"AGR - Industrial Hemp for Fiber and Seed Production"|"suitability"|"AGR - Agriculture

AGR - Industrial Hemp for Fiber and Seed Production

Summary:

Industrial hemp produced for fiber and seed is seeing a resurgence in interest from farmers in many states.  Although commonly cultivated in the United States prior to the 1940s, it fell out of vogue with the advent of other materials for producing rope and textiles.  Industrial hemp is a non-drug variety of Cannabis sativa which has very low levels (<0.3%) of the psychoactive compound, tetrahydracannabinal (THC).  It is a highly productive plant which can grow in a variety of climate and soil conditions.  Any machinery that is easily adjustable, such as row widths, and performs well is suitable for sowing industrial hemp. Standard grain drills and modified alfalfa seeders are examples of suitable machinery. Ease of converting farm equipment to sow seeds makes this an appealing alternative. Ideally, industrial hemp should be incorporated into a four-year crop rotation. Industrial hemp does require an adequate amount of nutrients. Major nutrients include but, not limited to: (1) nitrogen, (2) potassium, and (3) phosphorus. Industrial hemp's dense canopy  makes for effective weed suppression. 

Industrial Hemp was originally produced for the fibers that assisted in the creation of textile materials. However, throughout the years there has been development in the production of several products that are the outcome of further processing and refinement of the plant. These products are as follow: agriculture, automotive, construction materials, food/nutrition/beverages, furniture, paper, personal care, recycling, and textiles. These products are all outcomes of time and innovation of the fibers and seeds of the plant. 

Industrial hemp requires certain soil and site characteristics for optimum growth.  Slope, soil drainage, depth to restrictive layer, frost-free days, ponding, flooding, rock fragment cover, and rock fragment content are important characteristics that are not easily altered.  If any one of these attributes is unsuited for growing a crop, then the site is not suited.  Other soil characteristics, such as available water storage, organic matter content, pH, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, and hydraulic conductivity, while important, will generally not render a soil unsuited if one or two of these characteristics is sub-optimal.  Also, these characteristics can be made more suitable when the soil is managed for optimal soil health. 

Two things need to be remembered about the ""Industrial Hemp for Fiber and Seed Production"" model.  First, it is important to consider that this interpretation describes the suitability of a soil and site for industrial hemp production and does not necessarily imply a predicted yield, although better suited soils may be more productive.  Second, the model assumes that if the crop needs to be irrigated due to insufficient precipitation, then water at appropriate levels will be applied.  European studies show that industrial hemp requires 500 to 700 mm of moisture for optimum yield.  Thus, annual precipitation will need to be higher than that range, depending on the soil and evapotranspiration.  Research in the Midwest suggests 600 to 800mm of annual precipitation is needed.  Hemp does not tolerate ""wet feet"".

Criteria used:


1. Water Table Rule (Industrial Hemp):  Water table depth -The literature review reiterated the theme that industrial hemp does not grow well in wet soils.  One reference gave the specific measure of less than 50 cm (Nelson, 1999).   The suitability values were taken from our standard water table depth class definitions of shallow, moderately deep, deep, and very deep.

Property evaluated: WATER TABLE DEPTH, GROWING SEASON

Suitability limits:       Well suited        >200cm
                          Somewhat suited    40 to 200cm
                          Poorly suited      <40cm

Null soil moisture data is assigned to the ""Well Suited"" class.

2. Depth to Restriction (Industrial Hemp): Root restricting layer - Adequate rooting depth and volume are important aspects of soil suitability for crop production.

Property evaluated: DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

Suitability limits:    Well suited      >150cm
                       Somewhat suited   50 to 150cm
                       Poorly suited    <50cm


Null restriction depth data is assigned to the ""Well Suited"" class.

3. Slope (Industrial Hemp): Slope -  For ease of tillage and cultivation slopes less than 4 percent are best for industrial hemp for fiber cultivation. If site has slopes greater than 8 percent tillage and cultivation will be limited, and risk of erosion will increase and the safe operation of machinery becomes a consideration.  (NSSH)

Property evaluated: SLOPE

Suitability limits:       Well suited        <4 percent
                          Somewhat suited    4 to 25 percent
                          Poorly suited      >25 percent

Null slope data is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.

4. Frost Free Days (Industrial Hemp): Frost-free days - Hemp has a wide amplitude for growing season, however, numerous references indicated that 100 to 120 day frost-free season was optimum for production.  Young hemp plants are frost tolerant down to -5 degrees C (Nelson, 1999).  It was indicated that below 40 degrees latitude in areas experiencing 120 or more frost-free days, it was possible to double crop industrial hemp.

Property evaluated: FROST-FREE DAYS

Suitability limits:       Well suited        >100 frost-free days
                          Somewhat suited    80 to 100 frost-free days
                          Poorly suited      <80 frost-free days

Null frost-free days data is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.

5. RZ Rock Fragment (Industrial Hemp): Rock fragment content - excessive rock fragment in the rooting zone dilutes the soil, affecting the volume of soil remaining to contribute nutrients and water.  Rock fragment volume also affects heat and water movement in soil.  Volumetric rock fragment content is examined from 0 to 20 cm and 20 to 150cm.

      a. Property evaluated: ROCK FRAGMENT CONTENT 0-20cm OR RESTRICTION

                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        <2 percent
                                                    Somewhat suited     2 to 80 percent
                                                    Poorly suited      >80 percent

                          Null volumetric rock fragment data is assigned to the ""Well suited"" class.

      b. Property evaluated: ROCK FRAGMENT CONTENT 0-150cm OR RESTRICTION

                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        <2 percent
                                                    Somewhat suited     2 to 80 percent
                                                    Poorly suited      >80 percent

                          Null volumetric rock fragment data is assigned to the ""Well suited"" class.

6. Ponding (Industrial Hemp): Ponding - the literature consistently supported the idea that industrial hemp likes well drained soils and would not tolerate much ponding or flooding.  Wet soils would lead to stunted plants and reduced yields at a minimum or at the worst complete crop failure. 

Property evaluated: PONDING FREQUENCY RATER

                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        None and null
                                                    Somewhat suited    Rare and occasional
                                                    Poorly suited      Common and frequent

                          Null ponding data is assigned to the ""Well suited"" class.

7. Flooding (Industrial Hemp): Flooding - Flooding criteria are similar to those of the ponding criteria except they involve flowing water. Hemp responds best to a well drained, loam soil with a pH (acidity) above 6.0.  Young plants are very sensitive to wet soils or flooding during the first 3 weeks or until growth reaches the fourth internode (about 30 cm. tall). Water-damaged plants will remain stunted, resulting in a weedy, uneven and poor crop. 

Property evaluated: FLOODING FREQUENCY RATER

                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        None, null, and very rare
                                                    Somewhat suited    Rare and occasional
                                                    Poorly suited      Frequent and very frequent

                          Null flooding data is assigned to the ""Well suited"" class.

8. Surface Frags Cover 3-15% (Industrial Hemp): Surface Fragments - any soil rated for agricultural production must consider surface rock fragments and their effect on farm equipment.  

Property evaluated: GRL-FRAGMENTS >250 MM ON SURFACE

                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        <3 percent surface coverage
                                                    Somewhat suited    3 to 15 percent surface coverage
                                                    Poorly suited      > 15 percent surface coverage

                          Null surface fragment data is assigned to the ""Well suited"" class.



9. Available Water Storage (Industrial Hemp): Available water storage (AWS) - sandy textured soils should be avoided. Soils with low water holding capacity will be too droughty for industrial hemp. Hemp grows best with readily available water during the first 30 days after planting to help develop root systems (Dewey, 1910).

Property evaluated: AWC 0-150cm OR FIRST ROOT RESTRICTIVE LAYER

                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        >20 cm
                                                    Somewhat suited    10 to 20cm
                                                    Poorly suited      < 10cm

                          Null AWS data is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.

10. Organic Matter (Industrial Hemp): Organic Matter Content - Fiber production is best on soils that are higher in organic matter.  Organic matter can provide nutrients to plants, increase water holding capacity and improve soil aggregation. Too much OM can increase the P concentration in the soils to levels beyond plant needs.  Soils should contain at least 3.5% organic matter for optimum yields (Nelson, 1999). 

Property evaluated: WTD AVG OM 0 TO 50 CM

                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        3.5 to 10 percent
                                                    Somewhat suited    1 to 3.5 and 10 to 20 percent
                                                    Poorly suited      <1 percent and >20percent

                          Null organic matter data is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.

11. pH (Industrial Hemp): Soil pH - Neutral soils are ideal as nutrients are most chemically available within that range.  The literature supported this sentiment stating hemp prefers slightly acid to neutral pH values.  A reference out of Texas stated that neutral to slightly alkaline also had good production rates.  

Property evaluated: pH1to1H2O MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM

                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        6.1 to 7.3 
                                                    Somewhat suited    5 to 6.1 and 7.3 to 8.4
                                                    Poorly suited      <5 percent and >8.4

                          Null pH data is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.


12.  Electrical Conductivity (Industrial Hemp): Electrical conductivity - industrial hemp is a saline sensitive crop. Soils with EC of less than 4 dS/m are well suited, 4 to 8 dS/m are moderately suited and greater than 8dS/m are poorly suited. Excess salts in the soil will increase plant stress and reduces yields. Soils having an excessively low EC are also shown to have less crop growth because basic cations and other nutrients are limiting.

Property evaluated: BULK EC 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        1 to 1.5 dS/m 
                                                    Somewhat suited    0.5 to 1 and 1.5 to 8 dS/m 
                                                    Poorly suited      <0.5 percent and >8 dS/m 

                          Null electrical conductivity data is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.


13. Cation Exchange Capacity (Industrial Hemp): Cation exchange capacity - CEC is largely driven by organic matter content and clay which provide abundant exchange sites.  Studies on industrial hemp support a positive correlation of CEC to hemp production, however, there is also the indication that hemp yields are reduced on high clay soils in part due to a high shrink swell capacity.  The breaks chosen for CEC values for poorly suited are very low CEC (sandy soils) or very high CEC (high clay soils) at the tails of the range.  Moderate suited values come more towards the middle of the range and well suited values for CEC occupy the mid-range of these values.

Property evaluated: CEC/ECEC WTAVG 0-50 CM BELOW O

                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        >15 meq/100g 
                                                    Somewhat suited    5 to 15 meq/100g 
                                                    Poorly suited      <5 meq/100g 

                          Null cation exchange capacity data is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.


14. Ksat (Industrial Hemp): Ksat- measures the transmisivity of water in the soil profile. Ksat is related to clay content of the soil.  Hemp has been described as not performing well in clayey soils. Soils with ksat values below 0.1 to will limit root growth and could increase the risk of fungal infection.  Hemp is susceptible to Scleroritinia scelorotiorum (white mold and Botrytis cinerea (grey mold)), moist soils encourage the growth of these molds.  

Property evaluated: KSAT MAX HIGH, 0-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION

                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        1 to 100 um/sec 
                                                    Somewhat suited    0.1 to 100 and 100 to 1000 um/sec 
                                                    Poorly suited      <0.1 and >1000 um/sec 

                          Null hydraulic conductivity is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.


References and resources

Abrua, F., Prez-Escolar, R., Vicente-Chandler, J., Pearson, R.W. and Silva, S., 1974. Response of corn to acidity factors in eight tropical soils. The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico, 58(1), pp.59-77.

Amaducci, S., D Scordia, FH Liu, Q Zhang, H Guo, G Testa, SL Cosentino. 2015. Key cultivation techniques for hemp in Europe and China.  Industrial Crops and Products 68, 2-16.

Baver, L.D. 1972.  Soil Physics, fourth Edition, Department of Agronomy, Ohio State University, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New York.

Bocsa, I. and Karus, M., 1998. The cultivation of hemp: botany, varieties, cultivation and harvesting. Hemptech.

Cherney, J.H.; Small, E. Industrial Hemp in North America: Production, Politics and Potential. Agronomy 2016, 6, 58.
 
Cosentino, S. L., Testa, G., Scordia, D., & Copani, V, 2011. Sowing time and prediction of flowering of different hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) genotypes in southern Europe. Industrial Crops and Products, Volume 37, Issue 1.

Dewey, Lyster H. The Cultivation of Hemp in the United States. USDA Bur. of Plant Industry Circular No. 57. (May 23, 1910).

Feasibility of industrial hemp production in the United States Pacific Northwest. Oregon State University Extension Service Station Bulletin 681, May 1998.

Fike, J. (2016) Industrial Hemp: Renewed Opportunities for an Ancient Crop, Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences, 35:5-6, 406-424, DOI: 10.1080/07352689.2016.1257842.

Foy, C.D. and Brown, J.C., 1964. Toxic factors in acid soils: II. Differential aluminum tolerance of plant species. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 28(1), pp.27-32.

Industrial Hemp Production, Manitoba, CA.  https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/production/hemp-production.html#field.

Kaiser, C., Cassady, C., and M Ernst. 2015. Industrial Hemp Production. Center for Crop Diversification, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky.

Kraenzel, D. G., Petry, T., Nelson, B., Anderson, M. J., Mathern, D., & Tod, R. (1998, July 23). https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/23264. Retrieved February 28, 2020, from
Moebius-Clune, B.N., D.J. Moebius-Clune, B.K. Gugino, O.J. Idowu, R.R. Schindelbeck, A.J. Ristow, H.M. van Es, J.E. Thies, H.A. Shayler, M.B. McBride, K.S.M Kurtz, D.W. Wolfe, and G.S. Abawi, 2016. Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health  The Cornell Framework, Edition 3.2, Cornell University, Geneva, NY. http://www.css.cornell.edu/extension/soil-health/manual.pdf.

Nelson, R.A., 1999. Hemp Husbandry. Rex Research Archives.

Stoof, C. R., De Kort, A., Bishop, T. F. A., Moore, D; Wesseling, J. G., et al. 2011. How Rock Fragments and Moisture Affect Soil Temperature during Fire. Soil Science Society of America Journal, Volume 75, Issue 3.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. National soil survey handbook, title 430-VI. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=nrcs142p2_054242

Other Resources

G Jones, VD Jeliazkov, RJ Roseberg, SD Angima. 2019. Basics of Fall Cover Cropping for Hemp in Oregon, Oregon State University Extension Service.  https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/em9255.pdf

Hemp Farming 101:  A Beginners Guide for Growing Hemp, Growing Conditions, https://industrialhempfarms.com/hemp-farming-guide/ Colorado Springs, Colorado. https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/em9255.pdf

Purdue University, Hemp Project, Hemp Production.  https://purduehemp.org/hemp-production/Fertility.

USDA, Soil Survey Manual, Soil Science Division Staff, Agriculture Handbook No. 18, March 2017, p. 207

Valtcho D Jeliazkov, Jay Noller, Sam Angima, Silvia I Rondon, Richard J Roseberg, Sunny Summers, Gordon Jones, Vladimir Sikora. 2019. What is Industrial Hemp?.  Oregon State University Extension Service. https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/em9240.pdf"|Yes|01/19/2021 22:51:31|"70135"|"90078"|"8632047"
"AWM - Irrigation Disposal of Wastewater"|"limitation"|"AWM - Agricultural Waste Management

AWM - Irrigation Disposal of Wastewater

Summary:

Soil interpretations for waste management provide a means to use organic wastes and wastewater as productive resources.  Using these resources will result in energy conservation, prevent waste, and minimize problems associated with their disposal.  The planned use of many wastes has proven beneficial to the producer and the user of these by-products.  The characteristics of the soil are important in the application of organic wastes and wastewater to land for fertilization and irrigation.  They are also important considerations if the soil is used as a medium for the treatment and disposal of these wastes.  Favorable soil properties are required to prevent environmental damage.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Irrigation Disposal of Wastewater"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Irrigation Disposal of Wastewater"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

The wastewater considered in this guide is municipal wastewater and wastewater from food processing plants, lagoons, and storage ponds.  Municipal wastewater contains domestic waste and, in some areas, includes industrial waste.  It may be untreated, although this is rare, or wastewater may have received primary or secondary treatment.  Food processing wastewater is the wastewater resulting from the preparation of fruits, vegetables, milk, cheese, and meats for public consumption.  In some places, it has a high content of sodium and chloride.  Lagoon and storage pond effluent, as discussed in this guide, refer to the effluent from facilities used to treat or store domestic wastes, wastewater from food processing, or liquid animal wastes.  The effluent from a municipal or food processing plant lagoon or storage pond commonly is very low in carbonaceous and nitrogenous matter.  The nitrogen content ranges from 10 to 30 mg/l.  The effluent from animal waste treatment lagoons or storage ponds have much higher concentrations of these materials mainly because the manure has not been diluted as much as domestic wastes.  The nitrogen content varies considerably but generally is from 50 to 2,000 mg/l.  Ratings are based on the influence of existing soil properties on the use.

Scope: National

Some wastewater may cause an increase in sodicity or salinity in the soils in arid and semiarid regions but it generally does not in humid regions.  The heavy metal contents of effluents are usually low; however, chemical analyses should be made prior to use.

The soil properties and qualities need to be considered in the design, construction, management, and performance of wastewater irrigation systems.  The soil properties and qualities important in design and management are the sodium adsorption ratio, depth to a seasonal high water table, the available water capacity, permeability, wind erodibility, erosion factor, slope, and flooding.  The soil properties and qualities that influence construction are stones, depth to bedrock or cemented pan, and depth to a seasonal high water table.  The properties and qualities that affect performance of the irrigation system are depth to bedrock or to a cemented pan, bulk density, the sodium adsorption ratio, salinity, and soil reaction.  The cation exchange capacity also affects performance, and it is used here as an estimate of the capacity of a soil to adsorb heavy metals.  Permanently frozen soils are not suited to irrigation.  Soils having porous bedrock can be limited by rapid water movement into and through the bedrock.  Soils having high contents of soluble salts can experience subsidence.

The soil rating guide is based on the utilization of the water for crop production and is not directed toward only the disposal or treatment of the wastewater.  Checks should be made to ensure that heavy metals, nitrogen, and other salts are not added in excessive amounts.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Low adsorption: Soils with low CEC to clay ratio have limited potential for sequestering heavy metals and other potential pollutants found in agricultural waste and sustaining vigorous plant growth.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average of the cec/clay ratio (calculated from cec and clay representative values) to a depth of 150cm or to bedrock or a cemented restrictive layer.

	Property used: CLAY ACTIVITY (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 0.050
		Somewhat limiting	 > 0.050 to  < 0.150
		Not limiting		=> 0.150
		
	Null cec or clay are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	2.  Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 75mm-250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 35%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 15% to <= 35%
		Not limiting		=< 15%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	3.  Droughty: Soils with low available water capacity have limited potential for sequestering effluent and sustaining vigorous plant growth.  Soil feature considered is the (available water capacity * the layer thickness) summed through the last soil layer or to a cemented restrictive layer.

	Property used: AVAILABLE WATER CAPACITY (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 7.5cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 7.55 to  < 15cm
		Not limiting		=> 15cm
		
	Null awc is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	4.  Filtering capacity: The soil horizon with the maximum Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the maximum Ksat within a depth of 150cm.
	
	Property used: KSAT HIGHEST MINIMUM, 0-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 > 42.0 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	 > 14.1 and <= 42.0 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		=< 14.1 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Flooding: Flooding at frequency greater then rare has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits the recreational use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional""
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Restricted permeability: The soil horizon with the minimum Ksat governs the rate of water movement through the whole soil.  When this rate is low, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is impeded and runoff, infiltration, and percolation of pollutants may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the minimum saturated hydraulic conductivity above a restrictive layer.
	
	Property used: KSAT MINIMUM ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=< 1.0 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	 > 1 and <= 4 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		 > 4 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	7.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Salinity: Soils with high salinity have reduced available water capacity and may induce salinity toxicity, which restricts vigorous plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the highest value of salinity (electrical conductivity) of the surface layers.
		
	Property used: SALINITY SURFACE LAYER (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 => 8 mmhos/cm
		Somewhat limiting	 => 4 to < 8 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		  < 4 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	10. Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	11. Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan restricts the construction, installation, and functioning of the installed application.  Shallow soils have reduced water-holding capacities, restricted percolation rates and are difficult to reclaim and re-vegetated.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	12. Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the potential to restrict plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 20"" (0-50 cm).

		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-50cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 13 
		Somewhat limiting	 > 3 to =< 13
		Not limiting		<= 3 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	13. Large stones on the surface: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 >  5% to <= 15%
		Not limiting		=<  5%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	14. Too acid: Soils with low surface pH increase metallic ion availability and restricts plan growth.  Soil feature considered is the (pH) of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 6.5%
		Somewhat limiting	=> 5.0 to < 6.5%
		Not limiting		 < 5.0
		
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	15. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may be difficult to reclaim and revegetate.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 60cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 60 to < 120cm
		Not limiting		=> 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	16. Too steep for surface application: Steep slopes impede site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restrict the surface application of irrigation water.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 8%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 3 and < 8%
		Not limiting		=< 3%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	17. Too steep for sprinkler application: Steep slopes impede site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restrict the application of sprinkler applied of irrigation water.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 6 and < 15%
		Not limiting		=< 6%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.


	18.  Porous bedrock: Limestone bedrock (and other types) may have numerous solution channels that allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with no renovation.  The porous nature of the bedrock is often reflected by ""karst"" phases of map units.  Deeper soils will tend to lessen the risk of contamination.

		  
		  Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST, NULL SENDS NO
		  
		  Restrictive Limits:
		    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
		  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
		  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
		  
		  
		 		  
		  Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    	
		    	
	19.  Addition of water in excess of evapotranspiration may cause dissolution and removal of soluble soil material.  Eventually, voids will form in the soil which will manifested at the surface as depressions.  These will collect water which will cause uneven distribution of irrigation water and exacerbate the dissolution problem.  Subsidence is estimated from the gypsum content of the soil.  Other soluble salts may also contribute to the loss of volume of the soil.  

Assumptions:

		* Differential subsidence is assumed to always occur, rather than an equidimensional settling.
		* Water as irrigation, leakage, septic systems, or whatever is assumed to be applied.  If no water is added to the soil, no dissolution 				occurs and therefore no subsidence.
		* Dissolution kinetics are assumed to be such that the settling is observable in our lifetimes.
		* The size of the structure has an influence on the tolerable amount of distortion due to settling.
		* The age of the structure influences the amount of damage it will sustain if differential subsidence occurs.
		* The particle size of the gypsum will influence the dissolution rate.  A generic rate is assumed here.

		Property used:  ""SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM, REV""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Restrictive limits:
				Very limiting		=> 30cm
				Somewhat limiting	10-30cm
				Not limiting		<= 10cm"|Yes|05/06/2020 21:56:39|"24388"|"90078"|"8632048"
"AWM - Land Application of Municipal Sewage Sludge"|"limitation"|"AWM - Agricultural Waste Management

AWM - Land Application of Municipal Sewage Sludge

Summary:

Soil interpretations for waste management provide a means to use organic wastes and wastewater as productive resources.  Using these resources will result in energy conservation, prevent waste, and minimize problems associated with their disposal.  The planned use of many wastes has proven beneficial to the producer and the user of these by-products.  The characteristics of the soil are important in the application of organic wastes and wastewater to land for fertilization and irrigation.  They are also important considerations if the soil is used as a medium for the treatment and disposal of these wastes.  Favorable soil properties are required to prevent environmental damage.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Land Application of Municipal Sewage Sludge"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Land Application of Municipal Sewage Sludge"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Municipal sewage sludge is the residual product of the treatment of municipal sewage.  The solid component is composed mainly of cell mass, primarily bacteria cells which have developed during secondary treatment and which have incorporated soluble organic into their own bodies.  Sludge also contains small amounts of sand, silt, and other solid debris.

The water content of sludge ranges from about 98 percent to about 40 percent or less.  The sludge is called liquid if it is more than about 90 percent water, slurry if it is about 90 to 50 percent water, and solid if it is less than about 50 percent water.  Depending on the water content, the sludge can be moved by pump, conveyor, or auger.

Municipal sewage sludges have a variable nitrogen content.  Some sludge contains constituents that are toxic to plant growth or hazardous to the food chain (such as heavy metals or exotic organic compounds) and should be chemically analyzed prior to use.

Scope: National

The soil-rating guide is based on utilizing the nutrients in the waste for crop production and is not directed toward reclaiming or restoring critical areas or making the most efficient use of moisture.  Applications of slurry sludge can be by tank wagon or by irrigation equipment that is modified as necessary to function properly.  Applications of solid and slurry sludges can be made at the surface or subsurface.

The soil properties and qualities considered in the ratings are those that affect soil absorption, plant growth, microbial activity, the susceptibility to wind or water erosion, and the rate and method of application.  Soil properties and qualities that affect absorption are permeability, the depth to a seasonal high water table, soil reaction, sodium adsorption ratio, salinity, and bulk density.  They also affect plant growth and microbial activity.  Slope and the susceptibility to flooding are used to measure the potential for water erosion.  Stones and the depth to a seasonal high water table can interfere with the application of wastes.  Permanently frozen soils are not suited to the treatment of wastes.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Low adsorption: Soils with low CEC to clay ratio have limited potential for sequestering heavy metals and other potential pollutants found in agricultural waste and sustaining vigorous plant growth.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average of the cec/clay ratio (calculated from cec and clay representative values) to a depth of 50cm.

	Property used: CLAY ACTIVITY IN DEPTH 0-50cm (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 0.050
		Somewhat limiting	 > 0.050 to  < 0.150
		Not limiting		=> 0.150
		
	Null cec or clay are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	2.  Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 75mm-250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 35%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 15% to <= 35%
		Not limiting		=< 15%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	3.  Droughty: Soils with low available water capacity have limited potential for sequestering effluent and sustaining vigorous plant growth.  Soil feature considered is the (available water capacity * the layer thickness) summed through the last soil layer or to a cemented restrictive layer.

	Property used: AVAILABLE WATER CAPACITY (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 7.5cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 7.55 to  < 15cm
		Not limiting		=> 15cm
		
	Null awc is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	4.  Filtering capacity: The soil horizon with the maximum Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the maximum Ksat within a depth of 150cm.
	
	Property used: KSAT HIGHEST MINIMUM, 0-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 > 42.0 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	 > 14.1 and <= 42.0 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		=< 14.1 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Flooding: Flooding has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits building, recreational, and sanitary facility use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""occasional"" or ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Restricted permeability: The soil horizon with the minimum Ksat governs the rate of water movement through the whole soil.  When this rate is low, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is impeded and runoff, infiltration, and percolation of pollutants may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the minimum saturated hydraulic conductivity above a restrictive layer.
	
	Property used: KSAT MINIMUM ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=< 1.0 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	 > 1 and <= 4 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		 > 4 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	7.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Salinity: Soils with high salinity have reduced available water capacity and may induce salinity toxicity, which restricts vigorous plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the highest value of salinity (electrical conductivity) of the surface layers.
		
	Property used: SALINITY SURFACE LAYER (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 => 8 mmhos/cm
		Somewhat limiting	 => 4 to < 8 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		  < 4 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	10. Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	11. Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan restricts the construction, installation, and functioning of the installed application.  Shallow soils have reduced water-holding capacities, restricted percolation rates and are difficult to reclaim and re-vegetated.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	12. Shallow to densic materials: Shallow depth to ""Densic Materials"" reduces percolation of surface waters and effluent and restricts plant root growth.  These semi-shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (densic)"" or ""densic material"".  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO DENSIC MATERIAL (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	13. Shallow to Discontinuity: Shallow depth to ""Densic Materials"" reduces percolation of surface waters and effluent and restricts plant root growth.  These semi-shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""abrupt textural change"" or ""strongly contrasting textural stratification"".  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO CONTRASTING MATERIALS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	14. Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	15. Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the potential to restrict plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 20"" (0-50 cm).

		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-50cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 13 
		Somewhat limiting	 > 3 to =< 13
		Not limiting		<= 3 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	16. Large stones on the surface: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 >  5% to <= 15%
		Not limiting		=<  5%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	17. Too acid: Soils with low surface pH increase metallic ion availability and restricts plan growth.  Soil feature considered is the (pH) of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Not limiting		=> 6.5%
		Somewhat limiting	=> 5.0 to < 6.5%
		Limiting		 < 5.0
		
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	18. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may be difficult to reclaim and revegetate.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 60cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 60 to < 120cm
		Not limiting		=> 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|05/06/2020 21:56:39|"235"|"90078"|"8632049"
"AWM - Manure and Food Processing Waste"|"limitation"|"AWM - Agricultural Waste Management

AWM - Manure and Food Processing Waste

Summary:

Soil interpretations for waste management provide a means to use organic wastes and wastewater as productive resources.  Using these resources will result in energy conservation, prevent waste, and minimize problems associated with their disposal.  The planned use of many wastes has proven beneficial to the producer and the user of these by-products.  The characteristics of the soil are important in the application of organic wastes and wastewater to land for fertilization and irrigation.  They are also important considerations if the soil is used as a medium for the treatment and disposal of these wastes.  Favorable soil properties are required to prevent environmental damage.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Manure and Food Processing Waste"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Manure and Food Processing Waste"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Manure is the excrement of livestock and poultry.  The consistency of manure is labile.  It changes in storage or treatment, and it depends upon the bedding used and upon whether the manure is diluted or allowed to dry.  Food processing wastes consist of damaged fruit and vegetables and the peelings, stems, leaves, pits, and soil particles removed in food preparation.  Most wastes produced in the processing of milk, cheese, and meat are liquids.  Paunch manure is an exception.

Manure and food processing wastes have variable nitrogen content.  The material is solid, slurry, or liquid.  A high nitrogen content limits the application rate.  Toxic or otherwise dangerous wastes, such as those mixed with the lye used in food processing, are outside the meaning of manure and food processing wastes as used in this interpretation.

Scope: National

The soil rating guide is based on utilizing the nutrients in the wastes for crop production and is not directed toward reclaiming or restoring critical areas or making the most efficient use of moisture.  Applications of liquid wastes can be made by tank wagon or conventional irrigation methods that are modified as necessary to function properly.  Applications of solid and slurry wastes can be made at the surface or subsurface.

This interpretive rule uses the criteria published in the AGRICULTURAL WASTE MANAGEMENT FIELD HANDBOOK (Part 651), Engineering Division, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

Soil properties and qualities considered are those that affect soil absorption, plant growth, microbial activity, the susceptibility to wind or water erosion, and the rate and method of the application of wastes.  Soil properties that affect absorption are permeability, the depth to a seasonal high water table, sodium adsorption ratio, the depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, and the available water capacity.  Soil reaction, sodium adsorption ratio, salinity, and bulk density are soil properties that affect plant growth and microbial activity.  The wind erodibility group, erosion factor, slopes, and susceptibility to flooding are used to measure the potential for wind and water erosion. Stones and the depth to a seasonal high water table can interfere with the application of wastes.  Permanently frozen soils are not suited to the treatment of wastes.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Low adsorption: Soils with low CEC to clay ratio have limited potential for sequestering heavy metals and other potential pollutants found in agricultural waste and sustaining vigorous plant growth.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average of the cec/clay ratio (calculated from cec and clay representative values) to a depth of 150cm or to bedrock or a cemented restrictive layer.

	Property used: CLAY ACTIVITY (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 0.050
		Somewhat limiting	 > 0.050 to  < 0.150
		Not limiting		=> 0.150
		
	Null cec or clay are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	2.  Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 75mm-250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 35%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 15% to <= 35%
		Not limiting		=< 15%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	3.  Dense layer: Shallow depth to a layer with high bulk density is only somewhat limiting and reduce available water capacity and percolation rates can be expected.  Soil feature considered is the maximum bulk density within a depth of 50 to 150cm.

	Property used: BULK DENSITY MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 50-150cm (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting	=> 1.8
		Not limiting		 < 1.8
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Droughty: Soils with low available water capacity have limited potential for sequestering effluent and sustaining vigorous plant growth.  Soil feature considered is the (available water capacity * the layer thickness) summed through the last soil layer or to a cemented restrictive layer.

	Property used: AVAILABLE WATER CAPACITY (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 7.5cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 7.55 to  < 15cm
		Not limiting		=> 15cm
		
	Null awc is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	5.  Filtering capacity: The soil horizon with the maximum Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the maximum Ksat within a depth of 150cm.
	
	Property used: KSAT HIGHEST MINIMUM, 0-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 > 42.0 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	 > 14.1 and <= 42.0 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		=< 14.1 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Flooding: Flooding at frequency greater then rare has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits the recreational use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional""
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Leaching or Runoff limitation: Soil's in Hydrologic Soil Group D have slow intake rate and runoff is a potential limitation.  Protecting surface water from runoff contain manure or food processing waste is a concern.  Soil's in Hydrologic Group A or dual groups have high to moderate intake rates and a water table near the surface.  These soils have potential leaching limitations and manure or food processing effluent leaching into ground water is a concern.  Soil feature considered is hydrologic soil group.

	Property used: HYDROLOGIC SOIL GROUP (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Runoff limitation	= d
		Leaching limitation	= a, a/d, b/d, c/d
		Not limiting		= b, c
		

	Null Hydrologic Group is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	8.  Too Stony: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) on the soil surface can interfere with equipment operations and are a nuisance for most landuses.  Soil feature considered is percent of the soil surface covered by rock fragments > 10 inches in size.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON SURFACE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 3.0%
		Somewhat limiting	>=  .1% to <= 3.0%
		Not limiting		 <  .1%
		
	Null surface cover percentage of rock fragments with an rv >=250mm are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Restricted permeability: The soil horizon with the minimum Ksat governs the rate of water movement through the whole soil.  When this rate is low, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is impeded and runoff, infiltration, and percolation of pollutants may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the minimum saturated hydraulic conductivity above a restrictive layer.
	
	Property used: KSAT MINIMUM ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=< 1.4 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	 > 1.4 and <= 4 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		 > 4 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	10. Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	11. Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	12. Salinity: Soils with high salinity have reduced available water capacity and may induce salinity toxicity, which restricts vigorous plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the highest value of salinity (electrical conductivity) of the layers between 0 and 50cm.
		
	Property used: SALINITY MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-50cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 => 16 mmhos/cm
		Somewhat limiting	 => 4 to < 16 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		  < 4 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	13. Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	14. Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan restricts the construction, installation, and functioning of the installed application.  Shallow soils have reduced water-holding capacities, restricted percolation rates and are difficult to reclaim and re-vegetated.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	15. Shallow to densic materials: Shallow depth to ""Densic Materials"" reduces percolation of surface waters and effluent and restricts plant root growth.  These semi-shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (densic)"" or ""densic material"".  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO DENSIC MATERIAL (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	16. Shallow to Discontinuity: Shallow depth to ""Densic Materials"" reduces percolation of surface waters and effluent and restricts plant root growth.  These semi-shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""abrupt textural change"" or ""strongly contrasting textural stratification"".  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO CONTRASTING MATERIALS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
		
	17. Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	18. Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the potential to restrict plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 20"" (0-50 cm).

		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-50cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 13 
		Somewhat limiting	 > 3 to =< 13
		Not limiting		<= 3 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	19. Large stones on the surface: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 >  5% to <= 15%
		Not limiting		=<  5%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	20. Too acid: Soils with low surface pH increase metallic ion availability and restricts plant growth.  Soil feature considered is the (pH) of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Not Limiting		 > 6.5%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 3.5 to <= 6.5%
		Limiting		=< 3.5
		
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	21. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may be difficult to reclaim and revegetate.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 60cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 60 to < 120cm
		Not limiting		=> 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|05/06/2020 21:56:39|"205"|"90078"|"8632050"
"AWM - Overland Flow Process Treatment of Wastewater"|"limitation"|"AWM - Agricultural Waste Management

AWM - Overland Flow Process Treatment of Wastewater

Summary:

Soil interpretations for waste management provide a means to use organic wastes and wastewater as productive resources.  Using these resources will result in energy conservation, prevent waste, and minimize problems associated with their disposal.  The planned use of many wastes has proven beneficial to the producer and the user of these by-products.  The characteristics of the soil are important in the application of organic wastes and wastewater to land for fertilization and irrigation.  They are also important considerations if the soil is used as a medium for the treatment and disposal of these wastes.  Favorable soil properties are required to prevent environmental damage.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Overland Flow Process Treatment of Wastewater"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Overland Flow Process Treatment of Wastewater"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

The wastewater considered is from municipal wastewater, food-processing plants, lagoons, and storage ponds.  Municipal wastewater is the waste stream from a municipality.  It contains domestic waste and possibly industrial waste.  It may be, although rarely is, raw sewage (untreated), or it may be wastewater that has received primary or secondary treatment.  Food-processing wastewater is the wastewater resulting from the preparation of fruits, vegetables, milk, cheese, and meats for public consumption.  In some places, it is high in sodium and chloride.  Lagoon and storage pond effluents, as discussed here, refer to the effluents from a lagoon or storage pond that is used to treat or store food-processing wastewater, domestic wastes, or animal wastes.  Domestic wastes are very dilute, and the effluent from a facility that treats them commonly is very low in carbonaceous and nitrogenous matter.  The nitrogen content ranges from 10 to 30 mg/l.  Lagoons and storage ponds that treat animal wastes have an effluent that has a much higher concentration of these materials mainly because the manure has not been diluted as much as domestic wastes.  The nitrogen content varies considerably but generally is 50 to 2,000 mg/l.  The heavy metal content generally is low; however, chemical analyses should be made prior to use.

In this process, wastewater is applied to the upper reaches of sloped land and allowed to flow across vegetated surfaces that are sometimes called terraces, to runoff collection ditches.  The length of the run generally is 150 to 300 feet.  Application rates range from 2.5 to 16.0 inches per week.  The wastewater leaves solids and nutrients to plants and soil surfaces as it flows downslope in a thin film.  Most of the water reaches the collection ditch, some is lost by evapotranspiration, and a small part percolates to the ground water.

Scope: National

The soil-rating guide is based on the treatment of the wastewater and not utilizing wastewater for irrigating of crops.  However, areas are vegetated because plants are a necessary part of the soil-plant treatment process.  Wastewater generally is applied by sprinkler or surface application methods.

Soil properties and qualities considered in rating the degree of limitation are those that affect absorption, plant growth, microbial activity, and the design and construction of site.  The properties that affect adsorption are soil reaction and the cation exchange capacity.  Soil reaction, salinity, and the sodium adsorption ratio are soil properties that affect plant growth and microbial activity.  Slope, permeability within a depth of about 30 inches, depth to a seasonal high water table, flooding, depth to bedrock or to a cemented pan, and stones are soil properties and qualities that influence design and construction.  Permanently frozen soils are not suited to treating wastewater.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Low adsorption: Soils with low CEC to clay ratio have limited potential for sequestering heavy metals and other potential pollutants found in agricultural waste and sustaining vigorous plant growth.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average of the cec/clay ratio (calculated from cec and clay representative values) to a depth of 150cm or to bedrock or a cemented restrictive layer.

	Property used: CLAY ACTIVITY (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 0.050
		Somewhat limiting	 > 0.050 to  < 0.150
		Not limiting		=> 0.150
		
	Null cec or clay are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	2.  Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the upper 40 inches (100 cm) of the soil can interfere with the plant root growth and reduces available water capacity.  Soil feature considered is percent weighted average by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the upper 40 inches of soil.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 75mm-250mm WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-40 in. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 35%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 15% to <= 35%
		Not limiting		<= 15%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	3.  Salinity: Soils with high salinity in the surface layer have reduced available water capacity, which restrict plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the salinity (electrical conductivity) of the surface layers.
		
	Property used: SALINITY SURFACE LAYER (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		  > 16 mmhos/cm
		Somewhat limiting	 >= 8 to <= 16 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		  < 8 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Flooding: Flooding has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits building, recreational, and sanitary facility use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""occasional"" or ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Seepage:  The soil surface layer Ksat governs the soil's infiltration rate and leaching potential.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids into and through the soil surface layer is unimpeded and leaching may become an environmental, health, or performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the surface layer Ksat. 
	
	Property used: PERMEABILITY SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 > 4.0 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	 > 1.0 and <= 4.0 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		=< 1.0 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	8.  Depth to bedrock: The depth to bedrock limits the volume of material suitable for use as landfill cover.  Soils that are shallow are also difficult to reclaim and re-vegetated.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to =< 150cm
		Not limiting		 > 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan restricts the construction, installation, and functioning of the installed application.  Shallow soils are also difficult to reclaim and re-vegetated.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to =< 150cm
		Not limiting		 > 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	10. Too level: The movement of water over level soils is to slow for the application design..
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 < 1%
		Not limiting		=> 1%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	11. Too steep for surface application: Steep slopes impede site preparation such as shaping and leveling and wastewater is removed from the area to rapidly.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 12%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 6 and < 12%
		Not limiting		=< 6%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	12.  Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the potential to restrict plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 20"" (0-50 cm).

		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-50cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 13 
		Somewhat limiting	 > 3 to =< 13
		Not limiting		<= 3 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	13. Stone content: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the upper 40 inches (100 cm) of the soil can interfere with the plant root growth and reduces available water capacity. Soil feature considered is percent weighted average by weight coarse fragments > 10 inches in size in the upper 40 inches of soil.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-40 in. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 5% to <= 15%
		Not limiting		<= 5%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	14. Too acid: Soils with low surface pH increase metallic ion availability and restricts plan growth.  Soil feature considered is the (pH) of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 6.5%
		Somewhat limiting	=> 5.0 to < 6.5%
		Not limiting		 < 5.0
		
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	15. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may be difficult to reclaim and revegetate.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 60cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 60 to < 120cm
		Not limiting		=> 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

16.  Porous bedrock: Limestone bedrock (and other types) may have numerous solution channels that allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with no renovation.  The porous nature of the bedrock is often reflected by ""karst"" phases of map units.  Deeper soils will tend to lessen the risk of contamination.

		  
		  Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST, NULL SENDS NO
		  
		  Restrictive Limits:
		    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
		  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
		  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
		  
		  
		 		  
		  Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    	
		    	
	17.  Subsidence due to gypsum:  Addition of water in excess of evapotranspiration may cause dissolution and removal of soluble soil material.  Eventually, voids will form in the soil which will manifested at the surface as depressions.  These will collect water which will cause uneven distribution of irrigation water and exacerbate the dissolution problem.  Subsidence is estimated from the gypsum content of the soil.  Other soluble salts may also contribute to the loss of volume of the soil.  

Assumptions:

		* Differential subsidence is assumed to always occur, rather than an equidimensional settling.
		* Water as irrigation, leakage, septic systems, or whatever is assumed to be applied.  If no water is added to the soil, no dissolution 				occurs and therefore no subsidence.
		* Dissolution kinetics are assumed to be such that the settling is observable in our lifetimes.
		* The size of the structure has an influence on the tolerable amount of distortion due to settling.
		* The age of the structure influences the amount of damage it will sustain if differential subsidence occurs.
		* The particle size of the gypsum will influence the dissolution rate.  A generic rate is assumed here.

		Property used:  ""SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM, REV""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Restrictive limits:
				Very limiting		=> 30cm
				Somewhat limiting	10-30cm
				Not limiting		<= 10cm"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"258"|"90078"|"8632051"
"AWM - Rapid Infiltration Disposal of Wastewater"|"limitation"|"AWM - Agricultural Waste Management

AWM - Rapid Infiltration Disposal of Wastewater

Summary:

Soil interpretations for waste management provide a means to use organic wastes and wastewater as productive resources.  Using these resources will result in energy conservation, prevent waste, and minimize problems associated with their disposal.  The planned use of many wastes has proven beneficial to the producer and the user of these by-products.  The characteristics of the soil are important in the application of organic wastes and wastewater to land for fertilization and irrigation.  They are also important considerations if the soil is used as a medium for the treatment and disposal of these wastes.  Favorable soil properties are required to prevent environmental damage.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Rapid Infiltration Disposal of Wastewater"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Rapid Infiltration Disposal of Wastewater"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

In this process, the wastewater is applied in a level basin and percolates through the soil.  The treated water eventually reaches the ground water.  Application rates range from 4 to 120 inches per week.

The wastewater considered generally is from municipal wastewater treatment plants.  The nitrogen content generally is low.  Normally, the heavy metal content is low; however, chemical analysis should be made prior to use.  Because the thickness of soil material needed for proper renovation of the wastewater is more than 72 inches, geologic and hydrologic investigations during the planning stages.  This information is needed to ensure proper design and to determine reliability of performance as well as the potential for pollution of the ground water.

Scope: National

The soil-rating guide is based on the treatment of the wastewater and not utilizing wastewater for irrigating of crops.  Vegetation is not a necessary part of the treatment design or process but the basin may be vegetated.

The soil properties and qualities that influence risk of pollution, design and construction, and performance are major considerations.  Depth to a seasonal high water table, flooding, and depth to bedrock or to a cemented pan present potential hazards and influence design and construction.  Slope and stones are also important considerations in design and construction.  The properties and qualities that influence performance are permeability and soil reaction.  Permanently frozen soils are not suited to treating wastewater. 

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the upper 72 inches (180 cm) of the soil can interfere with construction equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent weighted average by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the upper 72 inches of soil or above a restrictive layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 75mm-250mm WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-72 in. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 35%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 15% to <= 35%
		Not limiting		<= 15%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	2.  Flooding: Flooding at frequency greater then rare has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits the recreational use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional""
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Restricted permeability: The soil horizon with the minimum Ksat governs the rate of water movement through the whole soil.  When this rate is low, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is impeded and runoff, infiltration, and percolation of pollutants may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the minimum saturated hydraulic conductivity above a restrictive layer.
	
	Property used: KSAT MINIMUM ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 < 10.0 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	=> 10.0 and <= 40.0 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		 > 40.0 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	4.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. These soils may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when trench landfills are installed. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 182cm
		Not limiting		=> 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan restricts the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 182cm
		Not limiting		=> 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Slope:  Steep slopes affect the design and function of installed systems and facilities.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 8%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 4 and < 8%
		Not limiting		=< 4%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	9.  Stone content: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the upper 72 inches (180 cm) of the soil can interfere with construction equipment. Soil feature considered is percent weighted average by weight coarse fragments > 10 inches in size in the upper 72 inches of soil or above a restricive layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-72 in. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 5% to <= 15%
		Not limiting		<= 5%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	10. Too acid: Soils with low pH increase metallic ion availability and restricts plan growth.  Soil feature considered is the minimum (pH) of the horizons or layers below the surface layer.

	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER MINIMUM SUB-SURFACE LAYERS TO 180cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 5%
		Somewhat limiting	=> 3.5 to < 5%
		Not limiting		 < 3.5
		
	Null pH is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	11. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  These soils have the potential to contamination the ground water which may create health and environmental hazards.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 180cm
		Not limiting		=> 180cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE PERCHED MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 60cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 60 to =< 120cm
		Not limiting		 > 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

12.  Porous bedrock: Limestone bedrock (and other types) may have numerous solution channels that allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with no renovation.  The porous nature of the bedrock is often reflected by ""karst"" phases of map units.  Deeper soils will tend to lessen the risk of contamination.

		  
		  Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST, NULL SENDS NO
		  
		  Restrictive Limits:
		    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
		  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
		  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
		  
		  
		 		  
		  Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    	
		    	
	13.  Subsidence due to gypsum:  Addition of water in excess of evapotranspiration may cause dissolution and removal of soluble soil material.  Eventually, voids will form in the soil which will manifested at the surface as depressions.  These will collect water which will cause uneven distribution of irrigation water and exacerbate the dissolution problem.  Subsidence is estimated from the gypsum content of the soil.  Other soluble salts may also contribute to the loss of volume of the soil.  

Assumptions:

		* Differential subsidence is assumed to always occur, rather than an equidimensional settling.
		* Water as irrigation, leakage, septic systems, or whatever is assumed to be applied.  If no water is added to the soil, no dissolution 				occurs and therefore no subsidence.
		* Dissolution kinetics are assumed to be such that the settling is observable in our lifetimes.
		* The size of the structure has an influence on the tolerable amount of distortion due to settling.
		* The age of the structure influences the amount of damage it will sustain if differential subsidence occurs.
		* The particle size of the gypsum will influence the dissolution rate.  A generic rate is assumed here.

