A FIRM FOUNDATION - SOIL
            To have a firm foundation, a new man-made structure must be done in harmony with the land. Consequences of ignoring the natural environment may result in cost overruns, increased runoff and flooding, environmental degradation, construction delays, and expensive planning mistakes.
            Natural factors to consider for ecological planning, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), are: soils, geology, groundwater hydrology, physiography, surface hydrology, vegetation, wildlife, surface geology, and climate. NRCS states that land use planning must incorporate the foundation on which every element rests: natural resources, and more specifically, the SOIL.
            The soil is the fundamental basis for nearly every land use project. Soils must be suitable for supporting roads as well as structures, for absorbing and draining water away without flooding, and for accommodating intended uses including landscaping.
            NRCS reports some facts about soil that anyone intending to build should keep in mind:

• Soils vary from location to location – even on small acreage, there may be several types.
• Soil qualities and properties differ significantly according to each of the many particular soil types.
• Soils are a natural fabric, similar to a sponge, which contains many pore spaces for air and water movement. Bulldozing, grading, scraping and stockpiling soil can destroy the soil’s ability to absorb and hold water.
• Some soils are physically stronger than others, some are better drained due to their position on the landscape and soil-forming materials, while some are too shallow or too wet for certain uses.
• When the specific limitations of a soil are known, special practices or engineering can overcome the limitation, improve suitability, and ensure proper performance and success.
• Soils exhibit differences in slope, stoniness, salinity, wetness, degree of erosion, ability to support vegetation and trees, and tendency to corrode underground metals and structural materials.
• Some soils are not well suited to traffic, whether foot or vehicle.

USDA / Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has Soil Survey reports showing soil types and boundaries for every parcel of land. These surveys are most useful for broad, land use planning and provide information on: windbreaks and environmental plantings, recreational development, wildlife habitat, building site development, sanitary facilities, construction materials, water management, engineering index properties, physical and chemical properties, and soil and water features. You can now find these surveys on the Web at http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov.
For site-specific information and recommendations, an onsite soils investigation is often needed. Urban and rural landowners can receive technical assistance with natural resources planning, including soils information, from your county office of the Soil and Water Conservation District located with the USDA/NRCS.
For a successful building or land use project, remember to consider all the land use planning issues and the natural factors. You will be more satisfied and so will your community.

Della Moen, Earth Team Volunteer, NRCS/Stephenson Soil and Water Conservation District, an equal opportunity provider and employer, 07/12/07 (for publication on 07/21/07 in the Journal Standard, Freeport, Illinois) Della can be reached at info@stephensonswcd.org