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United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
9173 W. Barnes Dr., Suite C
Boise, Idaho 83709
 
For More Information:

Treg Owings, 208/746-9886 or
Dastina Johnson, 208/685-6978



Exclusive Soil Survey Complete on Nez Perce Reservation

LEWISTON, Idaho, May 4, 2007— For the first time, agricultural producers, conservation professionals, and land us planners now have access to soils information for the entire Nez Perce Reservation.  Stemming from a request by the Nez Perce Tribe Land Services, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently compiled an inventory of soil resources that included maps of 149 soil types, soil descriptions, and physical and chemical soil properties of the reservation's 770,000 acres.

Previously, anyone needing soils information about the reservation had to search through five separate county soil surveys.  With this new survey, multiple searches have been ousted.  "This soil survey is exclusively for soils data within the reservation boundary.  Because it's tailored to this area, users are able to obtain information more efficiently," said NRCS State Soil Scientist Dave Hoover.  The compilation also allows conservation professionals to make agricultural evaluations for Farm Bill programs and set conservation practice standards, among other uses.

Soil survey provide information needed to protect water quality, wetlands, and wildlife habitat.  Soil surveys also help predict soils suitability and productivity for cultivated crops, trees, and grasses.

Anyone can access soils information for their land through their county's soil survey or the Web Soil Survey (WSS).  The WSS provides access to the most current data anytime with a computer and internet connections.  Visit http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/ for details.

For information on additional NRCS programs and services, visit http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov or your local USDA service center.  Offices are listed on-line at http://offices.usda.gov or in the phone book under Federal Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture.


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