		Property used:  ""SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM, REV""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Restrictive limits:
				Very limiting		=> 30cm
				Somewhat limiting	10-30cm
				Not limiting		<= 10cm"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"238"|"90078"|"8632052"
"AWM - Slow Rate Process Treatment of Wastewater"|"limitation"|"AWM - Agricultural Waste Management

AWM - Slow Rate Process Treatment of Wastewater

Summary:

Soil interpretations for waste management provide a means to use organic wastes and wastewater as productive resources.  Using these resources will result in energy conservation, prevent waste, and minimize problems associated with their disposal.  The planned use of many wastes has proven beneficial to the producer and the user of these by-products.  The characteristics of the soil are important in the application of organic wastes and wastewater to land for fertilization and irrigation.  They are also important considerations if the soil is used as a medium for the treatment and disposal of these wastes.  Favorable soil properties are required to prevent environmental damage.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Slow Rate Process Treatment of Wastewater"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Slow Rate Process Treatment of Wastewater"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

In this process wastewater is applied to the land at a rate normally between 0.5 and 4.0 inches per week.  The primary purpose is wastewater treatment rather than irrigation of crops.  Application rates commonly exceed those needed for supplemental irrigation for crop production.  The applied wastewater is treated as it moves through the soil.  Much of the treated water percolates to the ground water and some enter the atmosphere by evapotranspiration.  Surface runoff of the applied water generally is not allowed.  Water-logging is avoided either through control of the application rate or the use of tile drains, or both.

The wastewater considered includes municipal wastewater and effluent from food-processing plants, lagoons, and storage ponds.  Municipal wastewater is the waste stream from a municipality.  It contains domestic waste and possibly industrial waste.  It may be, although rarely is, untreated sewage or may be wastewater that has received primary or secondary treatment.  Food-processing wastewater is the wastewater resulting from the preparation of fruits, vegetables, milk, cheese, and meats for public consumption.  In some places, it is high in sodium and chloride.  Lagoon and storage pond effluents, as discussed here, refer to the effluents from a facility used to treat or store food-processing wastewater, domestic wastes, or animal wastes.  Domestic and food-processing wastewater is very dilute, and the effluent from facilities that treat or store it commonly is very low in carbonaceous and nitrogenous matter.  The nitrogen content ranges from 10 to 30 mg/l.  Lagoons or storage ponds for animal wastes have an effluent that has a much higher concentration of these materials mainly because the manure has not been diluted as much as domestic wastes.  The nitrogen content varies considerably but generally is 50 to 2,000 mg/l.  The heavy metal content generally is low; however, chemical analyses should be made prior to use.

Scope: National

The soil-rating guide is based on the treatment of the wastewater and not utilizing wastewater for irrigating of crops.  Vegetation is not a necessary part of the treatment design or process but the basin may be vegetated.  However, it is assumed that crops are grown or may be grown as a part of the soil-plant treatment process.  Checks should be made to ensure that heavy metals and nitrogen are not added in excessive amounts.

Soil properties and qualities considered in rating the degree of limitation are those that affect soil absorption, plant growth, microbial activity, the susceptibility to wind or water erosion, and the application of wastes.  Properties and qualities that affect absorption are the sodium adsorption ratio, depth to a seasonal high water table, the available water capacity, permeability, depth to bedrock or to a cemented pan, soil reaction, cation exchange capacity, and slope.  Soil reaction, the sodium adsorption ratio, salinity, and bulk density are soil properties that affect plant growth and microbial activity.  Wind erodibility group, erosion factor, slope, and susceptibility to flooding are used to measure the potential for wind erosion and water erosion.  Stones can interfere with the application of wastes.  Permanently frozen soils are not suited to treating wastewater.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Low adsorption: Soils with low CEC to clay ratio have limited potential for sequestering heavy metals and other potential pollutants found in agricultural waste and sustaining vigorous plant growth.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average of the cec/clay ratio (calculated from cec and clay representative values) to a depth of 150cm or to bedrock or a cemented restrictive layer.

	Property used: CLAY ACTIVITY (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 0.050
		Somewhat limiting	 > 0.050 to  < 0.150
		Not limiting		=> 0.150
		
	Null cec or clay are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	2.  Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 75mm-250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 35%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 15% to <= 35%
		Not limiting		=< 15%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	3.  Filtering capacity: The soil horizon with the maximum Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the maximum Ksat within a depth of 150cm.
	
	Property used: KSAT HIGHEST MINIMUM, 0-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 > 42.0 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	 > 14.1 and <= 42.0 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		=< 14.1 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4. Flooding: Flooding at frequency greater then rare has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits the recreational use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional""
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Restricted permeability: The soil horizon with the minimum Ksat governs the rate of water movement through the whole soil.  When this rate is low, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is impeded and runoff, infiltration, and percolation of pollutants may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the minimum saturated hydraulic conductivity above a restrictive layer.
	
	Property used: KSAT MINIMUM ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=< .4 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	 > .4 and < 4 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		=> 4 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	6.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Salinity: Soils with high salinity have reduced available water capacity and may induce salinity toxicity, which restricts vigorous plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the highest value of salinity (electrical conductivity) of the surface layers.
		
	Property used: SALINITY SURFACE LAYER (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 => 8 mmhos/cm
		Somewhat limiting	 => 4 to < 8 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		  < 4 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Depth to bedrock: The depth to bedrock limits the volume of material suitable for use as landfill cover.  Soils that are shallow are also difficult to reclaim and re-vegetated.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to =< 150cm
		Not limiting		 > 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	10. Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan restricts the construction, installation, and functioning of the installed application.  Shallow soils are also difficult to reclaim and re-vegetated.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to =< 150cm
		Not limiting		 > 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	11. Too steep for surface application: Steep slopes impede site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restrict the surface application of irrigation water.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 8%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 3 and < 8%
		Not limiting		=< 3%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	12. Too steep for sprinkler application: Steep slopes allow wastewater to move offsite to quickly and impede site preparation such as shaping and leveling.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 12%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 6 and < 12%
		Not limiting		=< 6%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	13. Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the potential to restrict plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 20"" (0-50 cm).

		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-50cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 13 
		Somewhat limiting	 > 3 to =< 13
		Not limiting		<= 3 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	14. Large stones on the surface: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 >  5% to <= 15%
		Not limiting		=<  5%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	15. Too acid: Soils with low surface pH increase metallic ion availability and restricts plan growth.  Soil feature considered is the (pH) of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 6.5%
		Somewhat limiting	=> 5.0 to < 6.5%
		Not limiting		 < 5.0
		
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	16. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may be difficult to reclaim and revegetate.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 60cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 60 to < 120cm
		Not limiting		=> 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

17.  Porous bedrock: Limestone bedrock (and other types) may have numerous solution channels that allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with no renovation.  The porous nature of the bedrock is often reflected by ""karst"" phases of map units.  Deeper soils will tend to lessen the risk of contamination.

		  
		  Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST, NULL SENDS NO
		  
		  Restrictive Limits:
		    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
		  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
		  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
		  
		  
		 		  
		  Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    	
		    	
	18.  Addition of water in excess of evapotranspiration may cause dissolution and removal of soluble soil material.  Eventually, voids will form in the soil which will manifested at the surface as depressions.  These will collect water which will cause uneven distribution of irrigation water and exacerbate the dissolution problem.  Subsidence is estimated from the gypsum content of the soil.  Other soluble salts may also contribute to the loss of volume of the soil.  

Assumptions:

		* Differential subsidence is assumed to always occur, rather than an equidimensional settling.
		* Water as irrigation, leakage, septic systems, or whatever is assumed to be applied.  If no water is added to the soil, no dissolution 				occurs and therefore no subsidence.
		* Dissolution kinetics are assumed to be such that the settling is observable in our lifetimes.
		* The size of the structure has an influence on the tolerable amount of distortion due to settling.
		* The age of the structure influences the amount of damage it will sustain if differential subsidence occurs.
		* The particle size of the gypsum will influence the dissolution rate.  A generic rate is assumed here.

		Property used:  ""SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM, REV""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Restrictive limits:
				Very limiting		=> 30cm
				Somewhat limiting	10-30cm
				Not limiting		<= 10cm"|Yes|05/06/2020 21:56:39|"254"|"90078"|"8632053"
"DHS - Catastrophic Event, Large Animal Mortality, Burial"|"limitation"|"DHS - Department of Homeland Security

DHS - Catastrophic Event, Large Animal Mortality, Burial

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as ""Catastrophic Event, Large Animal Mortality, Burial"".  If a soil's property within 200 cm (~79 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership index for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Catastrophic Event, Large Animal Mortality, Burial"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are Not limited (rating index = 0), Slightly limited (rating index >0 and <.30), Somewhat limited (>.30 and <.80), Severely limited (>.80 and <0.99), Very severely limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Catastrophic Event, Large Animal Mortality, Burial is a method of disposing of deceased animals as a result of a large scale natural disaster such as a hurricane.  The animals are disposed of by placing the carcasses in successive layers in an excavated and sloped pit.  The carcasses are spread, compacted, and covered daily with a thin layer of soil that is excavated from the pit.  When the pit is full, a final cover of soil material at least 2 feet thick is placed over the burial pit.

Scope: National

The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  Improper site selection, design, or installation may cause contamination of ground water, seepage, and contamination of stream systems from surface drainage or floodwater.  Potential contamination may be reduced or eliminated by installing systems designed to overcome or reduce the effects of the limiting soil property.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

The estimated land area needed to dispose of mature cattle ranges from 1.2 (McDaniel, 1991) to 3.5 (Ollis, 2002) cubic yards.  A single adult bovine is considered equivalent to 5 sheep or 5 hogs (McDaniel, 1991; USDA, 1980).  Lund et al estimate that about 92,000 cubic yards of volume would be needed to dispose of 30,000 head of cattle, assuming a trench depth of 8.5 feet (which is somewhat below the depth of observation for typical soil survey).  This is about seven acres.  Leachate collection should be considered because the putrefaction of one adult bovine is estimated to release 21 gallons of fluid in the first week and a total of about 42 gallons in the first month (Munroe, 2001).  Collection of gases released during the decomposition process should also be considered. 

Ratings are based on properties and qualities to the depth normally observed during soil mapping (approximately 6 or 7 feet).  However, because pits may be as deep as 15 feet or more, geologic investigations are needed to determine the potential for pollution of ground water as well as to determine the design needed.  These investigations, which are generally arranged by the pit developer, include the examination of stratification, rock formations, and geologic conditions that might lead to the conducting of leachates to aquifers, wells, watercourses, and other water sources.  The presence of hard, nonrippable bedrock, bedrock crevices, or highly permeable strata in or immediately underlying the proposed pit bottom is undesirable because of the difficulty in excavation and the potential pollution of underground water.

Properties that influence the risk of pollution, ease of excavation, trafficability, and revegetation are major considerations.  Soils that flood or have a water table within the depth of excavation present a potential pollution hazard and are difficult to excavate.  Slope is an important consideration because it affects the work involved in road construction, the performance of the roads, and the control of surface water around the pit.  It may also cause difficulty in constructing pits for which the pit bottom must be kept level and oriented to follow the contour.

The ease with which the pit is dug and with which a soil can be used as daily and final covers is based largely on texture and consistence of the soil.  The texture and consistence of a soil determine the degree of workability of the soil both when dry and when wet.  Soils that are plastic and sticky when wet are difficult to excavate, grade, or compact and difficult to place as a uniformly thick cover over a layer of carcasses.  The uppermost part of the final cover should be soil material that is favorable for the growth of plants.  It should not contain excess sodium or salt and should not be too acid.  In comparison with other horizons, the A horizon in most soils has the best workability and the highest content of organic matter.  Thus, for a Large Animal Disposal, Burial operation it may be desirable to stockpile the surface layer for use in the final blanketing of the filled pit area.

References:

Lund, R. D., I. Kruger, and P. Weldon. Options for the mechanised slaughter and disposal of contaigous diseased animals - a discussion paper. Proceedings form Conference on Agricultural Engineering, Adelaide.

McDaniel, H. A.1991. Environmental protection during animal disease eradication programmes. Revue scientifique et technique Office international des Epizooties, 10(3), 867-884.

Munro, Ronald. 2001. Decomposition of farm animals corpses in mass burial sites. Veterinary Laboratories Agency report,, United Kingdom, pp 1-9.

Ollis, Gerald. 2002. Pre-selecting mass carcass disposal sites. View on-line at: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex5727

USDA. 1980. APHIS. Foot and mouth disease - guidelines for eradication. Hyattsville, MD. United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services.

Criteria used:

1.  Adsorption:  Soils having a low cec or ecec may not attenuate biohazardous material from the decay process.  It is assumed that the upper 25 cm of the site will be stockpiled for use in revegetating the site.  It is also assumed that alternating layers of soil and biological materials will be placed in the excavation.

Soils having low CEC or ECEC are not able to retain some leachates.  A soil is a full member of the set of soils having low adsorption if the CEC or ECEC to clay ratio is below 0.05, a partial member between 0.05 and 0.15, and a nonmember if the cec or ecec to clay ratio is over 0.150.
	
	Property used: CLAY ACTIVITY IN DEPTH 30-200cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		Below 0.05 meq/100g
		Somewhat limiting	0.05-0.15 meq/100g
		Not limiting	> 0.15 meq/100g
		
	The fuzzy number is weighted by 0.25, meaning this rule cannot cause the component to be absolutely true that the site is limited for the intended land use.
			
Null clay activity is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.

2.  Porous bedrock: Limestone bedrock (and other types) may have numerous solution channels that allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with no renovation.  The porous nature of the bedrock is often reflected by ""karst"" phases of map units.  Deeper soils will tend to lessen the risk of contamination.

Evaluation used: BEDROCK IS LIMESTONE
		  
	  Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST, NULL SENDS NO
		  
	  Restrictive Limits:
	    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
	    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
	  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
	  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.  
		  
Evaluation used: Parent Material Origin is Soluble Salt
		  
Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	      If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.

3.  Depth to thick/thin cemented pan: Depth to thick or thin cemented pan may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when potentially hazardous materials are buried in the soil.   Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more than 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", ""petrogypsic"", or petroferric and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. If pan thickness is < 46cm then the rating is reduced by half.  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 182cm
		Not limiting		=< 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THIN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 182cm
		Not limiting		=< 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
4.  Flooding: Flooding has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits building, recreational, and sanitary facility use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
                                Limiting                	= ""very frequent"" 
                                Somewhat limiting       = ""occasional"", ""frequent"", ""very rare"" or ""rare""
                                Not limiting                    = ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
5.  Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  These soils have the potential to contaminate the ground water which may create health and environmental hazards.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 200cm
		Somewhat limiting	200-220cm
		Not limiting	=> 220cm
		
		
		Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE PERCHED MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 160cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 160 to =< 200cm
		Not limiting	 > 200cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
6.  Content of organic matter: Soils in Unified classes pt, ol, or oh are high in organic materials, have low strength, and are hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the RV or first Unified class of the thickest soil layer above a restrictive layer and between 30 and 200cm.
	
	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 30-200cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	               = pt, ol, or oh
		Not limiting	not = pt, ol, or oh
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
7.  Large stones in the surface layer (0 to 30 cm): Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 >  5% to <= 15%
		Not limiting	=<  5%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.

8.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 180 cm deep.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75mm Wt. Ave. 0-180cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 25% to < 50%
		Not limiting	=< 25%
		
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.
	
9.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond have restrictions that limit the installation and function of most land use applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Limiting	    = ""none""
		Limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
10.  Rock Outcrop:  Areas that have rock outcrop in the vicinity are not likely to have a sufficiently large area of soil for the facility.  Rock outcrops can interfere with renovation of the leachate from the facility.
        
        Property used: PA ROCK OUTCROP 2(Modality - representative value)
        
        Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		The phase ""rock outcrop"" occurs in the map unit name.
		Not limiting		The phase ""rock outcrop"" does not occur in the map unit name.
				
Any soil with a portion or full map unit name of Rock Outcrop is returned as a value of 1 and is given the rating of Rock Outcrop and is considered a limitation.

Any soil with a portion of the map unit name listed as ""rocky"" is returned as a value of .3 and is given the rating of ""Slight Rock Outcrop"".

Any soil with a portion of the map unit name listed as ""very rocky"" is returned as a value of .7 and is given the rating of ""Severe Rock Outcrop"".

All map units have a name, no null data should be encountered.
	
11.  Seepage:  The soil's bottom layer Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids through the soil and underlying materials is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the Ksat of the bottom layer or the layer immediately above bedrock.  In areas where seepage is somewhat limiting, a clay liner may be used to lower the transmission rate of the bottom of the pit.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in subgroups that occur Aridic moisture regimes, great groups that contain torri, or soils orders that are aridisols.   
	
	Property used: KSAT BOTTOM HORIZON (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 => 42.0 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat limiting	 14-42 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting	  < 14.0 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
6/15/04 PRF modified the hedge from ""NULL NOT RATED"" to ""NOT NULL AND"".  The Null values were throwing out a ""Not Rated"" that affected the final rating.

12.  Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. These soils may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when trench landfills are installed. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic) AND restriction hardness IS NOT extremely weakly, very weakly, or weakly cemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK LITHIC/PARALITHIC (HARDNESS)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely Limiting		 < 150cm
                                Somewhat Limiting                   150 - 199 cm
		Not limiting		=> 200cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
13.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: Slope 5 to 12%
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 12%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 5 and <= 12%
		Not limiting		< 5%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
14.  Water Gathering Surface: Some surfaces are shaped so as to gather water.  This additional water may cause problems for land use.  Soils that are concave up and down their slope and concave across their slope are most strongly water gathering.  Soils that are concave across their slope and linear or convex up and down their slopes are less water collecting.  Soils that are linear across their slopes and concave up and down their slopes are somewhat water collecting.  Soils that are convex up and down their slopes and convex across their slopes are the least water gathering.

Water gathering (concave) surfaces can concentrate water flow and cause accelerated erosion.  Increased costs because of materials and land shaping may be needed to prevent erosion. Wet moisture classes that have water gathering surfaces are more restrictive than drier moisture classes that have water gathering surfaces. 
		  
		  Property Used: WATER GATHERING SURFACE
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		    Somewhat Limiting		Concave up-down, concave across surfaces
		    Slightly limiting		Concave across, linear or convex up-down
		    Not limiting		All other surface shapes
		    
		  NOTE!!!  The fuzzy number returned by this rule can not exceed 0.5.
		  
Null slope shape is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.

15. Subaerial Component: Soil components can be on land and also submerged in water less than 2 meters deep. These submerged soil components are referred to as subaqueous. Animal Burial should be conducted on land and not in subaqueous soils. Therefore, any soil components occurring in a subaqeous state should be excluded from consideration for large animal disposal by burial. 
		Property Used:  DRAINAGE CLASS IS NOT SUBAQUEOUS

	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting 		if the component has a subaqeous drainage class populated
Not limiting	if the component has a drainage class that is null or is populated with any drainage class other than subaqeous
References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."|Yes|03/09/2022 17:39:46|"54166"|"90078"|"8632054"
"DHS - Catastrophic Event, Large Animal Mortality, Incinerate"|"limitation"|"DHS - Department of Homeland Security

DHS - Catastrophic Event, Large Animal Mortality, Incinerate

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as ""Catastrophic Event, Large Animal Disposal, Incinerate"".  This interpretation is meant to provide another option for carcass disposal following a catastrophic event.   If a soil's property within 91 cm (36 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership index for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Catastrophic Event Mortality, Large Animal Disposal, Incinerate"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are Not limited (rating index = 0), Slightly limited (rating index >0 and <.30), Somewhat limited (>.30 and <.80), Severely limited (>.80 and <0.99), Very severely limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Catastrophic Event, Large Animal Disposal, Incinerate is a method of disposing dead animals by placing the carcasses in an shallow excavated pit 91 cm (~36 inches) deep or less. The carcasses are spread, compacted, and burned using established industry incineration techniques. Once carcasses have been sufficiently incinerated, a final cover of soil material at least 2 feet thick is placed over the burial pit.

Scope: National

The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  Improper site selection, design, or installation may cause contamination of ground water, seepage, and contamination of stream systems from surface drainage or floodwater.  Potential contamination may be reduced or eliminated by installing systems designed to overcome or reduce the effects of the limiting soil property.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

The estimated land area needed to dispose of mature cattle ranges from 1.2 (McDaniel, 1991) to 3.5 (Ollis, 2002) cubic yards.  A single adult bovine is considered equivalent to 5 sheep or 5 hogs (McDaniel, 1991; USDA, 1980).  Lund et al estimate that about 92,000 cubic yards of volume would be needed to dispose of 30,000 head of cattle, assuming a trench depth of 8.5 feet (which is somewhat below the depth of observation for typical soil survey).  This is about seven acres.  Leachate collection should be considered because the putrefaction of one adult bovine is estimated to release 21 gallons of fluid in the first week and a total of about 42 gallons in the first month (Munroe, 2001).  Collection of gases released during the decomposition process should also be considered. 

Ratings are based on properties and qualities to the depth normally observed during soil mapping (approximately 6 or 7 feet).  However, because pits may be as deep as 15 feet or more, geologic investigations are needed to determine the potential for pollution of ground water as well as to determine the design needed.  These investigations, which are generally arranged by the pit developer, include the examination of stratification, rock formations, and geologic conditions that might lead to the conducting of leachates to aquifers, wells, watercourses, and other water sources.  The presence of hard, nonrippable bedrock, bedrock crevices, or highly permeable strata in or immediately underlying the proposed pit bottom is undesirable because of the difficulty in excavation and the potential contamination of underground water.

Properties that influence the risk of contamination, ease of excavation, trafficability, and revegetation are major considerations.  Soils that flood or have a water table within the depth of excavation present a potential pollution hazard and are difficult to excavate.  Slope is an important consideration because it affects the work involved in road construction, the performance of the roads, and the control of surface water around the pit.  It may also cause difficulty in constructing pits for which the pit bottom must be kept level and oriented to follow the contour.

The ease with which the pit is dug and with which a soil can be used as daily and final covers is based largely on texture and consistence of the soil.  The texture and consistence of a soil determine the degree of workability of the soil both when dry and when wet.  Soils that are plastic and sticky when wet are difficult to excavate, grade, or compact and difficult to place as a uniformly thick cover over a layer of carcasses.  The uppermost part of the final cover should be soil material that is favorable for the growth of plants.  It should not contain excess sodium or salt and should not be too acid.  In comparison with other horizons, the A horizon in most soils has the best workability and the highest content of organic matter.  Thus, for a Large Animal Disposal, Burial operation it may be desirable to stockpile the surface layer for use in the final blanketing of the filled pit area.

References:

Lund, R. D., I. Kruger, and P. Weldon. Options for the mechanised slaughter and disposal of contaigous diseased animals - a discussion paper. Proceedings form Conference on Agricultural Engineering, Adelaide.

McDaniel, H. A.1991. Environmental protection during animal disease eradication programmes. Revue scientifique et technique Office international des Epizooties, 10(3), 867-884.

Munro, Ronald. 2001. Decomposition of farm animals corpses in mass burial sites. Veterinary Laboratories Agency report,, United Kingdom, pp 1-9.

Ollis, Gerald. 2002. Pre-selecting mass carcass disposal sites. View on-line at: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex5727

USDA. 1980. APHIS. Foot and mouth disease - guidelines for eradication. Hyattsville, MD. United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services.

Criteria used:

1.  Adsorption:  Soils having a low cec or ecec may not attenuate biohazardous material from the decay process.  It is assumed that the upper 25 cm of the site will be stockpiled for use in revegetating the site.  It is also assumed that alternating layers of soil and biological materials will be placed in the excavation.

Soils having low CEC or ECEC are not able to retain some leachates.  A soil is a full member of the set of soils having low adsorption if the CEC or ECEC to clay ratio is below 0.05, a partial member between 0.05 and 0.15, and a nonmember if the cec or ecec to clay ratio is over 0.150.
	
	Property used: CLAY ACTIVITY IN DEPTH 61-91 cm
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		Below 0.05 meq/100g
		Somewhat limiting	0.05-0.15 meq/100g
		Not limiting	> 0.15 meq/100g
		
	The fuzzy number is weighted by 0.25, meaning this rule cannot cause the component to be absolutely true that the site is limited for the intended land use.
			
Null clay activity is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.

2.  Porous bedrock: Limestone bedrock (and other types) may have numerous solution channels that allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with no renovation.  The porous nature of the bedrock is often reflected by ""karst"" phases of map units.  Deeper soils will tend to lessen the risk of contamination.

Evaluation used: BEDROCK IS LIMESTONE
		  
	  Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST, NULL SENDS NO
		  
	  Restrictive Limits:
	    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
	    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
	  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
	  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.  
		  
Evaluation used: Parent Material Origin is Soluble Salt
		  
Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	      If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.

3.  Depth to thick/thin cemented pan: Depth to thick or thin cemented pan may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when potentially hazardous materials are buried in the soil.   Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more than 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", ""petrogypsic"", or petroferric and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. If pan thickness is < 46cm then the rating is reduced by half.  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 91 cm
		Not limiting		=< 91 cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THIN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 91 cm
		Not limiting		=< 91 cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
4.  Flooding: Flooding has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits building, recreational, and sanitary facility use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
                                Limiting                	= ""very frequent"" 
                                Somewhat limiting       = ""occasional"", ""frequent"", ""very rare"" or ""rare""
                                Not limiting                    = ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
5.  Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  These soils have the potential to contaminate the ground water which may create health and environmental hazards.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 91 cm
		Somewhat limiting	91-200 cm
		Not limiting	=> 200 cm
		
		
		Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE PERCHED MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 91 cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 91 to =< 120 cm
		Not limiting	 > 120 cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
6.  Content of organic matter: Soils in Unified classes pt, ol, or oh are high in organic materials, have low strength, and are hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the RV or first Unified class of the thickest soil layer above a restrictive layer and between 25 and 180 cm.
	
	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 25-180cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	               = pt, ol, or oh
		Not limiting	not = pt, ol, or oh
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
7.  Large stones in the surface layer (0 to 30 cm): Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 >  5% to <= 15%
		Not limiting	=<  5%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.

8.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 180 cm deep.

	Property used: Fragments >75mm in 0-91 cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 25% to < 50%
		Not limiting	=< 25%
		
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.
	
9.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond have restrictions that limit the installation and function of most land use applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Limiting	    = ""none""
		Limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
10.  Rock Outcrop:  Areas that have rock outcrop in the vicinity are not likely to have a sufficiently large area of soil for the facility.  Rock outcrops can interfere with renovation of the leachate from the facility.
        
        Property used: PA ROCK OUTCROP 2(Modality - representative value)
        
        Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		The phase ""rock outcrop"" occurs in the map unit name.
		Not limiting		The phase ""rock outcrop"" does not occur in the map unit name.
				
Any soil with a portion or full map unit name of Rock Outcrop is returned as a value of 1 and is given the rating of Rock Outcrop and is considered a limitation.

Any soil with a portion of the map unit name listed as ""rocky"" is returned as a value of .3 and is given the rating of ""Slight Rock Outcrop"".

Any soil with a portion of the map unit name listed as ""very rocky"" is returned as a value of .7 and is given the rating of ""Severe Rock Outcrop"".

All map units have a name, no null data should be encountered.

11.  Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. These soils may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when trench landfills are installed. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic) AND restriction hardness IS NOT extremely weakly, very weakly, or weakly cemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: depth to bedrock lithic/paralithic-hardness
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely Limiting		 < 91 cm
                                Somewhat Limiting                   91 - 120 cm
		Not limiting		=> 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
12.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: Slope 5 to 12%
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 12%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 5 and <= 12%
		Not limiting		< 5%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
13.  Water Gathering Surface: Some surfaces are shaped so as to gather water.  This additional water may cause problems for land use.  Soils that are concave up and down their slope and concave across their slope are most strongly water gathering.  Soils that are concave across their slope and linear or convex up and down their slopes are less water collecting.  Soils that are linear across their slopes and concave up and down their slopes are somewhat water collecting.  Soils that are convex up and down their slopes and convex across their slopes are the least water gathering.

Water gathering (concave) surfaces can concentrate water flow and cause accelerated erosion.  Increased costs because of materials and land shaping may be needed to prevent erosion. Wet moisture classes that have water gathering surfaces are more restrictive than drier moisture classes that have water gathering surfaces. 
		  
		  Property Used: WATER GATHERING SURFACE
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		    Somewhat Limiting		Concave up-down, concave across surfaces
		    Slightly limiting		Concave across, linear or convex up-down
		    Not limiting		All other surface shapes
		    
		  NOTE!!!  The fuzzy number returned by this rule can not exceed 0.5.
		  
Null slope shape is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.

14. Subaerial Component: Soil components can be on land and also submerged in water less than 2 meters deep. These submerged soil components are referred to as subaqueous. Animal Burial should be conducted on land and not in subaqueous soils. Therefore, any soil components occurring in a subaqeous state should be excluded from consideration for large animal disposal by burial. 
		Property Used:  DRAINAGE CLASS IS NOT SUBAQUEOUS

	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting 		if the component has a subaqeous drainage class populated
Not limiting	if the component has a drainage class that is null or is populated with any drainage class other than subaqeous
References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."|Yes|05/06/2020 21:04:40|"54168"|"90078"|"8632055"
"DHS - Catastrophic Mortality, Large Animal Disposal, Pit"|"limitation"|"DHS - Department of Homeland Security

DHS - Catastrophic Mortality, Large Animal Disposal, Pit

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as ""Catastrophic Mortality, Large Animal Disposal, Pit"".  If a soil's property within 200 cm (~79 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership index for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Catastrophic Mortality, Large Animal Disposal, Pit"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Catastrophic Mortality, Large Animal Disposal, Pit is a method of disposing dead animals by placing the carcasses in successive layers in an excavated pit having sloped sidewalls.  The intent is that this interpretation will be used to site facilities for disposal of diseased animals where the pathogen needs to be contained.  The carcasses are spread, compacted, and covered daily with a thin layer of soil that is excavated from the pit.  When the pit is full, a final cover of soil material at least 2 feet thick is placed over the burial pit.

Scope: National

The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  Improper site selection, design, or installation may cause contamination of ground water, seepage, and contamination of stream systems from surface drainage or floodwater.  Potential contamination may be reduced or eliminated by installing systems designed to overcome or reduce the effects of the limiting soil property.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

The estimated land area needed to dispose of mature cattle ranges from 1.2 (McDaniel, 1991) to 3.5 (Ollis, 2002) cubic yards.  A single adult bovine is considered equivalent to 5 sheep or 5 hogs (McDaniel, 1991; USDA, 1980).  Lund et al estimate that about 92,000 cubic yards of volume would be needed to dispose of 30,000 head of cattle, assuming a trench depth of 8.5 feet (which is somewhat below the depth of observation for typical soil survey).  This is about seven acres.  Leachate collection should be considered because the putrefaction of one adult bovine is estimated to release 21 gallons of fluid in the first week and a total of about 42 gallons in the first month (Munroe, 2001).  Collection of gases released during the decomposition process should also be considered. 

Ratings are based on properties and qualities to the depth normally observed during soil mapping (approximately 6 or 7 feet).  However, because pits may be as deep as 15 feet or more, geologic investigations are needed to determine the potential for pollution of ground water as well as to determine the design needed.  These investigations, which are generally arranged by the pit developer, include the examination of stratification, rock formations, and geologic conditions that might lead to the conducting of leachates to aquifers, wells, watercourses, and other water sources.  The presence of hard, nonrippable bedrock, bedrock crevices, or highly permeable strata in or immediately underlying the proposed pit bottom is undesirable because of the difficulty in excavation and the potential pollution of underground water.

Properties that influence the risk of pollution, ease of excavation, trafficability, and revegetation are major considerations.  Soils that flood or have a water table within the depth of excavation present a potential pollution hazard and are difficult to excavate.  Slope is an important consideration because it affects the work involved in road construction, the performance of the roads, and the control of surface water around the pit.  It may also cause difficulty in constructing pits for which the pit bottom must be kept level and oriented to follow the contour.

The ease with which the pit is dug and with which a soil can be used as daily and final covers is based largely on texture and consistence of the soil.  The texture and consistence of a soil determine the degree of workability of the soil both when dry and when wet.  Soils that are plastic and sticky when wet are difficult to excavate, grade, or compact and difficult to place as a uniformly thick cover over a layer of carcasses.  The uppermost part of the final cover should be soil material that is favorable for the growth of plants.  It should not contain excess sodium or salt and should not be too acid.  In comparison with other horizons, the A horizon in most soils has the best workability and the highest content of organic matter.  Thus, for a Large Animal Disposal, Pit operation it may be desirable to stockpile the surface layer for use in the final blanketing of the filled pit area.

References:

Lund, R. D., I. Kruger, and P. Weldon. Options for the mechanised slaughter and disposal of contaigous diseased animals - a discussion paper. Proceedings form Conference on Agricultural Engineering, Adelaide.

McDaniel, H. A.1991. Environmental protection during animal disease eradication programmes. Revue scientifique et technique Office international des Epizooties, 10(3), 867-884.

Munro, Ronald. 2001. Decomposition of farm animals corpses in mass burial sites. Veterinary Laboratories Agency report,, United Kingdom, pp 1-9.

Ollis, Gerald. 2002. Pre-selecting mass carcass disposal sites. View on-line at: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex5727

USDA. 1980. APHIS. Foot and mouth disease - guidelines for eradication. Hyattsville, MD. United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services.



Criteria used:

1.  Adsorption:  Soils having a low cec or ecec may not attenuate biohazardous material from the decay process.  It is assumed that the upper 25 cm of the site will be stockpiled for use in revegetating the site.  It is also assumed that alternating layers of soil and biological materials will be placed in the excavation.

Soils having low CEC or ECEC are not able to retain some leachates.  A soil is a full member of the set of soils having low adsorption if the CEC or ECEC to clay ratio is below 0.05, a partial member between 0.05 and 0.15, and a nonmember if the cec or ecec to clay ratio is over 0.150.
	
	Property used: CLAY ACTIVITY IN DEPTH 30-200cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		Below 0.05 meq/100g
		Somewhat limiting	0.05-0.15 meq/100g
		Not limiting		> 0.15 meq/100g
		
	The fuzzy number is weighted by 0.25, meaning this rule cannot cause the component to be absolutely true that the site is limited for the intended land use.

			
Null clay activity is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.

2.  Porous bedrock: Limestone bedrock (and other types) may have numerous solution channels that allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with no renovation.  The porous nature of the bedrock is often reflected by ""karst"" phases of map units.  Deeper soils will tend to lessen the risk of contamination.

	  Evaluation used: BEDROCK IS LIMESTONE

		  
	  Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST, NULL SENDS NO
		  
	  Restrictive Limits:
	    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
	    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
	  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
	  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
		  
		  
		  Evaluation used: Parent Material Origin is Soluble Salt
		  
		  Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
      

3.  Depth to thick/thin cemented pan: Depth to thick or thin cemented pan may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when potentially hazardous materials are buried in the soil.   Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more then 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. If pan thickness is < 46cm then the rating is reduced by half.  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 182cm
		Not limiting		=< 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THIN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 182cm
		Not limiting		=< 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
4.  Too clayey:  This rule evaluates textures from the thickest layers between 30 and 200 cm.  Textures of cl, sicl, sc, sic, and c are rated as too clayey.  If clay minerology is kaolinitic or the soil is in an aridic moisture regime the clay content is not a restrictive feature.  Clayey soils may become sticky when wet and are difficult to spread and compact.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes and is only partially restrictive when clay mineralogy is kaolinitic. Soil feature considered is the weighted average of clay content between 30 and 200cm or above a restrictive layer and taxonomic family mineralogy.
		
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT IN DEPTH 30-200CM (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		>45 percent
		Somewhat limiting	27-45 percent
		Not limiting		<27 percent
			
	Null clay contents are assigned to the Not rated class.
 
	AND

	Property used: TAXONOMIC MINERALOGY CLASS (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		If taxonomic family mineralogy is kaolinitic then
		the soil clayey rating is reduced by multiplying by 0.5.
			
	Null taxonomic mineralogy classes are assigned Not Rated.
	
	
	
	Soil Moisture: clayey soils can be difficult to work when they are moist.  The moisture content of unsaturated soil is time dependent as well as spatially variable.  The spatial variation in the soil moisture is described by the taxonomic soil moisture class.

Property used: TAXONOMIC MOISTURE CLASS RATER

Limits: 		
			IF moisture matches ""aridic*"" THEN 0, not limiting
			IF moisture matches ""xeric"" THEN .3, somewhat limiting
			IF moisture matches ""ustic"" THEN .5, somewhat limiting
			IF moisture matches ""udic"" THEN .8, somewhat limiting
			IF moisture matches ""perudic"", ""aquic"", ""peraquic"" THEN 1, limiting.
			
			
		Null values are assigned to the limiting class.
		

		  
5.  Too Sandy: Sandy soils may slump and are droughty, making establishment of vegetative cover difficult.  Soil feature considered is the sand content, minus clay, of the thickest soil layer between 25 and 200cm or above a cemented restrictive layer.  This rule evaluates the weighted average of sand minus clay between 30 and 180 cm.  Textures of LCOS, LS, LFS, LVFS, COS, S, FS, VFS, and SG are rated as too sandy.
		
	Property used: SAND PERCENT LESS CLAY IN DEPTH 30-200CM (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Somewhat limiting	= >70
		Not limiting		All others
			
	Null sand contents are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
6.  Flooding: Flooding has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits building, recreational, and sanitary facility use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""occasional"" or ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
7.  Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  These soils have the potential to contamination the ground water which may create health and environmental hazards.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 200cm
		Somewhat limiting	200-220cm
		Not limiting		=> 220cm
		
		
		Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE PERCHED MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 160cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 160 to =< 200cm
		Not limiting		 > 200cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
8.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt, ol, or oh is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the thickest soil layer above a restrictive layer and between 30 and 200cm.
	
	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 30-200cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= pt, ol, or oh
		Not limiting	not = pt, ol, or oh
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
9.  Large stones on the surface: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 >  5% to <= 15%
		Not limiting		=<  5%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
10.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 180 cm deep.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75mm Wt. Ave. 0-180cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 25% to < 50%
		Not limiting		=< 25%
		
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.
	
	
	
11.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
12.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond have restrictions that limit the installation and function of most land use applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Limiting	    = ""none""
		Limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
13.  Rock Outcrop:  Areas that have rock outcrop in the vicinity are not likely to have a sufficiently large area of soil for the facility.  Rock outcrops can interfere with renovation of the leachate from the facility.
        
        Property used: PA ROCK OUTCROP 2(Modality - representative value)
        
        Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		The phase ""rock outcrop"" occurs in the map unit name.
		Not limiting		The phase ""rock outcrop"" does not occur in the map unit name.
		
		
Any soil with a portion or full map unit name of Rock Outcrop is returned as a value of 1 and is given the rating of Rock Outcrop and is considered a limitation.

Any soil with a portion of the map unit name listed as ""rocky"" is returned as a value of .3 and is given the rating of ""Slight Rock Outcrop"".

Any soil with a portion of the map unit name listed as ""very rocky"" is returned as a value of .7 and is given the rating of ""Severe Rock Outcrop"".

All map units have a name, no null data should be encountered.


14.  Salinity: Soils with high salinity have reduced available water capacity, which restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the highest salinity (electrical conductivity) for all horizons.
		
	Property used: SALINITY MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 16 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		<= 16 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
15.  Seepage:  The soil's bottom layer Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids through the soil and underlying materials is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the Ksat of the bottom layer or the layer immediately above bedrock.  In areas where seepage is somewhat limiting, a clay liner may be used to lower the transmission rate of the bottom of the pit.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes.   
	
	Property used: KSAT BOTTOM HORIZON (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 => 42.0 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat limiting	 14-42 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		  < 14.0 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
6/15/04 PRF modified the hedge from ""NULL NOT RATED"" to ""NOT NULL AND"".  The Null values were throwing out a ""Not Rated"" that affected the final rating.



16.  Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. These soils may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when trench landfills are installed. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely Limiting		 < 150cm
                                Somewhat Limiting                   150 - 199 cm
		Not limiting		=> 200cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
17.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 12%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 5 and <= 12%
		Not limiting		< 5%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	
	
18.  Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the potential to restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area. This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes.  Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest sodium adsorption ratio.

		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 13 
		Not limiting		<= 13 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
19.  Water Gathering Surface: Some surfaces are shaped so as to gather water.  This additional water may cause problems for land use.  Soils that are concave up and down their slope and concave across their slope are most strongly water gathering.  Soils that are concave across their slope and linear or convex up and down their slopes are less water collecting.  Soils that are linear across their slopes and concave up and down their slopes are somewhat water collecting.  Soils that are convex up and down their slopes and convex across their slopes are the least water gathering.

Water gathering (concave) surfaces can concentrate water flow and cause accelerated erosion.  Increased costs because of materials and land shaping may be needed to prevent erosion.
		  
		  Property Used: WATER GATHERING SURFACE
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		    Somewhat Limiting		Concave up-down, concave across surfaces
		    Slightly limiting		Concave across, linear or convex up-down
		    Not limiting		All other surface shapes
		    
		  NOTE!!!  The fuzzy number returned by this rule can not exceed 0.5.
		  
Null slope shape is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.



20.  Too acid: Soils with low pH increase metallic ion availability and restricts plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the minimum (pH) of the soil layers.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER (Minimum) (Modality - high, low, representative value)"|Yes|03/09/2022 17:39:46|"21013"|"90078"|"8632056"
"DHS - Catastrophic Mortality, Large Animal Disposal, Trench"|"limitation"|"DHS - Department of Homeland Security

DHS - Catastrophic Mortality, Large Animal Disposal, Trench

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as ""Catastrophic Mortality, Large Animal Disposal, Trench"".  If a soil's property within 200 cm (~79 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership index for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Catastrophic Mortality, Large Animal Disposal, Trench"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Catastrophic Mortality, Large Animal Disposal, Trench is a method of disposing dead animals by placing the carcasses in successive layers in an excavated trench having sloped sidewalls.  The intent is that this interpretation will be used to site facilities for disposal of diseased animals where the pathogen needs to be contained.  The carcasses are spread, compacted, and covered daily with a thin layer of soil that is excavated from the trench.  When the trench is full, a final cover of soil material at least 2 feet thick is placed over the filled trench area.

Scope: National

The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  Improper site selection, design, or installation may cause contamination of ground water, seepage, and contamination of stream systems from surface drainage or floodwater.  Potential contamination may be reduced or eliminated by installing systems designed to overcome or reduce the effects of the limiting soil property.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

The estimated land area needed to dispose of mature cattle ranges from 1.2 (McDaniel, 1991) to 3.5 (Ollis, 2002) cubic yards.  A single adult bovine is considered equivalent to 5 sheep or 5 hogs (McDaniel, 1991; USDA, 1980).  Lund et al estimate that about 92,000 cubic yards of volume would be needed to dispose of 30,000 head of cattle, assuming a trench depth of 8.5 feet (which is somewhat below the depth of observation for typical soil survey).  This is about seven acres.  Leachate collection should be considered because the putrefaction of one adult bovine is estimated to release 21 gallons of fluid in the first week and a total of about 42 gallons in the first month (Munroe, 2001).  Collection of gases released during the decomposition process should also be considered.  To bury adult hogs or sheep, a rule of thumb is to multiply the capacities listed above by five. For broiler chickens (market-ready weight), multiply the capacity by 200. For turkeys (market-ready weight) multiply the capacity by 40 (Ollis, 2002).  

Ratings are based on properties and qualities to the depth normally observed during soil mapping (approximately 6 or 7 feet).  However, because trenches may be as deep as 15 feet or more, geologic investigations are needed to determine the potential for pollution of ground water as well as to determine the design needed.  These investigations, which are generally arranged by the trench developer, include the examination of stratification, rock formations, and geologic conditions that might lead to the conducting of leachates to aquifers, wells, watercourses, and other water sources.  The presence of hard, nonrippable bedrock, bedrock crevices, or highly permeable strata in or immediately underlying the proposed trench bottom is undesirable because of the difficulty in excavation and the potential pollution of underground water.

Properties that influence the risk of pollution, ease of excavation, trafficability, and revegetation are major considerations.  Soils that flood or have a water table within the depth of excavation present a potential pollution hazard and are difficult to excavate.  Slope is an important consideration because it affects the work involved in road construction, the performance of the roads, and the control of surface water around the trench.  It may also cause difficulty in constructing trenches for which the trench bottom must be kept level and oriented to follow the contour.

The ease with which the trench is dug and with which a soil can be used as daily and final covers is based largely on texture and consistence of the soil.  The texture and consistence of a soil determine the degree of workability of the soil both when dry and when wet.  Soils that are plastic and sticky when wet are difficult to excavate, grade, or compact and difficult to place as a uniformly thick cover over a layer of carcasses.  The uppermost part of the final cover should be soil material that is favorable for the growth of plants.  It should not contain excess sodium or salt and should not be too acid.  In comparison with other horizons, the A horizon in most soils has the best workability and the highest content of organic matter.  Thus, for a Large Animal Disposal, Trench operation it may be desirable to stockpile the surface layer for use in the final blanketing of the filled area.

References:

Lund, R. D., I. Kruger, and P. Weldon. Options for the mechanised slaughter and disposal of contaigous diseased animals - a discussion paper. Proceedings form Conference on Agricultural Engineering, Adelaide.

McDaniel, H. A.1991. Environmental protection during animal disease eradication programmes. Revue scientifique et technique Office international des Epizooties, 10(3), 867-884.

Munro, Ronald. 2001. Decomposition of farm animals corpses in mass burial sites. Veterinary Laboratories Agency report,, United Kingdom, pp 1-9.

Ollis, Gerald. 2002. Pre-selecting mass carcass disposal sites. View on-line at: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex5727

USDA. 1980. APHIS. Foot and mouth disease - guidelines for eradication. Hyattsville, MD. United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services.




Criteria used:

1.  Adsorption:  Soils having a low cec or ecec may not attenuate biohazardous material from the decay process.  It is assumed that the upper 25 cm of the site will be stockpiled for use in revegetating the site.  It is also assumed that alternating layers of soil and biological materials will be placed in the excavation.

Soils having low CEC or ECEC are not able to retain some leachates.  A soil is a full member of the set of soils having low adsorption if the CEC or ECEC to clay ratio is below 0.05, a partial member between 0.05 and 0.15, and a nonmember if the cec or ecec to clay ratio is over 0.150.
	
	Property used: CLAY ACTIVITY IN DEPTH 30-200cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		Below 0.05 meq/100g
		Somewhat limiting	0.05-0.15 meq/100g
		Not limiting		> 0.15 meq/100g
		
	The fuzzy number is weighted by 0.25, meaning this rule cannot cause the component to be absolutely true that the site is limited for the intended land use.

			
Null clay activity is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.

2.  Porous bedrock: Limestone bedrock (and other types) may have numerous solution channels that allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with no renovation.  The porous nature of the bedrock is often reflected by ""karst"" phases of map units.  Deeper soils will tend to lessen the risk of contamination.

		  Evaluation used: BEDROCK IS LIMESTONE

		  
		  Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST, NULL SENDS NO
		  
		  Restrictive Limits:
		    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
		  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
		  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
		  
		  
		  Evaluation used: Parent Material Origin is Soluble Salt
		  
		  Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    	

3.  Depth to thick/thin cemented pan: Depth to thick or thin cemented pan may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when potentially hazardous materials are buried in the soil.   Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more then 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. If pan thickness is < 46cm then the rating is reduced by half.  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 182cm
		Not limiting		=< 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THIN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 182cm
		Not limiting		=< 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
4.  Too clayey:  This rule evaluates textures from the thickest layers between 30 and 200 cm.  Textures of cl, sicl, sc, sic, and c are rated as too clayey.  If clay minerology is kaolinitic or the soil is in an aridic moisture regime the clay content is not a restrictive feature.  Clayey soils may become sticky when wet and are difficult to spread and compact.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes and is only partially restrictive when clay mineralogy is kaolinitic. Soil feature considered is the weighted average of clay content between 30 and 200cm or above a restrictive layer and taxonomic family mineralogy.
		
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT IN DEPTH 30-200CM (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		>45 percent
		Somewhat limiting	27-45 percent
		Not limiting		<27 percent
			
	Null clay contents are assigned to the Not rated class.
 
	AND

	Property used: TAXONOMIC MINERALOGY CLASS (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		If taxonomic family mineralogy is kaolinitic then
		the soil clayey rating is reduced by multiplying by 0.5.
			
	Null taxonomic mineralogy classes are assigned Not Rated.
	
	
	
	Soil Moisture: clayey soils can be difficult to work when they are moist.  The moisture content of unsaturated soil is time dependent as well as spatially variable.  The spatial variation in the soil moisture is described by the taxonomic soil moisture class.

