TECHNICAL SOIL SERVICE PROGRAM FOR IDAHO

Technical Soil Services Team

Technical Soil Services (TSS) are the application and presentation of soil survey information to all users of soil surveys and/or soil data). Soil scientists involved in technical soil services help users understand soil surveys, apply soil information for specific needs, gather site specific soil data, and integrate soil survey information and data with other resource data and technology. As Idaho enters the new phase for the soil survey program of updating older out-of-date soil surveys throughout much of the state, the Resource Soil Scientists assigned TSS responsibilities become an integral part of this update process.

 
They provide documentation, interpretation, database, and GIS support to the Soil Survey Projects involved in the update mapping process. Other tasks that the Resource Soil Scientist are also responsible for include providing soils data for on-site investigations, hydric soil identification for wetland determinations and/or delineations, assisting with land and/or soil judging contests, Field Office Technical Guide Section ll support, and promoting and implementing the wise use of soil resources in Idaho through training, identifying resource needs, and focusing available resources to maintain and improve soil quality.

Technical soil services identifies and addresses soil survey information needs and opportunities within the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) partnership, and other scientific disciplines within and beyond local, state, regional, and national arenas. The process also includes obtaining feedback to identify and clarify additional needs for soil survey information.

To carry out the TSS program in Idaho, there are 3 Resource Soil Scientists assigned to the 6 NRCS Divisions. These three Resources Soil Scientists are under the supervision of the Assistant State Soil Scientist who has been assigned Technical Soil Service responsibilities for Idaho.


The following is the TSS staff for Idaho:

Rod Kyar, Assistant State Soil Scientist
Idaho NRCS State Office
9173 West Barnes Dr., Suite C
Boise, Idaho 83709
Phone: 208-378-5728
FAX: 208-378-5735

Bruce Knapp, Resource Soil Scientist
Divisions I and II
NRCS Moscow Field Office
Room 212C, 220 East 5th St.
Moscow, Idaho 83843
Phone: 208-882-0507 Ext. 117
FAX: 208-883-4239

Leah Juarros, Resource Soil Scientist
Divisions III and IV
Meridian Field Office
132 SW 5th St.
Meridian, Idaho 83642
Phone: 208-888-1890 Ext. 114
FAX: 208-888-1536

Kristin May, Resource Soil Scientist
Idaho Falls Field Office
1120 Lincoln Rd.
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401
Phone: 208-522-5137 Ext. 115
FAX: 208-522-0280

Soils Quality Test Kit

Increased utilization of the Soil Quality Test Kit will be an emphasis for Technical Soil Scientist and Field Office Staffs in Idaho during FY 2001. These pictures show Soil Quality Test Kit training provided by Neil Peterson, Assistant State Soil Scientist, to the Lewiston Field Office Staff. Training in Soil Quality concepts and the use of the test kit will be provided to the field during the spring of 2001.

Soil quality integrates the physical, chemical, and biological components of soil and their interactions. The test kit is designed to be used as a screening tool to give general trend or direction of soil quality—whether current management systems are maintaining, enhancing or degrading the soil.
 

For more information concerning soil quality issues, log onto the Soil Quality Institute's home page at the following address: http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/

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