team. His knowledge of laboratory County, Wisconsin. In December 1968, long to reproduce in the NCSS chemical analyses procedures was he started his career as a soil scientist Newsletter, even if an entire issue is essential for team success. Fred in Rock County (Janesville), devoted to the list of these people’s resumed his position on the Chemical Wisconsin. His career took him to names (and only their names). Analyses Staff in 2005. His recent Sheboygan County (Sheboygan), Dr. Robert Ahrens, Director of the contributions to the National Wisconsin, as a soil survey party leader National Soil Survey Center, is Cooperative Soil Survey include in 1970; to Washtenaw County (Ann considering taking up a collection from several promising soil field kits and Arbor), Michigan, in 1973; and the people referred to in the previous leadership in technician cross-training, Jackson County (Jackson), Michigan, paragraph, hoping to raise enough which has increased laboratory in 1975. In 1977, Bob became the SCS money for an attractive buy-out offer. efficiency and production. Fred’s state soil correlator for the State of In the meantime, Stan plans to stay combination of field and laboratory Washington. He lived in Spokane until around for as many years as the experiences and his passion for soil 1988, when he joined the staff of the number of times he is reiterated in the science gave him a unique appreciation National Soil Survey Center (NSSC) in following illustration: of the value and role of the Soil Survey Lincoln, Nebraska. Laboratory as an important service Since 1988, Bob has been working facility for field soil scientists mainly on updating Soil Taxonomy and Fred and his wife, Wan, will be the Keys to Soil Taxonomy at the moving to Spokane, Washington, National Soil Survey Center. Bob also where Fred plans to join a study of has provided training to the majority of macro invertebrates in west slope the NCSS soil scientists around the

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Web-Based Soil Extent Ecological Studies Unit (CESU) national maps of the extent of soil partnership has improved the ability to series based on the land area of mapped Mapping Tool map soil extent through use of the soils. This tool enhances the By Sharon Waltman, Soil Scientist-National Web-Based Soil Extent Mapping understanding of soil series concepts Soil Geospatial Database Team Leader, National (SEM) Tool (http://soils.usda.gov). and soil taxonomy in relation to the Geospatial Development Center, NRCS, The partnership includes Penn State natural divisions of physical land Morgantown, West Virginia. University, Center for Environmental resources, enabling closer scrutiny of Informatics; West Virginia University; these concepts by NRCS soil scientists, Background and NRCS, National Geospatial university educators, and the general Development Center and National Soil public. The more than 20,000 The national extent (acreage) of soil Survey Center. interactive maps are based on the land series in the United States was last area of soil series mapped in detailed mapped a decade ago. Public domain Explanation soil surveys throughout the United GIS software and main frame computer States. The tool also provides tabular output were used. They required The SEM Tool is an exciting new acreage summaries for individual soil installation on local computers across Web application that for the first time series by soil survey area and access to the nation. Today, a Cooperative provides the user with interactive the Official Soil Series Descriptions.