Property used: TAXONOMIC MOISTURE CLASS RATER

Limits: 		
			IF moisture matches ""aridic*"" THEN 0, not limiting
			IF moisture matches ""xeric"" THEN .3, somewhat limiting
			IF moisture matches ""ustic"" THEN .5, somewhat limiting
			IF moisture matches ""udic"" THEN .8, somewhat limiting
			IF moisture matches ""perudic"", ""aquic"", ""peraquic"" THEN 1, limiting.
			
			
		Null values are assigned to the limiting class.
		
		
		
		
5.  Unstable Excavation Walls:  Under certain circumstances, the sides of an excavation may collapse.  This can be hazardous to anyone in the trench or near the edge at the time of failure.  The sloughed material may need to be removed from the trench, increasing the time needed to excavate.  The sides of the trench may need to be made to reflect the angle of repose of the material or be shored.
	
	
		A. Instability of the  excavation walls can be caused by the coarseness of the soil material.
		
		Property used: FRAGMENT PERCENT IN DEPTH 30-200CM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
		Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		Above 80 percent by volume
		     Somewhat limiting	60-80 percent by volume
		     Not limiting	Less than 60 percent by volume
		     
		 Property used: SAND PERCENT LESS CLAY IN DEPTH 30-180CM
		 
		 Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		Above 185
		     Somewhat limiting	170-185
		     Not limiting	Less than 170
		     
		  (The clay content is subtracted from the sand content.  100 is added to the difference to keep the numbers positive.  This number is a sort of effective sand content, adjusting for the adhesiveness of clay.)
		     
		     
		 B.  High shrink-swell can cause instability of excavation wall.
		 
		 Property used: LEP 25-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER WTD_AVE
		 
		 Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		LEP above 9
		     Somwewhat limiting	LEP 6 to 9
		     Not limiting	LEP less than 6
		     
		     
		  C. Silty material that is not loess can be unstable.
		  
		  Property used: PARENT MATERIAL KIND IS LOESS
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		High silt and not loess
		     Not limiting	High silt and is loess
		     
		  Property used: SILT PERCENT IN DEPTH 30-200CM
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		     Somewhat limiting	Greater than 75 percent silt
		     Not limiting	Less than 75 percent silt
		     
		  Silt content is not considered to ever be a severe limitation.
		  
		  
		  
6.  Too Sandy: Sandy soils may slump and are droughty, making establishment of vegetative cover difficult.  Soil feature considered is the sand content, minus clay, of the thickest soil layer between 25 and 200cm or above a cemented restrictive layer.  This rule evaluates the weighted average of sand minus clay between 30 and 180 cm.  Textures of LCOS, LS, LFS, LVFS, COS, S, FS, VFS, and SG are rated as too sandy.
		
	Property used: SAND PERCENT LESS CLAY IN DEPTH 30-200CM (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Somewhat limiting	= >70
		Not limiting		All others
			
	Null sand contents are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
7.  Flooding: Flooding has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits building, recreational, and sanitary facility use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""occasional"" or ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
8.  Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  These soils have the potential to contamination the ground water which may create health and environmental hazards.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 200cm
		Somewhat limiting	200-220cm
		Not limiting		=> 220cm
		
		
		Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE PERCHED MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 160cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 160 to =< 200cm
		Not limiting		 > 200cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
9.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt, ol, or oh is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the thickest soil layer above a restrictive layer and between 30 and 200cm.
	
	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 30-200cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= pt, ol, or oh
		Not limiting	not = pt, ol, or oh
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
	
10.  Large stones on the surface: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 >  5% to <= 15%
		Not limiting		=<  5%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
11.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 180 cm deep.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75mm Wt. Ave. 0-180cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 25% to < 50%
		Not limiting		=< 25%
		
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.
	
	
	
12.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
13.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond have restrictions that limit the installation and function of most land use applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Limiting	    = ""none""
		Limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
14.  Rock Outcrop:  Areas that have rock outcrop in the vicinity are not likely to have a sufficiently large area of soil for the facility.  Rock outcrops can interfere with renovation of the leachate from the facility.
        
        Property used: PA ROCK OUTCROP 2(Modality - representative value)
        
        Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		The phase ""rock outcrop"" occurs in the map unit name.
		Not limiting		The phase ""rock outcrop"" does not occur in the map unit name.
		
		
Any soil with a portion or full map unit name of Rock Outcrop is returned as a value of 1 and is given the rating of Rock Outcrop and is considered a limitation.

Any soil with a portion of the map unit name listed as ""rocky"" is returned as a value of .3 and is given the rating of ""Slight Rock Outcrop"".

Any soil with a portion of the map unit name listed as ""very rocky"" is returned as a value of .7 and is given the rating of ""Severe Rock Outcrop"".

All map units have a name, no null data should be encountered.


15.  Salinity: Soils with high salinity have reduced available water capacity, which restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the highest salinity (electrical conductivity) for all horizons.
		
	Property used: SALINITY MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 16 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		<= 16 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
16.  Seepage:  The soil's bottom layer Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids through the soil and underlying materials is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the Ksat of the bottom layer or the layer immediately above bedrock.  In areas where seepage is somewhat limiting, a clay liner may be used to lower the transmission rate of the bottom of the pit.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes.   
	
	Property used: KSAT BOTTOM HORIZON (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 => 42.0 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat limiting	 14-42 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		  < 14.0 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
6/15/04 PRF modified the hedge from ""NULL NOT RATED"" to ""NOT NULL AND"".  The Null values were throwing out a ""Not Rated"" that affected the final rating.



17.  Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. These soils may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when trench landfills are installed. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely Limiting		 < 150cm
                                Somewhat Limiting                    150 - 199 cm
		Not limiting		=> 200cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
18.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	
	
19.  Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the potential to restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area. This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes.  Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest sodium adsorption ratio.

		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 13 
		Not limiting		<= 13 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
20.  Water Gathering Surface: Some surfaces are shaped so as to gather water.  This additional water may cause problems for land use.  Soils that are concave up and down their slope and concave across their slope are most strongly water gathering.  Soils that are concave across their slope and linear or convex up and down their slopes are less water collecting.  Soils that are linear across their slopes and concave up and down their slopes are somewhat water collecting.  Soils that are convex up and down their slopes and convex across their slopes are the least water gathering.

Water gathering (concave) surfaces can concentrate water flow and cause accelerated erosion.  Increased costs because of materials and land shaping may be needed to prevent erosion.
		  
		  Property Used: WATER GATHERING SURFACE
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		    Somewhat Limiting		Concave up-down, concave across surfaces
		    Slightly limiting		Concave across, linear or convex up-down
		    Not limiting		All other surface shapes
		    
		  NOTE!!!  The fuzzy number returned by this rule can not exceed 0.5.
		  
Null slope shape is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.



21.  Too acid: Soils with low pH increase metallic ion availability and restricts plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the minimum (pH) of the soil layers.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER (Minimum) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	 < 3.5
		Not limiting	=> 3.5
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.

22.  Dustiness is a concern for human health as well as aesthetic reasons.  Dust generation from roads is a significant source of inhalable particulate matter.  Two dust particle sizes are recognized: PM10 and PM2.5, relating to particles of aerodynamic diameters of 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively.  The capacity of soils to produce dust particles has been found by Carvacho et al (2004) to be directly related to the clay or silt content of the soil.  Thus, the PM10 or PM2.5 generation capacity of a soil is inversely proportional to its sand content.  Gupsum is also related to dustiness because the soft crystals are relatively easily crushed to silt and clay size particles which can then be picked up by air.

Other major variables in dust generation are moisture content, vehicle size, and the amount of traffic on the road.

The ""Dryness Index"" accounts for the moisture content of the surface.  In a dry, hot environment, the generation of dust is greater than in a cool, moist environment.  Thus dust generation is directly proportional to temperature and inversely proportional to rainfall.

An array of materials is available for overcoming dust limitations (Gebhart et al, 1999).


Property used:  WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, NO O

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 70 percent sand
					Somewhat limiting	 20-70 percent sand
					Not limiting		 <=20 percent sand
					
					
					
Property used:  WTD_AVG GYPSUM 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 15 percent gypsum
					Somewhat limiting	 2-15 percent gypsum
					Not limiting		 <=2 percent gypsum
					
					
Property used:  DRYNESS INDEX

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 5  
					Somewhat limiting	 0.3-5  
					Not limiting		 <=0.3
					
					
					The Dryness Index is 100(mean annual air temperature)/(mean annual precipitation)  
					
									


References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."|Yes|03/09/2022 17:39:46|"21014"|"90078"|"8632057"
"DHS - Emergency Animal Mortality Disposal by Shallow Burial"|"limitation"|"DHS - Department of Homeland Security

DHS - Emergency Animal Mortality Disposal by Shallow Burial

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as ""Emergency Animal Mortality Disposal by Shallow Burial"".  This interpretation is meant to provide another option for carcass disposal following a catastrophic event.  Conceptually, it is very similar to ""above ground burial"", in that a trench from 18 to 24 inches deep is used.   If a soil's property within 91 cm (36 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership index for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Emergency Animal Mortality Disposal by Shallow Burial"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are Not limited (rating index = 0), Slightly limited (rating index >0 and <.30), Somewhat limited (>.30 and <.80), Severely limited (>.80 and <0.99), Very severely limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

""Emergency Animal Mortality Disposal by Shallow Burial"" is a method of disposing dead animals by placing the carcasses in an shallow excavated trench 60 cm (~24 inches) deep or less. The trrench is lined with woodchips, corn stalks, or other organic material, then carcasses are placed. Then, a final cover of soil material at least 2 feet thick is placed over the burial pit.  It is very similar to the method APHIS calls ""Above Ground Burial"" but the criteria are better-defined.

Scope: National

The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  Improper site selection, design, or installation may cause contamination of ground water, seepage, and contamination of stream systems from surface drainage or floodwater.  Potential contamination may be reduced or eliminated by installing systems designed to overcome or reduce the effects of the limiting soil property.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

The estimated land area needed to dispose of mature cattle ranges from 1.2 (McDaniel, 1991) to 3.5 (Ollis, 2002) cubic yards.  A single adult bovine is considered equivalent to 5 sheep or 5 hogs (McDaniel, 1991; USDA, 1980).  Lund et al estimate that about 92,000 cubic yards of volume would be needed to dispose of 30,000 head of cattle, assuming a trench depth of 8.5 feet (which is somewhat below the depth of observation for typical soil survey).  This is about seven acres.  Leachate collection should be considered because the putrefaction of one adult bovine is estimated to release 21 gallons of fluid in the first week and a total of about 42 gallons in the first month (Munroe, 2001).  Collection of gases released during the decomposition process should also be considered. 

Ratings are based on properties and qualities to the depth normally observed during soil mapping (approximately 6 or 7 feet).  However, because pits may be as deep as 15 feet or more, geologic investigations are needed to determine the potential for pollution of ground water as well as to determine the design needed.  These investigations, which are generally arranged by the pit developer, include the examination of stratification, rock formations, and geologic conditions that might lead to the conducting of leachates to aquifers, wells, watercourses, and other water sources.  The presence of hard, nonrippable bedrock, bedrock crevices, or highly permeable strata in or immediately underlying the proposed pit bottom is undesirable because of the difficulty in excavation and the potential contamination of underground water.

Properties that influence the risk of contamination, ease of excavation, trafficability, and revegetation are major considerations.  Soils that flood or have a water table within the depth of excavation present a potential pollution hazard and are difficult to excavate.  Slope is an important consideration because it affects the work involved in road construction, the performance of the roads, and the control of surface water around the pit.  It may also cause difficulty in constructing pits for which the pit bottom must be kept level and oriented to follow the contour.

The ease with which the pit is dug and with which a soil can be used as daily and final covers is based largely on texture and consistence of the soil.  The texture and consistence of a soil determine the degree of workability of the soil both when dry and when wet.  Soils that are plastic and sticky when wet are difficult to excavate, grade, or compact and difficult to place as a uniformly thick cover over a layer of carcasses.  The uppermost part of the final cover should be soil material that is favorable for the growth of plants.  It should not contain excess sodium or salt and should not be too acid.  In comparison with other horizons, the A horizon in most soils has the best workability and the highest content of organic matter.  Thus, for a Emergency Animal Mortality Disposal  Shallow Burial operation it may be desirable to stockpile the surface layer for use in the final blanketing of the filled pit area.

References:

Flory GA, Peer RW, Clark RA, Baccar MN, Le TT, Mbarek AB, Farsi S (2017) Aboveground burial for managing catastrophic losses of livestock, Int J One Health 2017;3:50-56.

Lund, R. D., I. Kruger, and P. Weldon. Options for the mechanised slaughter and disposal of contaigous diseased animals - a discussion paper. Proceedings form Conference on Agricultural Engineering, Adelaide.

McDaniel, H. A.1991. Environmental protection during animal disease eradication programmes. Revue scientifique et technique Office international des Epizooties, 10(3), 867-884.

Munro, Ronald. 2001. Decomposition of farm animals corpses in mass burial sites. Veterinary Laboratories Agency report,, United Kingdom, pp 1-9.

Ollis, Gerald. 2002. Pre-selecting mass carcass disposal sites. View on-line at: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex5727

USDA. 1980. APHIS. Foot and mouth disease - guidelines for eradication. Hyattsville, MD. United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services.

Criteria used:

1.  Adsorption:  Soils having a low cec or ecec may not attenuate biohazardous material from the decay process.  It is assumed that the upper 25 cm of the site will be stockpiled for use in revegetating the site.  It is also assumed that alternating layers of soil and biological materials will be placed in the excavation.

Soils having low CEC or ECEC are not able to retain some leachates.  A soil is a full member of the set of soils having low adsorption if the CEC or ECEC to clay ratio is below 0.05, a partial member between 0.05 and 0.15, and a nonmember if the cec or ecec to clay ratio is over 0.150.
	
	Property used: CLAY ACTIVITY IN DEPTH 61-91 cm
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		Below 0.05 meq/100g
		Somewhat limiting	0.05-0.15 meq/100g
		Not limiting	> 0.15 meq/100g
		
	The fuzzy number is weighted by 0.25, meaning this rule cannot cause the component to be absolutely true that the site is limited for the intended land use.
			
Null clay activity is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.

2.  Porous bedrock: Limestone bedrock (and other types) may have numerous solution channels that allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with no renovation.  The porous nature of the bedrock is often reflected by ""karst"" phases of map units.  Deeper soils will tend to lessen the risk of contamination.

Evaluation used: BEDROCK IS LIMESTONE
		  
	  Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST, NULL SENDS NO
		  
	  Restrictive Limits:
	    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
	    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
	  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
	  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.  
		  
Evaluation used: Parent Material Origin is Soluble Salt
		  
Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	      If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.

3.  Depth to thick/thin cemented pan: Depth to thick or thin cemented pan may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when potentially hazardous materials are buried in the soil.   Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more than 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", ""petrogypsic"", or petroferric and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. If pan thickness is < 46cm then the rating is reduced by half.  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 91 cm
		Not limiting		=< 91 cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THIN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 91 cm
		Not limiting		=< 91 cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
4.  Flooding: Flooding has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits building, recreational, and sanitary facility use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
                                Limiting                	= ""very frequent"" 
                                Somewhat limiting       = ""occasional"", ""frequent"", ""very rare"" or ""rare""
                                Not limiting                    = ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
5.  Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  These soils have the potential to contaminate the ground water which may create health and environmental hazards.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 91 cm
		Somewhat limiting	91-200 cm
		Not limiting	=> 200 cm
		
		
		Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE PERCHED MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 91 cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 91 to =< 120 cm
		Not limiting	 > 120 cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
6.  Content of organic matter: Soils in Unified classes pt, ol, or oh are high in organic materials, have low strength, and are hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the RV or first Unified class of the thickest soil layer above a restrictive layer and between 25 and 180 cm.
	
	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 25-180cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	               = pt, ol, or oh
		Not limiting	not = pt, ol, or oh
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
7.  Large stones in the surface layer (0 to 30 cm): Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 >  5% to <= 15%
		Not limiting	=<  5%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.

8.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 180 cm deep.

	Property used: Fragments >75mm in 0-91 cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 25% to < 50%
		Not limiting	=< 25%
		
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.
	
9.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond have restrictions that limit the installation and function of most land use applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Limiting	    = ""none""
		Limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
10.  Rock Outcrop:  Areas that have rock outcrop in the vicinity are not likely to have a sufficiently large area of soil for the facility.  Rock outcrops can interfere with renovation of the leachate from the facility.
        
        Property used: PA ROCK OUTCROP 2(Modality - representative value)
        
        Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		The phase ""rock outcrop"" occurs in the map unit name.
		Not limiting		The phase ""rock outcrop"" does not occur in the map unit name.
				
Any soil with a portion or full map unit name of Rock Outcrop is returned as a value of 1 and is given the rating of Rock Outcrop and is considered a limitation.

Any soil with a portion of the map unit name listed as ""rocky"" is returned as a value of .3 and is given the rating of ""Slight Rock Outcrop"".

Any soil with a portion of the map unit name listed as ""very rocky"" is returned as a value of .7 and is given the rating of ""Severe Rock Outcrop"".

All map units have a name, no null data should be encountered.

11.  Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. These soils may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when trench landfills are installed. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic) AND restriction hardness IS NOT extremely weakly, very weakly, or weakly cemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: depth to bedrock lithic/paralithic-hardness
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely Limiting		 < 91 cm
                                Somewhat Limiting                   91 - 120 cm
		Not limiting		=> 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
12.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: Slope 5 to 12%
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 12%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 5 and <= 12%
		Not limiting		< 5%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
13.  Water Gathering Surface: Some surfaces are shaped so as to gather water.  This additional water may cause problems for land use.  Soils that are concave up and down their slope and concave across their slope are most strongly water gathering.  Soils that are concave across their slope and linear or convex up and down their slopes are less water collecting.  Soils that are linear across their slopes and concave up and down their slopes are somewhat water collecting.  Soils that are convex up and down their slopes and convex across their slopes are the least water gathering.

Water gathering (concave) surfaces can concentrate water flow and cause accelerated erosion.  Increased costs because of materials and land shaping may be needed to prevent erosion. Wet moisture classes that have water gathering surfaces are more restrictive than drier moisture classes that have water gathering surfaces. 
		  
		  Property Used: WATER GATHERING SURFACE
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		    Somewhat Limiting		Concave up-down, concave across surfaces
		    Slightly limiting		Concave across, linear or convex up-down
		    Not limiting		All other surface shapes
		    
		  NOTE!!!  The fuzzy number returned by this rule can not exceed 0.5.
		  
Null slope shape is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.

14. Subaerial Component: Soil components can be on land and also submerged in water less than 2 meters deep. These submerged soil components are referred to as subaqueous. Animal Burial should be conducted on land and not in subaqueous soils. Therefore, any soil components occurring in a subaqeous state should be excluded from consideration for large animal disposal by burial. 
		Property Used:  DRAINAGE CLASS IS NOT SUBAQUEOUS

	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting 		if the component has a subaqeous drainage class populated
Not limiting	if the component has a drainage class that is null or is populated with any drainage class other than subaqeous
References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."|Yes|03/24/2023 19:46:41|"66647"|"90078"|"8632058"
"DHS - Emergency Land Disposal of Milk"|"limitation"|"DHS - Department of Homeland Security

DHS - Emergency Land Disposal of Milk

Summary:

Disruptions in the supply chain and other problems can necessitate the emergency disposal of milk.  Land application is a viable method of disposal as the constituents of milk can be beneficial as soil amendments. The characteristics of the soil are important in the application since favorable soil properties are required to prevent environmental damage.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Emergency Land Application of Milk"".  If a soil property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Emergency Land Application of Milk"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Scope: National



Soil properties and qualities considered are those that affect liquid movement into and through the soil, the ability of the soil to attenuate material, the slope of the land surface, the presence of rock fragments, and the volume of soil available for absorbing the milk solids. Soil properties that affect absorption are permeability, the depth to a seasonal high water table, and the depth to bedrock or a cemented pan.   Stones and the depth to a seasonal high water table can interfere with the application of milk.  

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	
	
	1.  Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 75mm-250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 35%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 15% to <= 35%
		Not limiting	=< 15%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	2.  Dense layer: Shallow depth to a layer with high bulk density is only somewhat limiting and reduce available water capacity and percolation rates can be expected.  Soil feature considered is the maximum bulk density within a depth of 50 to 150cm.

	Property used: BULK DENSITY MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 50-150cm (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting	=> 1.8
		Not limiting	 < 1.8
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
	3.  Filtering capacity: The soil horizon with the maximum Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the maximum Ksat within a depth of 150cm.
	
	Property used: KSAT HIGHEST MINIMUM, 0-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 > 42.0 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	 > 14.1 and <= 42.0 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		=< 14.1 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Flooding: Flooding at frequency greater then rare has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits the recreational use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional""
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Leaching or Runoff limitation: Soil's in Hydrologic Soil Group D have slow intake rate and runoff is a potential limitation.  Protecting surface water from runoff contain manure or food processing waste is a concern.  Soil's in Hydrologic Group A or dual groups have high to moderate intake rates and a water table near the surface.  These soils have potential leaching limitations and manure or food processing effluent leaching into ground water is a concern.  Soil feature considered is hydrologic soil group.

	Property used: HYDROLOGIC SOIL GROUP (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Runoff limitation	= d
		Leaching limitation	= a, a/d, b/d, c/d
		Not limiting		= b, c
		

	Null Hydrologic Group is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	6.  Too Stony: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) on the soil surface can interfere with equipment operations and are a nuisance for most landuses.  Soil feature considered is percent of the soil surface covered by rock fragments > 10 inches in size.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON SURFACE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 3.0%
		Somewhat limiting	>=  .1% to <= 3.0%
		Not limiting		 <  .1%
		
	Null surface cover percentage of rock fragments with an rv >=250mm are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Restricted permeability: The soil horizon with the minimum Ksat governs the rate of water movement through the whole soil.  When this rate is low, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is impeded and runoff, infiltration, and percolation of pollutants may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the minimum saturated hydraulic conductivity above a restrictive layer.
	
	Property used: KSAT MINIMUM ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=< 1.4 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	 > 1.4 and <= 4 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		 > 4 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	8. Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9. Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
	10. Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	11. Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan restricts the construction, installation, and functioning of the installed application.  Shallow soils have reduced water-holding capacities, restricted percolation rates and are difficult to reclaim and re-vegetated.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	12. Shallow to densic materials: Shallow depth to ""Densic Materials"" reduces percolation of surface waters and effluent and restricts plant root growth.  These semi-shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (densic)"" or ""densic material"".  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO DENSIC MATERIAL (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	13. Shallow to Discontinuity: Shallow depth to ""Densic Materials"" reduces percolation of surface waters and effluent and restricts plant root growth.  These semi-shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""abrupt textural change"" or ""strongly contrasting textural stratification"".  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO CONTRASTING MATERIALS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
		
	14. Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	
	
	15. Large stones on the surface: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 >  5% to <= 15%
		Not limiting		=<  5%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
	16. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may be difficult to reclaim and revegetate.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 60cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 60 to < 120cm
		Not limiting		=> 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|05/12/2020 18:41:17|"66646"|"90078"|"8632059"
"DHS - Potential for Radioactive Bioaccumulation"|"suitability"|"DHS - Department of Homeland Security

DHS - Hazard of Radioactive Bioaccumulation


Background:

Strontium-90 and Cesium-137 are radionuclides that can be released into the atmosphere as a result of above-ground nuclear explosions and inadvertent leakage from nuclear facilities, such as powerplants.  The behavior of strontium in the soil system is close to calcium.  Both are divalent metal cations.  Strontium, having a slightly smaller hydrated radius is more tightly held by the exchange complex than calcium.  Cesium acts in a fashion similar to potassium.  Both are monovalent metal cations.  Cesium is held more tightly that potassium, due to a smaller hydrated radius.  The characteristics of the soil upon which the radionuclides fall determines whether or not and to what extent they are available to plants and subsequently to animals.

Cations such as strontium or cesium added to the surface of the soil as fallout can have one of several fates.  

1 - They can be taken up by plants and cycled in the organic matter of the soil.  This is particularly true in acidic forest soils where the pH is below 5.5.  At this level of pH, aluminum solubilizes and can become the dominant cation in many soils, essentially driving basic cations off of the exchange into solution, where either they are absorbed by plant roots or they leach from the soil system. 
2 - They can be tied to the exchange surface and rendered more or less unavailable for plant uptake.  Owing to their small concentrations and generally high affinity for adsorption by the exchange, a soil having a large supply of basic cations and plentiful exchange sites will bind the radionuclides away from absorption by plant roots owing simply to mass action.  
3 - If the soil lacks the exchange capacity or the soil reaction is unfavorable for attenuation, they can be leached below the root zone and eventually into ground water or surface waters.  
4 - If the soil contains carbonates or sulfates, strontium can be tied up in the structures of these compounds.  
5 - Cesium, which is similar in ionic radius and charge to potassium can be absorbed by 2:1 layer silicates.

The bioaccumulation of cesium and strontium is favored by several soil conditions.  Low cation exchange capacity in the upper 30cm of soil causes these ions to be in soil solution rather than absorbed.  Low pH (below 5.5) causes the exchange complex to be largely aluminum saturated, which pushes cesium and strontium into soil solution.  A thick organic surface serves as a reservoir for cesium and strontium, especially for uptake and retention by fungi.  A lack of clay minerals in the soil enhances the extent of plant uptake and bioaccumulation.  When first deposited, particulate to which cesium and strontium are adsorbed can be moved around on the landscape by water and wind.  If calcium carbonate or gypsum are present, strontium can be tightly held in these minerals and not available for uptake. 


Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member, or complete members of the set of soils that are suspected of having a high  Hazard for Radioactive Bioaccumulation of radionuclides in plant material growing on the soil component.  If a soil's properties within 30 cm (~12 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater than zero, then that soil property contributes to the bioaccumulation of radioactive material.  The interpretive rating assigned is the minimum membership indices for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Hazard for Radioactive Bioaccumulation"" interpretive rule.  Minor contributing soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These contributing features could be important factors where the major contributing features are overcome through management, when possible.  Studies from Europe indicate a fairly low mobility in soils, so only the upper 30cm of the profile is considered (Hrachowitz et al, 2005).

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are very low bioaccumulation hazard (rating index = 0), some bioaccumulation hazard (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or high bioaccumulation hazard (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Potential for Radioactive Bioaccumulation is a method of arraying soils based on their hazard for bioaccumulating radionuclides.  This information can be displayed spatially to show the extent and location of areas where bioaccumulation may occur in the event of a leakage of radioactive material.

Scope: National

The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.



References:

Bohn, Hinrich, Brian McNeal, and George O'Connor.1979.Soil Chemistry.John Wiley and Sons, New York.

Hrachowitz, Markus, Fran-Josef Maringer, Christian Steineder, and Martin H. Gerzabek.2005. Soil redistribution model for undisturbed and cultivated sites based on Chernobyl-derived cesium-137 fallout. Journal of Environmental Quality. 34:1302-1310.



Criteria Used:


1.  In a soil where little leaching occurs, calcium carbonate or gypsum can accumulate, depending on how dry the soil is.  This subrule rule tests for either calcium carbonate or gypsum.  The lowest fuzzy number is sent to the main rule level.


Subrules used:

NSSC Data:Bioaccumulation carbonate
NSSC Data:Bioaccumulation gypsum
 The lowest fuzzy number result from these two rules is used.

	A.  Calcium carbonate in the soil tightly holds strontium, so if a soil has appreciable carbonates, the potential for sequestration is high. 


Property used: CALCIUM CARBONATE FROM 0 to 30cm


Limits:

	CCE	0	no sequestering from CaCO3
	CCE	0-10	some sequestering from CaCO3
	CCE	>10	high degree of sequestering from CaCO3
	
	Null CaCO3 is assigned 0.
	
	
	B.  Calcium sulfate (gypsum) in the soil tightly holds strontium, so if a soil has appreciable gypsum content, the potential for sequestration is high.


Property used: GYPSUM FROM 0 to 30cm


Limits:

	gypsum	0	no sequestering from gypsum
	gypsum	0-10	some sequestering from gypsum
	gypsum	>10	high degree of sequestering from gypsum
	
	Null gypsum is assigned 0.
	
	
	
2.  Sorption:  This subrule tests the interaction of pH and CEC against the thickness of the organic surface.  These two factors represent the exchange complex of the soil.  The higher of the two fuzzy numbers is sent to the main level rule.


Subrules used:

NSSC Data: Bioaccumulation pH X CEC
NSSC Data: Bioaccumulation Organic Surface


	A.  It is thought that pH and CEC interact in influencing the availability of cesium and strontium in soil solution.  When pH and CEC are both high, then the availability of these ions is decreased.  When pH and CEC are both low, then the availability of these ions is higher.  Also, if one or the other of pH and CEC is lower, then the availability is increased.  In fuzzy systems as well as regression models, interaction of variables is indicated by multiplying them together.


Subrule:  Bioaccumulation pH

Property used:  WTD_AVG PH 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION 

Limits:


	pH 	<5.5	high potential for bioaccumulation   
	pH 	5.5-6.5	moderate potential for bioaccumulation   
	pH 	>6.5	low potential for bioaccumulation.
	
	Null pH is assigned ""Not Rated"".
	
	
Subrule:  Bioaccumulation CEC
	
Property used:  MEQ 0-30cm OR RESTRICTION

Limits:

	milliequivalents of exchange 	=0	no sequestering from exchange  
	milliequivalents of exchange 	>0-10	some sequestering from exchange  
	milliequivalents of exchange 	>10	high degree of sequestering from exchange.
	
	Null CEC is assigned to ""Not Rated"".
	
	
Calculation:

Interaction Term = (Bioaccumulation pH) X (Bioaccumulation CEC)

	B.  The surface organic layer in many soils provides a reservoir for plant available nutrients.  Cesium and strontium act similar to the plant nutrients potassium and calcium and are treated in a similar manner by plants.  It is assumed in this subrule that a thicker layer will retain more strontium and cesium for cyclical reuse by plants.  Any material leaching below the surface is intercepted and incorporated into plant tissue to be returned to the soil when the plant dies.


Property used: THICKNESS OF SURFACE ORGANIC HORIZON

Limits:
	0cm		No bioaccumulation in organic layer
	>0-20cm		Moderate potential of accumulation in organic layer
	>20cm		High potential for accumulation in the organic layer.
	
	Null organic surface is assigned 0.
	
	
	
3.  Surface redistribution:  Concave areas on the landscape tend to accumulate water and material that erodes from adjacent areas.  Strontium and cesium are added to the soil surface as fallout and are thus susceptible to redistribution by erosion, especially when newly deposited on a surface lacking an organic layer.  The general consensus is that very little erosion occurs on soils having an O horizon.  Some soils are more erodible than others, due to their composition, as is related by the K factor.  Slope is a contributor to erosion.

Property used:  EROSION FACTOR SURFACE LAYER, ORGANIC 0.02

Limits:

	=0.02		less likely to erode
	>0.02-<0.64	erosion possible	
	=0.64		highly erodible.
	
Organic layers are assigned a k factor of 0.02.

Property used: SUSCEPTIBILITY TO GAIN

			
Limits:			IF (CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""concave"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""concave"") THEN 3.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""concave"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""convex"") THEN 1.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""concave"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""linear"") THEN 2.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""linear"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""concave"") THEN 2.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""linear"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""linear"") THEN 1.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""linear"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""convex"") THEN 1.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""convex"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""convex"") THEN 0.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""convex"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""linear"") THEN 1.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""convex"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""concave"") THEN 1 ELSE 0.0.
			
			Null slope shape data is assigned 0.
			
			
Property used: SLOPE

Limits:

	Slope 	0	no movement   
	Slope 	>0-100	some movement potential   
	Slope 	>100	high movement potential.
	
	Null slope is assigned ""Not Rated"".
	
Evaluations used:

Erosion Factor, Organic 0.02
Susceptibility to Gain
Slope for Material Loss 0-100
	
	
Calculation:

Bioaccumulation Material Gain Potential = [(Erosion Factor, Organic 0.02/2)+(Susceptibility to Gain/2)]*(Slope for Material Loss 0-100/2)

The fuzzy numbers from these subrules are added to the lower of the sorption or attenuation rules to obtain the rating for the soil."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"20799"|"90078"|"8632060"
"DHS - Potential for Radioactive Sequestration"|"limitation"|"DHS - Department of Homeland Security

DHS - Potential for Radioactive Sequestration


Background:

Strontium-90 and Cesium-137 are radionuclides that can be released into the atmosphere as a result of above-ground nuclear explosions and inadvertent leakage from nuclear facilities, such as powerplants.  The behavior of strontium in the soil system is close to calcium.  Both are divalent metal cations.  Strontium, having a slightly smaller hydrated radius is more tightly held by the exchange complex than calcium.  Cesium acts in a fashion similar to potassium.  Both are monovalent metal cations.  Cesium is held more tightly that potassium, due to a smaller hydrated radius.  The characteristics of the soil upon which the radionuclides fall determines whether or not and to what extent they are available to plants and subsequently to animals.

Cations such as strontium or cesium added to the surface of the soil as fallout can have one of several fates.  

1 - They can be taken up by plants and cycled in the organic matter of the soil.  This is particularly true in acidic forest soils where the pH is below 5.5.  At this level of pH, aluminum solubilizes and can become the dominant cation in many soils, essentially driving basic cations off of the exchange into solution, where either they are absorbed by plant roots or they leach from the soil system. 
2 - They can be tied to the exchange surface and rendered more or less unavailable for plant uptake.  Owing to their small concentrations and generally high affinity for adsorption by the exchange, a soil having a large supply of basic cations and plentiful exchange sites will bind the radionuclides away from absorption by plant roots owing simply to mass action.  
3 - If the soil lacks the exchange capacity or the soil reaction is unfavorable for attenuation, they can be leached below the root zone and eventually into ground water or surface waters.  
4 - If the soil contains carbonates or sulfates, strontium can be tied up in the structures of these compounds.  
5 - Cesium, which is similar in ionic radius and charge to potassium can be absorbed by 2:1 layer silicates.

The sequestration of cesium and strontium is favored by several soil conditions.  High cation exchange capacity in the upper 30cm of soil causes these ions to be absorbed rather than in soil solution.  pH above 5.5 causes the exchange complex to be largely available for basic cations, which allows cesium and strontium to be taken proportionally from soil solution.  A thin organic surface provides less of a reservoir for cesium and strontium.  A preponderance of clay minerals in the soil enhances the extent to which cesium and strontium can be attenuated by the soil.  When first deposited, particulate to which cesium and strontium are adsorbed can be moved around on the landscape by water and wind, so convex land surfaces are less susceptible to accumulation.  If calcium carbonate or gypsum are present, strontium can be tightly held in these minerals and not available for uptake. 


Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member, or complete members of the set of soils that are suspected of having a high  Potential for Radioactive Sequestration of radionuclides in soil constituents, either oragnic or mineral.  If a soil's properties within 30 cm (~12 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater than zero, then that soil property contributes to the sequestration of radioactive material.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Potential for Radioactive Sequestration"" interpretive rule.  Minor contributing soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These contributing features could be important factors where the major contributing features are overcome through management, when possible.  Studies from Europe indicate a fairly low mobility in soils, so only the upper 30cm of the profile is considered (Hrachowitz et al, 2005).

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are very low sequestration potential  (rating index = 0), some sequestration potential (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or high sequestration potential (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Potential for Radioactive Sequestration is a method of arraying soils based on their potential ability to sequester radionuclides.  This information can be displayed spatially to show the extent and location of areas where sequestration may occur in the event of a leakage of radioactive material.

Scope: National

The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.



References:

Bohn, Hinrich, Brian McNeal, and George O'Connor.1979.Soil Chemistry.John Wiley and Sons, New York.

Hrachowitz, Markus, Fran-Josef Maringer, Christian Steineder, and Martin H. Gerzabek.2005. Soil redistribution model for undisturbed and cultivated sites based on Chernobyl-derived cesium-137 fallout. Journal of Environmental Quality. 34:1302-1310.



Criteria used:

1.  Carbonate sequestration:  Calcium carbonate in the soil tightly holds strontium, so if a soil has appreciable carbonates, the potential for sequestration is high.


Property used: CALCIUM CARBONATE FROM 0 to 30cm


Limits:

	CCE	0	no sequestering from CaCO3
	CCE	0-10	some sequestering from CaCO3
	CCE	>10	high degree of sequestering from CaCO3
	
	Null CaCO3 is assigned 0.
	
	
	
2.  The type and amount of clay in the upper 30cm of the soil can affect the sequestration or holding of cesium and strontium.  The pH of the soil affects the suite of cations available in soil solution.  At higher pH, the exchange is dominated by basic cations, which plants take up and use.  In lower pH systems, the exchange is dominated by hydrogen and aluminum, which plants do not absorb.  Thus, the beneficial, in terms of sequestration, effects of the clay content are negated as pH is decreased.  This subrule models the change in sequestration from a higher pH system to a lower pH.

Subrules used:

Sequestration Clay Content, Raw
Bioaccumulation pH

The fuzzy numbers from these subrules are used in the calculation.

Calculation:  Sequestration Clay Content = (Sequestration Clay Content, Raw)-(Bioaccumulation pH)


	A.  The clay content of the upper 30cm of the soil determines in part how available to plants various ions added by eolean additions may be.  In a soil having a large amount of clay, the ability of the soil to tie up ions in the lattice, especially cesium in 2:1 clays, can decrease the plant availability of the added cations from fallout. 


Property used:  WTD_AVG CLAY CONTENT 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Limits:


	clay content	0 percent	low potential for sequestration
	clay content	>0-18 percent	moderate potential for sequestration
	clay content	>18 percent	high potential for sequestration.
	
	Null clay content is assigned ""Not Rated"".
	
	
	B.  The pH of the upper 30cm of the soil determines in part the concentrations of various ions in soil solution.  In soils having a high pH, the ions added by eolean additions will comprise a smaller portion of the cations available for plant uptake.  It is assumed that in soils having a higher pH, the base saturation will be higher and so the cesium and strontium will represent a smaller proportion of the available cations in soil solution.  It is also assumed plants will not preferentially adsorb the radioactive constituents.  If the pH is low, the cations from fallout will be taken  up by plants and cycled.    

Property used:  WTD_AVG PH 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION 

Limits:


	pH 	<5.0	low potential for sequestration   
	pH 	5.0-7.0	moderate potential for sequestration   
	pH 	>7.0	high potential for sequestration.
	
	Null pH is assigned ""Not Rated"".
	
	
3.  Calcium sulfate in the soil tightly holds strontium, so if a soil has appreciable gypsum, the potential for sequestration is high.


Property used: GYPSUM FROM 0 to 30cm


Limits:

	gypsum content	0 percent	no sequestering from gypsum 
	gypsum content	0-10 percent	some sequestering from gypsum
	gypsum content	>10 percent	high degree of sequestering from gypsum
	
	Null gypsum content is assigned 0.
	
	
	
4.  Organic surface sequestration:  In a forested environment, particularly on acid, sandy soils, the surface organic horizon comprises the reservoir of available plant nutrients.  Nutrients are cycled, stored, and recycled through the organic mat.  As the subsurface soil becomes more fertile (contains more nutrients) the impact of the organic surface horizon is lessened and the added strontium and cesium can be effectively sequestered.  Soils having both high CEC and high pH are assumed to be fertile and more prone to sequester while soils that have low CEC and low pH are prone to have Sr and Cs more bioavailable.

Properties used:

MEQ 0-30cm OR RESTRICTION

Limits:

	milliequivalents of exchange 	0	no sequestering from exchange  
	milliequivalents of exchange 	0-10	some sequestering from exchange  
	milliequivalents of exchange 	>10	high degree of sequestering from exchange.
	
	Null CEC is assignrd ""Not Rated"".



WTD_AVG PH 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Limits:

	pH 	<5.5	no sequestering   
	pH 	5.5-6.5	some sequestering   
	pH 	>6.5	high degree of sequestering.
	
	Null pH is assigned ""Not Rated"".



THICKNESS OF SURFACE ORGANIC HORIZON

Limits:
	0 cm		No bioaccumulation in organic layer
	>0-20 cm	moderate potential of accumulation in organic layer
	>20 cm		high potential for accumulation in the organic layer.
	
	Null organic horizon thickness is assigned 0.
	
	
Evaluations used:

MEQ 0-10 in depth 0-30cm
pH 5.5-6.5 in depth 0-30cm
Organic Horizon Thickness.

The fuzzy numbers from these evaluations are used in the calculation.

Calculation:

Sequestration Organic Surface =[(MEQ 0-10 in depth 0-30cm/2)+(pH 5.5-6.5 in depth 0-30cm/2)] - Organic Horizon Thickness



5.  Convex areas on the landscape tend to spread or lose water and material and send it to adjacent areas.  Strontium and cesium are added to the soil surface as fallout and are thus susceptible to redistribution by erosion, especially when newly deposited on a surface lacking an organic layer.  The general consensus is that very little erosion occurs on soils having an O horizon.  Some soils are more erodible than others, due to their composition, as is related by the K factor.  Slope is a contributor to erosion.

Property used:  EROSION FACTOR SURFACE LAYER, ORGANIC 0.02

Limits:

	=0.02		less likely to erode
	>0.02-<0.64	erosion possible	
	=0.64		highly erodible.
	
Organic layers are assigned a k factor of 0.02.

Property used: SUSCEPTIBILITY TO LOSS

			
Limits:			IF (CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""concave"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""concave"") THEN 0.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""concave"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""convex"") THEN 2.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""concave"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""linear"") THEN 1.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""linear"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""concave"") THEN 1.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""linear"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""linear"") THEN 2.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""linear"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""convex"") THEN 2.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""convex"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""convex"") THEN 3.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""convex"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""linear"") THEN 2.0 ELSE IF
			(CODENAME(shapeacross) matches ""convex"" AND
			CODENAME(shapedown) matches ""concave"") THEN 2.0 ELSE 0.0.
			
			Null slope shape data is assigned 0.
			
			
Property used: SLOPE

Limits:

	Slope 	0	no movement   
	Slope 	>0-100	some movement potential   
	Slope 	>100	high movement potential.
	
	Null slope is assigned ""No Rated"".
	
Evaluations used:

Erosion Factor, Organic 0.02
Susceptibility to Loss
Slope for Material Loss 0-100

	
Calculation:

Sequestration Material Loss Potential = [(Erosion Factor, Organic 0.02/2)+(Susceptibility to Loss/2)]*(Slope for Material Gain 0-100/2)

The fuzzy number from this subrule is subtracted from the highest of the previous four subrules to obtain the final rating."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"20791"|"90078"|"8632061"
"DHS - Rubble and Debris Disposal, Large-Scale Event"|"limitation"|"DHS - Department of Homeland Security

DHS - Rubble and Debris Disposal, Large-Scale Event

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use for ""Rubble and Debris Disposal, Large-scale Event"".  If a soil's property within 200 cm (about 80 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Rubble and Debris Disposal, Large-scale Event"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Rubble and Debris Disposal, Large-scale Event is a method of disposing of material that has been rendered unsafe and unusable by the effects of a large-scale disaster, either natural or man-made, affecting tens of counties or parishes.  Many homes and business structures will be ruined, either by smashing or contamination.  

The assumptions are as follows.  This method is to be used to permanently dispose of material that would be hazardous to public health if left exposed in the aftermath of a major flood, fire, earthquake, wind storm, or other severe weather.  Disposal of material involved in a radiological disaster is outside of the scope of this interpretation.  Large animal disposal is addressed in another interpretation.  Time is of the essence in the disposal to avoid air quality and groundwater degradation and disease or the exacerbation of respiratory conditions, particularly with material involved in flooding.  The amount of geotechnical background work at the disposal site may not be as extensive as at a normal landfill, thus the soil criteria are stringent.  A site, such as a large parking lot, is available to field-separate the materials into several classes.  The material to be buried is expected to consist largely of lumber, broken drywall, upholstered furniture, household chemicals, electronic devices, insulation, roofing materials, pressure-treated lumber, mobile homes, and anything else not considered environmentally safe to incinerate or feasible to recycle.  This material is expected to be contaminated with mold, rodent droppings, and sediment.  Some materials retrieved from the structures, such as appliances, are expected to be recycled.  Combustible material, such as fallen trees, limbs, and lumber may be burned near the disaster area, if doing so is safe.  The ash will be disposed of at a licensed landfill.  Inert materials, such as bricks and concrete blocks, are expected to be used as fill in the local area.  Limiting the distance to the disposal site from where the material originates is considered desirable.  Access roads will need to be constructed to get to the site.  When the trench is full, a final cover of soil material at least 2 feet thick is placed over the landfill and the area revegetated.

Scope: National

The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  Improper site selection, design, or installation may cause contamination of ground water, seepage, and contamination of stream systems from surface drainage or floodwater.  Potential contamination may be reduced or eliminated by installing systems designed to overcome or reduce the effects of the limiting soil property.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Ratings are based on properties and qualities to the depth normally observed during soil mapping (approximately 6 feet).  However, because excavations may be as deep as 15 feet or more, geologic investigations are needed to determine the potential for pollution of ground water as well as to determine the design needed.  These investigations include the examination of stratification, rock formations, and geologic conditions that might lead to the conducting of leachates to aquifers, wells, watercourses, and other water sources.  The presence of hard, nonrippable bedrock, bedrock crevices, or highly permeable strata in or immediately underlying the proposed pit bottom is undesirable because of the difficulty in excavation and the potential pollution of underground water.

Properties that influence the risk of pollution, ease of excavation, trafficability, and revegetation are major considerations.  Soils that flood or have a water table within the depth of excavation present a potential pollution hazard and are difficult to excavate.  Slope is an important consideration because it affects the work involved in road construction, the performance of the roads, and the control of surface water around the landfill.  It may also cause difficulty in constructing trenches for which the trench bottom must be kept level and oriented to follow the contour.

The ease with which the trench is dug and with which a soil can be used as daily and final covers is based largely on texture and consistence of the soil.  The texture and consistence of a soil determine the degree of workability of the soil both when dry and when wet.  Soils that are plastic and sticky when wet are difficult to excavate, grade, or compact and difficult to place as a uniformly thick cover over a layer of refuse.  The uppermost part of the final cover should be soil material that is favorable for the growth of plants.  It should not contain excess sodium or salt and should not be too acid.  In comparison with other horizons, the A horizon in most soils has the best workability and the highest content of organic matter.  Thus, for a Rubble and Debris Disposal, Large-scale Event site it may be desirable to stockpile the surface layer for use in the final blanketing of the fill.




Criteria used:

1.  Adsorption:  Soils having a low cec or ecec may not attenuate biohazardous material from the decay process.  It is assumed that the upper 25 cm of the site will be stockpiled for use in revegetating the site.  It is also assumed that alternating layers of soil and biological materials will be placed in the excavation.

Soils having low CEC or ECEC are not able to retain some leachates.  A soil is a full member of the set of soils having low adsorption if the CEC or ECEC to clay ratio is below 0.05, a partial member between 0.05 and 0.15, and a nonmember if the cec or ecec to clay ratio is over 0.150.
	
	Property used: CLAY ACTIVITY IN DEPTH 30-200cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		Below 0.05 meq/100g
		Somewhat limiting	0.05-0.15 meq/100g
		Not limiting		> 0.15 meq/100g
		
	The fuzzy number is weighted by 0.25, meaning this rule cannot cause the component to be absolutely true that the site is limited for the intended land use.

			
Null clay activity is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.

2.   Porous bedrock: Limestone bedrock (and other types) may have numerous solution channels that allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with no renovation.  The porous nature of the bedrock is often reflected by ""karst"" phases of map units.  Deeper soils will tend to lessen the risk of contamination.

		  Evaluation used: BEDROCK IS LIMESTONE

		  
		  Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST, NULL SENDS NO
		  
		  Restrictive Limits:
		    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
		  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
		  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
		  
		  
		  Evaluation used: Parent Material Origin is Soluble Salt
		  
		  Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    	
		   	  
		  
3.  Depth to thick/thin cemented pan: Depth to thick or thin cemented pan may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when potentially hazardous materials are buried in the soil.   Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more then 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. If pan thickness is < 46cm then the rating is reduced by half.  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 182cm
		Not limiting		=< 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THIN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 182cm
		Not limiting		=< 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
4.  Too clayey:  This rule evaluates textures from the thickest layers between 30 and 200 cm.  Textures of cl, sicl, sc, sic, and c are rated as too clayey.  If clay minerology is kaolinitic or the soil is in an aridic moisture regime the clay content is not a restrictive feature.  Clayey soils may become sticky when wet and are difficult to spread and compact.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes and is only partially restrictive when clay mineralogy is kaolinitic. Soil feature considered is the weighted average of clay content between 30 and 200cm or above a restrictive layer and taxonomic family mineralogy.
		
