LANDOWNER CONSENT SOUGHT FOR SOIL SURVEY

Summer Work to Update 40-Year-Old Research Originally Performed for Farm Development

May 12, 2005 (Palmer) - Spending Alaska’s long summer days digging, then refilling, a series of holes five feet deep with hand tools is not the easiest job, and it can be down right dangerous if you happen upon cantankerous wildlife -- or a landowner who is unaware of your activities.  That’s why the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has launched an outreach campaign to alert landowners about the upcoming field work in order to gain consent to access private lands necessary for updating the Greater Delta Soil Survey. 

The original Salcha-Big Delta Soil Survey was completed nearly 40 years ago for the singular reason of identifying lands best suited to farming in a 330,000 acre-area that was raw and undeveloped. At the time, soil scientists surveyed only the top 20 inches of soil – the depth necessary to produce crops.

The population in the area south of Eielson Air Force Base and north of the Gerstle River has ballooned in the last 40 years.  Agriculture is far from the only land use.  The area is now in need of a comprehensive survey that will include the top six feet of soil and provide information necessary for residential and commercial development.  An updated soil survey will help residents and community planners make better land-use decisions that might include identifying best places for roads, buildings, airstrips, septic systems, landfills or other future needs.

Soil scientists also hope to learn about the current state of permafrost now that more land has been cleared for development since the original survey.

A soil survey is the most basic of natural resource inventories.  It establishes soil types based on properties such as color, texture, gravel content, parent material and moisture.  The scientists also make careful assessments of the vegetation, landform, and hydrology associated with each soil type. Each type is mapped and cataloged with interpretations that explain each soil’s potential uses and limitations.

Soil scientists map approximately 1,000 acres of soil and dig approximately 10 to 15 holes per day.  All soil pits are back-filled and existing vegetation is replaced.

Cooperating partners in the Greater Delta Soil Survey are Salcha-Delta Soil and Water Conservation District, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, City of Delta Junction, and the University of Alaska Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station.

Private landowners are urged to contact the Salcha-Delta Soil and Water Conservation District at 895-4241 ext. 101 with their consent to allow NRCS soil scientists to survey their property.  NRCS will not map private property without consent.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service puts 70 years of experience to work in assisting people to conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment. NRCS works in partnership with local conservation districts serves almost every county in the nation, and the Caribbean and Pacific Basin. Participation in NRCS programs is voluntary.

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