Updating Soil Survey Data - Project Planning.

Emphasis of soil survey investigations is changing from initial mapping to updating existing data from older mapping. New Soil Survey Areas have been established that will allow analysis of data within areas of similar materials and other soil forming factors. Projects will focus on improving quality and consistency of data. Data currently show differences on political boundaries that reflects the vintage of the field work on which the data are based. Funding for NRCS staff is now distributed to support all field activities within the survey area boundaries, which cross state lines in many cases. Planning will be based on areas of similar geomorphic surfaces rather than political boundaries. Prioritization of work within survey areas will be through a collaborative effort of all state soil scientists who share a portion of the survey area.