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT IN DEPTH 30-200CM (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		>45 percent
		Somewhat limiting	27-45 percent
		Not limiting		<27 percent
			
	Null clay contents are assigned to the Not rated class.
 
	AND

	Property used: TAXONOMIC MINERALOGY CLASS (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		If taxonomic family mineralogy is kaolinitic then
		the soil clayey rating is reduced by multiplying by 0.5.
			
	Null taxonomic mineralogy classes are assigned Not Rated.
	
5.  Instability of excavation walls:  Under certain circumstances, the sides of an excavation may collapse.  This can be hazardous to anyone in the trench or near the edge at the time of failure.  The sloughed material may need to be removed from the trench, increasing the time needed to excavate.  The sides of the trench may need to be made to reflect the angle of repose of the material or be shored.
	
	
		A. Instability of the excavation walls can be caused by the coarseness of the soil material.
		
		Property used: FRAGMENT PERCENT IN DEPTH 30-200CM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
		Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		Above 80 percent by volume
		     Somewhat limiting	60-80 percent by volume
		     Not limiting	Less than 60 percent by volume
		     
		 Property used: SAND PERCENT LESS CLAY IN DEPTH 30-180CM
		 
		 Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		Above 185
		     Somewhat limiting	170-185
		     Not limiting	Less than 170
		     
		  (The clay content is subtracted from the sand content.  100 is added to the difference to keep the numbers positive.  This number is a sort of effective sand content, adjusting for the adhesiveness of clay.)
		     
		     
		 B.  High shrink-swell can cause instability of excavation walls.
		 
		 Property used: LEP 25-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER WTD_AVE
		 
		 Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		LEP above 9
		     Somwewhat limiting	LEP 6 to 9
		     Not limiting	LEP less than 6
		     
		     
		  C. Silty material that is not loess can be unstable.
		  
		  Property used: PARENT MATERIAL KIND IS LOESS
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		High silt and not loess
		     Not limiting	High silt and is loess
		     
		  Property used: SILT PERCENT IN DEPTH 30-200CM
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		     Somewhat limiting	Greater than 75 percent silt
		     Not limiting	Less than 75 percent silt
		     
		  Silt content is not considered to ever be a severe limitation.
		  
		  
		   D. Gypsiferous soils can be non-cohesive if they are not cemented.  The amount of gypsum is related to the instability hazard, as is the depth to the cememnted layer, if one exists.  This subrule examines the gypsum content and the depth to a cemented layer.  A cemented gypsiferous soil is not considered to be a cave in hazard.

			Property used:  GYPSUM 10-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER WTD_AVE
			Evaluation used:  Gypsum WTD_AVG from 10cm to Restriction

			Restrictive limits:	Not limiting  		<=30 percent
			Limiting		30-60 percent
			Severely limiting 	 >=60 percent
			


			Property used:  DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE LAYER BELOW O HORIZON			
			Evaluation used:  Depth to Restrictive Layer 50 to 150cm


			Restrictive limits:	Not limiting  		<=75 cm
			Limiting		75-200 cm
			Severely limiting 	 >=200 cm
		  
		  
		  
6.  Too Sandy: Sandy soils may slump and are droughty, making establishment of vegetative cover difficult.  Soil feature considered is the sand content, minus clay, of the thickest soil layer between 25 and 200cm or above a cemented restrictive layer.  This rule evaluates the weighted average of sand minus clay between 30 and 180 cm.  Textures of LCOS, LS, LFS, LVFS, COS, S, FS, VFS, and SG are rated as too sandy.
		
	Property used: SAND PERCENT LESS CLAY IN DEPTH 30-200CM (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Somewhat limiting	= >70
		Not limiting		All others
			
	Null sand contents are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
7.  Flooding: Flooding has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits building, recreational, and sanitary facility use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""occasional"" or ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
8.  Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  These soils have the potential to contamination the ground water which may create health and environmental hazards.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 200cm
		Somewhat limiting	200-220cm
		Not limiting		=> 220cm
		
		
		Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE PERCHED MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 160cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 160 to =< 200cm
		Not limiting		 > 200cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
9.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt, ol, or oh is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the thickest soil layer above a restrictive layer and between 30 and 200cm.
	
	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 30-200cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= pt, ol, or oh
		Not limiting	not = pt, ol, or oh
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
10.  Large stones on the surface: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the surface layer can interfere with the tillage and application equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 >  5% to <= 15%
		Not limiting		=<  5%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
11.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 180 cm deep.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75mm Wt. Ave. 0-180cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 25% to < 50%
		Not limiting		=< 25%
		
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.
	
	
	
12.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
13.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond have restrictions that limit the installation and function of most land use applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Limiting	    = ""none""
		Limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
14.  Rock Outcrop:  Areas that have rock outcrop in the vicinity are not likely to have a sufficiently large area of soil for the facility.  Rock outcrops can interfere with renovation of the leachate from the facility.
        
        Property used: PA ROCK OUTCROP 2(Modality - representative value)
        
        Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		The phase ""rock outcrop"" occurs in the map unit name.
		Not limiting		The phase ""rock outcrop"" does not occur in the map unit name.
		
		
Any soil with a portion or full map unit name of Rock Outcrop is returned as a value of 1 and is given the rating of Rock Outcrop and is considered a limitation.

Any soil with a portion of the map unit name listed as ""rocky"" is returned as a value of .3 and is given the rating of ""Slight Rock Outcrop"".

Any soil with a portion of the map unit name listed as ""very rocky"" is returned as a value of .7 and is given the rating of ""Severe Rock Outcrop"".

All map units have a name, no null data should be encountered.



15.  Salinity: Soils with high salinity have reduced available water capacity, which restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the highest salinity (electrical conductivity) for all horizons.
		
	Property used: SALINITY MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 16 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		<= 16 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
16.  Seepage:  The soil's bottom layer Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids through the soil and underlying materials is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the Ksat of the bottom layer or the layer immediately above bedrock.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes.  
	
	Property used: KSAT BOTTOM HORIZON (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 => 14.0 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		  < 14.0 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
6/15/04 PRF modified the hedge from ""NULL NOT RATED"" to ""NOT NULL AND"".  The Null values were throwing out a ""Not Rated"" that affected the final rating.



17.  Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. These soils may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when trench landfills are installed. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 200cm
		Not limiting		=> 200cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
18.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	
	
19.  Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the potential to restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area. This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes.  Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest sodium adsorption ratio.

		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 13 
		Not limiting		<= 13 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
20.  Water Gathering Surface: Some surfaces are shaped so as to gather water.  This additional water may cause problems for land use.  Soils that are concave up and down their slope and concave across their slope are most strongly water gathering.  Soils that are concave across their slope and linear or convex up and down their slopes are less water collecting.  Soils that are linear across their slopes and concave up and down their slopes are somewhat water collecting.  Soils that are convex up and down their slopes and convex across their slopes are the least water gathering.

Water gathering (concave) surfaces can concentrate water flow and cause accelerated erosion.  Increased costs because of materials and land shaping may be needed to prevent erosion.
		  
		  Property Used: WATER GATHERING SURFACE
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		    Somewhat Limiting		Concave up-down, concave across surfaces
		    Slightly limiting		Concave across, linear or convex up-down
		    Not limiting		All other surface shapes
		    
		  NOTE!!!  The fuzzy number returned by this rule can not exceed 0.5.
		  
Null slope shape is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.



21.  Too acid: Soils with low pH increase metallic ion availability and restricts plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the minimum (pH) of the soil layers.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER (Minimum) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	 < 3.5
		Not limiting	=> 3.5
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.

22.  Dustiness is a concern for human health as well as aesthetic reasons.  Dust generation from roads is a significant source of inhalable particulate matter.  Two dust particle sizes are recognized: PM10 and PM2.5, relating to particles of aerodynamic diameters of 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively.  The capacity of soils to produce dust particles has been found by Carvacho et al (2004) to be directly related to the clay or silt content of the soil.  Thus, the PM10 or PM2.5 generation capacity of a soil is inversely proportional to its sand content.  Gupsum is also related to dustiness because the soft crystals are relatively easily crushed to silt and clay size particles which can then be picked up by air.

Other major variables in dust generation are moisture content, vehicle size, and the amount of traffic on the road.

The ""Dryness Index"" accounts for the moisture content of the surface.  In a dry, hot environment, the generation of dust is greater than in a cool, moist environment.  Thus dust generation is directly proportional to temperature and inversely proportional to rainfall.

An array of materials is available for overcoming dust limitations (Gebhart et al, 1999).


Property used:  WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, NO O

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 70 percent sand
					Somewhat limiting	 20-70 percent sand
					Not limiting		 <=20 percent sand
					
					
					
Property used:  WTD_AVG GYPSUM 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 15 percent gypsum
					Somewhat limiting	 2-15 percent gypsum
					Not limiting		 <=2 percent gypsum
					
					
Property used:  DRYNESS INDEX

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 5  
					Somewhat limiting	 0.3-5  
					Not limiting		 <=0.3
					
					
					The Dryness Index is 100(mean annual air temperature)/(mean annual precipitation)  
					
									


References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."|Yes|03/09/2022 17:39:46|"20309"|"90078"|"8632062"
"DHS - Site for Composting Facility - Subsurface"|"limitation"|"DHS - Department of Homeland Security

DHS - Site for Composting Facility - Subsurface

Background

Composting: The Process of Biological Degradation

Biological degradation of organic materials forms the basis for composting.  This biological process depends on the active metabolism of microorganisms in a suitable micro-environment. The six critical factors for the transformation of organic materials into compost are microorganisms, heat, air, water, carbon, and nitrogen.

The microorganisms that carry out biological degradation for composting often are found in the soil or on the surface of leaves.  These microorganisms thrive in a surface or subsurface microclimate with free circulation of air, free flow of water, and a temperature well above freezing. The microorganisms also require carbon as food for energy and growth, as well as nitrogen for protein and rebuilding cells.

Composting facilities are designed to provide these six critical factors in relative proportions so that the process of biological degradation is sustained.  Deficits in any of the critical factors, or imbalances among them, may result in extremely slow composting or a dormant composting system. Mixing of materials also redistributes heat, air, and water and will speed the process of biological degradation. Large facilities may provide mechanical mixing of the compost materials. Smaller facilities may rely on manual turning of the materials or may add some materials that are too large to compost in order to create channels for air flow through the pile. 

Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) and Mean Annual Air Temperature (MAAT) are measures of the soil micro-climate that affects the rate of composting.  Both MAP and MAAT are available from the soil survey database.  Composting is most rapid in warm, moist areas that generally have MAP between 450 and 1250 mm together with MAAT between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius.  The optimal temperature inside the compost pile is 10 to 15.5 degrees Celsius. In colder areas the rate of composting may be increased by insulating the compost pile on all sides with an extra layer of high carbon materials such as hay or newspaper. To avoid extreme cold or rainforest conditions, the composting may be done inside a protected area or a building.  The optimal moisture for composting is field capacity, or freely drained but moist. Moisture may need to be added to the compost pile especially if the organic materials are dry such as chipped lumber. 

The ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the organic materials is perhaps the hardest part of the process to regulate.  Active compost piles need a carbon to nitrogen ratio of about 30:1 (30 units of carbon to 1 unit of nitrogen). Many common materials such as leaves and lumber are high in carbon and require balanced inputs of materials that are high in nitrogen such as coffee grounds or manures and urines.  Often the materials high in nitrogen are less available or more difficult to transport to the composting site. Materials intended for composting may vary in their carbon to nitrogen ratio due to many factors and testing of materials is recommended before large scale operations begin. A few C:N examples are given in table 1.



Table 1.  Examples of composting materials from a summary of 
Publications (with estimated ratios of carbon to nitrogen)

High Nitrogen Materials
Fish, slaughter, or poultry waste (C:N = 4:1)
Urine - undiluted (8:1)
Manure or sewage sludge  fresh (13:1)
Grass clippings  fresh (15:1)
Coffee grounds (20:1)
Vegetable and fruit waste (25:1)

High Carbon Materials
Leaves	 (60:1)
Straw (85:1)
Wood chips (125:1)
Sawdust (500:1)
Hardwood lumber (500:1)
Newspaper (600:1)



Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as a subsurface ""Site for Composting Facility"".  If a soil's property within 200 cm (about 79 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Site for Composting Facility - Subsurface"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Site for subsurface composting facility is the site location for placement of a subsurface composting facility without the use of a liner or placement on concrete pad. The composting facility is to process raw manure or other raw organic by-products into biologically stable organic material as outlined in the NRCS conservation practice standard ""Composting Facility"" (code 317). 

Scope: National

The bottom elevation of the composting facility shall be above the seasonal high water table and on soils with an acceptable permeability that does not allow materials to contaminate the ground water. Compost facilities should be located outside of floodplains.  However, if site restrictions require location within a floodplain, they shall be protected from inundation or damage from a 25-year flood event, or larger. Locate compost facilities so prevailing winds and landscape elements such as building arrangement, landforms and vegetation minimize odors and protect the visual resource. 

Suitability of a soil for use as a site for composting should be on soils with an acceptable permeability that does not allow materials to contaminate the ground water. On sloping soils, cut perpendicular to the contour to obtain level surface for composting facility. Direct any contaminated runoff from compost facilities to an appropriate storage or treatment facility for further management.

Soil interpretations for locating a site for composting are used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.





Criteria used:

1.  Adsorption:  Soils having a low cec or ecec may not attenuate biohazardous material from the decay process.  It is assumed that the upper 25 cm of the site will be stockpiled for use in revegetating the site.  It is also assumed that alternating layers of soil and biological materials will be placed in the excavation.

Soils having low CEC or ECEC are not able to retain some leachates.  A soil is a full member of the set of soils having low adsorption if the CEC or ECEC to clay ratio is below 0.05, a partial member between 0.05 and 0.15, and a nonmember if the cec or ecec to clay ratio is over 0.150.
	
	Property used: CLAY ACTIVITY IN DEPTH 30-200cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		Below 0.05 meq/100g
		Somewhat limiting	0.05-0.15 meq/100g
		Not limiting		> 0.15 meq/100g
		
	The fuzzy number is weighted by 0.25, meaning this rule cannot cause the component to be absolutely true that the site is limited for the intended land use.

			
Null clay activity is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.

	
2.  Porous bedrock: Limestone bedrock (and other types) may have numerous solution channels that allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with no renovation.  The porous nature of the bedrock is often reflected by ""karst"" phases of map units.  Deeper soils will tend to lessen the risk of contamination.

		  Evaluation used: BEDROCK IS LIMESTONE

		  
		  Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST, NULL SENDS NO
		  
		  Restrictive Limits:
		    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
		  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
		  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
		  
		  
		  Evaluation used: Parent Material Origin is Soluble Salt
		  
		  Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    	
3.  Depth to thick/thin cemented pan: Depth to thick or thin cemented pan may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when potentially hazardous materials are buried in the soil.   Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more then 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. If pan thickness is < 46cm then the rating is reduced by half.  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 182cm
		Not limiting		=< 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THIN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 182cm
		Not limiting		=< 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
		  
		  
4.  Instability of excavation walls:  Under certain circumstances, the sides of an excavation may collapse.  This can be hazardous to anyone in the trench or near the edge at the time of failure.  The sloughed material may need to be removed from the trench, increasing the time needed to excavate.  The sides of the trench may need to be made to reflect the angle of repose of the material or be shored.
	
	
		A. Instability of the excavation walls can be caused by the coarseness of the soil material.
		
		Property used: FRAGMENT PERCENT IN DEPTH 30-200CM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
		Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		Above 80 percent by volume
		     Somewhat limiting	60-80 percent by volume
		     Not limiting	Less than 60 percent by volume
		     
		 Property used: SAND PERCENT LESS CLAY IN DEPTH 30-180CM
		 
		 Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		Above 185
		     Somewhat limiting	170-185
		     Not limiting	Less than 170
		     
		  (The clay content is subtracted from the sand content.  100 is added to the difference to keep the numbers positive.  This number is a sort of effective sand content, adjusting for the adhesiveness of clay.)
		     
		     
		 B.  High shrink-swell can cause instability of excavation walls.
		 
		 Property used: LEP 25-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER WTD_AVE
		 
		 Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		LEP above 9
		     Somwewhat limiting	LEP 6 to 9
		     Not limiting	LEP less than 6
		     
		     
		  C. Silty material that is not loess can be unstable.
		  
		  Property used: PARENT MATERIAL KIND IS LOESS
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		High silt and not loess
		     Not limiting	High silt and is loess
		     
		  Property used: SILT PERCENT IN DEPTH 30-200CM
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		     Somewhat limiting	Greater than 75 percent silt
		     Not limiting	Less than 75 percent silt
		     
		  Silt content is not considered to ever be a severe limitation.
		  
		  
		   D. Gypsiferous soils can be non-cohesive if they are not cemented.  The amount of gypsum is related to the instability hazard, as is the depth to the cememnted layer, if one exists.  This subrule examines the gypsum content and the depth to a cemented layer.  A cemented gypsiferous soil is not considered to be a cave in hazard.

			Property used:  GYPSUM 10-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER WTD_AVE
			Evaluation used:  Gypsum WTD_AVG from 10cm to Restriction

			Restrictive limits:	Not limiting  		<=30 percent
			Limiting		30-60 percent
			Severely limiting 	 >=60 percent
			


			Property used:  DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE LAYER BELOW O HORIZON			
			Evaluation used:  Depth to Restrictive Layer 50 to 150cm


			Restrictive limits:	Not limiting  		<=75 cm
			Limiting		75-200 cm
			Severely limiting 	 >=200 cm
		  
		  


5.  Depth to saturated zone: Shallow depth to water table limits the site for use as a composting facility.  Soils that are shallow to water are also difficult to reclaim and revegetate, and contamination from leaching may create health and environmental hazards.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100 cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to =< 200 cm
		Not limiting		 > 200 cm
		
	Null depth to saturation is assigned to the Not limiting class.	



6.  Flooding:  If the number of months a soil component has frequent or occasional flooding falls within the following parameters then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and flooding is a limiting feature:

Flooding Frequency	Months
------------------	------
Frequent		>0
Occasional		>2
	



7.  Surface rock fragments:  Soils that have large fragments on the surface have reduced trafficability.  The large rock fragments on the surface must be removed.  Rock fragment coverage criteria are as follows.


	Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE  (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		 > 15 percent
		Somewhat suited 	=> 3 to 15 percent
		Well suited		 < 3 percent
		
	Null surface fragment coverage is assigned to the Well suited class.

		  

8.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt, ol, or oh is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the thickest soil layer above a restrictive layer and between 30 and 200cm.
	
	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 30-200cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= pt, ol, or oh
		Not limiting	not = pt, ol, or oh
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.

		  
9.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	


10.  Ponding:  If the number of months a soil component has frequent or occasional ponding falls within the following parameters then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and ponding is a limiting feature:

Ponding Frequency	Months
-----------------	------
Frequent		>0
Occasional		>2


11.  Precipitation:  Mean annual precipitation: Localities that have low rainfall are limited for use as composting facilities.  In places that have low rainfall, moisture will need to be added to maintain biological activity in the composting mass.  The site feature considered is mean annual precipitation.

	Property used: PRECIPITATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		
		Somewhat limiting    	= 0-1200 mm
		Not limiting		 > 1200 mm
	
                The fuzzy number for this rule is limited with a 0.25 multiplier hedge to never be more than somewhat limiting.
	Null precipitation is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.
	
	
	
12.  Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation. Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 200 cm deep.

            Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75mm Wt. Ave. 0-200cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Limiting                	=> 50%
                    Somewhat limiting        	> 25% to < 50%
                    Not limiting            	=< 25%

            Null fragment data are assigned Not rated. 	
	


	
13.  Rock Outcrop:  Areas that have rock outcrop in the vicinity are not likely to have a sufficiently large area of soil for the facility.  Rock outcrops can interfere with renovation of the leachate from the facility.
        
        Property used: PA ROCK OUTCROP 2(Modality - representative value)
        
        Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		The phase ""rock outcrop"" occurs in the map unit name.
		Not limiting		The phase ""rock outcrop"" does not occur in the map unit name.
		
		
Any soil with a portion or full map unit name of Rock Outcrop is returned as a value of 1 and is given the rating of Rock Outcrop and is considered a limitation.

Any soil with a portion of the map unit name listed as ""rocky"" is returned as a value of .3 and is given the rating of ""Slight Rock Outcrop"".

Any soil with a portion of the map unit name listed as ""very rocky"" is returned as a value of .7 and is given the rating of ""Severe Rock Outcrop"".

All map units have a name, no null data should be encountered.



14.  Seepage:  The soil's bottom layer Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids through the soil and underlying materials is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the Ksat of the bottom layer or the layer immediately above bedrock.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes.  
	
	Property used: KSAT BOTTOM HORIZON (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 => 14.0 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		  < 14.0 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
6/15/04 PRF modified the hedge from ""NULL NOT RATED"" to ""NOT NULL AND"".  The Null values were throwing out a ""Not Rated"" that affected the final rating.



15.  Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. These soils may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when trench landfills are installed. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 200cm
		Not limiting		=> 200cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
16.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	
	
	
17.  Mean annual air temperature: Localities that have very low or very high mean annual air temperature are limited for use as composting facilities.  In places that have low mean annual air temperature, the onset of decomposition may be delayed by low biological activity in the composting mass.  The additional expense of covering or insulating the composting mass may be incurred.  In very warm areas, adding extra water and more frequent turning of the mass adds to the cost of composting.  The site feature considered is mean annual air temperature.

	Property used: MEAN ANNUAL AIR TEMPERATURE (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 <= 8 and >30 degrees C 
		Somewhat limiting	 8 to <=10 and 22 to <=30 degrees C
		Not limiting		 >10 to <=22 degrees C
		
	Null mean annual air temperature is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.	
	
	
18.  Water Gathering Surface: Some surfaces are shaped so as to gather water.  This additional water may cause problems for land use.  Soils that are concave up and down their slope and concave across their slope are most strongly water gathering.  Soils that are concave across their slope and linear or convex up and down their slopes are less water collecting.  Soils that are linear across their slopes and concave up and down their slopes are somewhat water collecting.  Soils that are convex up and down their slopes and convex across their slopes are the least water gathering.

Water gathering (concave) surfaces can concentrate water flow and cause accelerated erosion.  Increased costs because of materials and land shaping may be needed to prevent erosion.
		  
		  Property Used: WATER GATHERING SURFACE
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		    Somewhat Limiting		Concave up-down, concave across surfaces
		    Slightly limiting		Concave across, linear or convex up-down
		    Not limiting		All other surface shapes
		    
		  NOTE!!!  The fuzzy number returned by this rule can not exceed 0.5.
		  
Null slope shape is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.

19. Piping: Fine textured soils high in sodium and gypsum content with low cohesion and liquid limits are subject to piping and are limited for use in building embankments, dikes, and levees.   The interpretive model uses the maximum sodium or gypsum rating index and adds the low cohesion index.  This sum is compared to the liquid limit index and the lowest index is applied to the parent rule.

	{Soil feature considered is the maximum percent gypsum found in the soil layers.
	
	Property used: GYPSUM MAXIMUM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=> 25%
		Somewhat Limiting 	 >  5 and < 25%
		Not limiting		=<  5%
				
	Null gypsum values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
 
	OR
	
	Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest sodium adsorption ratio.
		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 13 
		Somewhat limiting	 > 4 to < 13
		Not limiting		<= 4 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.}
	
	+
	
	{Soil features considered are weight average plasticity index and weight average percent passing the 200 sieve to a depth of at least 180cm or the first cemented restrictive feature.  

	Property used: PI WEIGHTED AVE. ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 10
		Somewhat limiting	 > 10 to < 20
		Not limiting		=> 20
		
	Null plasticity index is assigned to the Not rated class.

AND

	Property used: PASSING #200 SIEVE WEIGHTED AVE. ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 50%
		Not limiting		=< 50%
		
	Null 200 sieve is assigned to the Not rated class.}
	
AND	

	Soil feature considered is the thickest layer's liquid limit between a depth of 25 to at least 180cm or the first cemented restrictive feature.  

	Property used: LIQUID LIMIT WEIGHTED AVE. ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50
		Not limiting	=> 50
		
	Null plasticity index is assigned to the Not limited class."|Yes|03/09/2022 17:39:46|"20468"|"90078"|"8632063"
"DHS - Site for Composting Facility - Surface"|"limitation"|"DHS - Department of Homeland Security

DHS - Site for Composting Facility - Surface

Background

Composting: The Process of Biological Degradation

Biological degradation of organic materials forms the basis for composting.  This biological process depends on the active metabolism of microorganisms in a suitable micro-environment. The six critical factors for the transformation of organic materials into compost are microorganisms, heat, air, water, carbon, and nitrogen.

The microorganisms that carry out biological degradation for composting often are found in the soil or on the surface of leaves.  These microorganisms thrive in a surface or subsurface microclimate with free circulation of air, free flow of water, and a temperature well above freezing. The microorganisms also require carbon as food for energy and growth, as well as nitrogen for protein and rebuilding cells.

Composting facilities are designed to provide these six critical factors in relative proportions so that the process of biological degradation is sustained.  Deficits in any of the critical factors, or imbalances among them, may result in extremely slow composting or a dormant composting system. Mixing of materials also redistributes heat, air, and water and will speed the process of biological degradation. Large facilities may provide mechanical mixing of the compost materials. Smaller facilities may rely on manual turning of the materials or may add some materials that are too large to compost in order to create channels for air flow through the pile. 

Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) and Mean Annual Air Temperature (MAAT) are measures of the soil micro-climate that affects the rate of composting.  Both MAP and MAAT are available from the soil survey database.  Composting is most rapid in warm, moist areas that generally have MAP between 450 and 1250 mm together with MAAT between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius.  The optimal temperature inside the compost pile is 10 to 15.5 degrees Celsius. In colder areas the rate of composting may be increased by insulating the compost pile on all sides with an extra layer of high carbon materials such as hay or newspaper. To avoid extreme cold or rainforest conditions, the composting may be done inside a protected area or a building.  The optimal moisture for composting is field capacity, or freely drained but moist. Moisture may need to be added to the compost pile especially if the organic materials are dry such as chipped lumber. 

The ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the organic materials is perhaps the hardest part of the process to regulate.  Active compost piles need a carbon to nitrogen ratio of about 30:1 (30 units of carbon to 1 unit of nitrogen). Many common materials such as leaves and lumber are high in carbon and require balanced inputs of materials that are high in nitrogen such as coffee grounds or manures and urines.  Often the materials high in nitrogen are less available or more difficult to transport to the composting site. Materials intended for composting may vary in their carbon to nitrogen ratio due to many factors and testing of materials is recommended before large scale operations begin. A few C:N examples are given in table 1.



Table 1.  Examples of composting materials from a summary of 
Publications (with estimated ratios of carbon to nitrogen)

High Nitrogen Materials
Fish, slaughter, or poultry waste (C:N = 4:1)
Urine - undiluted (8:1)
Manure or sewage sludge  fresh (13:1)
Grass clippings  fresh (15:1)
Coffee grounds (20:1)
Vegetable and fruit waste (25:1)

High Carbon Materials
Leaves	 (60:1)
Straw (85:1)
Wood chips (125:1)
Sawdust (500:1)
Hardwood lumber (500:1)
Newspaper (600:1)


Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as a ""Site for Composting Facility"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Site for Composting Facility"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Site for composting facility is the site location for placement of a composting facility without the use of a liner or placement on concrete pad. The composting facility is to process raw manure or other raw organic by-products into biologically stable organic material as outlined in the NRCS conservation practice standard ""Composting Facility"" (code 317). 

Scope: National

The bottom elevation of the composting facility shall be above the seasonal high water table and on soils with an acceptable permeability that does not allow materials to contaminate the ground water. Compost facilities should be located outside of floodplains.  However, if site restrictions require location within a floodplain, they shall be protected from inundation or damage from a 25-year flood event, or larger. Locate compost facilities so prevailing winds and landscape elements such as building arrangement, landforms and vegetation minimize odors and protect the visual resource. Direct any contaminated runoff from compost facilities to an appropriate storage or treatment facility for further management.

Suitability of a soil for use as a site for composting should be on soils with an acceptable permeability that does not allow materials to contaminate the ground water. Slope affects the ease of accessing and manipulating the compost material.  It also will affect runoff from the site. If slope is limiting, then consult the ""Site for Composting Facility  Subsurface"" interpretation.


Soil interpretations for locating a site for composting are used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.


Criteria used:


1.  Depth to saturated zone: Shallow depth to water table limits the site for use as a composting facility.  Soils that are shallow to water are also difficult to reclaim and revegetate, and contamination from leaching may create health and environmental hazards.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100 cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to =< 200 cm
		Not limiting		 > 200 cm
		
	Null depth to saturation is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
2.  Flooding:  If the number of months a soil component has frequent or occasional flooding falls within the following parameters then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and flooding is a limiting feature:

Flooding Frequency	Months
------------------	------
Frequent		>0
Occasional		>2


3.  Fragments in soil:  Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.



	Property evaluated: WTD_AVG FRAGS > 250mm 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		 > 15 percent
		Somewhat suited 	=> 5 to 15 percent
		Well suited		 < 5 percent
		
	Null surface fragment coverage is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.	



4.  Surface fragments:  Soils that have large fragments on the surface have reduced trafficability.  The large rock fragments on the surface must be removed.  Rock fragment coverage criteria are as follows.


	Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE  (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		 > 15 percent
		Somewhat suited 	=> 3 to 15 percent
		Well suited		 < 3 percent
		
	Null surface fragment coverage is assigned to the Well suited class.



5.  Seepage:  The soil horizon with the maximum Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become an environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the maximum Ksat within a depth of 200cm.

            Property used: KSAT HIGHEST MINIMUM, 0-200CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)

            Restriction limits:
                    Limiting                 	> 42.0 micrometers/sec
                    Somewhat Limiting       	 > 14.1 and <= 42.0 micrometers/sec
                    Not limiting           	 =< 14.1 micrometers/sec

            Null Ksat values are assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.


6.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
7.  Ponding:  If the number of months a soil component has frequent or occasional ponding falls within the following parameters then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and ponding is a limiting feature:

Ponding Frequency	Months
-----------------	------
Frequent		>0
Occasional		>2



8.  Mean annual precipitation: Localities that have low rainfall are limited for use as composting facilities.  In places that have low rainfall, moisture will need to be added to maintain biological activity in the composting mass.  The site feature considered is mean annual precipitation.

	Property used: PRECIPITATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 400 mm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 400-1200 mm
		Not limiting		 > 1200 mm
		
	Null precipitation is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.
	
	
	
9.  Slope:  The slope of the soil surface influences its trafficability for equipment and also can cause erosion hazard if steep.

	Property evaluated: SLOPE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		> 8 percent  
		Somewhat suited 	<= 8 to 3 percent
		Well suited		< 3 percent
		
	Null slopes are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
10.  Low strength: Soils with high AASHTO Group Index have low strength which affects the soil's traffic-supporting capacity.  This condition is only partially restrictive when clay mineralogy is kaolinitic.  Soil feature considered is the AASHTO Group Index of the
thickest soil layer between 25 and 100cm or above a cemented restrictive layer and taxonomic family mineralogy.

        Property used: AASHTO GROUP INDEX NUMBER THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 10-40 in. (Modality - high, low, representative value)

        Restriction limits:
                Limiting                	=> 8
                Somewhat limiting        	> 5 to < 8
                Not limiting           	 	=< 5

        Null AASHTO Group Index values are assigned to the ""Not rated"".
        
        
        
11.  Mean annual air temperature: Localities that have very low or very high mean annual air temperature are limited for use as composting facilities.  In places that have low mean annual air temperature, the onset of decomposition may be delayed by low biological activity in the composting mass.  The additional expense of covering or insulating the composting mass may be incurred.  In very warm areas, adding extra water and more frequent turning of the mass adds to the cost of composting.  The site feature considered is mean annual air temperature.

	Property used: MEAN ANNUAL AIR TEMPERATURE (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 <= 8 and >30 degrees C 
		Somewhat limiting	 8 to <=10 and 22 to <=30 degrees C
		Not limiting		 >10 to <=22 degrees C
		
	Null mean annual air temperature is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.

12.  Piping: Fine textured soils high in sodium and gypsum content with low cohesion and liquid limits are subject to piping and are limited for use in building embankments, dikes, and levees.   The interpretive model uses the maximum sodium or gypsum rating index and adds the low cohesion index.  This sum is compared to the liquid limit index and the lowest index is applied to the parent rule.

	{Soil feature considered is the maximum percent gypsum found in the soil layers.
	
	Property used: GYPSUM MAXIMUM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=> 25%
		Somewhat Limiting 	 >  5 and < 25%
		Not limiting		=<  5%
				
	Null gypsum values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
 
	OR
	
	Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest sodium adsorption ratio.
		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 13 
		Somewhat limiting	 > 4 to < 13
		Not limiting		<= 4 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.}
	
	+
	
	{Soil features considered are weight average plasticity index and weight average percent passing the 200 sieve to a depth of at least 180cm or the first cemented restrictive feature.  

	Property used: PI WEIGHTED AVE. ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 10
		Somewhat limiting	 > 10 to < 20
		Not limiting		=> 20
		
	Null plasticity index is assigned to the Not rated class.

AND

	Property used: PASSING #200 SIEVE WEIGHTED AVE. ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 50%
		Not limiting		=< 50%
		
	Null 200 sieve is assigned to the Not rated class.}
	
AND	

	Soil feature considered is the thickest layer's liquid limit between a depth of 25 to at least 180cm or the first cemented restrictive feature.  

	Property used: LIQUID LIMIT WEIGHTED AVE. ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50
		Not limiting		=> 50
		
	Null plasticity index is assigned to the Not limited class."|Yes|03/24/2023 19:46:41|"20461"|"90078"|"8632064"
"DHS - Suitability for Clay Liner Material"|"suitability"|"DHS - Department of Homeland Security

DHS - Suitability for Clay Liner Material

Summary:

Clay Liner for Waste Disposal is a constructed geologic barrier used to confine and isolate solid and liquid waste in disposal sites where protection of soil, ground water, and surface water is important.  The primary objective of the geologic barrier is to control leachate and gas migration.  Flexible membranes and drainage layers may be used with clay liner for waste disposal.  In some situations, bentonite is added to soils low in clay to achieve the desired hydraulic conductivity.

This interpretation rates potential sites for sources of clay liner material.  The primary assumption for clay liner for waste disposal is that the hydraulic conductivity of soils or geologic materials in the foundation of the waste disposal site is too high and leachate and gases from the buried waste can migrate into the soil, ground water, or surface water.  It is assumed that the source clay liner material would be a minimum of 50 cm thick before it would be feasible to excavate.  The material should be free of large rock fragments, roots, or other debris since it would be difficult to screen such clayey material to separate undesirable components.  Once it is excavated, it would be transported to the waste disposal site and it would be placed directly into the trench.  Water would be added if needed for appropriate compaction.  Bentonite would be added to the clay liner material at this time also, if needed. 

Scope: National

The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  Improper site selection, design, or installation may cause contamination of ground water through seepage or migration of gases.  Potential contamination may be reduced or eliminated by installing systems designed to overcome or reduce the effects of the limiting soil property, such as the use of a flexible membrane, drainage layers, or increased thickness of the geologic barrier.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Ratings are based on properties and qualities to the depth normally observed during soil mapping (approximately 6 feet).  However, because excavations may be as deep as 15 feet or more, geologic investigations are needed to determine the potential for pollution of ground water as well as to determine the design needed.  These investigations include the examination of stratification, rock formations, and geologic conditions that might lead to the conducting of leachates or migration of gases to aquifers, wells, watercourses, and other water sources.  The presence of rough bedrock, bedrock crevices, or highly permeable strata in or immediately underlying the proposed pit bottom is undesirable because of the difficulty in getting an adequate seal at the boundary of the rock and the Clay Liner material that would adequately reduce the potential pollution of underground water.

Soil properties that influence the risk of pollution and the ease of excavation and installation or compaction are major considerations.  Soils that have a water table within the depth of excavation present a potential pollution hazard and are difficult to excavate.  Slope is an important consideration because it affects the work involved in installing the liner.  It may also cause difficulty in constructing trenches for which the trench bottom must be kept level and oriented to follow the contour.

The ease with which the clay liner material is dug and placed is based largely on texture and consistence of the soil.  The texture and consistence of a soil also determine the degree of workability of the soil both when dry and when wet.  Soils that are plastic and sticky when wet are difficult to excavate, grade, or compact.  The Plasticity Index and the mineralogy of the soil help define the consistency of the soil.  

See the Daily Cover for Waste Disposal, Large-scale Event national soil interpretation to determine if suitable soils materials are available for the final cover of the site.  It may be desirable to stockpile the surface soil layer in the Clay Liner borrow area for use in the final blanketing of the fill.

The minimum requirements for the geologic barrier are as follows:

Landfill for hazardous waste - Ksat 10-9 m/sec  thickness  5 m
Landfill for non-hazardous waste - Ksat 10-9 m/sec  thickness  1 m
Landfill for inert waste - Ksat 10-7 m/sec  thickness  1 m
(Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Subtitle B - Ksat 10-7 cm/sec  thickness  2 ft, flexible membrane at least 60 mil (1.5 mm)).
(EPA - 3 ft soil layer) 

Criteria:
1.	Soil shall be free of roots, debris, organic or frozen material.
2.	Soil shall have a maximum clod size of 50 mm (2 in) at the time of compaction.
3.	Soil max. particle size  25 mm
(12.5 mm if flexible membrane is used)*
4.	Soil min. percent passing 4.75 mm sieve  80
5.	Soil min. percent passing 0.075 mm sieve  50
6.	Soil min. liquid limit  35
7.	Soil min. plasticity index  10
8.	Soil max. plasticity index  40

These criteria were determined based on information from the following references:

USDA. Natural Resources Conservation Service. 1997. Agricultural Waste management Field Handbook. Chapter 10. 31 pages. 

US Army Corps of Engineers. August 2004.  Unified Facilities Guide Specifications No. 023377. 17 pages.   http://www.ccb.org/docs/ufgshome/pdf/02377.pdf

Environmental Protection Agency


*In the NASIS database, no size breaks easily equivalent to these sizes are used.  There is no break between 4.76 (number 4 sieve) and 75 mm.  It was thought that basing the rating on the material passing the Number 4 sieve would be too restrictive so the 75 mm size is used to approximate the 25 mm.  As a concession, the amount of >75mm material allowed is kept very low (5 percent).



Criteria Used:


1.  Area reclaim:  Soil reconstruction of areas drastically disturbed, as in obtaining material for a clay liner, is the process of replacing layers of soil material or unconsolidated geologic material, or both, in a vertical sequence of such quality and thickness that a favorable medium for plant growth is provided.

When the soil materials are properly used in reconstruction, a rating of good means that vegetation is relatively easy to establish and maintain, that the surface is stable and resists erosion, and that the reconstructed soil has good potential productivity.  Material rated fair can be vegetated and stabilized by modifying one or more properties.  Topdressing with better material or applications of soil amendments may be necessary for satisfactory performance.  Material rated poor has such severe problems that revegetation and stabilization are very difficult and costly.  Topdressing with better material is necessary to establish and maintain vegetation.

Soil properties influence selection of a site as a potential source of reconstruction material.  The soil interpretation for reconstruction material source is used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability or identifying the soil limitations as a potential source.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Vegetation is difficult to establish on soils that have high pH.  Many of these soils also have a high sodium adsorption ratio, which indicates potential instability and water transmission problems.  Materials that are extremely acid or have the potential upon oxidation of becoming extremely acid are difficult and expensive to vegetate.  They also contribute to poor water quality, in runoff or in ground water.

The available water capacity also is important in establishing vegetation.  Soils that have a low available water capacity may require irrigation for the establishment of vegetation.

The stability of the soil depends upon its erodibility by water and wind and its strength.  Water erodibility is indicated by the K factor; wind erodibility is rated according to the ""I"" value of the wind erodibility group.  Potential slippage hazard is related to soil texture, and although other factors also contribute, the ratings of soil texture represent one important factor.

The fraction 3-10 inches is a weight percentage of rock fragments in the material used for soil reconstruction.  The amount and size of rock fragments influence the ease of excavation, stockpiling, and respreading and the suitability for the final use of the land.  A certain amount of rock fragments can be tolerated depending upon their size and the intended use of the reclaimed area.  If the size of rock fragments exceeds 10 inches, problems are more severe.



Criteria used for area reclaim:

    Criterion name: AWC 0 to 30cm, 2 to 5cm/cm

    Droughty: Soils with high available water capacity are not as likely to
    be droughty.  This condition encourages vigorous plant growth and the
    establishment of grasses, shrubs, and trees.  Soil feature considered
    is the (available water capacity * the layer thickness) summed through
    the last soil layer or to a cemented restrictive layer.

            Property used: AWC 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality -
    high, low, representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Poorly suited          =< 2.0 cm
                    Somewhat suited         > 2.0 to 5.0 cm
                    Well suited            => 5.0 cm

            Null awc is assigned to the Not rated class.


    Criterion name: CaCO3 WTD_AVG 0-30cm 15 to 40

    Carbonate content: Soils with high calcium carbonate content in the
    thickest layer may limit vegetative growth of some plant species.  Soil
    feature considered is the layer with the maximum calcium carbonate
    equivalent.

            Property used: WTD_AVG CaCO3 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION
    (Modality - high, low, representative value)

            Restriction limits:
                    Poorly suited           => 40 %
                    Somewhat suited          > 15 and < 40 %
                    Well suited             =< 15 %

            Null CaCO3 values are assigned to the Not limiting class.


    Criterion name: Clay Content WTD_AVG to 30 cm

    Too clayey: Clayey soils may become sticky when wet and are difficult
    to spread and compact.  Soil feature considered is the maximum percent
    clay to a depth of 100cm or above a cemented restrictive feature.

            Property used: WTD_AVG CLAY CONTENT 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION
    (Modality - high, low, and representative value)

            Restriction limits:
                   Poorly suited           >= 40%
                   Somewhat suited         > 30 to < 40%
                   Well suited             <= 30%

            Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.


    Criterion name: Cobbles, Stones, WTD_AVG 25 to 50% - 0 to 30cm

    Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in
    size) in the upper 72 inches (180 cm) of the soil can interfere with
    construction equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent weighted
    average by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the upper
    72 inches of soil or above a restrictive layer.

            Property used: FRAGMENTS >75mm 0 to 30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICT,
    WTD_AVE  (Modality - high, low, and representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Poorly suited           > 50%
                    Somewhat suited         > 25% to <= 50%
                    Well suited            <= 25%

            Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not
    rated class.


    Criterion name: EC WTD_AVG 0 to 30 cm, 8-16mmhos

    Salinity: Soils with high salinity have reduced available water
    capacity, which restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in
    disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the highest salinity
    (electrical conductivity) for all layers.

            Property used: WTD_AVG EC 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION
    (Modality - low, high, representative value)

            Restriction limits:
                    Poorly suited           > 16 mmhos/cm
                    Somewhat suited         <= 8 to >= 16 mmhos/cm
                    Well suited             < 8 mmhos/cm

            Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.


    Criterion name: Erodibility Factor Maximum

    Water erosion: Soils with high K factors have a tendency to erode and
    when used as reclamation materials are subject to water erosion.  Water
    erosion preventative practices are recommended on soils with high K
    factors.  Soil feature considered is the maximum K factor (whole)
    within a depth of 40 inches.

            Property used: SOIL EROSION FACTOR MAXIMUM 1/99 (Modality -
    representative value)

            Restriction limits:
                    Poorly suited          => .70
                    Somewhat suited         > .35 to < .70
                    Well suited            <= .35

            Null K factor whole is assigned to the Not limiting class.


    Criterion name: Gravelly, Fragments 4.7 to 75mm WTD_AVG 0-30cm

    Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in
    size) in the upper 30cm of the soil can interfere with construction
    equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent weighted average by
    weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the upper 30cm of
    soil or above a restrictive layer.

            Property used: 4 SIEVE (NOT PASSING) 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICT
    LAYER WTD_AVG  (Modality - high, low, and representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Poorly suited            > 50%
                    Somewhat suited          > 25% to <= 50%
                    Well suited             <= 25%

            Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not
    rated class.


    Criterion name: Organic Matter < 1.5% to a Depth of 30 cm

    Low content of organic matter: Soil low in organic matter has poor
    tilth and inherent fertility.  Organic matter should be add to these
    soil when they are used as reclamation material.  Soil feature
    considered is percent organic matter content of the thickest soil layer
    above a cemented restrictive layer within a depth of 30cm.

            Property used: WTD_AVG OM 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality
    - high, low, representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Poorly suited         <= 0.2%
                    Somewhat suited        > 0.2 to < 1.5%
                    Well suited           => 1.5%

            Null layer organic matter contents are assigned to the Not
    rated class.


    Criterion name: Sand Content WTD_AVG 0 to 30 cm

    Too sandy: Soil with a thick sandy layer that is low in clay is hard to
    re-vegetate when used as topsoil or reclamation material.  They may
    also be subject to wind erosion.  Soil features considered are the
    percent clay and the #4 and 200# sieve sizes of the thickest layer
    within 100cm of the soil surface or above a cemented restrictive
    feature.  Sand percentage is calculated using the difference between
    the #4 and #200 sieve.

            Property used: WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION
    (Modality - representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Poorly suited           >= 85
                    Somewhat suited          > 70 and < 85
                    Well suited             <= 70

            Null sand content is assigned to the Not rated class.

    AND

            Property used: WTD_AVG CLAY CONTENT 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION
    (Modality - high, low, representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Poorly suited           =< 10
                    Somewhat suited          > 10 and < 15
                    Well suited             => 15

            Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.


    Criterion name: Sodium Absorption Ratio WTD_AVG, 0-30 cm

    Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the
    potential to restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in
    disturbed area. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium
    adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range
    0 to 30 cm.


            Property used: WTD_AVG SAR 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION
    (Modality - low, high, representative value)

            Restriction limits:
                    Poorly suited            > 13
                    Somewhat suited          > 4 to =< 13
                    Well suited             <= 4

            Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.


    Criterion name: Soil Blowing

    Wind erosion: Soils in low WEG (Wind Erodibility Group) have a tendency
    to erode and when used as reclamation materials are subject to wind
    erosion.  Wind erosion preventative practices are recommended on soils
    with low WEG.  Soil feature considered is WEG.

            Property used: WIND ERODIBILITY GROUP (Modality -
    representative value)

            Restriction limits:
                    Poorly suited        ""1"" and ""2""
                    Suited                all others

            Null K factor whole is assigned to the Not limiting class.


    Criterion name: pH WTD_AVG 0-30

    Too acid: Soils with low pH restrict plan growth and re-establishing
    vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the minimum
    pH (either measured as 1 to 1 water or .01m CaCl2) of any soil layer.

            Property used: pH WTD _AVG 0-30 CM (Modality - high, low,
    representative value)

            Restriction limits:
                    Poorly Suited            < 4.5 and > 8.5
                    Somewhat Suited         => 4.5 to 6.0 and >7.0 to 8.5
                    Well suited             => 6.0 to 7.0

            Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.





2.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered is restrictive feature depth where kind is permafrost.
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not suited		 < 50cm
		Somewhat suited 	=> 50 to =< 170cm
		Well suited		 > 170cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Well suited class.
	
	
	
3.  Depth to saturation:  Soil that is saturated with water has lower bearing strength and has reduced workability.  Saturation (water table) depth criteria are as follows.

	Property evaluated: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not suited		 < 100cm
		Somewhat suited 	=> 100 to =< 200cm
		Well suited		 > 200cm
		
	Null depth to saturation is assigned  to the Well suited class.
	
	
	
4.  Flooding, or inundation with moving water, can cause damage to facilities and loss of property and life.  Flood waters can transport material away from the site and can deposit unwanted material on the site.  If the number of months a soil component has frequent or occasional flooding falls within the following parameters then the rule returns a value less than 1 and flooding is a limiting feature:

Flooding Frequency	Months
------------------	------
Frequent		>0
Occasional		>2


5.  Surface fragments:  Soil that is has large fragments on the surface have reduced trafficability.  The large rock fragments on the surface must be removed.  Rock fragment coverage criteria are as follows.

	Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE  (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		 > 15 percent
		Somewhat suited 	=> 2 to 15 percent
		Well suited		 < 2 percent
		
	Null surface fragment coverage is assigned to the Well suited class.
	
	
	
6.  Hard to pack:  The amount of soil material passing the number 200 sieve, the liquid limit, and the plasticity index of soil material relates to its compactability.  Optimally, the material used for a clay liner should be readily compacted to a layer having low water transmission capabilities. 


These three soil characteristics are examined.  The least favorable of the three determines the soil's desirability as material for a clay liner.

	1.  Property evaluated: 200 SIEVE 30-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER WTD_AVE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		< 50 percent
		Somewhat suited 	> 50 to < 80 percent
		Well suited		>= 80 percent
		
	Null Number 200 sieve is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	

	2.  Property evaluated: PI 30-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER WTD_AVE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		< 10 and over 80 percent
		Somewhat suited 	>= 10 to 40 and 55 to > 80 percent
		Well suited		> 40 to 55 percent
		
	Null plasticity index is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	3.  Property evaluated: LL 30-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER WTD_AVE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		< 35 percent
		Somewhat suited 	> 35 to <= 60 percent
		Well suited		> 60 percent
		
	Null liquid limit is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
7.  Thin layer:  If the thickness of the soil layer is thin, excavation of the material is not worthwhile.  The upper 30 cm of the material is to be used to reclaim the site.  The depth of soil material available will range from 30 cm to either about 200 cm (the maximum depth easily excavated) or to the top of a cemented soil layer, such as bedrock, caliche, or duripan.

Property evaluated: SOIL DEPTH TO FIRST CEMENTED RESTRICTION BELOW O HORIZON  (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		 < 50 cm
		Somewhat suited 	> 50 to 170 cm
		Well suited		 > 170 cm
		
	Null Component Restriction is assigned to the well suited class.
	
	
	
8.  Compactable material:  The amount of soil material passing the number 4 sieve relates to its compactability.  Optimally, the material used for a clay liner should be readily compacted to a layer having low water transmission capabilities.  The weighted average of the material bewtween 30 and 200 cm is examined.  The weighted average is used because it is assumed the material will be subjected to at least a small amount of stirring during processing. 

	Property evaluated: 4 SIEVE 30-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER WTD_AVE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		< 80 percent
		Somewhat suited 	> 80 to < 100 percent
		Well suited		>= 100 percent
		
	Null Number 4 sieve is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
9.  Ponding:  If the number of months a soil component has frequent or occasional ponding falls within the following parameters then the rule returns a value less than 1 and ponding is a limiting feature:

Ponding Frequency	Months
-----------------	------
Frequent		>0
Occasional		>2


10.  Rock fragments:  The rock fragment content of a soil influences its usefulness as material for a clay liner.  Rock fragments decrease the compactability and provide planes of weakness for water flow.  Also, they may pucture the plastic liner if one is used.  Optimally, the material used for a clay liner should be free of rock fragments greater than 2.5 cm in diameter.  This rule keys on rock fragments in the 3 to 10 inch range.

	Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >75mm 30-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, WTD_AVE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		> 5 percent  
		Somewhat suited 	<= 5 to 0 percent
		Well suited		0 percent
		
	Null rock fragments 3 to 10 and rock > 10 are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
11.  Slope:  The slope of the soil surface influences its trafficability for equipment and also can cause erosion hazard if steep.

	Property evaluated: SLOPE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		> 8 percent  
		Somewhat suited 	<= 8 to 3 percent
		Well suited		< 3 percent
		
	Null slopes are assigned to the Not rated class.

12.  Gypsum content:  Gypsum is soluble.  Dissolution of the clay liner material could allow penetration by noxious materials.

Property used:  GYPSUM WTD_AVE FROM 20CM

Interpretive limits:  	                Well suited  		0 percent gypsum
			Somewhat suited		0 to 5 percent gypsum
			Poorly suited		>5 percent gypsum"|Yes|08/04/2025 21:38:01|"20382"|"90078"|"8632065"
"DHS - Suitability for Composting Medium and Final Cover"|"suitability"|"DHS - Department of Homeland Security

DHS - Suitability for Composting Medium and Final Cover

Summary:

Soil survey interpretations for composting medium and final cover materials are made to provide guidance to users in selecting the site of a potential source.  Soils may be selected as potential source materials because they are nearby, are the only source available, or meet some or all of the physical or chemical properties required for the intended application.  In theory, every soil may be used as source materials, but in reality, only a few soils have the profile characteristics that meet the defined criteria and performance requirements when rated for a specific propose.  The use of rating guides can provide the user a means to select potential sites for further evaluation.  Final site evaluation and selection require an onsite inspection to determine the suitability and quality of the materials for the intended purpose.  Implementation of these interpretations helps minimize the need for excessive random exploratory investigation by pinpointing potential sites.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are suited as a source of ""Composting Medium and Final Cover"".  If a soil's property within 200 cm of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property contributes to the soil's potential as a source of composting medium or final cover.  The soil property contributing the least is identified as the soil feature making this soil a less than a desirable source of composting medium or final cover.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the minimum membership indices of the soil interpretive property that comprise the ""DHS - Composting Medium and Final Cover"" interpretive rule.

Soils are placed into suitability rating classes per their rating indices.  These are poor (rating index = 0), fair (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or good (rating index = 1.0).

Description:


Generally, the upper part of the soil, which is richest in organic matter, is most desirable for use as medium or cover material; however, material excavated from deeper layers is also used.  In this rating, the upper 100cm of soil material is evaluated for use as topsoil.  In the borrow area, the material below 100cm inches is evaluated for its suitability for plant growth after the upper 100cm is removed.

Scope: National

Soil properties that are used to rate the soil as a composting medium and final cover material are those that affect plant growth; the ease of excavation, loading, and spreading; and the reclamation of the borrow area.

The physical and chemical soil properties and qualities that influence plant growth are the presence of toxic substances, soil reaction, and those properties that are inferred from the soil texture, such as the available water capacity and fertility.  The properties that influence the ease of excavation, loading, and spreading are the amount of rock fragments, slope, depth to the water table, soil texture, and thickness of suitable material.  The properties that influence the reclamation of the borrow area are the slope, depth to the water table, amount of rock fragments, depth to rock, and the presence of toxic material.  The presence of even a small percentage of rock fragments in excess of 4.7mm is detrimental to the desirability of the compost material produced.


Criteria used:


1.  Carbonate content: Soils with high calcium carbonate content in the thickest layer may limit vegetative growth of some plant species. Soil feature considered is calcium carbonate equivalent of the thickest horizon that has any portion between depths 0"" to 40"" (0 to 100 cm) or above a restrictive layer.
	
	Property used: WTD_AVG CaCO3 0-100cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Poorly suited 	 	=> 40 %
		Somewhat suited 	> 15 and < 40 %
		Well suited		=< 15 %
				
	Null CaCO3 values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
2.  Too Clayey: Clayey soils, low in organic matter, may become sticky when wet and have poor tilth.  When used for topsoil, controlling compaction, proper seedbed preparation and establishing new growth is difficult.  Soil features considered are the maximum percent clay and organic matter content to a depth of 100cm or above a cemented restrictive feature.  The model is constructed so that soils with clay content between 30 and 40% and have organic matter are not as restrictive as those with clay content in excess of 40%.
		
	Property used: WTD_AVG CLAY PERCENT 0-100cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Poorly suited		 > 30%
		Suited			=< 30%
			
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
OR	
	
	DEPENDENCY INDEX
	
	Property used: WTD_AVG OM 0-100cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Somewhat suited	 	< 3% (Index numbers decrease from 1 at 3% organic matter to .5 at 0% organic matter.
					 This index number is multiplied by the clay index to derive a dependency index.)
		Well suited		=> 3%
			
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	* 
	
	Property used: WTD_AVG CLAY PERCENT 0-100cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Poorly suited		>= 40%
		Somewhat suited		 > 30 to < 40%
		Well suited		<= 30%
			
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
3.  Hard to reclaim:  Shallow depth to layers with high bulk density are diffucult to revegetate and reclaim.  These layers have low available water capacity and percolation rates.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first soil layer where high bulk density is greater than suitable for root growth.

	Property used: DEPTH TO ROOT LIMITING BULK DENSITY BELOW AN ORGANIC (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		=< 50cm
		Somewhat suited		 > 50 to < 100cm
		Well suited		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Well suited class.
	The restrictive feature is difficulty of area reclamation.
	
	
	
	
4.  Rock fragments: Soils that have gravel and rocks in the depth to 100cm are poor sources of composting medium and interfere with grading, seeding, germination, and plant growth.   The following child rules are joined by the AND operator and the one with the lowest index number determine the interpretive result.

Child rules used:

	Percent Passing  #10 Sieve, WTD_AVG to 100cm -- Gravel content: Excessive gravel in the thickest layer of the upper 100cm of the soil can interfere with grading, seeding, germination, and plant growth.  Soil feature considered is percent passing the #10 sieve of the thickest soil layer above cemented restrictive feature.

	Property used: WTD_AVG PASSING NO10 SIEVE 0-100cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		<= 70%
		Somewhat suited		 > 70% to < 90%
		Well suited		>= 90%
		
	Null #10 sieve data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
AND	
	
	Cobbles, WTD_AVG, 0 to 100cm -- Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the thickest layer of the upper 100cm of the soil can interfere with construction equipment and grading.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size of the thickest layer in the upper 100cm of soil.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS >75mm 0 to 100cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, WTD_AVE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		>= 25%
		Somewhat suited		 > 5% to < 25%
		Well suited		<= 5%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
5.  Hard to reclaim: Soils that have gravel and rocks in the thickest layer between 100 and 200cm are poor sources of compost medium soil and interfere with grading, seeding, germination, and plant growth.   The following child rules are joined by the AND operator and the one with the lowest index number determine the interpretive result.

Child rules used:

	Percent Passing  #10 Sieve, WTD_AVG, 100 to 200cm -- Gravel content: Excessive gravel in the thickest layer between 100 and 200cm can interfere with grading, seeding, germination, and plant growth.  Soil feature considered is percent passing the #10 sieve of the thickest soil layer above cemented restrictive feature.

	Property used: WTD_AVG PASSING NO10 SIEVE 100-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		<= 50%
		Somewhat suited		 > 50% to < 75%
		Well suited		>= 75%
		
	Null #10 sieve data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
AND	
	
	Cobbles, WTD_AVG, 100 to 200cm -- Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the thickest layer between 100 and 200cm deep can interfere with construction equipment and grading.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size of the thickest layer between a depth of 100 and 200cm.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS >75mm 100-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, WTD_AVE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		>= 25%
		Somewhat suited		 > 5% to < 25%
		Well suited		<= 5%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
6.  Content of organic matter: Soil with high in organic matter, has low strength, and is difficult to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is percent organic matter content of the thickest soil layer above a restrictive layer and between 25 and 100cm.
	
	Property used: WTD_AVG OM 0-100cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		 > 30%
		Somewhat suited		=> 15% to <= 30%
		Well suited		 < 15%
		
	Null layer organic matter contents are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
7.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		 < 50cm
		Somewhat suited  	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Well suited		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Well suited class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		= ""cpf""
		Suited 			not = ""cpf""
		
			Null depths are assigned to the Suited class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		= ""pf""
		Suited			not = ""pf""
		
	Null depths are assigned to the Suited class.
	
	
	
8.  Depth to bedrock: The depth to bedrock limits the volume of material suitable for use as topsoil or for site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		 < 50cm
		Somewhat suited 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Well suited		 > 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Well suited class.
	
	
	
9.  Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan limits the volume of material suitable for use as topsoil and for recliamation. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		 < 50cm
		Somewhat suited 	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Well suited		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		not = noncemented
		Suited			    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Suited class.
	
	
	
10.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
				
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Poorly suited		=> 15%
		Somewhat suited 	 > 8 and < 15%
		Well suited		=< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
11.  Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio in the thickest layer have the potential to restrict plant growth and re-establishing vegetation when used as a source of topsoil.  Soil feature considered is the thickest layer's sodium adsorption ratio within a depth of 100cm or above a cemented restrictive feature.
		
	Property used: WTD_AVG SAR 0-100cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Poorly suited		=> 13 
		Somewhat suited		 > 4 to < 13
		Well suited 		<= 4 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Well suited class.
	
	
	
12.  Salinity: Soils with high salinity in the thickest layer have reduced available water capacity, which restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the salinity (electrical conductivity) for the thickest horizon within 100cm of the soil surface.
		
	Property used: WTD_AVG EC 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - low, high, representative value)
	Restriction limits:
		Poorly suited		  > 8 mmhos/cm
		Somewhat suited 	 <= 4 to >= 8 mmhos/cm
		Well suited		  < 4 mmhos/cm			
	
	Null EC is assigned to the ""Well suited"" class.
	
	
	
13.  Too sandy: Soil with a thick sandy layer that is low in clay is hard to re-vegetate when used as topsoil or reclamation material.  They may also be subject to wind erosion.  Soil features considered are the percent clay and the #4 and 200# sieve sizes of the thickest layer within 100cm of the soil surface or above a cemented restrictive feature.  Sand percentage is calculated using the difference between the #4 and #200 sieve.
	
	Property used: WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-100cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		>= 85
		Somewhat suited  	 > 70 and < 85
		Well suited		<= 70
		
	Null sand content is assigned to the Not rated class.

AND 	
	
	Property used: WTD_AVG CLAY PERCENT 0-100cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited	 	=< 10
		Somewhat suited  	 > 10 and < 15
		Well suited		=> 15
		
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
14.  Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table have limited volume of material suitable for use as fill materials and maybe difficult to reclaim and revegetated.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Poorly suited		=< 30cm
		Somewhat suited		 > 30 to < 90cm
		Well suited		=> 90cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Well suited class.
	
	
	
15.  Too acid: Soils with low pH restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the (pH) of the thickest horizon in the depth range 0 to 100cm or a cemented restictive layer.
	
	Property used: WTD_AVG PH 0-100cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Poorly suited	 < 3.5
		Suited		=> 3.5
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"20472"|"90078"|"8632066"
"ENG - Construction Materials; Gravel Source"|"suitability"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Construction Materials; Gravel Source

Summary:

Soil survey interpretations for construction materials are made to provide guidance to users in selecting the site of a potential source.  Soils may be selected as potential source materials because they are nearby, are the only source available, or meets some or all of the physical or chemical properties required for the intended application.  In theory, every soil may be used as source materials, but in reality, only a few soils have the profile characteristics that meet the defined criteria and performance requirements when rated for a specific propose.  The use of rating guides can provide the user a means to select potential sites for further evaluation.

Suitability ratings and associated restrictive features are for roadfill, topsoil, sand, gravel, and soil reconstruction material.  The ratings do not consider the quality of the source material because quality depends on how the source material is to be used.  Final site evaluation and selection require an onsite inspection to determine the suitability and quality of the materials for the intended purpose.  Implementation of these interpretations helps minimize the need for excessive random exploratory investigation by pinpointing potential sites.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are suited as a "" Gravel Source"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property contributes to the soils potential as a source of gravel.  The soil property contributing lest is identified as the soil feature making this soil a less then desirable source of gravel.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the minimum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the "" Gravel Source"" interpretive rule.  

Soils are placed into suitability rating classes per their rating indices.  These are poor (rating index = 0), fair (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or good (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Gravel as a construction material is defined as particles ranging in size from 4.76 mm (sieve #4) to 76 mm (3 inches) in diameter.  Gravel is used in great quantities in many kinds of construction.  Specifications for each purpose vary widely.  The intent of this rating is to show only the probability of finding material in suitable quantity.  The suitability of the gravel for specific purposes is not evaluated.

Soil properties influence selection of a site as a potential source of gravel.  The soil interpretation for gravel source is used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability or identifying the soil limitations as a potential source.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Scope: National

The properties used to evaluate the soil as a probable source of gravel are grain size as indicated by the Unified soil classification, the thickness of the gravel layer, and the amount of rock fragments in the soil material.  If the lowest layer of the soil contains gravel, the soil is rated as a probable source regardless of thickness.  The assumption is that the gravel layer below the depth of observation exceeds the minimum thickness.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most suited of the following soil features.

	1.  Bottom layer: If the bottom layer contains significant amounts of material that passes the #4 sieve and not the #200 sieve, and does not contain rocks or coarse fragments, then the bottom layer is a potential source for sand.  The bottom layer takes precedence over the thickest layer.   There is no layer thickness restriction on the bottom layer.  The following child rules are joined by the AND operator and the one with the lowest index number determine the interpretive result.

Child rules used:

	Percent Passing the #4 Sieve (Bottom Layer) -- Gravelly: Soil with a gravelly bottom layer is a source of gravel.  Soil feature considered is percent passing the #4 sieve of the bottom layer or the last layer above bedrock.
	
	Property used: PASSING # 4 SIEVE BOTTOM LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 50
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 10 and < 50
		Not limiting		<= 10
		
	Null sieves are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
AND	
	
	Coarse Fragments 3 to 10 inch (Bottom Layer) -- Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the bottom layer limits the layers potential as a source of commercial gravel by reducing the volume of available gravel.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the bottom soil layer and above bedrock.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 75mm to 250mm BOTTOM LAYERS (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 35%
		Somewhat limiting	> 0% to < 35%
		Not limiting		= 0%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Limiting class.
		
AND

	Coarse Fragments > 10 inch (Bottom Layer) -- Stone content: Excessive stones (rock fragments > 10 inches in size) in the bottom layer limits the layers potential as a source of commercial gravel by reducing the volume of available gravel.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments greater then 10 inches in size in the bottom soil layer and above bedrock.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm BOTTOM LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 35%
		Somewhat limiting	> 0% to < 35%
		Not limiting		= 0%
		
	Null > 10-inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Limiting class.
	
	2.  Thickest layer: If the thickest layer contains significant amounts of material that does not passes the #4 sieve and does not contain rocks or coarse fragments, then the thickest layer is a potential source for gravel.  The bottom layer takes precedence over the thickest layer.  The following child rules are joined by the AND operator and the one with the lowest index number determine the interpretive result.

Child rules used:

	Layer Thickness -- Thin layer: The thickest soil layer is derived from layer depth to evaluate the potential quantity of sand or gravel available as a commercial source.  The thinner the layer the less potential.  Soil feature considered is layer thickness above a cemented restrictive feature.
	
	Property used: THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-72 in. (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		<= 30cm
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 30 and < 100cm
		Not limiting		>= 100cm
		
	Null sieves are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
AND

	Percent Passing the #4 Sieve (Thickest Layer) -- Gravelly: Soil with a thick gravelly layer is a potential source of gravel.  Soil feature considered is percent passing the #4 sieve of the thickest soil layer above cemented restrictive feature.
	
	Property used: PASSING # 4 SIEVE THICKEST LAYER and NOT BOTTOM. (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 50
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 10 and < 50
		Not limiting		<= 10
		
	Null sieves are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
AND	
	
	Coarse Fragments 3 to 10 inch (Thickest Layer) -- Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the thickest layer limits the layer's potential as a source of commercial gravel by reducing the volume of available gravel.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the thickest soil layer within depth of 0 to 72"" (0 to 180cm) or to a restrictive layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 75mm to 250mm THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-72 in. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 35%
		Somewhat limiting	> 0% to < 35%
		Not limiting		= 0%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
		
AND

	Coarse Fragments > 10 inch (Thickest Layer) -- Stone content: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the thickest layer limits the layer's potential as a source of commercial gravel by reducing the volume of available gravel.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments > 10 inches in size in the thickest soil layer within depth of 0 to 72"" (0 to 180cm) or to a restrictive layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-72 in. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 35%
		Somewhat limiting	> 0% to < 35%
		Not limiting		= 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
AND

	Thin layer: The thickest soil layer is derived from layer depth to evaluate the potential quantity of sand or gravel available as a commercial source.  The thinner the layer the less potential.  Soil feature considered is layer thickness above a cemented restrictive feature.
	
	Property used: THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-72 in. (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		<= 30cm
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 30 and < 100cm
		Not limiting		>= 100cm
		
	Null sieves are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt is high in organic materials and not a good source of construction materials.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of all soil layers.
	
	Property used: NOT UNIFIED (pt, oh, ol) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		    = pt
		Not limiting		not = pt
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	4.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
			Null depths are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null depths are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"10324"|"90078"|"8632067"
"ENG - Construction Materials; Reclamation"|"suitability"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Construction Materials; Reclamation

Summary:

Soil survey interpretations for construction materials are made to provide guidance to users in selecting the site of a potential source.  Soils may be selected as potential source materials because they are nearby, are the only source available, or meets some or all of the physical or chemical properties required for the intended application.  In theory, every soil may be used as source materials, but in reality, only a few soils have the profile characteristics that meet the defined criteria and performance requirements when rated for a specific propose.  The use of rating guides can provide the user a means to select potential sites for further evaluation.

Suitability ratings and associated restrictive features are for roadfill, topsoil, sand, gravel, and soil reconstruction material.  The ratings do not consider the quality of the source material because quality depends on how the source material is to be used.  Final site evaluation and selection require an onsite inspection to determine the suitability and quality of the materials for the intended purpose.  Implementation of these interpretations helps minimize the need for excessive random exploratory investigation by pinpointing potential sites.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete member of the set of soils that are suited as a source of ""Reclamation"" material.  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater than zero, then that soil property contributes to the soil's potential as a source of reclamation material.  The soil property contributing least is identified as the soil feature making this soil a less than a desirable source of reclamation material.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the minimum membership indices of the soil interpretive property that comprise the "" Reclamation"" interpretive rule.  

Soils are placed into suitability rating classes per their rating indices.  These are poor (rating index = 0), fair (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or good (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Soil reconstruction of areas drastically disturbed, as in surface mining, is the process of replacing layers of soil material or unconsolidated geologic material, or both, in a vertical sequence of such quality and thickness that a favorable medium for plant growth is provided.

Most new state strip mine programs emphasize that the land surface be restored to about its natural configuration or better and that the soil be reconstructed to maintain or improve its suitability for the intended use.  Thus, knowledge of the soil and underlying material is needed to plan proper reconstruction operations of mined land.  This guide for soil reconstruction material evaluates the material as a medium for plant growth.  This guide does not cover areas of quarry, pit, dredge, and older surface mine operations that require an offsite source of soil reconstruction material.

When the soil materials are properly used in reconstruction, a rating of good means that vegetation is relatively easy to establish and maintain, that the surface is stable and resists erosion, and that the reconstructed soil has good potential productivity.  Material rated fair can be vegetated and stabilized by modifying one or more properties.  Topdressing with better material or applications of soil amendments may be necessary for satisfactory performance.  Material rated poor has such severe problems that revegetation and stabilization are very difficult and costly.  Topdressing with better material is necessary to establish and maintain vegetation.

Soil properties influence selection of a site as a potential source of reconstruction material.  The soil interpretation for reconstruction material source is used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability or identifying the soil limitations as a potential source.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Scope: National

Vegetation is difficult to establish on soils that have high pH.  Many of these soils also have a high sodium adsorption ratio, which indicates potential instability and water transmission problems.  Materials that are extremely acid or have the potential upon oxidation of becoming extremely acid are difficult and expensive to vegetate.  They also contribute to poor water quality, in runoff or in ground water.

The available water capacity also is important in establishing vegetation.  Soils that have a low available water capacity may require irrigation for the establishment of vegetation.

The stability of the soil depends upon its erodibility by water and wind and its strength.  Water erodibility is indicated by the K factor; wind erodibility is rated according to the ""I"" value of the wind erodibility group.  Potential slippage hazard is related to soil texture, and although other factors also contribute, the ratings of soil texture represent one important factor.

The fraction 3-10 inches is a weight percentage of rock fragments in the material used for soil reconstruction.  The amount and size of rock fragments influence the ease of excavation, stockpiling, and respreading and the suitability for the final use of the land.  A certain amount of rock fragments can be tolerated depending upon their size and the intended use of the reclaimed area.  If the size of rock fragments exceeds 10 inches, problems are more severe.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most suited of the following soil features.

	1.  Too clayey: Clayey soils may become sticky when wet and are difficult to spread and compact.  Soil feature considered is the maximum percent clay to a depth of 100cm or above a cemented restrictive feature.
		
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		>= 40%
		Somewhat limiting	> 30 to < 40%
		Not limiting		<= 30%
			
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	2.  Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the upper 72 inches (180 cm) of the soil can interfere with construction equipment.  Soil feature considered is percent weighted average by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the upper 72 inches of soil or above a restrictive layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 75mm-250mm WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-72 in. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 50%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 25% to <= 50%
		Not limiting		<= 25%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	3.  Water erosion: Soils with high K factors have a tendency to erode and when used as reclamation materials are subject to water erosion.  Water erosion preventative practices are recommended on soils with high K factors.  Soil feature considered is the maximum K factor (whole) within a depth of 40 inches. 
		
	Property used: SOIL EROSION FACTOR MAXIMUM 1/99 (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> .70 
		Somewhat limiting	 > .35 to < .70
		Not limiting		<= .35 			
		
	Null K factor whole is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Carbonate content: Soils with high calcium carbonate content in the thickest layer may limit vegetative growth of some plant species.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the maximum calcium carbonate equivalent.
	
	Property used: CALCIUM CARBONATE EQUIVALENT MAXIMUM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=> 40 %
		Somewhat Limiting 	> 15 and < 40 %
		Not limiting		=< 15 %
				
	Null CaCO3 values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the potential to restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 20"" (0-50 cm).

		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-50cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 13 
		Somewhat limiting	 > 4 to =< 13
		Not limiting		<= 4 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Droughty: Soils with high available water capacity are not droughty.  This condition encourages vigorous plant growth and the establishment of grasses, shrubs, and trees.  Soil feature considered is the (available water capacity * the layer thickness) summed through the last soil layer or to a cemented restrictive layer.

	Property used: AVAILABLE WATER CAPACITY (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 7.5cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 7.5 to  < 15cm
		Not limiting		=> 15cm
		
	Null AWC is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	7.  Depth to bedrock: The depth to bedrock limits the volume of material suitable for use as topsoil or for site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan limits the volume of material suitable for use as topsoil and for recliamation. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Stone content: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the upper 72 inches (180 cm) of the soil can interfere with construction equipment. Soil feature considered is percent weighted average by weight coarse fragments > 10 inches in size in the upper 72 inches of soil or above a restricive layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-72 in. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 5% to <= 15%
		Not limiting		<= 5%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	10. Low content of organic matter: Soil low in organic matter has poor tilth and inherent fertility.  Organic matter should be add to these soil when they are used as reclamation material.  Soil feature considered is percent organic matter content of the thickest soil layer above a cemented restrictive layer within a depth of 180cm.
	
	Property used: ORGANIC MATTER PERCENT  THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-180CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 = 0%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 0 to < 1%
		Not limiting		=> 1%
		
	Null layer organic matter contents are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	11. Too alkaline: Soils with high pH restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the maximum pH (either measured as 1 to 1 water or .01m CaCl2) of any soil layer.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER (Maximum) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	 > 8.5
		Not limiting	=< 8.5
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	12. Too acid: Soils with low pH restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the minimum pH (either measured as 1 to 1 water or .01m CaCl2) of any soil layer.  Low pH values below 100cm are not as restrictive as those above 100cm
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER IN DEPTH 0-100cm (min) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 < 4.0
		Somewhat limiting	=> 4.0 to < 6.5
		Not limiting		=> 6.5
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	OR
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER  IN DEPTH 100-150cm (min) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	Restriction limits:
		Somewhat limiting	 < 4.0
		Not limiting		=> 4.0
		
	13. Salinity: Soils with high salinity have reduced available water capacity, which restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the highest salinity (electrical conductivity) for all layers.
		
	Property used: SALINITY MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		  > 16 mmhos/cm
		Somewhat limiting	 <= 8 to >= 16 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		  < 8 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	14. Too sandy: Soil with a thick sandy layer that is low in clay is hard to re-vegetate when used as topsoil or reclamation material.  They may also be subject to wind erosion.  Soil features considered are the percent clay and the #4 and 200# sieve sizes of the thickest layer within 100cm of the soil surface or above a cemented restrictive feature.  Sand percentage is calculated using the difference between the #4 and #200 sieve.
	
	Property used: SAND (#4-#200SIEVE) THICKEST LAYER 0 to 100 CM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 85
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 70 and < 85
		Not limiting		<= 70
		
	Null sieves are assigned to the Not rated class.

AND 	
	
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT  THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 	=< 10cm
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 10 and < 15
		Not limiting		=> 15cm
		
	Null clay percentage in the thickest layer is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	15. Wind erosion: Soils in low WEG (Wind Erodibility Group) have a tendency to erode and when used as reclamation materials are subject to wind erosion.  Wind erosion preventative practices are recommended on soils with low WEG.  Soil feature considered is WEG. 
		
	Property used: WIND ERODIBILITY GROUP (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		""1"" and ""2""
		Not limiting		all others			
		
	Null K factor whole is assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"10514"|"90078"|"8632068"
"ENG - Construction Materials; Roadfill"|"suitability"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Construction Materials; Roadfill

Summary:

Soil survey interpretations for construction materials are made to provide guidance to users in selecting the site of a potential source.  Soils may be selected as potential source materials because they are nearby, are the only source available, or meets some or all of the physical or chemical properties required for the intended application.  In theory, every soil may be used as source materials, but in reality, only a few soils have the profile characteristics that meet the defined criteria and performance requirements when rated for a specific propose.  The use of rating guides can provide the user a means to select potential sites for further evaluation.

Suitability ratings and associated restrictive features are for roadfill, topsoil, sand, gravel, and soil reconstruction material.  The ratings do not consider the quality of the source material because quality depends on how the source material is to be used.  Final site evaluation and selection require an onsite inspection to determine the suitability and quality of the materials for the intended purpose.  Implementation of these interpretations helps minimize the need for excessive random exploratory investigation by pinpointing potential sites.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are suited as a source of ""Roadfill"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property contributes to the soil's potential as a source of roadfill.  The soil property contributing lest is identified as the soil feature making this soil a less then a desirable source of roadfill.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the minimum membership indices of the soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Roadfill"" interpretive rule.

Soils are placed into suitability rating classes per their rating indices.  These are poor (rating index = 0), fair (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or good (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Roadfill consists of soil material that is excavated from its original position and used in road embankments elsewhere.  The evaluations for roadfill are for low embankments that generally are less than 6 feet in height and are less exacting in design than high embankments, such as those along superhighways.  The rating is given for the whole soil, from the surface to a depth of about 5 feet, based on the assumption that soil horizons will be mixed in loading, dumping, and spreading.  In Table 620-7 criteria, limits, and restrictive features for rating soils for local roads and streets are given.  Soils are rated as to the amount of material available for excavation, the ease of excavation, and how well the material performs after it is in place.

Scope: National

Soil properties that affect the amount of material available for excavation are thickness of suitable material above bedrock or other material that is not suitable.  The percent of coarse fragments more than 3 inches in diameter, the depth to a seasonal high water table, and the slope are properties that influence the ease of excavation.  How well the soil performs in place is indicated by the AASHTO classification and group index and by the shrink-swell potential.  A high content of gypsum can cause piping or pitting.  Some damage to the borrow area is expected; but if revegetation and erosion control are likely to be difficult, the soil is rated severe.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most suited of the following soil features.

	1.  Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the upper 40 inches (100 cm) of the soil can interfere with construction equipment and grade stabilization.  Soil feature considered is percent weighted average by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the upper 40 inches of soil.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 75mm-250mm WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-40 in. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 35%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 15% to <= 35%
		Not limiting		<= 15%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragments are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	2.  Shrink-swell: Excessive shrink-swell (weighted average) between 25 and 150cm deep can cause roads to shift and paving to crack.  Soil feature considered is weighted average percent linear extensibility between a depth of 10 to 60 inches or above bedrock.

	Property used: SHRINK-SWELL 25-150cm OR ABOVE Restrictive Layer Wt_Ave. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=> 9%
		Somewhat limiting	=> 3% to < 9%
		Not limiting		 < 3%
		
	Null linear extensibility is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 25%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 15 and < 25%
		Not limiting		=< 15%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	4.  Stone content: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the upper 40 inches (100 cm) of the soil can interfere with construction equipment and packing. Soil feature considered is percent weighted average by weight coarse fragments > 10 inches in size in the upper 40 inches of soil.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-40 in. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 5% to <= 15%
		Not limiting		<= 5%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	5.  Low strength: Soils with high AASHTO Group Index have low strength which affects the soil's traffic-supporting capacity and reduces the soil's potential as a site for roadfill.  This condition is only partially restrictive when clay mineralogy is kaolinitic.  Soil feature considered is the AASHTO Group Index of the thickest soil layer below 25cm or to a cemented restrictive layer and taxonomic family mineralogy.
		
	Property used: AASHTO GIN THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 8
		Somewhat limiting	 > 5 to < 8
		Not limiting		=< 5
			
	Null AASHTO Group Index values are assigned to the Not limiting class.

OR

	Property used: TAXONOMIC MINERALOGY CLASS (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		If taxonomic family mineralogy is kaolinitic then
		the soil clayey rating is reduced by 90%.
			
	Null taxonomic mineralogy classes are assigned Not Rated.
	
	6.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
			Null depths are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null depths are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Depth to bedrock: The depth to bedrock limits the volume of material suitable for use as roadfill.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan limits the volume of material suitable for use as roadfill. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	> 100 to < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table have limited volume of material suitable for use as fill materials and maybe difficult to reclaim and revegetated.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 30cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 30 to < 90cm
		Not limiting		=> 90cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

10.  Gypsum content -- Roads, pipelines, and structures built on soils containing gypsum are susceptible to damage from differential settling if the gypsum should dissolve to due the addition of water to the soil.  Subsidence is estimated from the gypsum content of the soil.  Other soluble salts may also contribute to the loss of volume of the soil.  

Assumptions:

* Differential subsidence is assumed to always occur, rather than an equidimensional settling.
* Water as irrigation, leakage, septic systems, or whatever is assumed to be applied.  If no water is added to the soil, no dissolution occurs and therfore no subsidence.
* Dissolution kinetics are assumed to be such that the settling is observable in our lifetimes.
* The size of the structure has an influence on the tolerable amount of distortion due to settling.
* The age of the structure influences the amount of damage it will sustain if differential subsidence occurs.
* The particle size of the gypsum will influence the dissolution rate.  A generic rate is assumed here.

11. Dustiness is a concern for human health as well as aesthetic reasons.  Dust generation from roads is a significant source of inhalable particulate matter.  Two dust particle sizes are recognized: PM10 and PM2.5, relating to particles of aerodynamic diameters of 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively.  The capacity of soils to produce dust particles has been found by Carvacho et al (2004) to be directly related to the clay or silt content of the soil.  Thus, the PM10 or PM2.5 generation capacity of a soil is inversely proportional to its sand content.

Other major variables in dust generation are moisture content, vehicle size, and the amount of traffic on the road.

The ""Dryness Index"" accounts for the moisture content of the surface.  In a dry, hot environment, the generation of dust is less than in a cool, moist environment.  Thus dust generation is directly proportional to temperature and inversely proportional to rainfall.

An array of materials is available for overcoming dust limitations (Gebhart et al, 1999).



Property used:  WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, NO O

				 Restriction limits:
					Suited			 >= 70 percent sand
					Somewhat suited	 	20-70 percent sand
					Poorly suited		 <=20 percent sand



Property used:  WTD_AVG GYPSUM 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

			 Restriction limits:
					Poorly suited		 >= 15 percent gypsum
					Somewhat suited		 2-15 percent gypsum
					Well suited		 <=2 percent gypsum



Property used:  DRYNESS INDEX

			 Restriction limits:
					Poorly suited		 >= 5  
					Somewhat suited		 0.3-5  
					Well suited		 <=0.3  
					

					The Dryness Index is 100(mean annual air temperature)/(mean annual precipitation)  
					
					

References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.


12.  Liquefaction -- Some soils can hold so much water that they lose strength under stress and can flow as a liquid.  This condition is indicated by a Unified Classification of OH-T.  This is a proposed classification for some volcanic soils found on the islands in the Pacific, although the condition could exist elsewhere as well.  This should not be confused with seismically-induced liquefaction, although these soils would be affected by a siesmic event.

Property used:  UNIFIED DOMINANT CONDITION IN DEPTH 25-200CM

Restrictive limits:

                                     Not OH-T                  Does not liquefy
                                     OH-T                         Liquefaction"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"10028"|"90078"|"8632069"
"ENG - Construction Materials; Sand Source"|"suitability"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Construction Materials; Sand Source

Summary:

Soil survey interpretations for construction materials are made to provide guidance to users in selecting the site of a potential source.  Soils may be selected as potential source materials because they are nearby, are the only source available, or meets some or all of the physical or chemical properties required for the intended application.  In theory, every soil may be used as source materials, but in reality, only a few soils have the profile characteristics that meet the defined criteria and performance requirements when rated for a specific propose.  The use of rating guides can provide the user a means to select potential sites for further evaluation.

Suitability ratings and associated restrictive features are for roadfill, topsoil, sand, gravel, and soil reconstruction material.  The ratings do not consider the quality of the source material because quality depends on how the source material is to be used.  Final site evaluation and selection require an onsite inspection to determine the suitability and quality of the materials for the intended purpose.  Implementation of these interpretations helps minimize the need for excessive random exploratory investigation by pinpointing potential sites.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are suited as a ""Sand Source"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property contributes to the soils potential as a source of sand.  The soil property contributing lest is identified as the soil feature making this soil a less then desirable source of sand.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the minimum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Sand Source "" interpretive rule.  

Soils are placed into suitability rating classes per their rating indices.  These are poor (rating index = 0), fair (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or good (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Sand as a construction material is usually defined as particles ranging in size from 0.074 mm (sieve #200) to 4.75 mm (sieve #4) in diameter.  Sand is used in great quantities in many kinds of construction.  Specifications for each purpose vary widely.  The intent of this rating is to show only the probability of finding material in suitable quantity.  The suitability of the sand for specific purposes is not evaluated.

Soil properties influence selection of a site as a potential source of sand.  The soil interpretation for sand source is used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability or identifying the soil limitations as a potential source.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Scope: National

The properties used to evaluate the soils as a probable source of sand are the grain size as indicated by the Unified soil classification, the thickness of the sand layer, and the amount of rock fragments in the soil material.  They are listed in Table 620-8.  If the lowest layer of the soil contains sand, the soil is rated as a probable source regardless of thickness.  The assumption is that the sand layer below the depth of observation exceeds the minimum thickness.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most suited of the following soil features.

	1.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt is high in organic materials and not a good source of construction materials.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of all soil layers.
	
	Property used: NOT UNIFIED (pt, oh, ol) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		    = pt
		Not limiting		not = pt
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	2.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
			Null depths are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null depths are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Bottom layer: If the bottom layer contains significant amounts of material that passes the #4 sieve and not the #200 sieve, and does not contain rocks or coarse fragments, then the bottom layer is a potential source for sand.  The bottom layer takes precedence over the thickest layer.   There is no layer thickness restriction on the bottom layer.  The following child rules are joined by the AND operator and the one with the lowest index number determine the interpretive result.

Child rules used:

	Percent Passing #4 Sieve - #200 Sieve (Bottom Layer) -- Sandy: Soil with a sandy bottom layer is a source of sand.  Soil feature considered is estimated sand of the bottom layer or the last layer above bedrock using the difference between the #4 and 200# sieve sizes.
	
	Property used: SAND (#4-#200SIEVE) BOTTOM LAYER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		<= 50
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 50 and < 95
		Not limiting		>= 95
		
	Null sieves are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
AND	
	
	Coarse Fragments 3 to 10 inch (Bottom Layer) -- Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the bottom layer limits the layers potential as a source of commercial gravel by reducing the volume of available gravel.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the bottom soil layer and above bedrock.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 75mm to 250mm BOTTOM LAYERS (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 35%
		Somewhat limiting	> 0% to < 35%
		Not limiting		= 0%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragments are assigned to the Limiting class.
		
AND

	Coarse Fragments > 10 inch (Bottom Layer) -- Stone content: Excessive stones (rock fragments > 10 inches in size) in the bottom layer limits the layers potential as a source of commercial gravel by reducing the volume of available gravel.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments greater then 10 inches in size in the bottom soil layer and above bedrock.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm BOTTOM LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 35%
		Somewhat limiting	> 0% to < 35%
		Not limiting		= 0%
		
	Null > 10-inch rock fragments are assigned to the Limiting class.
	
	4.  Thickest layer: If the thickest layer contains significant amounts of material that passes the #4 sieve and does not pass the #200 sieve, and does not contain rocks or coarse fragments, then the thickest layer is a potential source for sand.  The bottom layer takes precedence over the thickest layer.  The following child rules are joined by the AND operator and the one with the lowest index number determine the interpretive result.

Child rules used:
	
	Layer Thickness -- Thin layer: The thickest soil layer is derived from layer depth to evaluate the potential quantity of sand or gravel available as a commercial source.  The thinner the layer the less potential.  Soil feature considered is layer thickness above a cemented restrictive feature.
	
	Property used: THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-72 in. (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		<= 30cm
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 30 and < 100cm
		Not limiting		>= 100cm
		
	Null thickness is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	AND

	Percent Passing #4 Sieve - #200 Sieve (Thickest Layer) -- Sandy: Soil with a thick sandy layer is a source of sand.  Soil feature considered is estimated sand of the soil's thickest layer above a cemented layer using the difference between the #4 and 200# sieve sizes.
	
	Property used: SAND (#4-#200SIEVE) THICKEST LAYER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		<= 50
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 50 and < 95
		Not limiting		>= 95
		
	Null sieves are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
AND	
	
	Coarse Fragments 3 to 10 inch (Thickest Layer) -- Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the thickest layer limits the layer's potential as a source of commercial gravel by reducing the volume of available gravel.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the thickest soil layer within depth of 0 to 72"" (0 to 180cm) or to a restrictive layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 75mm to 250mm THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-72 in. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 35%
		Somewhat limiting	> 0% to < 35%
		Not limiting		= 0%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragments are assigned to the Not rated class.
		
AND

	Coarse Fragments > 10 inch (Thickest Layer) -- Stone content: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) in the thickest layer limits the layer's potential as a source of commercial gravel by reducing the volume of available gravel.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments > 10 inches in size in the thickest soil layer within depth of 0 to 72"" (0 to 180cm) or to a restrictive layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 250mm THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-72 in. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 35%
		Somewhat limiting	> 0% to < 35%
		Not limiting		= 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragments are assigned to the Not rated class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"10332"|"90078"|"8632070"
"ENG - Construction Materials; Topsoil"|"suitability"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Construction Materials; Topsoil

Summary:

Soil survey interpretations for construction materials are made to provide guidance to users in selecting the site of a potential source.  Soils may be selected as potential source materials because they are nearby, are the only source available, or meets some or all of the physical or chemical properties required for the intended application.  In theory, every soil may be used as source materials, but in reality, only a few soils have the profile characteristics that meet the defined criteria and performance requirements when rated for a specific propose.  The use of rating guides can provide the user a means to select potential sites for further evaluation.

Suitability ratings and associated restrictive features are for roadfill, topsoil, sand, gravel, and soil reconstruction material.  The ratings do not consider the quality of the source material because quality depends on how the source material is to be used.  Final site evaluation and selection require an onsite inspection to determine the suitability and quality of the materials for the intended purpose.  Implementation of these interpretations helps minimize the need for excessive random exploratory investigation by pinpointing potential sites.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are suited as a source of ""Topsoil"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property contributes to the soil's potential as a source of topsoil.  The soil property contributing lest is identified as the soil feature making this soil a less then a desirable source of topsoil.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the minimum membership indices of the soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Topsoil"" interpretive rule.

Soils are placed into suitability rating classes per their rating indices.  These are poor (rating index = 0), fair (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or good (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

The term ""topsoil"" has several meanings.  As used here, the term describes soil material used to cover an area and improve soil conditions for the establishment and maintenance of adapted vegetation. 

Generally, the upper part of the soil, which is richest in organic matter, is most desirable for use as topsoil; however, material excavated from deeper layers is also used.  In this rating, the upper 40 inches of soil material is evaluated for use as topsoil.  In the borrow area, the material below 40 inches is evaluated for its suitability for plant growth after the upper 40 inches is removed.

Scope: National

Soil properties that are used to rate the soil as topsoil are those that affect plant growth; the ease of excavation, loading, and spreading; and the reclamation of the borrow area.

The physical and chemical soil properties and qualities that influence plant growth are the presence of toxic substances, soil reaction, and those properties that are inferred from the soil texture, such as the available water capacity and fertility.  The properties that influence the ease of excavation, loading, and spreading are the amount of rock fragments, slope, depth to the water table, soil texture, and thickness of suitable material.  The properties that influence the reclamation of the borrow area are the slope, depth to the water table, amount of rock fragments, depth to rock, and the presence of toxic material.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most suited of the following soil features.

	1.  Carbonate content: Soils with high calcium carbonate content in the thickest layer may limit vegetative growth of some plant species. Soil feature considered is calcium carbonate equivalent of the thickest horizon that has any portion between depths 0"" to 40"" (0 to 100 cm) or above a restrictive layer.
	
	Property used: CALCIUM CARBONATE  THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=> 40 %
		Somewhat Limiting 	> 15 and < 40 %
		Not limiting		=< 15 %
				
	Null CaCO3 values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	2.  Too Clayey: Clayey soils, low in organic matter, may become sticky when wet and have poor tilth.  When used for topsoil, controlling compaction, proper seedbed preparation and establishing new growth is difficult.  Soil features considered are the maximum percent clay and organic matter content to a depth of 100cm or above a cemented restrictive feature.  The model is constructed so that soils with clay content between 30 and 40% and have organic matter are not as restrictive as those with clay content in excess of 40%.
		
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 30%
		Not limiting		=< 30%
			
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
OR	
	
	DEPENDENCY INDEX
	
	Property used: ORGANIC MATTER PERCENT  THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Somewhat limiting	 < 3% (Index numbers decrease from 1 at 3% organic matter to .5 at 0% organic matter. This index number is multiplied by the clay index to derive a dependency index.)
		Not limiting		=> 3%
			
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	* 
	
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		>= 40%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 30 to < 40%
		Not limiting		<= 30%
			
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	3.  Hard to reclaim:  Shallow depth to layers with high bulk density are diffucult to revegetate and reclaim.  These layers have low available water capacity and percolation rates.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first soil layer where high bulk density is greater then 1.8.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BULK DENSITY >1.8 G/CC (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Hard to reclaim: Soils that have gravel and rocks in the thickest layer between 40 and 72 inches are poor sources of top soil and interfere with grading, seeding, germination, and plant growth.   The following child rules are joined by the AND operator and the one with the lowest index number determine the interpretive result.

Child rules used:

	Percent Passing  #10 Sieve; Thickest Layer 40 to 72 inches -- Gravel content: Excessive gravel in the thickest layer between 40 and 72 inches can interfere with grading, seeding, germination, and plant growth.  Soil feature considered is percent passing the #10 sieve of the thickest soil layer above cemented restrictive feature.

	Property used: PASSING # 10 SIEVE THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 40-72 in. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		<= 50%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50% to < 75%
		Not limiting		>= 75%
		
	Null #10 sieve data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
AND	
	
	Cobbles in the Thickest Layer 40 to 72 inches -- Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the thickest layer between 40 and 72 inches deep can interfere with construction equipment and grading.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size of the thickest layer between a depth of 40 to 72 inches.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS  75mm to 250mm  THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH  40-72 in (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 25%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 5% to < 25%
		Not limiting		<= 5%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Rock fragments: Soils that have gravel and rocks in the thickest layer to a depth of 40 inches are poor sources of top soil and interfere with grading, seeding, germination, and plant growth.   The following child rules are joined by the AND operator and the one with the lowest index number determine the interpretive result.

Child rules used:

	Percent Passing  #10 Sieve in the Thickest Layer to 40 in. -- Gravel content: Excessive gravel in the thickest layer of the upper 40 inches (100 cm) of the soil can interfere with grading, seeding, germination, and plant growth.  Soil feature considered is percent passing the #10 sieve of the thickest soil layer above cemented restrictive feature.

