New Publication Provides Useful Information on soils

Richmond, VA, October 12, 2005- The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has developed a publication for homeowners, renters, planning boards, property managers, and educators who live in or make decisions for urban areas. 

The Urban Soil Primer has information important in planning and managing urban land resources to prevent problems associated with sedimentation, contamination, runoff, and structural failure.  Whether it is building a park, street, large building or landscaping a yard, or planting a garden, soil is the basic raw material and common link to all projects. 

The primer lists many affordable resources available to people seeking more information about soils in urban areas.  These resources include government agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (www.nrcs.usda.gov), which provides assistance with conservation planning and implementation through local field offices.  The Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov) provides information about contamination.  Other resources include universities, private consultants, and nonprofit groups experienced with soils in urban areas.  

The primer provides the necessary vocabulary and key concepts to further explore into an urban soil survey.  Soil surveys help landowners and land use professionals make the best decisions on how to use the land.

 The Urban Soil Primer is available as a printed booklet or it may be downloaded from the NRCS Web Site (http://soils.usda.gov/use/urban/primer.html).  Limited copies are available on CD-ROM. Printed copies can be obtained through LANDCARE at 1-888-LANDCARE.  

Contact your local USDA Service Center for more information.  Visit http://www.va.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/ to find a NRCS field office near you.

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