L Wadena County

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Later this fall, the SEM Tool will be in years, I think those who knew him expanded to enable querying and extent would agree his life was lived with a mapping of such soil taxa as order, special GUSTO. suborder, and great group. The SEM If you have a favorite story about Tool is launched when a user queries Phil or a story that you remember him Official Soil Series Descriptions (http:// telling, please send me an email and soils.usda.gov/technical/classification/ tell me about it. Phil always said he osd/). Also, it can be accessed from was going to write a book titled “The and waded out to the snag/ http://soils.usda.gov. A microphone Book of Doubt,” but I don’t think he bloated moose. I can icon is available for people who wish ever got around to recording his stories remember Jack Rodgers from to contribute comments through the on paper. It’s our loss. Most of his Montana standing on the bank SEM user survey. stories were “colorful,” if you get my muttering that we were all drift, but that was just Phil. All I can going to drown but the Contacts say is that after he retired, we all just Wyoming group and a couple sat around at break time and looked at of the Alaskans ended up Jon Hempel, Director, National each other. We had been listening to freeing the moose and letting Geospatial Development Center stories from Phil for so many years; it her float away past the [email protected] was difficult to compete with that. restaurant. Sharon W. Waltman, Soil Scientist- Following is a story by Dr. Larry We did get some free beer National Soil Geospatial Database Munn from the University of from this but I am not sure if Team Leader Wyoming. we really got 10 free pitchers; [email protected] I don’t believe anyone could The Alaskan Moose count that high at that point— Editor’s Note: The moose story dates to even Phil, who had a pretty about 1990. We were all in good capacity, was pretty well I tried the Wadena series. (See the Fairbanks for a Western in his cups as I recall. map on the previous page.) I graduated Regional Soil Survey I do remember Phil as from Wadena High School (in Committee meeting and ended having a memory for every Minnesota). Although the series was up one night at a riverfront soil pit he had ever seen (or at established in Wadena County (in restaurant/bar for some social least he could argue about it!). 1926), Wadena soils are not mapped in time. The restaurant was I learned a lot from him and the county, which is about 75 miles plagued by a horrible stench consider myself fortunate to north of the northern extent of the from a dead cow moose that have spent some time looking series. had floated down the Chetana at soils with him. River and lodged on a snag in Larry the middle of the river. After Phil Derr Passes Away I’m sure there are many more stories some banter and bartering out there, so please share them. Maybe Written on September 29, 2006, by Steven J. with the manager, he made an if I get enough stories, I’ll try to finish Jelden, Soil Scientist, NRCS, Casper, Wyoming. offer of 10 pitchers of free “The Book of Doubt.” Send stories to: beer to anyone who would rid hil Derr, former Wyoming Soil him of the stench. Steven J. Jelden P Correlator (1977-1989) and So, the Wyoming USDA, NRCS Wyoming State Soil Scientist (1989- contingent provided P.O. Box 33124 1994), passed away last week at his leadership (?) for an Casper, Wyoming 82602 home in Casper, Wyoming. Phil was 66 expedition to free the moose 307-233-6773 years old at the time of his death. from the snag. Joe Moore Phil was one of the most colorful refused us the use of his canoe characters I have ever met. I learned a (one can only consider this a lot from him when the subject turned to wise decision on his part) and soil science. Although his life was short so we went to the far shore

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Job Aids option could be a real timesaver for everyone if you make it work by By Marc Crouch, Training Coordinator, , contributing. National Soil Survey Center, NRCS, Lincoln, Have something you would like to Nebraska. share? The only way that this site will ave you ever begun to assess become valuable is if you all are H the need for a tool, a process, willing to share with others what you a set of guidelines, or the like to are doing. Have a tool you developed, a achieve a goal you have set and custom spreadsheet or database, a set wondered if anybody else has already of guidelines or procedures for a been there, done that? A site has been process that others may be able to use Rooftops to Rivers created at soils.usda.gov allow you to at some time? Do you have education look for such items in an efficient materials or PowerPoint presentations Publication Available manner. Check it out right now! used in training internal and external customers? Consider sharing them. By Joyce M. Scheyer, Soil Scientist, Soil http://soils.usda.gov/technical/#aids Survey Interpretations, National Soil Survey There is a process. A Web site team Center, NRCS, Lincoln, Nebraska. There, you will find topic areas to at the National Soil Survey Center search for specific items. Items from (NSSC) would receive an item. An ooftops to Rivers: Green MO and/or state Web sites, from within appropriate technical review may Strategies for Controlling R soil.usda.gov, or from other Web sites follow. The item may get a look from Stormwater and Combined Sewer are collated into these topic areas. an editor. Before it gets that far, Overflows from the Natural Resources Most are captured with URL links to however, you are asked to pass it Defense Council (NRDC) is a policy the host site for the item. This through your own State Soil Scientist. guide for decision makers looking to arrangement maintains ownership Your State Soil Scientist, if he or she implement green strategies in their own where it originates and where it can be approves, will send it on to the area. It includes nine case studies of edited or updated without resubmitting National Leader for Standards and/or cities that have successfully used green the item for inclusion. the Training Coordinator at the NSSC. techniques to create a healthier urban You might find that you can use an We are constantly being asked to do environment. item as is. You might be able to use it more with less. Sharing is a way to save The urban landscape of roadways, as an idea or a template to build your time, and saving time saves money. Join sidewalks, and buildings has changed own without starting from scratch. This in and send in your Job Aids! the way water moves through our environment. Rain or snow that falls on paved surfaces becomes stormwater runoff that picks up dirt and pollutants as it follows gravity downhill into storm drains and ultimately into our The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all streams, rivers, and lakes. Polluted its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, runoff can threaten public health and disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental degrade wildlife habitat. This report status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, explores how some cities are using reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any green techniques — including rooftop public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) gardens on city buildings, more Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of absorbent concrete, and street planters program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact that intercept rainwater before it hits USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a the ground — to protect their water. complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, The 54-page (1.9 MB) document is 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) available online as a PDF document at 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/ provider and employer. rooftops/contents.asp.