	Property used: PASSING # 10 SIEVE THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-40 in. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		<= 70%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 70% to < 90%
		Not limiting		>= 90%
		
	Null #10 sieve data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
AND	
	
	Cobbles in the Thickest Layer to 40 inches -- Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the thickest layer of the upper 40 inches (100 cm) of the soil can interfere with construction equipment and grading.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size of the thickest layer in the upper 40 inches of soil.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS  75mm to 250mm  THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH  0-40 in. (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 25%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 5% to < 25%
		Not limiting		<= 5%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	6.  Content of organic matter: Soil with high in organic matter, has low strength, and is difficult to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is percent organic matter content of the thickest soil layer above a restrictive layer and between 25 and 100cm.
	
	Property used: ORGANIC MATTER PERCENT THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 30%
		Somewhat limiting	=> 15% to <= 30%
		Not limiting		 < 15%
		
	Null layer organic matter contents are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	7.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
			Null depths are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null depths are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Depth to bedrock: The depth to bedrock limits the volume of material suitable for use as topsoil or for site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan limits the volume of material suitable for use as topsoil and for recliamation. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	10. Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
				
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 8 and < 15%
		Not limiting		=< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	11. Too acid: Soils with low pH restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the (pH) of the thickest horizon in the depth range 0 to 100cm or a cemented restictive layer.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-100cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	 < 3.5
		Not limiting	=> 3.5
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	12. Salinity: Soils with high salinity in the thickest layer have reduced available water capacity, which restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the salinity (electrical conductivity) for the thickest horizon within 100cm of the soil surface.
		
	Property used: SOIL SALINITY THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-100cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		  > 8 mmhos/cm
		Somewhat limiting	 <= 4 to >= 8 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		  < 4 mmhos/cm			
	
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	13. Too sandy: Soil with a thick sandy layer that is low in clay is hard to re-vegetate when used as topsoil or reclamation material.  They may also be subject to wind erosion.  Soil features considered are the percent clay and the #4 and 200# sieve sizes of the thickest layer within 100cm of the soil surface or above a cemented restrictive feature.  Sand percentage is calculated using the difference between the #4 and #200 sieve.
	
	Property used: SAND (#4-#200SIEVE) THICKEST LAYER 0 to 100 CM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 85
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 70 and < 85
		Not limiting		<= 70
		
	Null sieves are assigned to the Not rated class.

AND 	
	
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT  THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 	=< 10cm
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 10 and < 15
		Not limiting		=> 15cm
		
	Null clay percentage in the thickest layer is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	14. Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio in the thickest layer have the potential to restrict plant growth and re-establishing vegetation when used as a source of topsoil.  Soil feature considered is the thickest layer's sodium adsorption ratio within a depth of 100cm or above a cemented restrictive feature.
		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-100cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 13 
		Somewhat limiting	 > 4 to < 13
		Not limiting		<= 4 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	15. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table have limited volume of material suitable for use as fill materials and maybe difficult to reclaim and revegetated.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 30cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 30 to < 90cm
		Not limiting		=> 90cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

                        16.  Aluminum saturation -- Some agricultural crops suffer from aluminum toxicity when the Al saturation is only 10%. Aluminum interferes with the photosynthetic cycle by complexing with phosphate, so with high soluble aluminum the plant is starved for phosphate. Al-toxicity also stunts root growth thereby limiting the amount of soil the plant can exploit for nutrients. Stunted roots can also limit water uptake and can cause plants to wilt with only a few days without water. Some plants (e.g. cassava) have high tolerance to high levels of soluble aluminum. High soluble Al and acidity may adversely affect soil health by inhibiting beneficial organisms. When liming soils with high soluble aluminum the rule of thumb is to add 1.5 tons of CaCO3 per acre for every milliequivalents of soluble aluminum. The pH only needs to be raised to about 5.5 to eliminate the harmful effects of high soluble aluminum. (Source: Dr. Robert Gavenda, PhD; PowerPoint presentation on soil degradation)

About one-third of the tropics (1.5 billion hectares) has sufficiently strong soil acidity for soluble aluminum to be toxic to most crop species. This constraint is defined as having more than 60% Al saturation in some part of the top 50 cm of soil. A soil pH value of less than 5.5 usually indicates this problem (Evans and Kamprath, 1970). Aluminum toxicity is most prevalent in the humid tropics and acid savannas. This constraint is found mainly in soils classified as oxisols, ultisols and closely related inceptisols and is correlated with low nutrient capital reserves. Aluminum toxicity is usually the overwhelming constraint in these soils and must be tackled first, either by modern lime application practices, by using Al-tolerant plant species or by breeding for Al-tolerant varieties (Sanchez and Salinas, 1981). It is relevant to note that aluminum toxicity is rare in most smallholder farming areas of subhumid and semiarid Africa, except for parts of Rwanda, Burundi, Northern Zambia, Southern Congo, KwaZulu Natal Province in South Africa and in some sandy soils of Zimbabwe (Sanchez et al., 1997). Two-thirds of the tropics does not have enough aluminum saturation to worry about. Aluminum toxicity can become a positive soil quality attribute when using Al-tolerant plants in P-deficient soils. The low pH facilitates the dissolution of phosphate rocks, letting, in effect, the H+ ions in the soil do what a superphosphate factory doestreating rock phosphates with acids (Sanchez and Salinas, 1981). High aluminum saturation, as defined by this modifier, is also a positive attribute for rubber and tea production (Smith, 1989).  (Source: Fertility capability soil classification: a tool to help assess soil quality in the tropics by Pedro A. Sancheza,, Cheryl A. Palma, and Stanley W. Buol)

Property Used:  ALUMINIUM SATURATION WTD AVE TO 100CM

Suitability limits:  

                < 15 %	       Suited
	15 - 80%        Moderately suited
	>= 80%         Not suited

17.  Exchange capacity -- Some soils lack the ability to retain cations.  Application of liming materials and other fertilizers must be more frequent to maintain the intended vegetation.  Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is the measure of how well a soil can retain cations, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.  CEC is measured in milliequivalents (meq) per 100 grams soil.  Here a capacity is used and the measurement is milliequivalents per unit volume soil in the rooting depth or to 100cm.  In soils having pH less than 5.5, effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) is reported. 

Property used:  MEQ 0-100cm (ECEC FIRST) OR RESTRICTION

Suitability limits:      Well suited                 >20 meq
                               Moderately suited      0-20 meq
                               Unsuited                     0 meq

18.   Liquefaction -- Some soils can hold so much water that they lose strength under stress and can flow as a liquid.  This condition is indicated by a Unified Classification of OH-T.  This is a proposed classification for some volcanic soils found on the islands in the Pacific, although the condition could exist elsewhere as well.  This should not be confused with seismically-induced liquefaction, although these soils would be affected by a siesmic event.

Property used:  UNIFIED DOMINANT CONDITION IN DEPTH 25-100CM

Restrictive limits:

                                    Suited                   Not OH-T, Does not liquefy
                                    Not suited             OH-T,  Liquefaction


19.  Too acid -- In some areas, such as the Pacific Basin, where liming materials are scarce, low pH can render soil material unsuitable for use as topsoil.  If the pH is below 5.5 and the soil is well buffered, the amount of lime needed to raise the pH to levels where plants can grow may be prohibitive.

Subrule used:  pH and Lime Requirement, which reports the highest fuzzy number from these subrules:

       a.  pH in Thickest Layer 0-100cm

                Property used:  WTD_AVG PH 0-100cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION
               Suitability limits:
                                                Suited                        pH>5.5
                                                Moderately suited     pH 3.5 to 5.5
                                                Not suited                 pH<3.5

                                               OR

       b.  Lime requirement for Andisols/*Andic*
                 Property used:     TAXONOMIC SUBGROUP
                                            Suitability limits:  Sugroup=*Andic* or *vitrandic*
                                                      OR
                Property used:     TAXONOMIC ORDER
                                            Suitability limits: Order = Andisols

                                                       OR
                Property used:   SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-100cm
                                           Suitability limits:
                                                                        Suited                           pH>5.5
                                                                        Moderately suited        pH 4.8 to 5.5
                                                                        Not suited                    pH < 4.8
                                               
                                                    OR
               
        c.   Lime requirement for Histosols
               Property used:  TAXONOMIC ORDER
                                                              Suitability limits: Order = Histosols

                                               OR

                       Property used:   SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-100cm
                                           Suitability limits:
                                                                        Suited                           pH>4.8
                                                                        Moderately suited        pH 4.0 to 4.8
                                                                        Not suited                    pH <4.0"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"10345"|"90078"|"8632071"
"ENG - Daily Cover for Landfill"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Daily Cover for Landfill

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as ""Daily Cover for Landfill"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Daily Cover for Landfill"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Daily cover for landfill is the soil material that is applied daily to compacted solid waste in a sanitary landfill.  The cover material is obtained offsite, transported, and spread on the area.  The required soil characteristics for both daily and final cover materials are similar enough to share one rating.

Scope: National

Soil interpretations for Daily Cover for Landfills are a tool for guiding the user in barrow site selection and has additional application for the reclamation of some quarries, pits, and surface mine operations.  The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  The ratings are for soils in their present condition and do not consider present land use.

Suitability of a soil for use as cover is based on properties that reflect workability and the ease of digging and of moving and spreading the material over the refuse daily during both wet and dry periods.  Soils that are loamy or silty and that are free of stones are better suited than other soils.  Clayey soils may be sticky and difficult to spread, and sandy soils may be subject to soil blowing.  Slope affects the ease of excavation and of moving the cover material.  It also may affect the final configuration of the borrow area and, thus, runoff, erosion, and reclamation.

The soils selected for daily cover for landfill should also be suitable for growing plants.  They should not contain significant amounts of substances that are toxic to plants, such as a high content of sodium, salts, or lime.  They should be thick enough over bedrock, a cemented pan, or the water table so that material can be removed efficiently while leaving a borrow area that can be revegetated.  However, some damage to the borrow area is expected and plant growth may not be optimum.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Too Acid: Soils with low pH restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the (pH) of the thickest horizon in the depth range 10"" to 72"" (25-180 cm) or restrictive layer.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 25-150cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	 < 3.5
		Not limiting	=> 3.5
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
	2.  Carbonate content: Soils with high calcium carbonate content in the thickest layer may limit vegetative growth of some plant species. Soil feature considered is calcium carbonate equivalent for the thickest horizon that has any portion in the depths 10"" to > 60"" (25 to 500 cm) or above a restrictive layer.
	
	Property used: CALCIUM CARBONATE THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 25, >150CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 > 40%
		Not limiting	=< 40%
		
	Null CaCO3 values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
	3.  Too clayey: Clayey soils may become sticky when wet and are difficult to spread and compact.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes and is only partially restrictive when clay mineralogy is kaolinitic.  Soil feature considered is the first or rv USDA texture of the thickest soil layer between 25 and 150cm or above a restrictive layer and taxonomic family mineralogy.
		
	Property used: WTD_AVG CLAY CONTENT 25-150cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION,  (Modality -high, low, and representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		>45 percent
		Somewhat limiting	27-45 percent
		Not limiting	<27 percent
			
	Null clay contents are assigned to the Not rated class.

OR

	Property used: TAXONOMIC MINERALOGY CLASS (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		If taxonomic family mineralogy is kaolinitic then
		the soil clayey rating is reduced by .5.
			
	Null taxonomic mineralogy classes are assigned Not Rated

	4.  Gravel content: Gravel (small stones) may impede the workability of the soil and restrict site reclamation.  This condition is restrictive when the soil contains a high content of gravel and not in the set of soils considered organic as defined by the soil Not in unified class ""pt"".  Soil feature considered is weighted average of rock fragments of size 2mm to <75mm in all horizons above a restrictive layer or within 180cm of the surface.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 2mm-<75mm WT. AVE. 0-180cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 50%
		Somewhat limiting	> 25% to < 50%
		Not limiting		< 25%
		
	Null sieve and unified classes are assigned to the Limiting class.

And	
	
	Property used: UNIFIED (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits: Pt or Null Unified classes are not considered by this rule and if present will give a Not limiting rating for Gravel content.

		
	5.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt is high in organic materials, have low strength, and are hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the thickest soil layer between 25 and 180cm.
	
	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 25-180cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pt""
		Not limiting	not = ""pt""
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
	6.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 180 cm deep.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75mm Wt. Ave. 0-180cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 50%
		Somewhat limiting	> 25% to < 50%
		Not limiting		< 25%
				
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.
		
	7.  Seepage:  When the thickest soil horizon's Ksat is high then the rate of water movement through these materials is high and seepage and/or leaching is an environmental, health, and performance concern.
	
	Property used: PERMEABILITY THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 25-150cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=> 42 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	> 14 to < 42 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		=< 14 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
	8.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and kind where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned to the Not limiting class.

OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null  USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
	9.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
					  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
	10. Salinity: Soils with high salinity and not in aridic moisture regimes have reduced available water capacity which restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes.  Soil feature considered is the highest value of salinity (electrical conductivity) for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 10"" to 60"" (25-150 cm).
		
	Property used: SALINITY MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 25-150cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 16 mmnos/cm
		Not limiting		<= 16 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
	11. Depth to bedrock: The depth to bedrock limits the volume of material suitable for use as landfill cover.  Soils that are shallow are also difficult to reclaim and re-vegetated.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to =< 150cm
		Not limiting		 > 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
	12. Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan restricts the construction, installation, and functioning of the installed application.  Soils that are shallow are also difficult to reclaim and re-vegetated.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to =< 150cm
		Not limiting		 > 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
	13. Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
		
	14. Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the potential to restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area. This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes.  Soil feature considered is the highest value of sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 10"" to 60"" (25-150 cm).

		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 25-150cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 13 mmnos/cm
		Not limiting		<= 13 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
	15. Hard to compact: Soil's are HARD TO PACK if they are in Unified classes mh, ol, oh, or ch.  This condition is only partially restrictive when clay mineralogy is kaolinitic. Soil feature considered is the first or rv Unified class of the thickest soil layer between 25 and 180cm or above a restrictive layer and taxonomic family mineralogy. 


	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 25-180cm (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		= ol, oh, ch, mh
		Somewhat limiting	= ol, oh, ch, mh
					   If kaolinitic
		Not limiting		All others
			
	Null UNIFIED class is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	Property used: TAXONOMIC MINERALOGY CLASS (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		If taxonomic family mineralogy is kaolinitic then
		the soil clayey rating is reduced by .5.
			
		Null taxonomic mineralogy classes are assigned Not limiting.
		
	16. Too Sandy: Sandy soils may be subject to soil blowing and are droughty, making establishment of vegetative cover difficult.  Soil feature considered is the first or rv USDA texture of the thickest soil layer between 25 and 180cm or above a restrictive layer.
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 25-180cm (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		= cos, s, fs, sg
		Somewhat limiting	= cos, s, fs, sg
		Not limiting		All others
			
	Null USDA textures are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	17.  Depth to saturated zone: Shallow depth to water table limits the volume of material suitable for use as landfill cover.  Soils that are shallow to water are also difficult to reclaim and revegetated and contamination from leaching may create health and environmental hazards.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 45cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 45 to =< 105cm
		Not limiting		 > 105cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

18.  Dustiness is a concern for human health as well as aesthetic reasons.  Dust generation from roads is a significant source of inhalable particulate matter.  Two dust particle sizes are recognized: PM10 and PM2.5, relating to particles of aerodynamic diameters of 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively.  The capacity of soils to produce dust particles has been found by Carvacho et al (2004) to be directly related to the clay or silt content of the soil.  Thus, the PM10 or PM2.5 generation capacity of a soil is inversely proportional to its sand content.  Gypsum is also related to dustiness because the soft crystals are relatively easily crushed to silt and clay size particles which can then be picked up by air.

Other major variables in dust generation are moisture content, vehicle size, time of year, and the amount of working of the soil.

The ""Dryness Index"" accounts for the moisture content of the surface.  In a dry, hot environment, the generation of dust is greater than in a cool, moist environment.  Thus dust generation is directly proportional to temperature and inversely proportional to rainfall.

An array of materials is available for overcoming dust limitations (Gebhart et al, 1999).


Property used:  WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, NO O

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 70 percent sand
					Somewhat limiting	 20-70 percent sand
					Not limiting		 <=20 percent sand
					
					
					
Property used:  WTD_AVG GYPSUM 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 15 percent gypsum
					Somewhat limiting	 2-15 percent gypsum
					Not limiting		 <=2 percent gypsum
					
					
Property used:  DRYNESS INDEX

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 5  
					Somewhat limiting	 0.3-5  
					Not limiting		 <=0.3
					
					
					The Dryness Index is 100(mean annual air temperature)/(mean annual precipitation)  
					
									


References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"989"|"90078"|"8632072"
"ENG - Deep Infiltration Systems"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Deep Infiltration Systems

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as ""Deep Infiltration Systems"".  If a soil's property within 200 cm (about 79 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting for the land use.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership index for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Deep Infiltration Systems"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Deep Infiltration Systems are a set of Best Management Practices for stormwater management.  These systems include rain gardens, bioretention basins, and infiltration basins.  These methods slow the movement of stormwater to surface waters and also filter a significant portion of pollutants from the stormwater.  The fundamental function of these systems is to hold the runoff generated from an area during a one inch rainfall event.  These systems are placed into the soil 3 to five feet, depending on the application.  There should be little or no ponding at the surface of the practice.  The water should infiltrate into the surrounding soil in 24 to 48 hours.

Scope: West Virginia and surrounding states

The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  Improper site selection, design, or installation may cause contamination of ground water, seepage, and contamination of stream systems from surface drainage or floodwater.  In areas underlain by carbonate bedrock, special design techniques will be needed to avoid rapid groundwater contamination and sinkhole development (Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, 2002).  

The estimated land area needed to infiltrate stormwater runoff is to be about one twentieth the size of the area producing the runoff.  The actual size will vary based on the infiltration capacity of the soil and whether of not the local bedrock is comprised largely of limestone.   

Ratings are based on properties and qualities to the depth normally observed during soil mapping (approximately 6 or 7 feet).  Properties that influence the risk of pollution, ease of excavation, trafficability, and revegetation are major considerations.  Soils that flood or have a water table within the depth of excavation present a potential pollution hazard and limit the useability of the site.  Slope is an important consideration because it affects the work involved in construction, control of surface water around the practice, and may contribute to induced mass wasting from adding subsurface water to a layered soil.  Limestone bedrock is a hazard due to collapse risk and groundwater contamination hazard.


References:


Claytor, R. A. and T. R. Schueler. 1996. Design of stormwater filtering systems. The Center for Watershed Protection. Ellicott City, MD.

Department of Environmental Protection. 2005. Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual. Prepared by Cahill Associates, West Chester, PA.

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. 2002. Technical Best Management Practices Manual & Infiltration Feasibility Report: Infiltration of Stormwater in Areas Underlain by carbonate Bedrock within the Little Lehigh Creek Watershed. Prepared by Cahill Associates, West Chester, PA and USFilter, State College, PA.

Criteria:

1. Ksat Limited: Soils that cannot transmit water rapidly enough require a larger area of land in order for the installed practice to store and infiltrate 1 inch of rain.  At some point, the soil transmits water too slowly to allow a reasonably functioniong system to be installed.


Property used: KSAT HIGHEST MINIMUM ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER 120 to 180cm DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD  (Modality - representative value)
	
Restrictive limits:
	Severely limited		<= 3.5 um/sec
	Somewhat limited	  	 > 3.5 um/sec and < 14 um/sec
	Not limited		>= 14 um/sec
		
	Null ksat is assigned to the Not Rated class.

2. Unstable Fill:  Soils that are reconstructed because of land reclamation practices can cause differential settlement.  These areas of differential settlement are difficult to identify and are typically destructive to engineering infrastructure.  Soil feature considered is the component local phase.
	
	Property used: COMPONENT LOCAL PHASE
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting             = ""unstable fill""
		Not limiting	 not = ""unstable fill""
	
	Null local phase is assigned to the Not limiting class.

3. Hard bedrock: Soils that lack sufficient depth to hard bedrock require a larger area of land in order for the installed practice to store and infiltrate 1 inch of rain.  At some point, the soil is too shallow to allow a reasonably functioniong system to be installed.


Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	<= 120cm
		Somewhat limited  	 > 120cm and < 180cm
		Not limited		>= 180cm
		
	Null bedrock depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

4. Water table limiting:  Soils having a high seasonal water table are limited for deep infiltration systems.


Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	<= 150 cm
		Somewhat limited  	 > 150 cm and < 200 cm
		Not limited		>= 200 cm
		
				
	Null water table depth is assigned to the Not Limited class.


5. Slope: Soils that are sloping are limited in terms of the stormwater management systems that can be installed.  Sloping soils are more difficult to for equipment usage.  excessive slope may also be a trigger for mass movement when additional water is added to a part of the landscape.  Excessive slope also requires design modifications when placing a system on a sloping landscape.  At some point, the slope is too steep to allow a reasonably functioniong system to be installed.  Some soils are more prone to slippage than others.  This is related to the amount and type of clays present in the soil.

Property used: SLOPE  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	>= 20 perecent
		Somewhat limited  	 > 3 percent and < 20 perecent
		Not limited		<= 3 perecent
		
	Null slope is assigned to the Not Rated class.

Property used: SLOPE and LEP (Modality - representative value)

Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	Slope by lep factor > 20
		Somewhat limited  	Slope by lep factor > 0 to <= 20
		Not limited	Slope by lep factor = 0
		
	Null slope by lep interaction is assigned to the Not Rated class.

The sum of the fuzzy numbers is returned as the overall slope index.

6. Flooding:  Soils that are flooded are limited for stromwater management practices because they cannot function to reduce runoff if they are under flood water.


Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY RATING (Modality reprentative value)

Restrictive Limits:

Not limited		Flooding rating <2 (none, very rare, rare)
Somewhat limited	Flooding rating 2 to 4 (occasional)
Severely limited 	Flooding rating >4 (frequent, very frequent)

Null flooding is assigned to the Not Limited class.

7. Large surface fragments:  Large fragments on the surface can impede installation of the practice and damage equipment.  Boulders (fragments greater than 600mm or 2 feet) are more limiting than stones, since they are harder to remove.

Property used: FRAGMENTS >=600MM ON SURFACE

Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited		>= 15 percent coverage
		Somewhat limited	  	> 0 to < 15 percent coverage
		Not limited			=0 percent coverage
		
		
OR

Property used: FRAGMENTS  >=250 TO 600MM ON SURFACE

Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited		>= 50 percent coverage
		Somewhat limited	  	> 15 to < 50 percent coverage
		Not limited			<= 15 percent coverage
		

		
	Null Surface fragmnents is assigned to the Not Limited class.

8. Limestone Bedrock Collapse Risk:   Addition of concentrated runoff can trigger sinkhole formation in areas of limestone bedrock.  Some limestones are more susceptible to cave ins than others.  Deeper soils on older landscapes seem to be less susceptible to sinkhole formation, but not immune.

Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM (KARST LANDSCAPE LIMITATION)

Restrictive Limits:

Limiting	                If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited because of the bedrock type
Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type

9. Soft bedrock: Soils that lack sufficient depth to soft bedrock require a larger area of land in order for the installed practice to store and infiltrate 1 inch of rain.  The adsorptive capacity of the material underneath the system may also be limited.  At some point, the soil is too shallow to allow a reasonably functioniong system to be installed.



Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK SOFT  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	<= 120cm
		Somewhat limited  	 > 120cm and < 180cm
		Not limited		>= 180cm
		
	Null soft bedrock depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

10. Low adsorption - Soils having low adsorption lack the ability to attenuate potentially harmful material.  The volume of soil underneath the installation depth of the practice is considered.  The adsoptive capacity of the soil volume is estimated by calculating the milliequivalents of exchange capacity in a 1 centimeterx 1 centimeter x 50 centimeter volume.  The exchange is calculated from the cec at pH 7 or the ecec, depending on soil pH.


Property used: MEQ 150-200cm OR FIRST RESTRICTIVE LAYER  (Modality - representative value)
	
Restrictive limits:
	Severely limited	<= 1.0 meq/100g
	Somewhat limited  	 > 1.0 meq/100g and < 5.0 meq/100g
	Not limited		>= 5.0 meq/100g
		
	Null cec is assigned to the Not rated class.
	This subrule is weighted to 0.5, meaning it can never return a fuzzy number that exceeds 0.5.

11. Vegetation Establishment: Soil reconstruction of disturbed areas, as in excavation for a stormwater management practice, is the process of replacing layers of soil material or unconsolidated geologic material, or both, in a vertical sequence of such quality and thickness that a favorable medium for plant growth is provided.

When the soil materials are properly used in reconstruction, a rating of good means that vegetation is relatively easy to establish and maintain, that the surface is stable and resists erosion, and that the reconstructed soil has good potential productivity.  Material rated fair can be vegetated and stabilized by modifying one or more properties.  Topdressing with better material or applications of soil amendments may be necessary for satisfactory performance.  Material rated poor has such severe problems that revegetation and stabilization are very difficult and costly.  Topdressing with better material is necessary to establish and maintain vegetation.

Soil properties influence selection of a site as a potential source of reconstruction material.  The soil interpretation for reconstruction material source is used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability or identifying the soil limitations as a potential source.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Vegetation is difficult to establish on soils that have high pH.  Many of these soils also have a high sodium adsorption ratio, which indicates potential instability and water transmission problems.  Materials that are extremely acid or have the potential upon oxidation of becoming extremely acid are difficult and expensive to vegetate.  They also contribute to poor water quality, in runoff or in ground water.

The available water capacity also is important in establishing vegetation.  Soils that have a low available water capacity may require irrigation for the establishment of vegetation.

The stability of the soil depends upon its erodibility by water and wind and its strength.  Water erodibility is indicated by the K factor; wind erodibility is rated according to the ""I"" value of the wind erodibility group.  Potential slippage hazard is related to soil texture, and although other factors also contribute, the ratings of soil texture represent one important factor.

The fraction 3-10 inches is a weight percentage of rock fragments in the material used for soil reconstruction.  The amount and size of rock fragments influence the ease of excavation, stockpiling, and respreading and the suitability for the final use of the land.  A certain amount of rock fragments can be tolerated depending upon their size and the intended use of the reclaimed area.  If the size of rock fragments exceeds 10 inches, problems are more severe.

12. Limestone Bedrock Groundwater Contamination Risk: Limestone bedrock may have numerous solution channels that allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with little renovation.    

Property used: LIMESTONE BEDROCK

Restrictive Limits:

Limiting	                If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited because of the bedrock type
Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type"|Yes|02/13/2024 13:10:12|"70148"|"90078"|"8632073"
"ENG - Dwellings W/O Basements"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Dwellings W/O Basements

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Dwellings W/O Basements"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Dwellings W/O Basements"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Dwellings without basements are single-family houses of three stories or less without basements.  The foundation is assumed to be spread footings of reinforced concrete built on undisturbed soil at a depth of 2 feet or at the depth of maximum frost penetration, whichever is deeper.

Scope: National

Soil properties influence the development of building and construction sites, including the selection of the site, the design of the structure, construction, performance, and after construction maintenance.  The soil interpretations for dwellings w/o basements are used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Ratings are based on soil properties and qualities affecting the capacity of soil to support a load without movement and on those that affect excavation and construction costs.  The properties and qualities affecting load-supporting capacity without movement are the presence of a high water table, flooding, and the shrink-swell behavior and compressibility of the soils.  Compressibility is inferred from the Unified classification.  Properties influencing the ease and amount of excavation are a seasonal high water table, slope, depth to bedrock or to a cemented pan, and the amount and size of rock fragments.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts installation of small buildings and roads or streets. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	2.  Flooding: Soil that floods limit the installation and function for building site applications.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very rare"" or ""rare"" or ""occasional"" or ""frequent"" or ""very frequent""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt, ol, or oh is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the thickest soil layer above a restrictive layer and between 25 and 100cm.
	
	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 25-100cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= pt, ol, or oh
		Not limiting	not = pt, ol, or oh
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 25% to <= 50%
		Not limiting		< 25%
		
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.
		
	5.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation of  small buildings and roads or streets. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK SOFT (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Shrink-swell:  Excessive shrink-swell in the thickest layer between 25 and 100cm deep can cause building foundations to shift, flooring slabs to crack and roadways to buckle.  Soil feature considered is percent linear extensibility of the thickest layer between a depth of 10 to 40 inches or above bedrock.

	Property used: SHRINK-SWELL THICKEST LAYER 25-100cm OR ABOVE ROCK (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 6%
		Somewhat limiting	=> 3% to <= 6%
		Not limiting		 < 3%
		
	Null linear extensibility is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	10. Depth to thick cemented pan: Depth to thick cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation of small buildings and roads or streets.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more then 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	11. Depth to thin cemented pan: Depth to thin cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation of small buildings and roads or streets.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer less then or equal to 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THIN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	12. Subsidence: Soils with high subsidence can cause building and road foundations to shift or collapse, flooring slabs to crack and roadways to buckle.  Soil feature considered is total subsidence.
	
	Property used: SUBSIDENCE TOTAL (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	=> 30cm
		Not limiting	 < 30cm
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	13. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table maybe difficult to reclaim and revegetated.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 43cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 43 to <= 75cm
		Not limiting		 > 75cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	14.  Unstable Fill:  Soils that are reconstructed because of land reclamation practices can cause differential settlement.  These areas of differential settlement are difficult to identify and are typically destructive to engineering infrastructure.  Soil feature considered is the component local phase.
	
	Property used: COMPONENT LOCAL PHASE
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting             = ""unstable fill""
		Not limiting	 not = ""unstable fill""
	
	Null local phase is assigned to the Not limiting class.

15. Roads, pipelines, and structures built on soils containing gypsum are susceptible to damage from differential settling if the soil gypsum should dissolve to due the addition of more water to the soil than can be removed by evapotranspiration.  Subsidence is estimated from the gypsum content of the soil.  Other soluble salts may also contribute to the loss of volume of the soil.  

Assumptions:

* Differential subsidence is assumed to always occur, rather than an equidimensional settling.
* Water as irrigation, leakage, septic systems, or whatever is assumed to be applied.  If no water is added to the soil, no dissolution occurs and therefore no subsidence.
* Dissolution kinetics are assumed to be such that the settling is observable in our lifetimes.
* The size of the structure has an influence on the tolerable amount of distortion due to settling.
* The age of the structure influences the amount of damage it will sustain if differential subsidence occurs.
* The particle size of the gypsum will influence the dissolution rate.  A generic rate is assumed here.

Property used: SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM (REV)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting                     >18 cm
                                Somewhat limiting    >=3 to 18 mc
		Not limiting	 <3 cm 
	
	Null gypsum is assigned to the Not rated class.

					
These impact ratings are from: National Coal Board Classification of Subsidence Damage. 1975. Subsidence Engineers Handbook."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"340"|"90078"|"8632074"
"ENG - Dwellings With Basements"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Dwellings With Basements

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Dwellings With Basements"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Dwellings With Basements"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Dwellings with basements are single-family houses of three stories or less with basements.  The foundation is assumed to be spread footings of reinforced concrete built on undisturbed soil at a depth of about 7 feet.

Scope: National

Soil properties influence the development of building and construction sites, including the selection of the site, the design of the structure, construction, performance, and after construction maintenance.  The soil interpretations for dwellings with basements are used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Ratings are based on soil properties and qualities affecting the capacity of soil to support a load without movement and on those that affect excavation and construction costs.  The properties affecting load-supporting capacity without movement are presence of a seasonal high water table, flooding, and the shrink-swell behavior and compressibility of the soils.  Compressibility is inferred from the Unified classification.  Properties influencing the ease and amount of excavation are flooding, a high water table, slope, depth to bedrock or to a cemented pan, and the amount and size of coarse fragments.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation and restricts the installation of basements, shallow excavations, and lagoons.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
				
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	2.  Flooding: Soil that floods limit the installation and function for building site applications.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very rare"" or ""rare"" or ""occasional"" or ""frequent"" or ""very frequent""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt, ol, or oh is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim. Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the deepest soil layer or the last layer above bedrock.
	
	Property used: UNIFIED BOTTOM LAYER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= pt, ol, or oh
		Not limiting		not = pt, ol, or oh
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limited class.
	
	4.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 25% to <= 50%
		Not limiting		< 25%
		
	Null FRAGMENTS > 75mm are assigned Not rated.
	
	5.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the soils ability to support small buildings with basements. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK SOFT (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Shrink-swell:  Excessive shrink-swell in the thickest layer between 25 and 150cm deep can cause building foundations to shift and basements to crack.  Soil feature considered is percent linear extensibility of the thickest layer between a depth of 10 to 60 inches or above bedrock.

	Property used: SHRINK-SWELL THICKEST LAYER 25-150cm OR ABOVE ROCK (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 => 6%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 3% to < 6%
		Not limiting	 =< 3%
		
	Null linear extensibility is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	10. Depth to thick cemented pan: Depth to thick cemented pan limit site preparation and restricts the installation of basements, shallow excavations, and lagoons.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more then 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	> 100 to < 150cm
		Not limiting	=> 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	11. Depth to thin cemented pan: Depth to thin cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation of small buildings and roads or streets.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer less then or equal to 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THIN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	
	12. Subsidence: Soils with high subsidence can cause building and road foundations to shift or collapse, flooring slabs to crack and roadways to buckle.  Soil feature considered is total subsidence.
	
	Property used: SUBSIDENCE TOTAL (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	=> 30cm
		Not limiting	 < 30cm
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	13. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 75cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 75 to < 182cm
		Not limiting		=> 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
	14.  Unstable fill:  Soils that are reconstructed because of land reclamation practices can cause differential settlement.  These areas of differential settlement are difficult to identify and are typically destructive to engineering infrastructure.  Soil feature considered is the component local phase.
	
	Property used: COMPONENT LOCAL PHASE
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting             = ""unstable fill""
		Not limiting	 not = ""unstable fill""
	
	Null local phase is assigned to the Not limiting class.

                15.  Subsidence due to gypsum: Roads, pipelines, and structures built on soils containing gypsum are susceptible to damage from differential settling if the soil gypsum should dissolve to due the addition of more water to the soil than can be removed by evapotranspiration.  Subsidence is estimated from the gypsum content of the soil.  Other soluble salts may also contribute to the loss of volume of the soil.  

Assumptions:

* Differential subsidence is assumed to always occur, rather than an equidimensional settling.
* Water as irrigation, leakage, septic systems, or whatever is assumed to be applied.  If no water is added to the soil, no dissolution occurs and therefore no subsidence.
* Dissolution kinetics are assumed to be such that the settling is observable in our lifetimes.
* The size of the structure has an influence on the tolerable amount of distortion due to settling.
* The age of the structure influences the amount of damage it will sustain if differential subsidence occurs.
* The particle size of the gypsum will influence the dissolution rate.  A generic rate is assumed here.

Property used: SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM (REV)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting                     >18 cm
                                Somewhat limiting    >=3 to 18 mc
		Not limiting	 <3 cm 
	
	Null gypsum is assigned to the Not rated class.

					
These impact ratings are from: National Coal Board Classification of Subsidence Damage. 1975. Subsidence Engineers Handbook."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"393"|"90078"|"8632075"
"ENG - Ground-based Solar Arrays, Ballast Anchor Systems"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Ground-based Solar Arrays, Ballast Anchor Systems

Summary:

Ground-based solar arrays are sets of photovoltaic panels that are not situated on a building or pole.  These installations consist of a racking system that holds the panel in the desired orientation and the foundation structures that hold the racking system to the ground.  Two basic methods are used to hold the systems to the ground, based on site conditions and cost.  One method employs driven piles, screw augers, or concrete piers that penetrate into the soil to provide a stable foundation. The ease of installation and general site suitability of soil-penetrating anchoring systems depends on soil characteristics such as rock fragment content, soil depth, soil strength, soil corrosivity, shrink-swell tendencies, and drainage.  The other basic anchoring system utilizes precast ballasted footings or ballasted trays on the soil surface to make the arrays too heavy to move.  The site considerations that impact both basic systems are slope, slope aspect, wind speed, land surface shape, flooding, and ponding.  Other factors that will contribute to the function of a solar power array include daily hours of sunlight and shading from hills, trees, or buildings.

Ballast anchor systems can be used in some places where soil-penetrating systems cannot, such as in shallow or stony soil.  Also, since they do not penetrate the soil, ballast systems can be used where the soil is contaminated and disturbance is to be avoided.  The soil in the area must have sufficient strength to be able to support the vehicles that haul the ballast and the machinery to install it.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Ground-based Solar Panel Arrays"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Ground-based Solar Panel Arrays"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:


Scope: National


Criteria:



1. Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soils that pond have restrictions that limit the installation and function of most land use applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting	not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not limiting	    = ""none""
		Limiting	                    not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class. 


 
2.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites. Some slope may be beneficial to the solar panel array because the rows could be closer together if the slope aspect is to the south.  Areas that are too steep make installation more difficult and are harder to maintain.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.  Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 30cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 30 to < 75cm
		Not limiting		=> 75cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.



4. Shrink-swell:  Excessive shrink-swell in the depth between 25 and 100cm deep can cause structure foundations to shift and stresses to be placed on the solar panel racks.  Th soil feature considered is weighted average of percent linear extensibility of the horizons between a depth of 10 to 40 inches or above bedrock.

	Property used: SHRINK-SWELL THICKEST LAYER 25-100cm OR ABOVE ROCK (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 6%
		Somewhat limiting	=> 3% to <= 6%
		Not limiting	 < 3%
		
	Null linear extensibility is assigned to the Not limiting class.


5.  Frost action: Frost heaving can cause piles to shift and stresses to build up in the superstructure.  Soil feature considered is frost action.
	
	Property used: POTENTIAL FROST ACTION (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	= ""high""  
		Somewhat Limiting 	= ""moderate""
		Not limiting	all others
		
	Null frost action values are assigned to the Not limiting class.

6.  Hillslope Position:  Certain positions on the landscape are more susceptible to higher wind pressures than others.  Convex areas, particularly at or near the crests of hills and ridges are most strongly affected because the venturi effect as wind goes over the top of a hill.


                Property used: TWO-DIMENSIONAL SURFACE MORPHOMETRY (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	= not used  
		Somewhat Limiting 	= ""summit"" or ""shoulder""
		Not limiting	all others
		
	Null hillslope position values are assigned to the Not Rated class.

7.  Slope shape:  The shape of the land surface affects the installation of solar panel arrays, with more planar surfaces being the easiest and least expensive to use.  The radius of curavture is also important.  Sites that are convex or concave across the slope become increasingly more difficult to place panels on as the radius of curvature becomes less.

                Property used:  SLOPE SHAPE ACROSS SLOPE (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	= not used  
		Somewhat Limiting 	= ""concave"" or ""convex""
		Not limiting	= ""linear""

Null hillslope shape values are assigned to the Not Rated class.


8.  Aspect and slope: The direction the slope is facing, or the slope aspect, is very important for solar panel arrays.  South facing slopes are desirable while north facing slopes are not desirable, especially if the slope gradient is more that 12 percent.

Properties used: ASPECT (REPRESENTATIVE) / default (modality representative value)

Restriction limits:

                       Not limiting                     180 degrees
                       Somewhat limiting          > 180 to 359 degrees, >0 to 179 degrees
                       Limiting                           0 degrees

Null aspect is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.

                             SLOPE (modality high, low,  representative value)

                  Restriction limits:

                       Not limiting                     <5 percent
                       Somewhat limiting          5 to 12 percent
                       Limiting                           >12 percent

Null slope is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.

The resultant fuzzy numbers are multiplied together to denote the interaction of slope and aspect.


References:

Canada, S. 2012. Corrosion impacts on steel piles.  Solarpro. Solarprofessional.com.

Romanoff, Melvin. 1962. Corrosion of Steel Pilings in Soils.  Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards. (Volume 66C, No. 3). July/September, 1962."|Yes|08/25/2023 19:25:51|"70149"|"90078"|"8632076"
"ENG - Ground-based Solar Arrays, Soil-based Anchor Systems"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Ground-based Solar Arrays, Soil-based Anchor Systems

Summary:

Ground-based solar arrays are sets of photovoltaic panels that are not situated on a building or pole.  These installations consist of a racking system that holds the panel in the desired orientation and the foundation structures that hold the racking system to the ground.  Two basic methods are used to hold the systems to the ground, based on site conditions and cost.  One method employs driven piles, screw augers, or concrete piers that penetrate into the soil to provide a stable foundation. The ease of installation and general site suitability of soil-penetrating anchoring systems depends on soil characteristics such as rock fragment content, soil depth, soil strength, soil corrosivity, shrink-swell tendencies, and drainage.  The other basic anchoring system utilizes precast ballasted footings or ballasted trays on the soil surface to make the arrays too heavy to move.  The site considerations that impact both basic systems are slope, slope aspect, wind speed, land surface shape, flooding, and ponding.  Other factors that will contribute to the function of a solar power array include daily hours of sunlight and shading from hills, trees or buildings.

Soil-penetrating anchoring systems can be used where the soil conditions are suitable.  Installation of these systems requires some power equipment for hauling components and either driving piles, turning helices, or boring holes to install the anchoring apparatus.  


Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Ground-based Solar Panel Arrays"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Ground-based Solar Panel Array"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:


Scope: National


Criteria:

1.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects penetration, excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting	 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	          = ""pf""
		Not limiting         not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.

2. Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock restricts the depth of penetration and limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling. Soil feature 
considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the 
depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to < 150cm
		Not limiting	        => 150cm
		
	Null hard bedrock depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

3.  Depth to thick cemented pan: Depth to thick cemented pan limits site preparation and restricts the installation of supporting posts and driven piles.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more then 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon 
shown in the horizon table.
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	> 100 to < 150cm
		Not limiting	        => 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	                not = noncemented
		Not limiting	= noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.

4. Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation. Stones and cobbles may prohibit penetration by helical anchors or driven piles.  Even at lower rock fragment content, the fragments may scratch off protective coatings on steel anchor devices.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 25% to <= 50%
		Not limiting		< 25%
		
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.

5. Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soils that pond have restrictions that limit the installation and function of most land use applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting	not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not limiting	    = ""none""
		Limiting	                    not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class. 


 
6.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites. Some slope may be beneficial to the solar panel array because the rows could be closer together if the slope aspect is to the south.  Areas that are too steep make installation more difficult and are harder to maintain.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

7.  Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 30cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 30 to < 75cm
		Not limiting		=> 75cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.


8.  Steel corrosion:  Under certain soil conditions, electromotive cells can be set up that cause uncoated steel to react with the surrounding soil.  Anything that can cause a potential difference can cause accelerated corrosion, but the main variables are soil resistivity, pH, sulfates, and watertables.  Special attention must be given to those soil properties that affect the access of oxygen and moisture to the metal, the electrolyte, the chemical reaction in the electrolyte, and the flow of current through the electrolyte. Special attention must be given to the presence of sulfides or of minerals, such as pyrite, that can be weathered readily and thus cause a high degree of corrosion in metals.  The possibility of corrosion is greater for extensive installations that intersect soil boundaries or soil horizons than for installations that are in one kind of soil or in one soil horizon.

        Property used: COMPONENT STEEL CORROSION (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		= ""high""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""moderate""
		Not limiting	= ""low""			
		
	Null corrosion is assigned Not rated.

9. Shrink-swell:  Excessive shrink-swell in the depth between 25 and 100cm deep can cause structure foundations to shift and stresses to be placed on the solar panel racks.  The soil feature considered is weighted average of percent linear extensibility of the horizons between a depth of 10 to 40 inches or above bedrock.

	Property used: SHRINK-SWELL THICKEST LAYER 25-100cm OR ABOVE ROCK (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 6%
		Somewhat limiting	=> 3% to <= 6%
		Not limiting	 < 3%
		
	Null linear extensibility is assigned to the Not limiting class.


10.  Frost action: Frost heaving can cause piles to shift and stresses to build up in the superstructure.  Soil feature considered is frost action.
	
	Property used: POTENTIAL FROST ACTION (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	= ""high""  
		Somewhat Limiting 	= ""moderate""
		Not limiting	all others
		
	Null frost action values are assigned to the Not limiting class.

11.  Hillslope Position:  Certain positions on the landscape are more susceptible to higher wind pressures than others.  Convex areas, particularly at or near the crests of hills and ridges are most strongly affected because the venturi effect as wind goes over the top of a hill.


                Property used: TWO-DIMENSIONAL SURFACE MORPHOMETRY (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	= not used  
		Somewhat Limiting 	= ""summit"" or ""shoulder""
		Not limiting	all others
		
	Null hillslope position values are assigned to the Not Rated class.

12.  Slope shape:  The shape of the land surface affects the installation of solar panel arrays, with more planar surfaces being the easiest and least expensive to use.  The radius of curavture is also important.  Sites that are convex or concave across the slope become increasingly more difficult to place panels on as the radius of curvature becomes less.

                Property used:  SLOPE SHAPE ACROSS SLOPE (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	= not used  
		Somewhat Limiting 	= ""concave"" or ""convex""
		Not limiting	= ""linear""

Null hillslope shape values are assigned to the Not Rated class.


13.  Aspect and slope: The direction the slope is facing, or the slope aspect, is very important for solar panel arrays.  South facing slopes are desirable while north facing slopes are not desirable, especially if the slope gradient is more that 12 percent.

Properties used: ASPECT (REPRESENTATIVE) / default (modality representative value)

Restriction limits:

                       Not limiting                     180 degrees
                       Somewhat limiting          > 180 to 359 degrees, >0 to 179 degrees
                       Limiting                           0 degrees

Null aspect is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.

                             SLOPE (modality high, low,  representative value)

                  Restriction limits:

                       Not limiting                     <5 percent
                       Somewhat limiting          5 to 12 percent
                       Limiting                           >12 percent

Null slope is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.

The resultant fuzzy numbers are multiplied together to denote the interaction of slope and aspect.

14.  Low strength: Soils with high AASHTO Group Index have low strength which affects the soil's traffic-supporting capacity.  This condition is only partially restrictive when clay mineralogy is kaolinitic.  Soil feature considered is the AASHTO Group Index of the thickest soil layer between 25 and 100cm or above a cemented restrictive layer and taxonomic family mineralogy.
		
	Property used: AASHTO GROUP INDEX NUMBER THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 10-40 in. (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=>20
		Somewhat limiting	 > 5 to < 20
		Not limiting	=< 5
			
	Null AASHTO Group Index values are assigned to the Not limiting class.

OR

	Property used: TAXONOMIC MINERALOGY CLASS (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		If taxonomic family mineralogy is kaolinitic then
		the rating is reduced by 90%.
			
	Null taxonomic mineralogy classes are assigned Not Rated.

References:

Canada, S. 2012. Corrosion impacts on steel piles.  Solarpro. Solarprofessional.com.

Romanoff, Melvin. 1962. Corrosion of Steel Pilings in Soils.  Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards. (Volume 66C, No. 3). July/September, 1962."|Yes|08/25/2023 19:25:51|"70150"|"90078"|"8632077"
"ENG - Lawn, Landscape, Golf Fairway"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Lawn, Landscape, Golf Fairway

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Lawn, Landscape, Golf Fairway"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Lawn, Landscape, Golf Fairway"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Soils are rated for their use in establishing and maintaining turf for lawns and golf fairways and ornamental trees and shrubs for residential or commercial landscaping.

Scope: National

Soil interpretations for lawn, landscape, or golf fairways are used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.  These ratings are based on the use of soil material at the location that may have some land smoothing.  Irrigation may or may not be needed and is not a criterion in rating.  Traps, trees, roughs, and greens are not considered as part of the golf fairway.

The soil properties and qualities considered in rating soils for lawns, landscaping, and golf fairways include those that affect growth and trafficability after vegetation is established.  The properties that affect plant growth are the content of salt, sodium, or calcium carbonate; sulfidic materials; soil reaction; depth to the water table; depth to bedrock or a cemented pan; and the available water capacity in the upper 40 inches of soil.  The properties that affect trafficability after vegetation is established are flooding, wetness, slope, stoniness, and the amount of clay, sand, or organic matter in the surface layer.
Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Droughty: Soils with low available water capacity are droughty.  This condition restricts plant growth and the establishment of grasses, shrubs, and trees.  Soil feature considered is the (available water capacity * the layer thickness) summed to a depth of 100cm or a cemented restrictive layer.

