HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Robinson, G. H. Articles by Obenshain, S. S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Robinson, G. H. Articles by Obenshain, S. S. Agricola Articles by Robinson, G. H. Articles by Obenshain, S. S.

The Use of Soil Survey Information in an Area of Rapid Urban Development¹

ABSTRACT

Urban, as well as rural planning, are necessarily influenced by certain soil properties such as drainage, permeability, type of parent material, soil texture, and depth to bed rock, water table, or an indurated horizon. These properties affect both sanitary measures and development costs. Information concerning soil characteristics of an area is contained in, or can be interpreted from, a soil survey map and report.

The Fairfax County (Virginia) soil survey is being made largely because of requests from the Fairfax County Planning Commission, a commercial planning firm, and a real estate agent. Local funds are made available to the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station to defray a part of the costs. The Planning Commission and the commercial planning firm consider soil survey information vital for preparing an overall or master plan for Fairfax County. They feel that it is especially useful in zoning, planning septic tank sewage disposal systems, and agricultural planning, and that the same information is also useful in planning highways, recreational areas, and in arriving at equitable tax adjustments. If this survey meets their expectations in helping them answer questions related to rural and urban planning, it may lead to increased future demands for soil surveys.

It is desirable that persons trained in soil classification, management, and interpretation assist the various users of soil surveys. This assistance can be provided by personal consultation and carefully prepared descriptive legends and reports to accompany the map. The reports should include examples of how soils can be grouped for special purposes.

The expanding use of soil surveys presents a challenge to the soil scientist. It emphasizes the need for adequate classification of soils, closer field observations, improved field techniques, basic research, and careful interpretation of data.

¹ Contribution from the Soil Survey, U.S.D.A., and the Virginia Agr. Exp. Sta. Presented before Div. V, Soil Science Society of America, Saint Paul, Minn., Nov. 11, 1954.

² Senior Soil Correlator, U.S.D.A., Associate Agronomist, and Agronomist, Virginia Agr. Exp. Sta.

Received for publication November 26, 1954.