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About Us
Soil Survey
Established in 1862, the Department of Agriculture serves all Americans through anti-hunger efforts, stewardship of nearly 200 million acres of national forest and rangelands, and through product safety and conservation efforts. The USDA opens markets for American farmers and ranchers and provides food for needy people around the world.
Program Accomplishments
For fiscal year 2005, progress was 9,365,881 acres of new surveys and 22,668,138 acres of outdated surveys. For fiscal year 2006, progress was 7,057,166 acres of new surveys and 28,778, 386 acres of outdated surveys. Estimated production for fiscal year 2007 is 34,000,000 acres.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Soil surveys are for planners, environmentalists, engineers, zoning commissions, tax commissions, homeowners, farmers, ranchers, developers, landowners, and operators who use them to evaluate soil suitability for home sites, subdivisions, commercial and industrial sites, farms, wildlife and recreational areas, prime agricultural land, hydric soils, highly erodible lands, highways, and airports and to select and implement appropriate use and management of those soils.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
All individuals and groups that have a need for soil surveys are eligible to receive these documents by contacting the local Natural Resources Conservation Service Office.
Beneficiary Eligibility
All individuals and groups that have a need for soil surveys are eligible to receive these documents.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Applicants may request information from the local office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil Conservation Districts, Extension Service, the State office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, State Agricultural Experiment Station and from Senators and Congressmen. Local units of government submit requests to State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, see Appendix IV in the Catalog for addresses. Soil Conservation District (SCD) cooperators submit requests to SCD board of supervisors.
Award Procedures
Not applicable.
Deadlines
None.
Authorization
Public Law 74-46; Public Law 89-560.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Not applicable.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Not applicable.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Not applicable.
Audits
Not applicable.
Records
Not applicable.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-1000-0-1-302.
Obigations
(Salaries and Expenses) FY 07 est $90,426,300; FY 08 est $91,354,000; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
"List of Published Soil Surveys;" "Know the Soil You Build On," AIB 320; "Know Your Soil," AIB 267; "Soil Surveys Can Help You," PA-1054. These publications are available from the Office of Public Affairs, NRCS-USDA, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013, at no charge.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
State and local offices of the Natural Resources Conservation Service; see Appendix IV of the Catalog for addresses.
Headquarters Office
Deputy Chief For Soil Survey and Resource Assessment, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, DC 20013. Telephone: (202) 690- 4616.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
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