	Property used: AVAILABLE WATER CAPACITY IN DEPTH 0-100cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 5cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 5 to =< 10cm
		Not limiting		 > 10cm
		
	Null awc is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	2.  Flooding: Flooding at frequency greater then rare has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits the recreational use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional""
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 3 inch) in size in soil surface layer are nuisances and may impede maintenance.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 3 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		   > 30%
		Somewhat limiting	 >=  5% to <= 30%
		Not limiting		  <  5%
		
	Null > 3 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	4.  Carbonate content: Soils with high calcium carbonate content in the thickest layer may limit vegetative growth of some plant species.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the maximum calcium carbonate equivalent to a depth of 40cm.
	
	Property used: CALCIUM CARBONATE EQUIVALENT MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 > 40 %
		Not limiting		=< 40 %
				
	Null CaCO3 values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  USDA Texture Modifiers - Surface Organics: Soils with surface USDA Texture In-Lieu-Of ""mpt"" or ""muck"" or ""peat"" or USDA Texture Modifier ""mucky"" or ""peaty"" are high in organic materials, have low strength, and are hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first USDA Texture In-Lieu-Of or USDA Texture Modifier of the surface layer if the layer is greater then 25cm thick.
	
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE IN-LIEU-OF ""Surface Layer"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""mpt"" or ""muck"" or ""peat""
		Not limiting	not = ""mpt"" or ""muck"" or ""peat""
		
	Null USDA TEXTURE IN-LIEU-OF is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	OR
	
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER SURFACE LAYER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""mucky"" or ""peaty""
		Not limiting	not = ""mucky"" or ""peaty""
		
	Null USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is assigned to the Not rated class.


AND 	
	
	Property used: SURFACE LAYER THICKNESS nssc (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 > 25cm
		Not limiting	<= 25cm
		
	6. Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Salinity: Soils with high salinity have reduced available water capacity and may induce salinity toxicity, which restricts vigorous plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the highest value of salinity (electrical conductivity) of the surface layers.
		
	Property used: SALINITY SURFACE LAYER (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 => 8 mmhos/cm
		Somewhat limiting	 => 4 to < 8 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		  < 4 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	10. Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan restricts the construction, installation, and functioning of the installed application.  Shallow soils have reduced water-holding capacities, restricted percolation rates and are difficult to reclaim and re-vegetated.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	11.    
Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	12. Gravel content: Gravel (small stones) in the surface layer is a nuisance and may impede maintenance.  Soil feature considered is the surface percent retained on the #10 sieve (100 - #10). This is adjusted for stones by multiplying it times the fraction less than 3"" (1 - (Rock 3-10 + Rock >10)/100).

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 2MM-75mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 50%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 25 to <= 50%
		Not limiting		 < 25%
		
	Null sieve are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	13. Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the potential to restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area. Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest sodium adsorption ratio.
		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 12 
		Not limiting		<= 12 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	14. Sulfur content: Soil in taxonomic Great Group ""sulfaquents"" or ""sulfihemists"" are high in sulfidic materials that restrict plant growth and re-vegetation of disturbed areas.  Soil feature considered is taxonomic Great Group.
	
	Property used: TAXONOMIC GREAT GROUP (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""sulfaquents"" or ""sulfihemists""
		Not limiting	not = ""sulfaquents"" or ""sulfihemists""
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	15. Too acid: Soils with low pH restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the (pH) of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	 < 3.5
		Not limiting	=> 3.5
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	16. Too clayey: Soil with clayey surface layer has slow intake rates and compaction may reduce the growth of grass and ornamental plantings.  Soil feature considered is the clay percentage of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 40%
		Not limiting		=< 40%
		
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	17. Too sandy: Soil with sandy surface layer is subject to blowing sand, are hard to re-vegetate, and restricts the soils ability to support multiple use recreational activities.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first USDA Texture class of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE SURFACE LAYER NSSC (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		""COS""
		Somewhat limiting 	""LCOS"" or ""S""
		Not limiting	all other USDA Textures
		
	Null USDA Texture is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	18. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 30cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 30 to < 75cm
		Not limiting		=> 75cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

19.  Dustiness is a concern for human health as well as aesthetic reasons.  Dust generation from roads is a significant source of inhalable particulate matter.  Two dust particle sizes are recognized: PM10 and PM2.5, relating to particles of aerodynamic diameters of 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively.  The capacity of soils to produce dust particles has been found by Carvacho et al (2004) to be directly related to the clay or silt content of the soil.  Thus, the PM10 or PM2.5 generation capacity of a soil is inversely proportional to its sand content.  Gypsum is also related to dustiness because the soft crystals are relatively easily crushed to silt and clay size particles which can then be picked up by air.

Other major variables in dust generation are moisture content, time of year, and the amount of working of the soil.

The ""Dryness Index"" accounts for the moisture content of the surface.  In a dry, hot environment, the generation of dust is greater than in a cool, moist environment.  Thus dust generation is directly proportional to temperature and inversely proportional to rainfall.

An array of materials is available for overcoming dust limitations (Gebhart et al, 1999).


Property used:  WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, NO O

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 70 percent sand
					Somewhat limiting	 20-70 percent sand
					Not limiting		 <=20 percent sand
					
					
					
Property used:  WTD_AVG GYPSUM 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 15 percent gypsum
					Somewhat limiting	 2-15 percent gypsum
					Not limiting	 <=2 percent gypsum
					
					
Property used:  DRYNESS INDEX

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 5  
					Somewhat limiting	 0.3-5  
					Not limiting		 <=0.3
					
					
					The Dryness Index is 100(mean annual air temperature)/(mean annual precipitation)  
					
									


References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"402"|"90078"|"8632078"
"ENG - Lined Retention Systems"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Lined Retention Systems

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as ""Lined Retention Systems"".  If a soil property within 200 cm (about 79 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting for the land use.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership index for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Lined Retention Systems"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Lined Retention Systems are a set of Best Management Practices for stormwater management.  These systems include retention basins and intermittent wetlands.  These methods slow the movement of stormwater to surface waters and also filter a significant portion of pollutants from the stormwater.  The fundamental function of these systems is to hold the runoff generated from an area during a one inch rainfall event.  These systems are placed into the soil 3 to five feet, depending on the application.  There should be little or no ponding at the surface of the practice.  The water should infiltrate into the surrounding soil in 24 to 48 hours. This particular practice includes a rubber liner to slow or stop the flow of water into the subsoil.  Thus, this system can be used on soils where the water table is deep, intermittent, or absent.

Scope: West Virginia and surrounding states

The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  Improper site selection, design, or installation may cause contamination of ground water, seepage, and contamination of stream systems from surface drainage or floodwater.  In areas underlain by carbonate bedrock, special design techniques will be needed to avoid rapid groundwater contamination and sinkhole development (Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, 2002).  

The estimated land area needed to infiltrate stormwater runoff is to be about one twentieth the size of the area producing the runoff.  The actual size will vary based on the infiltration capacity of the soil and whether of not the local bedrock is comprised largely of limestone.   

Ratings are based on properties and qualities to the depth normally observed during soil mapping (approximately 6 or 7 feet).  Properties that influence the risk of pollution, ease of excavation, trafficability, and revegetation are major considerations.  Soils that flood or have a water table within the depth of excavation present a potential pollution hazard and limit the useability of the site.  Slope is an important consideration because it affects the work involved in construction, control of surface water around the practice, and may contribute to induced mass wasting from adding subsurface water to a layered soil.  


References:


Claytor, R. A. and T. R. Schueler. 1996. Design of stormwater filtering systems. The Center for Watershed Protection. Ellicott City, MD.

Department of Environmental Protection. 2005. Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual. Prepared by Cahill Associates, West Chester, PA.

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. 2002. Technical Best Management Practices Manual & Infiltration Feasibility Report: Infiltration of Stormwater in Areas Underlain by carbonate Bedrock within the Little Lehigh Creek Watershed. Prepared by Cahill Associates, West Chester, PA and USFilter, State College, PA.

Criteria:

1. Ksat Limited: Soils that transmit water too rapidly cannot maintain a saturatred zone for wetland vegetation.  At some point, the soil transmits water too rapidly to allow a reasonably functioning system to be installed.


Property used: KSAT HIGHEST MIN ABOVE RESTRICTION, BELOW O, 120 TO 200 CM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not limited			<= 3.5 um/sec
		Somewhat limited	  	> 3.5 um/sec and < 14 um/sec
		Severely limited		>= 14 um/sec
		
	Null ksat is assigned to the Not Rated class.

2. Unstable Fill:  Soils that are reconstructed because of land reclamation practices can cause differential 
settlement.  These areas of differential settlement are difficult to identify and are typically destructive to 
engineering infrastructure.  Soil feature considered is the component local phase.
	
	Property used: COMPONENT LOCAL PHASE
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting             = ""unstable fill""
		Not limiting	 not = ""unstable fill""
	
	Null local phase is assigned to the Not limiting class.

3. Hard bedrock: Soils that lack sufficient depth to hard bedrock require a larger area of land in order for the 
installed practice to store and infiltrate 1 inch of rain.  At some point, the soil is too shallow to allow a 
reasonably functioniong system to be installed.


Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	<= 120cm
		Somewhat limited  	 > 120cm and < 180cm
		Not limited		>= 180cm
		
	Null bedrock depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

4. Water table limiting:  Soils lacking a high seasonal water table are limited for retention systems.  The wetland vegetation requires groundwater be available to the plant roots to maintain growth but not have free water at the surface for long periods during the warm season in order to reduce insect pest populations.  


Property used: WATER TABLE DEPTH DURING GROWING SEASON  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not limited		<= 60 cm
		Somewhat limited  	> 60 cm and < 180 cm
		Severely limited	>= 180 cm
		
				
	Null water table depth is assigned to the Severely Limited class.

5. Slope: Soils that are sloping are limited in terms of the stormwater management systems that can be installed.  
Sloping soils are more difficult to for equipment usage.  excessive slope may also be a trigger for mass movement 
when additional water is added to a part of the landscape.  Excessive slope also requires design modifications when 
placing a system on a sloping landscape.  At some point, the slope is too steep to allow a reasonably functioniong 
system to be installed.  Some soils are more prone to slippage than others.  This is related to the amount and type 
of clays present in the soil.

Property used: SLOPE  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	>= 20 perecent
		Somewhat limited  	 > 3 percent and < 20 perecent
		Not limited		<= 3 perecent
		
	Null slope is assigned to the Not Rated class.

Property used: SLOPE and LEP (Modality - representative value)

Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	Slope by lep factor > 20
		Somewhat limited  	Slope by lep factor > 0 to <= 20
		Not limited	Slope by lep factor = 0
		
	Null slope by lep interaction is assigned to the Not Rated class.

The sum of the fuzzy numbers is returned as the overall slope index.

6. Flooding:  Soils that are flooded are limited for stromwater management practices because they cannot function to 
reduce runoff if they are under flood water.


Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY RATING (Modality reprentative value)

Restrictive Limits:

Not limited		Flooding rating <2 (none, very rare, rare)
Somewhat limited	Flooding rating 2 to 4 (occasional)
Severely limited 	Flooding rating >4 (frequent, very frequent)

Null flooding is assigned to the Not Limited class.

7. Large surface fragments:  Large fragments on the surface can impede installation of the practice and damage 
equipment.  Boulders (fragments greater than 600mm or 2 feet) are more limiting than stones, since they are harder to 
remove.

Property used: FRAGMENTS >=600MM ON SURFACE

Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited		>= 15 percent coverage
		Somewhat limited	  	> 0 to < 15 percent coverage
		Not limited			=0 percent coverage
		
		
OR

Property used: FRAGMENTS  >=250 TO 600MM ON SURFACE

Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited		>= 50 percent coverage
		Somewhat limited	  	> 15 to < 50 percent coverage
		Not limited			<= 15 percent coverage
		

		
	Null Surface fragmnents is assigned to the Not Limited class.

8. Limestone Bedrock Collapse Risk:   Addition of concentrated runoff can trigger sinkhole formation in areas of 
limestone bedrock.  Some limestones are more susceptible to cave ins than others.  Deeper soils on older landscapes 
seem to be less susceptible to sinkhole formation, but not immune.

Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM (KARST LANDSCAPE LIMITATION)

Restrictive Limits:

Limiting	                If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited because of the bedrock type
Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type

9. Soft bedrock:  Soils having soft bedrock too close to the surface are limited for retention systems.  For a reasonable system enough volume of water must be retained.  The soft bedrock limits excavation and can be too pervious.




Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK SOFT  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	<= 100cm
		Somewhat limited  	 > 100cm and < 180cm
		Not limited		>= 180cm
		
	Null soft bedrock depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

10. Vegetation Establishment: Soil reconstruction of disturbed areas, as in excavation for a stormwater management 
practice, is the process of replacing layers of soil material or unconsolidated geologic material, or both, in a 
vertical sequence of such quality and thickness that a favorable medium for plant growth is provided.

When the soil materials are properly used in reconstruction, a rating of good means that vegetation is relatively 
easy to establish and maintain, that the surface is stable and resists erosion, and that the reconstructed soil has 
good potential productivity.  Material rated fair can be vegetated and stabilized by modifying one or more 
properties.  Topdressing with better material or applications of soil amendments may be necessary for satisfactory 
performance.  Material rated poor has such severe problems that revegetation and stabilization are very difficult and 
costly.  Topdressing with better material is necessary to establish and maintain vegetation.

Soil properties influence selection of a site as a potential source of reconstruction material.  The soil 
interpretation for reconstruction material source is used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability or identifying the 
soil limitations as a potential source.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider 
present land use.

Vegetation is difficult to establish on soils that have high pH.  Many of these soils also have a high sodium 
adsorption ratio, which indicates potential instability and water transmission problems.  Materials that are 
extremely acid or have the potential upon oxidation of becoming extremely acid are difficult and expensive to 
vegetate.  They also contribute to poor water quality, in runoff or in ground water.

The available water capacity also is important in establishing vegetation.  Soils that have a low available water 
capacity may require irrigation for the establishment of vegetation.

The stability of the soil depends upon its erodibility by water and wind and its strength.  Water erodibility is 
indicated by the K factor; wind erodibility is rated according to the ""I"" value of the wind erodibility group.  
Potential slippage hazard is related to soil texture, and although other factors also contribute, the ratings of soil 
texture represent one important factor.

The fraction 3-10 inches is a weight percentage of rock fragments in the material used for soil reconstruction.  The 
amount and size of rock fragments influence the ease of excavation, stockpiling, and respreading and the suitability 
for the final use of the land.  A certain amount of rock fragments can be tolerated depending upon their size and the 
intended use of the reclaimed area.  If the size of rock fragments exceeds 10 inches, problems are more severe.

11. Water Spreading Surface: Some surfaces are shaped so as to spread water.  Soils that are concave up and down their slope and concave across their slope are the least water spreading.  Soils that are concave across their slope and linear or convex up and down their slopes are less water collecting.  Soils that are linear across their slopes and concave up and down their slopes are somewhat water collecting.  Soils that are convex up and down their slopes and convex across their slopes are the most water spreading.

Water spreading (convex) surfaces can diffuse water flow and cause increased costs because of materials and land shaping may be needed to direct the water flow into the practice.
		  
		  Property Used: WATER GATHERING SURFACE
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		    Somewhat Limiting	Convex up-down, convex across surfaces
		    Slightly limiting		Convex across, linear or concave up-down
		    Not limiting		All other surface shapes
		    
		  NOTE!!!  The fuzzy number returned by this rule can not exceed 0.5.
		  
Null slope shape is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.

12. Limestone Bedrock Groundwater Contamination Risk: Limestone bedrock may have numerous solution channels that 
allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with little renovation.    

Property used: LIMESTONE BEDROCK

Restrictive Limits:

Limiting	                If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited because of the bedrock type
Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type"|Yes|02/13/2024 13:10:12|"70151"|"90078"|"8632079"
"ENG - Local Roads and Streets"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Local Roads and Streets

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Local Roads and Streets"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Local Roads and Streets"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Local roads and streets are those roads and streets that have all-weather surfacing (commonly of asphalt or concrete) and that are expected to carry automobile traffic year-round.

Scope: National

The roads and streets consist of
(1) the underlying local soil material, either cut or fill, which is called ""the sub-grade"";
(2)  the base material, which may be lime-stabilized soil, cement-stabilized soil, gravel, or crushed rock;
(3) the actual road surface or street pavement, which is either flexible (asphalt), rigid (concrete), or gravel with binder in it.
They are graded to shed water, and conventional drainage measures are provided.  With the probable exception of the hard surface, roads and streets are built mainly from the soil at hand.

Soil interpretations for local roads and streets are used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Scope: National

Soil properties and qualities that affect local roads and streets are those that influence the ease of excavation and grading and the traffic-supporting capacity.  The properties and qualities that affect the ease of excavation and grading are hardness of bedrock or a cemented pan, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, depth to a water table, flooding, the amount of large stones, and slope.  The properties that affect traffic-supporting capacity are soil strength as inferred from the AASHTO group index and the Unified classification, subsidence, shrink-swell behavior, potential frost action, and depth to the seasonal high water table.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts installation of small buildings and roads or streets. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	2.  Flooding: Flooding has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits building, recreational, and sanitary facility use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""occasional"" or ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 25% to <= 50%
		Not limiting		< 25%
		
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.
	
	4.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Frost action: Frost heaving can cause roadbeds to shift and paving to crack.  Soil feature considered is frost action.
	
	Property used: POTENTIAL FROST ACTION (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	= ""high""  
		Somewhat Limiting 	= ""moderate""
		Not limiting		all others
		
	Null frost action values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and provides a limitation for the installation of  small buildings and roads or streets. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (paralithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.  This property is modified by a multiplication factor of .5 to reduce the limitation below that of hard bedrock.  

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK SOFT (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Shrink-swell:  Excessive shrink-swell in the thickest layer between 25 and 100cm deep can cause building foundations to shift, flooring slabs to crack and roadways to buckle.  Soil feature considered is percent linear extensibility of the thickest layer between a depth of 10 to 40 inches or above bedrock.

	Property used: SHRINK-SWELL THICKEST LAYER 25-100cm OR ABOVE ROCK (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 6%
		Somewhat limiting	=> 3% to <= 6%
		Not limiting		 < 3%
		
	Null linear extensibility is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	10. Low strength: Soils with high AASHTO Group Index have low strength which affects the soil's traffic-supporting capacity.  This condition is only partially restrictive when clay mineralogy is kaolinitic.  Soil feature considered is the AASHTO Group Index of the thickest soil layer between 25 and 100cm or above a cemented restrictive layer and taxonomic family mineralogy.
		
	Property used: AASHTO GROUP INDEX NUMBER THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 10-40 in. (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 8
		Somewhat limiting	 > 5 to < 8
		Not limiting		=< 5
			
	Null AASHTO Group Index values are assigned to the Not limiting class.

OR

	Property used: TAXONOMIC MINERALOGY CLASS (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		If taxonomic family mineralogy is kaolinitic then
		the soil clayey rating is reduced by 90%.
			
	Null taxonomic mineralogy classes are assigned Not Rated.
	
	11. Depth to thick cemented pan: Depth to thick cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation of small buildings and roads or streets.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more then 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	12. Depth to thin cemented pan: Depth to thin cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation of small buildings and roads or streets.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer less then or equal to 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THIN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	13. Subsidence: Soils with high subsidence can cause building and road foundations to shift or collapse, flooring slabs to crack and roadways to buckle.  Soil feature considered is total subsidence.
	
	Property used: SUBSIDENCE TOTAL (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	=> 30cm
		Not limiting	 < 30cm
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	14. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 30cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 30 to < 75cm
		Not limiting		=> 75cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
	15.  Unstable fill:  Soils that are reconstructed because of land reclamation practices can cause differential settlement.  These areas of differential settlement are difficult to identify and are typically destructive to engineering infrastructure.  Soil feature considered is the component local phase.
	
	Property used: COMPONENT LOCAL PHASE
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting             = ""unstable fill""
		Not limiting	 not = ""unstable fill""
	
	Null local phase is assigned to the Not limiting class.

16.  Roads, pipelines, and structures built on soils containing gypsum are susceptible to damage from differential settling if the soil gypsum should dissolve to due the addition of more water to the soil than can be removed by evapotranspiration.  Subsidence is estimated from the gypsum content of the soil.  Other soluble salts may also contribute to the loss of volume of the soil.  

Assumptions:

* Differential subsidence is assumed to always occur, rather than an equidimensional settling.
* Water as irrigation, leakage, septic systems, or whatever is assumed to be applied.  If no water is added to the soil, no dissolution occurs and therefore no subsidence.
* Dissolution kinetics are assumed to be such that the settling is observable in our lifetimes.
* The size of the structure has an influence on the tolerable amount of distortion due to settling.
* The age of the structure influences the amount of damage it will sustain if differential subsidence occurs.
* The particle size of the gypsum will influence the dissolution rate.  A generic rate is assumed here.



		Property used:  ""SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM, REV""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Restrictive limits:
				Very limiting		=> 30cm
				Somewhat limiting	10-30cm
				Not limiting		<= 10cm

17. Void formation: Soluble bedrock, such as gypsum and halite and to a lesser extent, limestone bedrock, is susceptible to dissulution which can leave large voids that compromise the strength of the overlying structure.

		  Evaluation used: BEDROCK IS LIMESTONE

		  
		  Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST, NULL SENDS NO
		  
		  Restrictive Limits:
		    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
		  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
		  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
                                  NOTE!!!  This evaluation is given a 0.3 weight.
		  
		  
		  Evaluation used: Parent Material Origin is Soluble Salt
		  
		  Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	                If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"398"|"90078"|"8632080"
"ENG - Sanitary Landfill (Area)"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Sanitary Landfill (Area)

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as ""Sanitary Landfill (Area)"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Sanitary Landfill (Area)"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Sanitary landfill (area) is a solid-waste disposal practice where successive layers of refuse are placed on the soil surface.  The waste is spread, compacted, and covered daily with a thin layer of soil that is imported from a source away from the site.  A final cover of soil at least 2 feet thick is placed over the completed landfill.   Properties and qualities that influence trafficability and risk of pollution are the important considerations for area sanitary landfills.

Scope: National

The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  Improper site selection, design, or installation may cause contamination of ground water, seepage, and contamination of stream systems from surface drainage or floodwater.  Potential contamination may be reduced or eliminated by installing systems designed to overcome or reduce the effects of the limiting soil property.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Flooding is a serious problem because of the risk of washouts and pollution downstream and the difficulty of moving trucks in and out of flooded areas.  Permeability of the soil is an important consideration in all but the most arid parts of the country.  If permeability is too rapid or if fractured bedrock or a fractured cemented pan is close to the surface, the risk of contaminating the water supply by leachate is great.  A high water table may also transmit pollutants to the water supply and is likely to restrict truck movement during wet seasons.  

Slope is a consideration because of the extra grading required to maintain roads on sloping soils.  Furthermore, leachate may flow along the soil surface on sloping soils and cause difficult seepage problems in completed fills.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Flooding: Flooding has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits building, recreational, and sanitary facility use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""occasional"" or ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	2.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Seepage:  The soil horizon with the maximum Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the maximum Ksat between a depth of 50 to 100 cm.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes.  
	
	Property used: PERMEABILITY MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 50-100cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 => 14.0 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		  < 14.0 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when area landfills are installed.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 


	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to =< 150cm
		Not limiting		 > 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when area landfills are installed.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to =< 150cm
		Not limiting		 > 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	8.  Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  These soils have the potential to contamination the ground water which may create health and environmental hazards.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 180cm
		Not limiting		=> 180cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE PERCHED MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 45cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 45 to <= 90cm
		Not limiting		 > 90cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

            9.  Dustiness is a concern for human health as well as aesthetic reasons.  Dust generation from roads is a significant source of inhalable particulate matter.  Two dust particle sizes are recognized: PM10 and PM2.5, relating to particles of aerodynamic diameters of 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively.  The capacity of soils to produce dust particles has been found by Carvacho et al (2004) to be directly related to the clay or silt content of the soil.  Thus, the PM10 or PM2.5 generation capacity of a soil is inversely proportional to its sand content.  Gypsum is also related to dustiness because the soft crystals are relatively easily crushed to silt and clay size particles which can then be picked up by air.

Other major variables in dust generation are moisture content and the amount of working of the soil.

The ""Dryness Index"" accounts for the moisture content of the surface.  In a dry, hot environment, the generation of dust is greater than in a cool, moist environment.  Thus dust generation is directly proportional to temperature and inversely proportional to rainfall.

An array of materials is available for overcoming dust limitations (Gebhart et al, 1999).


Property used:  WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, NO O

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 70 percent sand
					Somewhat limiting	 20-70 percent sand
					Not limiting		 <=20 percent sand
					
					
					
Property used:  WTD_AVG GYPSUM 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 15 percent gypsum
					Somewhat limiting	 2-15 percent gypsum
					Not limiting		 <=2 percent gypsum
					
					
Property used:  DRYNESS INDEX

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 5  
					Somewhat limiting	 0.3-5  
					Not limiting		 <=0.3
					
					
					The Dryness Index is 100(mean annual air temperature)/(mean annual precipitation)  
					
									


References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"979"|"90078"|"8632081"
"ENG - Sanitary Landfill (Trench)"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Sanitary Landfill (Trench)

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as "" Sanitary Landfill (Trench)"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the "" Sanitary Landfill (Trench)"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Sanitary landfill (trench) is a method of disposing solid waste by placing refuse in successive layers in an excavated trench.  The waste is spread, compacted, and covered daily with a thin layer of soil that is excavated from the trench.  When the trench is full, a final cover of soil material at least 2 feet thick is placed over the landfill.

Scope: National

The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  Improper site selection, design, or installation may cause contamination of ground water, seepage, and contamination of stream systems from surface drainage or floodwater.  Potential contamination may be reduced or eliminated by installing systems designed to overcome or reduce the effects of the limiting soil property.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Ratings are based on properties and qualities to the depth normally observed during soil mapping (approximately 5 or 6 feet).  However, because trenches may be as deep as 15 feet or more, geologic investigations are needed to determine the potential for pollution of ground water as well as to determine the design needed.  These investigations, which are generally arranged by the landfill developer, include the examination of stratification, rock formations, and geologic conditions that might lead to the conducting of leachates to aquifers, wells, watercourses, and other water sources.  The presence of hard, nonrippable bedrock, bedrock crevices, or highly permeable strata in or immediately underlying the proposed trench bottom is undesirable because of the difficulty in excavation and the potential pollution of underground water.

Properties that influence the risk of pollution, ease of excavation, trafficability, and revegetation are major considerations.  Soils that flood or have a water table within the depth of excavation present a potential pollution hazard and are difficult to excavate.  Slope is an important consideration because it affects the work involved in road construction, the performance of the roads, and the control of surface water around the landfill.  It may also cause difficulty in constructing trenches for which the trench bottom must be kept level and oriented to follow the contour.

The ease with which the trench is dug and with which a soil can be used as daily and final covers is based largely on texture and consistence of the soil.  The texture and consistence of a soil determine the degree of workability of the soil both when dry and when wet.  Soils that are plastic and sticky when wet are difficult to excavate, grade, or compact and difficult to place as a uniformly thick cover over a layer of refuse.  The uppermost part of the final cover should be soil material that is favorable for the growth of plants.  It should not contain excess sodium or salt and should not be too acid.  In comparison with other horizons, the A horizon in most soils has the best workability and the highest content of organic matter.  Thus, for a trench-type landfill operation it may be desirable to stockpile the surface layer for use in the final blanketing of the fill.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Depth to thick/thin cemented pan: Depth to thick or thin cemented pan may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when landfills are installed.   Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more then 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. If pan thickness is < 46cm then the rating is reduced by half.  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 182cm
		Not limiting		=< 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THIN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 182cm
		Not limiting		=< 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
            2.  Too clayey: Clayey soils may become sticky when wet and are difficult to spread and compact.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes and is only partially restrictive when clay mineralogy is kaolinitic.  Soil feature considered is the first or rv USDA texture of the thickest soil layer between 25 and 180cm or above a restrictive layer and taxonomic family mineralogy.
		
	Property used: WTD_AVG CLAY CONTENT 25-180cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION,  (Modality -high, low, and representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		>45 percent
		Somewhat limiting	27-45 percent
		Not limiting	<27 percent
			
	Null clay contents are assigned to the Not rated class.

OR

	Property used: TAXONOMIC MINERALOGY CLASS (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		If taxonomic family mineralogy is kaolinitic then
		the soil clayey rating is reduced by .5.
			
	Null taxonomic mineralogy classes are assigned Not Rated
OR

	Property used: TAXONOMIC MINERALOGY CLASS (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		If taxonomic family mineralogy is kaolinitic then
		the soil clayey rating is reduced by .5.
			
	Null taxonomic mineralogy classes are assigned Not Rated.
	
	
	3.  Flooding: Flooding has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits building, recreational, and sanitary facility use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""occasional"" or ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt, ol, or oh is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the thickest soil layer above a restrictive layer and between 25 and 180cm.
	
	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 25-180cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= pt, ol, or oh
		Not limiting	not = pt, ol, or oh
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 180 cm deep.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75mm Wt. Ave. 0-180cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 25% to < 50%
		Not limiting		=< 25%
		
	Null FRAGMENTS > 75mm are assigned Not rated.
	
	6.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Too acid: Soils with low pH increase metallic ion availability and restricts plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the minimum (pH) of the soil layers.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER (Minimum) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	 < 3.5
		Not limiting	=> 3.5
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	8.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Salinity: Soils with high salinity have reduced available water capacity, which restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the highest salinity (electrical conductivity) for all horizons.
		
	Property used: SALINITY MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 16 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		<= 16 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	10. Too Sandy: Sandy soils may slump and are droughty, making establishments of vegetative cover difficult.  Soil feature considered is the first or rv USDA texture of the thickest soil layer between 25 and 180cm or above a cemented restrictive layer.
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 25-180cm (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		= ""cos"" or ""s"" or ""fs"" or ""vfs"" or ""sg""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""lcos"" or ""ls"" or ""lfs"" or ""lvfs""
		Not limiting		All others
			
	Null USDA textures are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	11. Seepage:  The soil's bottom layer Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids through the soil and underlying materials is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the Ksat of the bottom layer or the layer immediately above bedrock.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes.  
	
	Property used: KSAT BOTTOM HORIZON (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 => 14.0 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		  < 14.0 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	12. Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. These soils may pose construction limitations or environmental and health risks when trench landfills are installed. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 182cm
		Not limiting		=> 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	13. Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	14. Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the potential to restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area. This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes.  Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest sodium adsorption ratio.

		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 13 
		Not limiting		<= 13 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	15. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  These soils have the potential to contamination the ground water which may create health and environmental hazards.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 180cm
		Not limiting		=> 180cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE PERCHED MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 60cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 60 to <= 120cm
		Not limiting		 > 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

16. Dustiness is a concern for human health as well as aesthetic reasons.  Dust generation from roads is a significant source of inhalable particulate matter.  Two dust particle sizes are recognized: PM10 and PM2.5, relating to particles of aerodynamic diameters of 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively.  The capacity of soils to produce dust particles has been found by Carvacho et al (2004) to be directly related to the clay or silt content of the soil.  Thus, the PM10 or PM2.5 generation capacity of a soil is inversely proportional to its sand content.  Gypsum is also related to dustiness because the soft crystals are relatively easily crushed to silt and clay size particles which can then be picked up by air.

Other major variables in dust generation are moisture content and the amount of working of the soil.

The ""Dryness Index"" accounts for the moisture content of the surface.  In a dry, hot environment, the generation of dust is greater than in a cool, moist environment.  Thus dust generation is directly proportional to temperature and inversely proportional to rainfall.

An array of materials is available for overcoming dust limitations (Gebhart et al, 1999).


Property used:  WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, NO O

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 70 percent sand
					Somewhat limiting	 20-70 percent sand
					Not limiting		 <=20 percent sand
					
					
					
Property used:  WTD_AVG GYPSUM 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 15 percent gypsum
					Somewhat limiting	 2-15 percent gypsum
					Not limiting		 <=2 percent gypsum
					
					
Property used:  DRYNESS INDEX

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 5  
					Somewhat limiting	 0.3-5  
					Not limiting		 <=0.3
					
					
					The Dryness Index is 100(mean annual air temperature)/(mean annual precipitation)  
					
									


References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."|Yes|03/09/2022 17:39:46|"419"|"90078"|"8632082"
"ENG - Septic Tank Absorption Fields"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Septic Tank Absorption Fields

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as ""Septic Tank Absorption Fields"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Septic Tank Absorption Fields"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.  

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Septic tank absorption fields are subsurface systems of tile or perforated pipe that distribute effluent from a septic tank into the natural soil.  The centerline depth of the tile is assumed to be 24 inches or deeper.  Only the soil between depths of 24 and 60 inches is considered in making the ratings.  Soil properties and site features considered are those that affect the absorption of the effluent, those that affect the construction and maintenance of the system, and those that may affect public health.

Scope: National

Farm and ranch homesteads, outbuildings, and recreational facilities require a means to safely dispose of effluent.  Septic Tank Absorption Field interpretations are a tool for guiding the user in site selection for safe disposal of household effluent.  The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  Improper site selection, design, or installation may cause contamination of ground water, seepage to the soil surface, and contamination of stream systems from surface drainage or flood water.  Potential contamination may be reduced or eliminated by installing systems designed to overcome or reduce the effects of the limiting soil property.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Soil properties and qualities that affect the absorption of the effluent are permeability, depth to a seasonal high water table, depth to bedrock, depth to a cemented pan, and susceptibility to flooding.  Stones and boulders and a shallow depth to bedrock, ice, or a cemented pan interfere with installation.  Subsidence interferes with installation and maintenance.  Excessive slope may cause lateral seepage and surfacing of the effluent in down-slope areas.  In addition, soil erosion is a hazard where absorption fields are installed in steep soils.
 
Some soils are underlain by loose sand and gravel or fractured bedrock at a depth less than 4 feet below the distribution lines.  In these soils, the absorption field may not adequately filter the effluent, particularly when the system is new; consequently, ground water supplies may be contaminated.
 
Percolation tests are used by some regulatory agencies to evaluate the suitability of a soil for septic tank absorption fields.  These tests should be performed during the season when the water table is highest and the soil is at minimum absorptive capacity.
 
1/ U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Public Health Service, l969 Manual of Septic Tanks, PHS Publication No. 526, p. 8.
 
2/ Bouma, J.  l974.  New Concepts in Soil Survey Interpretations for Onsite Disposal of Septic Tank Effluent.
 

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1. Filtering capacity: The soil horizon with the maximum Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids through the soil is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the maximum Ksat between a depth of 60 to 150cm or to the depth of a cemented restrictive feature.
	
	Property used: KSAT HIGHEST MINIMUM ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER 24 to 60 (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 > 42.0 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		=< 42.0 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not limiting class.  
	
	2. Flooding: Flooding has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits building, recreational, and sanitary facility use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""occasional"" or ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3. Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 25% to <= 50%
		Not limiting		< 25%
		
		Null FRAGMENTS > 75mm are assigned Not rated.
	
	4. Restricted permeability: The soil horizon with the minimum Ksat governs the rate of water movement through the whole soil.  When this rate is low, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is impeded and runoff, infiltration, and percolation of pollutants may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer deeper then 60 cm and above a restrictive layer with the minimum saturated hydraulic conductivity.
	
	Property used: KSAT MINIMUM ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER >60  (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 < 10.0 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	=> 10.0 and <= 40.0 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		 > 40.0 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5. Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class. 
	
	6. Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class. 
	
	7. Depth to bedrock: The depth to bedrock restricts the construction, installation, and functioning of septic tank adsorption fields and other site applications.  Shallow soils have limited adsorptive capacity and biologically active zones through with waste materials can percolate.  These soils may pose environmental and health risks when used as filter fields.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 100 to < 182cm
		Not limiting		=> 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class. 
	
	8. Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan restricts the construction, installation, and functioning of septic tank adsorption fields and other site applications.  Shallow soils have limited adsorptive capacity and biologically active zones through with waste materials can percolate.  These soils may pose environmental and health risks when used as filter fields.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 100 to < 182cm
		Not limiting		=> 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class. 
	
	9. Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated. 
	
	10. Subsidence: Soils with high subsidence can cause septic tanks and septic tank adsorption fields to shift or collapse.  Soil feature considered is total subsidence.
	
	Property used: SUBSIDENCE TOTAL (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	=> 60cm
		Not limiting	 < 60cm
			
	Null values are assigned to the Not limiting class. 
	
	11. Depth to saturated zone:  Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  These soils have the potential to contamination the ground water which may create health and environmental hazards.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 120cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 120 to < 180cm
		Not limiting		=> 180cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	12. Seepage:  The soil's bottom layer Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids through the soil and underlying materials is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the Ksat of the bottom layer or the layer immediately above bedrock.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes.  (added for testing 7/2004) 
	
	Property used: KSAT BOTTOM HORIZON (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 => 14.0 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		  < 14.0 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
		
	13.  Unstable fill:  Soils that are reconstructed because of land reclamation practices can cause differential settlement.  These areas of differential settlement are difficult to identify and are typically destructive to engineering infrastructure.  Soil feature considered is the component local phase.
	
	Property used: COMPONENT LOCAL PHASE
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting             = ""unstable fill""
		Not limiting	 not = ""unstable fill""
	
	Null local phase is assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"208"|"90078"|"8632083"
"ENG - Sewage Lagoons"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Sewage Lagoons

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as ""Sewage Lagoons"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Sewage Lagoons"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Sewage lagoons are shallow ponds constructed to hold sewage while aerobic bacteria decompose the wastes.  Lagoons have a nearly level floor surrounded by cut slopes or embankments of compacted, relatively impervious soil material.  Relatively impervious soil for the lagoon floor and sides is desirable to minimize seepage and contamination of local ground water.  

Scope: National

Farm and ranch homesteads, outbuildings, and recreational facilities require a means to safely dispose of effluent. Sewage lagoons interpretations are a tool for guiding the user in site selection for safe disposal of liquid effluent.  The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  Improper site selection, design, or installation may cause contamination of ground water, seepage, and contamination of stream systems from surface drainage or flood water.  Potential contamination may be reduced or eliminated by installing systems designed to overcome or reduce the effects of the limiting soil property.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Soil permeability is a critical property in evaluating a soil for sewage lagoons.  Most porous soils will eventually seal when being used for a sewage lagoon.  Until they do, however, the hazard of pollution is severe.  Soils that have a permeability rate that exceeds 2 inches per hour generally are too porous for the proper operation of sewage lagoons and may cause contamination.  Fractured bedrock within a depth of 40 inches may create a pollution hazard.  Bedrock and cemented pans create construction problems.

Slope must be gentle enough and the soil material must be thick enough over bedrock or a cemented pan to make smoothing practical so that the lagoon is uniformly deep throughout.

If floodwater overtops the lagoon, it interferes with the functioning of the lagoon and carries away polluting sewage before sufficient decomposition has taken place.  Ordinarily, soils susceptible to flooding have a severe limitation for sewage lagoons.  If floodwater velocities are slow and flooding is rarely deep enough to overtop the lagoon embankment, the susceptibility to flooding does not constitute a severe limitation rating.

Soils that contain a large amount of organic matter are not suitable for the floor of an aerobic lagoon.  The organic matter promotes an anaerobic rather than aerobic environment.

Depth to water table is important if it influences the water level in the lagoon.  If it does, a pollution hazard exists.  Sometimes depth to water table is disregarded if the lagoon floor is of slowly permeable soil material that is at least 4 feet thick.  Soils that contain excess rock fragments greater than 3 inches are undesirable sites because the fragments interfere with the manipulation and compaction needed to prepare the lagoon floor. 

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation and restricts the installation of basements, shallow excavations, and lagoons.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
				
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	2.  Flooding: Flooding has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits building, recreational, and sanitary facility use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""occasional"" or ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil in Unified class ol or oh are not as restrictive and their interpretive rating is reduce 50%.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of all soil layers and the most restrictive condition is reported.
	
	Property used: UNIFIED (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= pt
		Somewhat limiting	= ol or oh
		Not limiting		not = pt, ol, or oh
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not rated class.  

	AND
	
	Property used: USDA SURFACE TEXTURE LAYER
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Limiting       	= ""MPM, SPM, HPM""
		Limiting		not = ""MPM, SPM, HPM""
	
	4.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons between a depth of 0 to 50 cm.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75mm WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-50CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		> 35%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 20% to <= 35%
		Not limiting		< 20%
		
		Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.
		
		5.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Seepage:  The soil horizon with the maximum Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the maximum Ksat between a depth of 30 to 150 cm, excluding the surface layer.
	
	Property used: PERMEABILITY MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 30-150cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	 > 14.0 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	=> 4.0 and <= 14.0 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		 < 4.0 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan restricts the construction, installation, and functioning of the installed application.  Shallow soils are also difficult to reclaim and re-vegetated.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to =< 150cm
		Not limiting		 > 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits construction, installation, and functioning of sewage lagoons.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK SOFT (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	10. Slope:  Steep slopes impede site preparation and construction and restrict lagoon size and shape.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 7%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 2 and < 7%
		Not limiting		=< 2%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	11. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  These soils have the potential to contamination the ground water which may create health and environmental hazards.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 105cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 105 to < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

AND NOT

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE PERCHED MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 45cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 45 to =< 90cm
		Not limiting		 > 90cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|06/04/2020 19:33:15|"430"|"90078"|"8632084"
"ENG - Shallow Excavations"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Shallow Excavations

Summary:

Soils can be non-members, partial members, or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as ""Shallow Excavations"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Shallow Excavations"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Shallow excavations are trenches or holes dug in the soil to a maximum depth of 5 or 6 feet.  They are used for pipelines, sewer lines, telephone and power transmission lines, basements, open ditches, grave sites, etc.  The excavations are most commonly made by trenching machines or backhoes.

Scope: National

Soil properties influence the development of building and construction sites, including the selection of the site, the design of the structure, construction, performance, and after construction maintenance.  The soil interpretations for shallow excavations are used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Ratings are based on the soil properties that influence ease of digging and resistance to sloughing.  Depth to bedrock or cemented pan, hardness of bedrock or a cemented pan, and the amount of large stones influence the ease of digging, filling, and compacting.  Depth to the seasonal high water table and flooding may restrict the period when excavations can be made.  Slope influences the ease of using machinery.  Soil texture and depth to water table influence the resistance to sloughing.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Too clayey: Clayey soils may become sticky when wet and are difficult to spread and compact.  Soil feature considered is the maximum percent clay between 50 and 180cm.
		
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT IN DEPTH 50-180CM (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		>= 60%
		Somewhat limiting	> 40 to < 60%
		Not limiting		<= 40%
			
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	2.  Unstable  Excavation Walls: If soil texture is silt or texture group is sandy or texture modifier is sandy or gravelly or soil order is Vertisols then excavation walls have a high potential to cave in.  This tendency is true for all soils but to a lesser degree and the interpretive model is designed to give a rating no less then .1 ""Somewhat limiting"".  Extreme care and caution should be used around excavation walls to protect from cave in injury or death.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first USDA Texture modifier and class of each layer and taxonomic order.
	
	Property used: USDA GROUP-CLASS IN DEPTH 50-180cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		matches ""*S *"" or matches ""*S"" or matches ""GR*"" or matches ""* GR""
		Somewhat limiting	all other USDA textures other then silt
		
	Null USDA Texture modifier is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	OR
	
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE IN DEPTH 50-180cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting 	""SI"" set at .5
					all other textures set at .1
		Not limiting		none
		
	Null USDA Texture class is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
OR

	Property used: TAXONOMIC ORDER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 = ""vertisols""
		Not limiting	not = ""vertisols""
		
	Null Taxonomic Order is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Dense layer:  Shallow depth to layers with high bulk density are diffucult to revegetate and reclaim.  These layers have low available water capacity and percolation rates.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first soil layer where high bulk density is greater then 1.8.

	Property used: High Bulk Density 50 to 150cm (20-60"") (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation and restricts the installation of basements, shallow excavations, and lagoons.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
				
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Flooding: Soil that floods have limitation on the use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional"" or ""frequent""
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt, ol, or oh is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the soil layers between 50 and 150cm.
	
	Property used: UNIFIED 50-150cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= pt, ol, or oh
		Not limiting	not = pt, ol, or oh
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 25% to <= 50%
		Not limiting		< 25%
		
		Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.
		
		8.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	10. Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the soils ability to support small buildings with basements. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK SOFT (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	11. Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	12. Depth to thick cemented pan: Depth to thick cemented pan limit site preparation and restricts the installation of basements, shallow excavations, and lagoons.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more then 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 100 to < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	13. Depth to thin cemented pan: Depth to thin cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation of small buildings and roads or streets.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer less then or equal to 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THIN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	
	14. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 75cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 75 to < 182cm
		Not limiting		=> 182cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

              15.  Dustiness is a concern for human health as well as aesthetic reasons.  Dust generation from roads is a significant source of inhalable particulate matter.  Two dust particle sizes are recognized: PM10 and PM2.5, relating to particles of aerodynamic diameters of 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively.  The capacity of soils to produce dust particles has been found by Carvacho et al (2004) to be directly related to the clay or silt content of the soil.  Thus, the PM10 or PM2.5 generation capacity of a soil is inversely proportional to its sand content.  Gypsum is also related to dustiness because the soft crystals are relatively easily crushed to silt and clay size particles which can then be picked up by air.

Other major variables in dust generation are moisture content and the amount of traffic on the soil.

The ""Dryness Index"" accounts for the moisture content of the surface.  In a dry, hot environment, the generation of dust is greater than in a cool, moist environment.  Thus dust generation is directly proportional to temperature and inversely proportional to rainfall.

An array of materials is available for overcoming dust limitations (Gebhart et al, 1999).


Property used:  WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, NO O

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 70 percent sand
					Somewhat limiting	 20-70 percent sand
					Not limiting		 <=20 percent sand
					
					
					
Property used:  WTD_AVG GYPSUM 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 15 percent gypsum
					Somewhat limiting	 2-15 percent gypsum
					Not limiting		 <=2 percent gypsum
					
					
Property used:  DRYNESS INDEX

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 5  
					Somewhat limiting	 0.3-5  
					Not limiting		 <=0.3
					
					
					The Dryness Index is 100(mean annual air temperature)/(mean annual precipitation)  
					
									


References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"302"|"90078"|"8632085"
"ENG - Shallow Infiltration Systems"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Shallow Infiltration Systems

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as ""Shallow Infiltration Systems"".  If a soil's property within 200 cm (about 79 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting for the land use.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership index for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Shallow Infiltration Systems"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Shallow Infiltration Systems are a set of Best Management Practices for stormwater management.  These systems include pervious pavement, buffer strips, filter strips, and vegetated swales.  These methods slow the movement of stormwater to surface waters and also filter a significant portion of pollutants from the stormwater.  The fundamental function of these systems is to hold the runoff generated from an area during a one inch rainfall event.  These systems are placed into the soil one to 3 feet, depending on the application.  There should be little or no ponding at the surface of the practice.  The water should infiltrate into the surrounding soil in 24 to 48 hours.

Scope: West Virginia and surrounding states

The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  Improper site selection, design, or installation may cause contamination of ground water, seepage, and contamination of stream systems from surface drainage or floodwater.  In areas underlain by carbonate bedrock, special design techniques will be needed to avoid rapid groundwater contamination and sinkhole development (Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, 2002).  

The estimated land area needed to infiltrate stormwater runoff is to be about one twentieth the size of the area producing the runoff.  The actual size will vary based on the infiltration capacity of the soil and whether of not the local bedrock is comprised largely of limestone.   

Ratings are based on properties and qualities to the depth normally observed during soil mapping (approximately 6 or 7 feet).  Properties that influence the risk of pollution, ease of excavation, trafficability, and revegetation are major considerations.  Soils that flood or have a water table within the depth of excavation present a potential pollution hazard and limit the useability of the site.  Slope is an important consideration because it affects the work involved in construction, control of surface water around the practice, and may contribute to induced mass wasting from adding subsurface water to a layered soil.  


References:


Claytor, R. A. and T. R. Schueler. 1996. Design of stormwater filtering systems. The Center for Watershed Protection. Ellicott City, MD.

Department of Environmental Protection. 2005. Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual. Prepared by Cahill Associates, West Chester, PA.

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. 2002. Technical Best Management Practices Manual & Infiltration Feasibility Report: Infiltration of Stormwater in Areas Underlain by carbonate Bedrock within the Little Lehigh Creek Watershed. Prepared by Cahill Associates, West Chester, PA and USFilter, State College, PA.

Criteria:

Ksat Limited: Soils that cannot transmit water rapidly enough require a larger area of land in order for the installed practice to store and infiltrate 1 inch of rain.  At some point, the soil transmits water too slowly to allow a reasonably functioniong system to be installed.


Property used: KSAT HIGHEST MINIMUM ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER 90 to 150cm DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited		<= 3.5 um/sec
		Somewhat limited	  	 > 3.5 um/sec and < 14 um/sec
		Not limited			>= 14 um/sec
		
	Null ksat is assigned to the Not Rated class.

2. Unstable Fill:  Soils that are reconstructed because of land reclamation practices can cause differential 
settlement.  These areas of differential settlement are difficult to identify and are typically destructive to 
engineering infrastructure.  Soil feature considered is the component local phase.
	
	Property used: COMPONENT LOCAL PHASE
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting             = ""unstable fill""
		Not limiting	 not = ""unstable fill""
	
	Null local phase is assigned to the Not limiting class.

3. Hard bedrock: Soils that lack sufficient depth to hard bedrock require a larger area of land in order for the 
installed practice to store and infiltrate 1 inch of rain.  At some point, the soil is too shallow to allow a 
reasonably functioniong system to be installed.

Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	<= 60cm
		Somewhat limited  	 > 60cm and < 120cm
		Not limited		>= 120cm
		
	Null bedrock depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

4. Water table limiting:  Soils having a high seasonal water table are limited for shallow infiltration systems.


Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	<= 100 cm
		Somewhat limited  	 > 100 cm and < 150 cm
		Not limited		>= 150 cm
		
				
	Null water table depth is assigned to the Not Limited class.

5. Slope: Soils that are sloping are limited in terms of the stormwater management systems that can be installed.  
Sloping soils are more difficult to for equipment usage.  excessive slope may also be a trigger for mass movement 
when additional water is added to a part of the landscape.  Excessive slope also requires design modifications when 
placing a system on a sloping landscape.  At some point, the slope is too steep to allow a reasonably functioniong 
system to be installed.  Some soils are more prone to slippage than others.  This is related to the amount and type 
of clays present in the soil.

Property used: SLOPE  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	>= 20 perecent
		Somewhat limited  	 > 3 percent and < 20 perecent
		Not limited		<= 3 perecent
		
	Null slope is assigned to the Not Rated class.

Property used: SLOPE and LEP (Modality - representative value)

Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	Slope by lep factor > 20
		Somewhat limited  	Slope by lep factor > 0 to <= 20
		Not limited	Slope by lep factor = 0
		
	Null slope by lep interaction is assigned to the Not Rated class.

The sum of the fuzzy numbers is returned as the overall slope index.

6. Flooding:  Soils that are flooded are limited for stromwater management practices because they cannot function to 
reduce runoff if they are under flood water.


Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY RATING (Modality reprentative value)

Restrictive Limits:

Not limited		Flooding rating <2 (none, very rare, rare)
Somewhat limited	Flooding rating 2 to 4 (occasional)
Severely limited 	Flooding rating >4 (frequent, very frequent)

Null flooding is assigned to the Not Limited class.

7. Large surface fragments:  Large fragments on the surface can impede installation of the practice and damage 
equipment.  Boulders (fragments greater than 600mm or 2 feet) are more limiting than stones, since they are harder to 
remove.

Property used: FRAGMENTS >=600MM ON SURFACE

Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited		>= 15 percent coverage
		Somewhat limited	  	> 0 to < 15 percent coverage
		Not limited			=0 percent coverage
		
		
OR

Property used: FRAGMENTS  >=250 TO 600MM ON SURFACE

Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited		>= 50 percent coverage
		Somewhat limited	  	> 15 to < 50 percent coverage
		Not limited			<= 15 percent coverage
		

		
	Null Surface fragmnents is assigned to the Not Limited class.

8. Limestone Bedrock Collapse Risk:   Addition of concentrated runoff can trigger sinkhole formation in areas of 
limestone bedrock.  Some limestones are more susceptible to cave ins than others.  Deeper soils on older landscapes 
seem to be less susceptible to sinkhole formation, but not immune.

Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM (KARST LANDSCAPE LIMITATION)

Restrictive Limits:

Limiting	                If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited because of the bedrock type
Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type

9. Soft bedrock: Soils that lack sufficient depth to soft bedrock require a larger area of land in order for the installed practice to store and infiltrate 1 inch of rain.  The adsorptive capacity of the material underneath the system may also be limited.  At some point, the soil is too shallow to allow a reasonably functioniong system to be installed.



Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK SOFT  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	<= 60cm
		Somewhat limited  	 > 60cm and < 120cm
		Not limited		>= 120cm
		
	Null soft bedrock depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

10. Low adsorption - Soils having low adsorption lack the ability to attenuate potentially harmful material.  The volume of soil underneath the installation depth of the practice is considered.  The adsorptive capacity of the soil volume is estimated by calculating the milliequivalents of exchange capacity in a 1 centimeter x 1 centimeter x 50 centimeter volume.  The exchange is calculated from the cec at pH 7 or the ecec, depending on soil pH.


Property used: MEQ 100-150cm OR FIRST RESTRICTIVE LAYER  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	<= 1.0
		Somewhat limited 	 > 1.0 and < 5.0
		Not limited		>= 5.0
		
	Null cec is assigned to the Not rated class.
	This subrule is weighted to 0.5, meaning it can never return a fuzzy number exceeding 0.5.

11. Vegetation Establishment: Soil reconstruction of disturbed areas, as in excavation for a stormwater management 
practice, is the process of replacing layers of soil material or unconsolidated geologic material, or both, in a 
vertical sequence of such quality and thickness that a favorable medium for plant growth is provided.

When the soil materials are properly used in reconstruction, a rating of good means that vegetation is relatively 
easy to establish and maintain, that the surface is stable and resists erosion, and that the reconstructed soil has 
good potential productivity.  Material rated fair can be vegetated and stabilized by modifying one or more 
properties.  Topdressing with better material or applications of soil amendments may be necessary for satisfactory 
performance.  Material rated poor has such severe problems that revegetation and stabilization are very difficult and 
costly.  Topdressing with better material is necessary to establish and maintain vegetation.

Soil properties influence selection of a site as a potential source of reconstruction material.  The soil 
interpretation for reconstruction material source is used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability or identifying the 
soil limitations as a potential source.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider 
present land use.

Vegetation is difficult to establish on soils that have high pH.  Many of these soils also have a high sodium 
adsorption ratio, which indicates potential instability and water transmission problems.  Materials that are 
extremely acid or have the potential upon oxidation of becoming extremely acid are difficult and expensive to 
vegetate.  They also contribute to poor water quality, in runoff or in ground water.

The available water capacity also is important in establishing vegetation.  Soils that have a low available water 
capacity may require irrigation for the establishment of vegetation.

The stability of the soil depends upon its erodibility by water and wind and its strength.  Water erodibility is 
indicated by the K factor; wind erodibility is rated according to the ""I"" value of the wind erodibility group.  
Potential slippage hazard is related to soil texture, and although other factors also contribute, the ratings of soil 
texture represent one important factor.

The fraction 3-10 inches is a weight percentage of rock fragments in the material used for soil reconstruction.  The 
amount and size of rock fragments influence the ease of excavation, stockpiling, and respreading and the suitability 
for the final use of the land.  A certain amount of rock fragments can be tolerated depending upon their size and the 
intended use of the reclaimed area.  If the size of rock fragments exceeds 10 inches, problems are more severe.

12. Limestone Bedrock Groundwater Contamination Risk: Limestone bedrock may have numerous solution channels that 
allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with little renovation.    

Property used: LIMESTONE BEDROCK

Restrictive Limits:

Limiting	                If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited because of the bedrock type
Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type"|Yes|02/13/2024 13:10:12|"70152"|"90078"|"8632086"
"ENG - Small Commercial Buildings"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Small Commercial Buildings

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Small Commercial Buildings"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Small Commercial Buildings"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Small commercial buildings are those buildings that are less than three stories without basements.  The foundation is assumed to be spread footings of reinforced concrete at a depth of 2 feet or at the depth of maximum frost penetration, whichever is deeper. 

Scope: National

Soil properties influence the development of building and construction sites, including the selection of the site, the design of the structure, construction, performance, and after construction maintenance.  The soil interpretations for small commercial buildings are used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Ratings are based on properties and qualities affecting the capacity of the soil to support a load without movement and those that affect excavation and construction costs.  The properties and qualities affecting load-supporting capacity without movement are presence of a high water table, flooding, and the shrink-swell behavior and compressibility of the soils.  Compressibility is inferred from the Unified classification.  Properties influencing the ease and amount of excavation are flooding, a high water table, slope, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, hardness of bedrock or a cemented pan, and the amount and size of coarse fragments.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts installation of small buildings and roads or streets. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	2.  Flooding: Soil that floods limit the installation and function for building site applications.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very rare"" or ""rare"" or ""occasional"" or ""frequent"" or ""very frequent""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt, ol, or oh is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the thickest soil layer above a restrictive layer and between 25 and 100cm.
	
	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 25-100cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= pt, ol, or oh
		Not limiting	not = pt, ol, or oh
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 25% to <= 50%
		Not limiting		< 25%
		
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.
	
	5.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation of  small buildings and roads or streets. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK SOFT (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Shrink-swell:  Excessive shrink-swell in the thickest layer between 25 and 100cm deep can cause building foundations to shift, flooring slabs to crack and roadways to buckle.  Soil feature considered is percent linear extensibility of the thickest layer between a depth of 10 to 40 inches or above bedrock.

	Property used: SHRINK-SWELL THICKEST LAYER 25-100cm OR ABOVE ROCK (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 6%
		Somewhat limiting	=> 3% to <= 6%
		Not limiting		 < 3%
		
	Null linear extensibility is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Slope:  Steep slopes affect the design and function of installed systems and facilities.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 8%
		Somewhat limiting	 >= 4 and < 8%
		Not limiting	< 4%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	10. Depth to thick cemented pan: Depth to thick cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation of small buildings and roads or streets.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more then 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	11. Depth to thin cemented pan: Depth to thin cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation of small buildings and roads or streets.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer less then or equal to 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THIN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	12. Subsidence: Soils with high subsidence can cause building and road foundations to shift or collapse, flooring slabs to crack and roadways to buckle.  Soil feature considered is total subsidence.
	
	Property used: SUBSIDENCE TOTAL (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	=> 30cm
		Not limiting	 < 30cm
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	13. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table maybe difficult to reclaim and revegetated.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 43cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 43 to <= 75cm
		Not limiting		 > 75cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
	14.  Unstable fill:  Soils that are reconstructed because of land reclamation practices can cause differential settlement.  These areas of differential settlement are difficult to identify and are typically destructive to engineering infrastructure.  Soil feature considered is the component local phase.
	
	Property used: COMPONENT LOCAL PHASE
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting             = ""unstable fill""
		Not limiting	 not = ""unstable fill""
	
	Null local phase is assigned to the Not limiting class.

              15.  Roads, pipelines, and structures built on soils containing gypsum are susceptible to damage from differential settling if the soil gypsum should dissolve to due the addition of more water to the soil than can be removed by evapotranspiration.  Subsidence is estimated from the gypsum content of the soil.  Other soluble salts may also contribute to the loss of volume of the soil.  

Assumptions:

* Differential subsidence is assumed to always occur, rather than an equidimensional settling.
* Water as irrigation, leakage, septic systems, or whatever is assumed to be applied.  If no water is added to the soil, no dissolution occurs and therefore no subsidence.
* Dissolution kinetics are assumed to be such that the settling is observable in our lifetimes.
* The size of the structure has an influence on the tolerable amount of distortion due to settling.
* The age of the structure influences the amount of damage it will sustain if differential subsidence occurs.
* The particle size of the gypsum will influence the dissolution rate.  A generic rate is assumed here.

Property used: SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM (REV)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting                     >18 cm
                                Somewhat limiting    >=3 to 18 mc
		Not limiting	 <3 cm 
	
	Null gypsum is assigned to the Not rated class.

					
These impact ratings are from: National Coal Board Classification of Subsidence Damage. 1975. Subsidence Engineers Handbook."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"395"|"90078"|"8632087"
"ENG - Unlined Retention Systems"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Unlined Retention Systems

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as ""Unlined Retention Systems"".  If a soil's property within 200 cm (about 79 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting for the land use.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership index for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Unlined Retention Systems"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Unlined Retention Systems are a set of Best Management Practices for stormwater management.  These systems include retention basins and intermittent wetlands.  These methods slow the movement of stormwater to surface waters and also filter a significant portion of pollutants from the stormwater.  The fundamental function of these systems is to hold the runoff generated from an area during a one inch rainfall event.  These systems are placed into the soil 3 to five feet, depending on the application.  There should be little or no ponding at the surface of the practice.  The water should infiltrate into the surrounding soil in 24 to 48 hours.

Scope: West Virginia and surrounding states

The interpretation is applicable to both heavily populated and sparsely populated areas.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.  Improper site selection, design, or installation may cause contamination of ground water, seepage, and contamination of stream systems from surface drainage or floodwater.  In areas underlain by carbonate bedrock, special design techniques will be needed to avoid rapid groundwater contamination and sinkhole development (Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, 2002).  

The estimated land area needed to infiltrate stormwater runoff is to be about one twentieth the size of the area producing the runoff.  The actual size will vary based on the infiltration capacity of the soil and whether of not the local bedrock is comprised largely of limestone.   

Ratings are based on properties and qualities to the depth normally observed during soil mapping (approximately 6 or 7 feet).  Properties that influence the risk of pollution, ease of excavation, trafficability, and revegetation are major considerations.  Soils that flood or have a water table within the depth of excavation present a potential pollution hazard and limit the useability of the site.  Slope is an important consideration because it affects the work involved in construction, control of surface water around the practice, and may contribute to induced mass wasting from adding subsurface water to a layered soil.  


References:


Claytor, R. A. and T. R. Schueler. 1996. Design of stormwater filtering systems. The Center for Watershed Protection. Ellicott City, MD.

Department of Environmental Protection. 2005. Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual. Prepared by Cahill Associates, West Chester, PA.

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. 2002. Technical Best Management Practices Manual & Infiltration Feasibility Report: Infiltration of Stormwater in Areas Underlain by carbonate Bedrock within the Little Lehigh Creek Watershed. Prepared by Cahill Associates, West Chester, PA and USFilter, State College, PA.

Criteria:

1. Ksat Limited: Soils that transmit water too rapidly cannot maintain a saturatred zone for wetland vegetation.  At some point, the soil transmits water too rapidly to allow a reasonably functioniong system to be installed.


Property used: KSAT HIGHEST MIN ABOVE RESTRICTION, BELOW O, 120 TO 200 CM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not limited			<= 3.5 um/sec
		Somewhat limited	  	> 3.5 um/sec and < 14 um/sec
		Severely limited		>= 14 um/sec
		
	Null ksat is assigned to the Not Rated class.

2. Unstable Fill:  Soils that are reconstructed because of land reclamation practices can cause differential 
settlement.  These areas of differential settlement are difficult to identify and are typically destructive to 
engineering infrastructure.  Soil feature considered is the component local phase.
	
	Property used: COMPONENT LOCAL PHASE
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting             = ""unstable fill""
		Not limiting	 not = ""unstable fill""
	
	Null local phase is assigned to the Not limiting class.

3. Hard bedrock: Soils that lack sufficient depth to hard bedrock require a larger area of land in order for the installed practice to store and infiltrate 1 inch of rain.  At some point, the soil is too shallow to allow a reasonably functioniong system to be installed.

DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD

Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	<= 60cm
		Somewhat limited  	 > 60cm and < 120cm
		Not limited		>= 120cm
		
	Null bedrock depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

4. Water table limiting:  Soils lacking a high seasonal water table are limited for retention systems.  The wetland vegetation requires groundwater be available to the plant roots to maintain growth but not have free water at the surface for long periods during the warm season in order to reduce insect pest populations.  


Property used: WATER TABLE DEPTH DURING GROWING SEASON  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not limited		<= 60 cm
		Somewhat limited  	> 60 cm and < 180 cm
		Severely limited	>= 180 cm
		
				
	Null water table depth is assigned to the Severely Limited class.

5. Slope: Soils that are sloping are limited in terms of the stormwater management systems that can be installed.  
Sloping soils are more difficult to for equipment usage.  excessive slope may also be a trigger for mass movement 
when additional water is added to a part of the landscape.  Excessive slope also requires design modifications when 
placing a system on a sloping landscape.  At some point, the slope is too steep to allow a reasonably functioniong 
system to be installed.  Some soils are more prone to slippage than others.  This is related to the amount and type 
of clays present in the soil.

Property used: SLOPE  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	>= 10 perecent
		Somewhat limited  	 > 3 percent and < 10 perecent
		Not limited		<= 3 perecent
		
	Null slope is assigned to the Not Rated class.

Property used: SLOPE and LEP (Modality - representative value)

Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	Slope by lep factor > 20
		Somewhat limited  	Slope by lep factor > 0 to <= 20
		Not limited	Slope by lep factor = 0
		
	Null slope by lep interaction is assigned to the Not Rated class.

The sum of the fuzzy numbers is returned as the overall slope index.

6.  Flooding:  Soils that are flooded are limited for stromwater management practices because they cannot function to 
reduce runoff if they are under flood water.


Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY RATING (Modality reprentative value)

Restrictive Limits:

Not limited		Flooding rating <2 (none, very rare, rare)
Somewhat limited	Flooding rating 2 to 4 (occasional)
Severely limited 	Flooding rating >4 (frequent, very frequent)

Null flooding is assigned to the Not Limited class.

7. Large surface fragments:  Large fragments on the surface can impede installation of the practice and damage 
equipment.  Boulders (fragments greater than 600mm or 2 feet) are more limiting than stones, since they are harder to 
remove.

Property used: FRAGMENTS >=600MM ON SURFACE

Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited		>= 15 percent coverage
		Somewhat limited	  	> 0 to < 15 percent coverage
		Not limited			=0 percent coverage
		
		
OR

Property used: FRAGMENTS  >=250 TO 600MM ON SURFACE

Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited		>= 50 percent coverage
		Somewhat limited	  	> 15 to < 50 percent coverage
		Not limited			<= 15 percent coverage
		

		
	Null Surface fragmnents is assigned to the Not Limited class.

8. Limestone Bedrock Collapse Risk:   Addition of concentrated runoff can trigger sinkhole formation in areas of 
limestone bedrock.  Some limestones are more susceptible to cave ins than others.  Deeper soils on older landscapes 
seem to be less susceptible to sinkhole formation, but not immune.

Property used: LIMESTONE RESIDUUM (KARST LANDSCAPE LIMITATION)

Restrictive Limits:

Limiting	                If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited because of the bedrock type
Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type

9. Soft bedrock:  Soils having soft bedrock too close to the surface are limited for retention systems.  For a reasonable system enough volume of water must be retained.  The soft bedrock limits excavation and can be too pervious.




Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK SOFT  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Severely limited	<= 100cm
		Somewhat limited  	 > 100cm and < 180cm
		Not limited		>= 180cm
		
	Null soft bedrock depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

10. Vegetation Establishment: Soil reconstruction of disturbed areas, as in excavation for a stormwater management 
practice, is the process of replacing layers of soil material or unconsolidated geologic material, or both, in a 
vertical sequence of such quality and thickness that a favorable medium for plant growth is provided.

When the soil materials are properly used in reconstruction, a rating of good means that vegetation is relatively 
easy to establish and maintain, that the surface is stable and resists erosion, and that the reconstructed soil has 
good potential productivity.  Material rated fair can be vegetated and stabilized by modifying one or more 
properties.  Topdressing with better material or applications of soil amendments may be necessary for satisfactory 
performance.  Material rated poor has such severe problems that revegetation and stabilization are very difficult and 
costly.  Topdressing with better material is necessary to establish and maintain vegetation.

Soil properties influence selection of a site as a potential source of reconstruction material.  The soil 
interpretation for reconstruction material source is used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability or identifying the 
soil limitations as a potential source.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider 
present land use.

Vegetation is difficult to establish on soils that have high pH.  Many of these soils also have a high sodium 
adsorption ratio, which indicates potential instability and water transmission problems.  Materials that are 
extremely acid or have the potential upon oxidation of becoming extremely acid are difficult and expensive to 
vegetate.  They also contribute to poor water quality, in runoff or in ground water.

The available water capacity also is important in establishing vegetation.  Soils that have a low available water 
capacity may require irrigation for the establishment of vegetation.

The stability of the soil depends upon its erodibility by water and wind and its strength.  Water erodibility is 
indicated by the K factor; wind erodibility is rated according to the ""I"" value of the wind erodibility group.  
Potential slippage hazard is related to soil texture, and although other factors also contribute, the ratings of soil 
texture represent one important factor.

The fraction 3-10 inches is a weight percentage of rock fragments in the material used for soil reconstruction.  The 
amount and size of rock fragments influence the ease of excavation, stockpiling, and respreading and the suitability 
for the final use of the land.  A certain amount of rock fragments can be tolerated depending upon their size and the 
intended use of the reclaimed area.  If the size of rock fragments exceeds 10 inches, problems are more severe.

11. Limestone Bedrock Groundwater Contamination Risk: Limestone bedrock may have numerous solution channels that 
allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with little renovation.    

Property used: LIMESTONE BEDROCK

Restrictive Limits:

Limiting	                If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited because of the bedrock type
Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type

12. Water table limiting:  Soils having a  high seasonal water table may be limited in terms of the time that a retention system can be installed.  The soil wetness reduces bearing strength and causes other problems with machinery as well as increasing soil compaction.  This is further limited by the consideration that installation is likely to occur only during the growing season when vegetation can be more readily established.  This rule examines the water table depth and duration within the growing season.


Property used: WATER TABLE DEPTH DURING GROWING SEASON  (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not limited		>= 150 cm
		Somewhat limited  	> 45 cm and < 150 cm
		Severely limited	< 45 cm
		
				
	Null water table depth is assigned to the not limited class.

Property used: WET SOIL MONTHS DURING GROWING SEASON - COUNT  (Modality - representative value)

Restrictive limits:
		Not limited		0 months
		Somewhat limited  	>0 but less than 12 months
		Severely limited	12 months

Null months of saturation is assigned to the not limited class.

The rating reported is the product of the fuzzy numbers of the two evaluations."|Yes|02/13/2024 13:10:12|"70153"|"90078"|"8632088"
"ENG - Unpaved Local Roads and Streets"|"limitation"|"ENG - Engineering

ENG - Unpaved Local Roads and Streets

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Unpaved Local Roads and Streets"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Unpaved Local Roads and Streets"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Unpaved local roads and streets are those roads and streets that carry traffic year round but have a graded surface of local soil material or aggregate. 

Scope: National

The roads and streets consist of
(1) the underlying local soil material, either cut or fill, which is called ""the sub-grade"";
(2) the surface, which may be the same as the subgrade or may have aggrate such as crushed limestone added.

They are graded to shed water, and conventional drainage measures are provided.  These roads and streets are built mainly from the soil at hand.

Soil interpretations for local roads and streets are used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Scope: National

Soil properties and qualities that affect local roads and streets are those that influence the ease of excavation and grading and the traffic-supporting capacity.  The properties and qualities that affect the ease of excavation and grading are hardness of bedrock or a cemented pan, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, depth to a water table, flooding, the amount of large stones, and slope.  The properties that affect traffic-supporting capacity are soil strength as inferred from the AASHTO group index and the Unified classification, subsidence, shrink-swell behavior, potential frost action, and depth to the seasonal high water table.  The dust generating tendacy of the soil is also considered.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts installation of small buildings and roads or streets. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	2.  Flooding: Flooding has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits building, recreational, and sanitary facility use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""occasional"" or ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 25% to <= 50%
		Not limiting		< 25%
		
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.
	
	4.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Frost action: Frost heaving can cause roadbeds to shift and paving to crack.  Soil feature considered is frost action.
	
	Property used: POTENTIAL FROST ACTION (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	= ""high""  
		Somewhat Limiting 	= ""moderate""
		Not limiting		all others
		
	Null frost action values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation of  small buildings and roads or streets. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK SOFT (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Shrink-swell:  Excessive shrink-swell in the thickest layer between 25 and 100cm deep can cause building foundations to shift, flooring slabs to crack and roadways to buckle.  Soil feature considered is percent linear extensibility of the thickest layer between a depth of 10 to 40 inches or above bedrock.

	Property used: SHRINK-SWELL THICKEST LAYER 25-100cm OR ABOVE ROCK (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 6%
		Somewhat limiting	=> 3% to <= 6%
		Not limiting		 < 3%
		
	Null linear extensibility is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	10. Low strength: Soils with high AASHTO Group Index have low strength which affects the soil's traffic-supporting capacity.  This condition is only partially restrictive when clay mineralogy is kaolinitic.  Soil feature considered is the AASHTO Group Index of the thickest soil layer between 25 and 100cm or above a cemented restrictive layer and taxonomic family mineralogy.
		
	Property used: AASHTO GROUP INDEX NUMBER THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 10-40 in. (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 8
		Somewhat limiting	 > 5 to < 8
		Not limiting		=< 5
			
	Null AASHTO Group Index values are assigned to the Not limiting class.

OR

	Property used: TAXONOMIC MINERALOGY CLASS (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		If taxonomic family mineralogy is kaolinitic then
		the soil clayey rating is reduced by 90%.
			
	Null taxonomic mineralogy classes are assigned Not Rated.
	
	11. Depth to thick cemented pan: Depth to thick cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation of small buildings and roads or streets.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer more then 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THICK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	12. Depth to thin cemented pan: Depth to thin cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the installation of small buildings and roads or streets.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer less then or equal to 46cm thick where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN THIN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	13. Subsidence: Soils with high subsidence can cause building and road foundations to shift or collapse, flooring slabs to crack and roadways to buckle.  Soil feature considered is total subsidence.
	
	Property used: SUBSIDENCE TOTAL (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	=> 30cm
		Not limiting	 < 30cm
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	14. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 30cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 30 to < 75cm
		Not limiting		=> 75cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
	15.  Unstable fill:  Soils that are reconstructed because of land reclamation practices can cause differential settlement.  These areas of differential settlement are difficult to identify and are typically destructive to engineering infrastructure.  Soil feature considered is the component local phase.
	
	Property used: COMPONENT LOCAL PHASE
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting             = ""unstable fill""
		Not limiting	 not = ""unstable fill""
	
	Null local phase is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	16. Subsidence due to gypsum: Soils that contain large amounts of gypsum are susceptible to collapse due to gypsum dissolution and transport under a modified hydrologic regime.
	
	Property used: SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM
	
	Restrictive Limits:
		Limiting		>30cm
		Somewhat Limiting	10cm to 30cm
		Not Limiting		<10cm
		
	Null values are assigned to the Null Not Rated class.
	
	17. Dustiness is a concern for human health as well as aesthetic reasons.  Dust generation from roads is a significant source of inhalable particulate matter.  Two dust particle sizes are recognized: PM10 and PM2.5, relating to particles of aerodynamic diameters of 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively.  The capacity of soils to produce dust particles has been found by Carvacho et al (2004) to be directly related to the clay or silt content of the soil.  Thus, the PM10 or PM2.5 generation capacity of a soil is inversely proportional to its sand content.  Gupsum is also related to dustiness because the soft crystals are relatively easily crushed to silt and clay size particles which can then be picked up by air.

Other major variables in dust generation are moisture content, vehicle size, and the amount of traffic on the road.

The ""Dryness Index"" accounts for the moisture content of the surface.  In a dry, hot environment, the generation of dust is greater than in a cool, moist environment.  Thus dust generation is directly proportional to temperature and inversely proportional to rainfall.

An array of materials is available for overcoming dust limitations (Gebhart et al, 1999).


Property used:  WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, NO O

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 70 percent sand
					Somewhat limiting	 20-70 percent sand
					Not limiting		 <=20 percent sand
					
					
					
Property used:  WTD_AVG GYPSUM 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 15 percent gypsum
					Somewhat limiting	 2-15 percent gypsum
					Not limiting		 <=2 percent gypsum
					
					
Property used:  DRYNESS INDEX

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 5  
					Somewhat limiting	 0.3-5  
					Not limiting		 <=0.3
					
					
					The Dryness Index is 100(mean annual air temperature)/(mean annual precipitation)  
					
									


References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"23656"|"90078"|"8632089"
"Farm and Garden Composting Facility - Surface"|"limitation"|"AGR - Agronomy

Farm and Garden Composting Facility - Surface

Background

Produce farms, urban areas, and suburban neighborhoods can produce large amounts of organic material that may be viewed as waste but is actually a valuable resource.  This material may 
consist of leaves, grass clippings, small tree limbs, and other herbaceous materials.  Composting these materials provides a good source of organic matter to be used as a soil amendment. 

Biological degradation of organic materials forms the basis for composting.  This biological process depends on the active metabolism of microorganisms in a suitable micro-environment. 
The six critical factors for the transformation of organic materials into compost are microorganisms, heat, air, water, carbon, and nitrogen.

The microorganisms that carry out biological degradation for composting often are found in the soil or on the surface of leaves.  These microorganisms thrive in a surface or subsurface 
microclimate with free circulation of air, free flow of water, and a temperature well above freezing. The microorganisms also require carbon as food for energy and growth, as well as 
nitrogen for protein and rebuilding cells.

Composting facilities are designed to provide these six critical factors in relative proportions so that the process of biological degradation is sustained.  Deficits in any of the 
critical factors, or imbalances among them, may result in extremely slow composting or a dormant composting system. Mixing of materials also redistributes heat, air, and water and will 
speed the process of biological degradation. Large facilities may provide mechanical mixing of the compost materials. Smaller facilities may rely on manual turning of the materials or may 
add some materials that are too large to compost in order to create channels for air flow through the pile. 

Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) and Mean Annual Air Temperature (MAAT) are measures of the soil micro-climate that affects the rate of composting.  Both MAP and MAAT are available from 
the soil survey database.  Composting is most rapid in warm, moist areas that generally have MAP between 450 and 1250 mm together with MAAT between 10 and 22 degrees Celsius.  The optimal 
temperature inside the compost pile is 10 to 15.5 degrees Celsius. In colder areas the rate of composting may be increased by insulating the compost pile on all sides with an extra layer 
of high carbon materials such as hay or newspaper. To avoid extreme cold or rainforest conditions, the composting may be done inside a protected area or a building.  The optimal moisture 
for composting is field capacity, or freely drained but moist. Moisture may need to be added to the compost pile especially if the organic materials are dry such as chipped lumber. 

The ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the organic materials is perhaps the hardest part of the process to regulate.  Active compost piles need a carbon to nitrogen ratio of about 30:1 (30 
units of carbon to 1 unit of nitrogen). Many common materials such as leaves and lumber are high in carbon and require balanced inputs of materials that are high in nitrogen such as 
coffee grounds or manures and urines.  Often the materials high in nitrogen are less available or more difficult to transport to the composting site. Materials intended for composting may 
vary in their carbon to nitrogen ratio due to many factors and testing of materials is recommended before large scale operations begin. A few C:N examples are given in table 1.



Table 1.  Examples of composting materials from a summary of 
Publications (with estimated ratios of carbon to nitrogen)

High Nitrogen Materials
Fish, slaughter, or poultry waste (C:N = 4:1)
Urine - undiluted (8:1)
Manure or sewage sludge  fresh (13:1)
Grass clippings  fresh (15:1)
Coffee grounds (20:1)
Vegetable and fruit waste (25:1)

High Carbon Materials
Leaves	 (60:1)
Straw (85:1)
Wood chips (125:1)
Sawdust (500:1)
Hardwood lumber (500:1)
Newspaper (600:1)


Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as a ""Farm and Garden Composting Facility - Surface"".  If a soil's property 
within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership 
indices for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the ""Site for Composting Facility"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not 
considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited 
(rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Site for Farm and Garden Composting Facility - Surface is the site location for placement of a composting facility without the use of a liner or placement on concrete pad. The composting 
facility is to process raw organic by-products into biologically stable organic material as outlined in the NRCS conservation practice standard ""Composting Facility"" (code 317). 

Scope: National

The bottom elevation of the composting facility shall be above the seasonal high water table and on soils with an acceptable permeability that does not allow materials to contaminate the 
ground water. Compost facilities should be located outside of floodplains.  However, if site restrictions require location within a floodplain, they shall be protected from inundation or 
damage from a 25-year flood event, or larger. Locate compost facilities so prevailing winds and landscape elements such as building arrangement, landforms and vegetation minimize odors 
and protect the visual resource. Direct any contaminated runoff from compost facilities to an appropriate storage or treatment facility for further management.

Suitability of a soil for use as a site for composting should be on soils with an acceptable permeability that does not allow materials to contaminate the ground water. Slope affects the 
ease of accessing and manipulating the compost material.  It also will affect runoff from the site. If slope is limiting, then consult the ""Site for Composting Facility  Subsurface"" 
interpretation.


Soil interpretations for locating a site for composting are used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in 
their present condition and does not consider present land use.


Criteria used:


1.  Depth to saturated zone: Shallow depth to water table limits the site for use as a composting facility.  Soils that are shallow to water are also difficult to reclaim and revegetate, 
and contamination from leaching may create health and environmental hazards.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or 
saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50 cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to =< 100 cm
		Not limiting		 > 100 cm
		
	Null depth to saturation is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
2.  Flooding:  If the number of months a soil component has frequent or occasional flooding falls within the following parameters then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and flooding 
is a limiting feature:

Flooding Frequency	Months
------------------	------
Frequent		>0
Occasional		>2


3.  Fragments in soil:  Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight 
rock fragments > 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.



	Property evaluated: WTD_AVG FRAGS > 250mm 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15 percent
		Somewhat Limiting 	=> 5 to 15 percent
		Not limiting		 < 5 percent
		
	Null surface fragment coverage is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.	



4.  Surface fragments:  Soils that have large fragments on the surface have reduced trafficability.  The large rock fragments on the surface must be removed.  Rock fragment coverage 
criteria are as follows.


	Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE  (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 15 percent
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 3 to 15 percent
		Not limiting		 < 3 percent
		
	Null surface fragment coverage is assigned to the Well suited class.



5.  Seepage:  The soil horizon with the maximum Ksat governs the leaching and seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is 
unimpeded and leaching and seepage may become an environmental, health, and performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the maximum Ksat within a depth of 200cm.

            Property used: KSAT HIGHEST MINIMUM, 0-200CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)

            Restriction limits:
                    Limiting                 	> 42.0 micrometers/sec
                    Somewhat Limiting       	 > 14.1 and <= 42.0 micrometers/sec
                    Not limiting           	 =< 14.1 micrometers/sec

            Null Ksat values are assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.


6.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil 
features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	
	
7.  Ponding:  If the number of months a soil component has frequent or occasional ponding falls within the following parameters then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and ponding is 
a limiting feature:

Ponding Frequency	Months
-----------------	------
Frequent		>0
Occasional		>2



8.  Mean annual precipitation: Localities that have low rainfall are limited for use as composting facilities.  In places that have low rainfall, moisture will need to be added to 
maintain biological activity in the composting mass.  The site feature considered is mean annual precipitation.

	Property used: PRECIPITATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 400 mm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 400-1200 mm
		Not limiting		 > 1200 mm
		
	Null precipitation is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.
	
	
	
9.  Slope:  The slope of the soil surface influences its trafficability for equipment and also can cause erosion hazard if steep.

	Property evaluated: SLOPE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		> 8 percent  
		Somewhat limiting 	<= 8 to 3 percent
		Not limiting		< 3 percent
		
	Null slopes are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
10.  Low strength: Soils with high AASHTO Group Index have low strength which affects the soil's traffic-supporting capacity.  This condition is only partially restrictive when clay 
mineralogy is kaolinitic.  Soil feature considered is the AASHTO Group Index of the
thickest soil layer between 25 and 100cm or above a cemented restrictive layer and taxonomic family mineralogy.

        Property used:AASHTO GROUP INDEX, WEIGHTED AVERAGE IN DEPTH 0-50cm (Modality - high, low, representative value)

        Restriction limits:
                Limiting                	                 => 8
                Somewhat limiting        	> 5 to < 20
                Not limiting           	 	=< 20

        Null AASHTO Group Index values are assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.
        
        
        
11.  Mean annual air temperature: Localities that have very low or very high mean annual air temperature are limited for use as composting facilities.  In places that have low mean annual 
air temperature, the onset of decomposition may be delayed by low biological activity in the composting mass.  The additional expense of covering or insulating the composting mass may be 
incurred.  In very warm areas, adding extra water and more frequent turning of the mass adds to the cost of composting.  The site feature considered is mean annual air temperature.

	Property used: MEAN ANNUAL AIR TEMPERATURE (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 <= 8 and >30 degrees C 
		Somewhat limiting	 8 to <=10 and 22 to <=30 degrees C
		Not limiting		 >10 to <=22 degrees C
		
	Null mean annual air temperature is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class."|Yes|03/24/2023 19:46:41|"57992"|"90078"|"8632090"
"FOR - Construction Limitations for Haul Roads/Log Landings"|"limitation"|"FOR - Forestry

FOR - Construction Limitations for Haul Roads and Log Landings


Summary:

Soils can be non-members, partial members, or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for use as ""Haul Roads and Log Landings"".  If a soil characteristic within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting, and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Haul Roads and Log Landings"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).


Description:

Construction Limitations for Haul Roads and Log Landings addresses the possible impediments to the construction of haul roads and log landings that may make installation more costly or too difficult.  Haul roads typically have a running surface about 6 meters (20 feet) wide and may be as long as 1.6 kilometers (1 mile).   Log landings are areas where logs that have been felled are stacked, sorted, and loaded on to trucks for transport.  Cuts and fills are generally less than 3 meters (10 feet) deep and are installed using bladed crawler tractors, excavators, graders, or other primary construction equipment.  Native soil materials are excavated, removed, and shaped to develop the haul roads and log landings to be used for forest harvesting and other management activities.  The final product should meet standards and specifications for haul roads and log landings.


Scope: National

Soil properties influence the development of haul roads and log landings, including the selection of the site, the routing of the road, construction, performance, and after construction maintenance.  The soil interpretations for haul roads and log landings are used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Ratings are based on the soil properties that influence ease of scraping, trafficability, and ease of maintenance.  Depth to bedrock or cemented pan, hardness of bedrock or a cemented pan, and the content of large stones influence the ease of digging, filling, and compacting.  Depth to the seasonal high water table, ponding, and flooding may restrict the period when excavations can be made.  Slope influences the ease of using machinery.  

Criteria:
Ratings reflect limitations for constructing haul roads and log landings.

1. Slope limitation - Slope is a primary consideration for haul roads and log landings.   The slope of the land surface affects erosion, safety, and equipment operability.  If the slope of a soil component is greater than 14%, then this rule returns a value greater than 0 and slope is a limiting feature.

Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 30%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 15 and <= 30%
		Not limiting	< 15%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

2. Soil Slippage Limitation - soils are susceptible to movement if they are undercut.  The degree of hazard is typically related to the propensity to move, the depth of the cut, and the slope gradient driving the movement.  Soil slippage potential is an estimate of the stability of a given soil.  This is influenced by many factors, such as the internal cohesion of the soil.  Most soils are far more likely to slide when they are wet.  Clayey soils, especially when layered, are more likely to slide than sandy soils.  The slope is an important consideration since if the soil is not undercut, such as when building a road on a non-sloping surface, even if the soil is likely to move, the gradient to drive the movement is not present.  However, in the case of ""Leda clays"", also known as ""sensitive clays"", the internal soil cohesion can be so low that the soil, if undercut by natural or man-made processes, can flow away on level ground.

Property evaluated:  SLOPE PERCENT
Restriction limits:
	Slope <5 percent	                Not limiting
	Slope 5 to 25 percent	Somewhat limiting
	Slope >25 percent 	                Limiting
	
	Null slope is placed in the ""Not rated"" class

Property evaluated:  SOIL SLIPPAGE POTENTIAL, REVISED
Restriction limits:		 
  	Soil slippage potential code 0		Not limiting
  	Soil slippage potential code 1-4	Somewhat limiting
  	Soil slippage potential code 5		Very limiting
  
  	Null soil slippage is placed in the ""Not limiting"" class.
  	
Slippage is considered as the interaction of slope and propensity to slide, thus the fuzzy numbers of the subrules are multiplied.

Reference:

Lefebvre, G. 1996. Soft Sensitive Clays. Ch 24 in Landslides Investigation and Mitigation. A. K. Turner and R. L. Schuster, Eds. Transportation Research Board. Special Report 247. National Academy Press. Washington, DC.


3. Flooding Limitation  flooding can cause damage to infrastructure and equipment.  Also, soil can be eroded, and other constituents can be moved. If the number of months a soil component has frequent or occasional flooding falls within the following parameters, then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and flooding is a limiting feature.

Subrule 1 - Months with Frequent/Very Frequent Flooding

a. Property evaluated:  FLOODING FREQ. MONTHS W/ FREQUENT OR VERY FREQUENT FLOODING
Restriction limits:
	0 months 		Not limiting
	1 or 2 months	Somewhat limiting
	3 or more months 	Limiting
	
	Null flooding is placed in the ""Not limited"" class

Subrule 2 - Months Occasional Flooding

b. Property evaluated:  FLOODING FREQ. MONTHS W/ OCCASIONAL FLOODING
Restriction limits:
	0 to 2 months 	Not limiting
	3 to 5 months	Somewhat limiting
	6 or more months 	Limiting
	
	Null flooding is placed in the ""Not limited"" class

The more limiting of Subrule 1 or 2 is reported as the flooding limitation.

4. Frozen Soil Limitation -frozen soil or permafrost is very difficult to excavate and also can present unintended consequences if disturbed.  This rule determines if any layer has a ""permanently frozen"" texture modifier or ""consolidated permafrost"" texture in-lieu-of.

If the result is greater than 0 then the layer has a ""permanently frozen"" texture modifier or a texture-in-lieu-of of ""consolidated permafrost"".

Subrule 1 - Consolidated Permafrost - This rule determines if any layer of a soil component has a consolidated permafrost (cpf) texture in-lieu-of.  If the result is greater than 0 then the texture in-lieu-of is cpf.

a. Property evaluated:  USDA TEXTURE IN-LIEU-OF CPF
Restriction limits:
		Texture in lieu not equals cpf 	Not limiting
		Texture in lieu equals cpf 		Limiting

Subrule 2 - Permanently Frozen Texture Modifier- This rule determines if any layer of a soil component has a ""permanently frozen"" texture modifier.  If the result is greater than 0 then the texture modifier is ""permanently frozen"".

b. Property evaluated:  USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER PF
Restriction limits:
		Texture modifier not equals pf 	Not limiting
		Texture modifier equals pf 		Limiting

The more limiting of Subrule 1 or 2 is reported as the frozen soil limitation.


5. - Stickiness/Slope Limitation -soil stickiness, as estimated by using the plasticity index, affects the construction of haul roads and log landings by reducing the efficiency of vehicular movement.  The plasticity index is stratified by soil slope since deeper cuts are needed on steeper sites to maintain a road or landing that is not excessively sloping.  Thus, the stickiness is evaluated for two slope classes, less than 15 percent and 15 to 30 percent.

Subrule 1 - slope 15 percent or less
a. Property evaluated:  PLASTICITY INDEX WTD AVE, DEPTH 0-50CM
Restriction limits:
		Plasticity index less than 15 		Not limiting
		Plasticity index 15 to 40 		Somewhat limiting
		Plasticity index greater than 40	Limiting

Subrule 2 - slope 15 to 30 percent
b. Property evaluated:  PLASTICITY INDEX WTD AVE, DEPTH 50-150CM
Restriction limits:
		Plasticity index less than 15 		Not limiting
		Plasticity index 15 to 40 		Somewhat limiting
		Plasticity index greater than 40	Limiting

The most limiting of the two subrules is reported.  The overall effect of the plasticity index is limited to 0.5.


6. Stoniness Limitation  The content of large rock fragments (greater than 250mm) can affect the installation and use of haul roads and log landings due to reduced efficiency, equipment damage and physical obstruction.  This rule considers both the surface coverage and the content of large fragments within the soil, stratified by slope.  On steeper slopes, the rock fragment content is examined deeper in the profile.  Thus, the rock fragment content is evaluated for two slope classes, less than 15 percent and 15 to 30 percent.

1. Surface stoniness subrule
Property evaluated:  FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE
Restriction limits:
		Fragment covering less than 3 percent 	                Not limiting
		Fragment covering 3 to 15 percent		Somewhat limiting
		Fragment covering greater than 15 percent	Limiting


2. Rock fragments in the soil subrules
a. Slope 15 percent or less
	a1. Subrule - Very/Extremely Stony Texture =<50cm
	Property evaluated:  DEPTH TO VERY/EXTREMELY STONY TEXTURE MODIFIER
	Restriction limits:
		Deeper than 75 cm		Not limited
		75 to 50 cm		Somewhat limited
		Less than 50 cm		Limited

	a2. Subrule - Very/Extremely Bouldery Texture 0 to >100cm
	Property evaluated:  DEPTH TO VERY/EXTREMELY BOULDERY TEXTURE MODIFIER
	Restriction limits:
		Deeper than 100 cm	Not limited
		75 to 100 cm		Somewhat limited
		Less than 75 cm		Limited
The more limiting of a1 or a2 is reported

b. Slope 15 to 30 percent
	b1. Subrule - Very/Extremely Stony Texture 0 to >100cm
	Property evaluated:  DEPTH TO VERY/EXTREMELY STONY TEXTURE MODIFIER
	Restriction limits:
		0 to 75 cm		Limited
		75 to 100 cm		Somewhat limited
		Greater than 100cm	Not limited

	b2. Subrule - Very/Extremely Bouldery Texture 0 to > 150cm
	Property evaluated:  DEPTH TO VERY/EXTREMELY BOULDERY TEXTURE MODIFIER
	Restriction limits:
		Deeper than 150 cm		Not limiting
		75 to 150 cm			Somewhat limiting
		Less than 75 cm		                Limiting
The more limiting of b1, b2, a1, a2, or 1 is reported as the stoniness limitation rating.	


7. Sand/Slope Limitation  Very sandy soils (greater than 85 percent) are difficult to work and lack cohesion, which, due to wheel slippage, lowers the efficiency of the vehicles using the haul road.  Making a haul road on steeper slopes requires deeper cuts, so the depth of interest is deeper on more sloping soils.  Thus, the sand content is evaluated for two slope classes, less than 15 percent and 15 to 30 percent.  The effect of sandiness is not allowed to make a soil rate as limited.


Subrule 1 - slope 15 percent or less
a. Property evaluated:  PARTICLES COARSER VFS IN LAYERS >=15CM THICK, DPTH 0-30CM, L
Restriction limits:
		Sand content less than 70 percent 		Not limiting
		Sand content 70 to 85 percent 		Somewhat limiting

Subrule 2 - slope 15 to 30 percent
b. Property evaluated:  PARTICLES COARSER VFS IN LAYERS >=15CM THICK, DPTH 0-90CM, L
Restriction limits:
		Sand content less than 70 percent 		Not limiting
		Sand content 70 to 85 percent 		Somewhat limiting

The maximum of the two subrules is reported as the rating for sandiness and slope.


8. Strength Limitation  The ability of a soil, either in situ or as fill, to support traffic is critical for haul roads and log landings.  Making a haul road on steeper slopes requires deeper cuts, so the depth of interest is deeper on more sloping soils.  Thus, the soil strength is evaluated for three slope classes, less than 15 percent, 15 to 30 percent, and over 30 percent.  

Subrule 1 - slope 15 percent or less
a. Property evaluated:  AASHTO GROUP INDEX, WEIGHTED AVERAGE IN DEPTH 0-50cm
Restriction limits:
		AASHTO GIN 0 to 3 		Not limiting
		AASHTO GIN 3 to 20 		Somewhat limiting
		AASHTO GIN greater than 20   	Limiting

Subrule 2 - slope 15 to 30 percent
b. Property evaluated:  AASHTO GROUP INDEX, WEIGHTED AVERAGE IN DEPTH 0-100cm
Restriction limits:
		AASHTO GIN 0 to 3 		Not limiting
		AASHTO GIN 3 to 20 		Somewhat limiting
		AASHTO GIN greater than 20	                Limiting

Subrule 3 - slope greater than 30 percent
c. Property evaluated:  AASHTO GROUP INDEX, WEIGHTED AVERAGE IN DEPTH 0-150cm
Restriction limits:
		AASHTO GIN 0 to 3 		Not limiting
		AASHTO GIN 3 to 20 		Somewhat limiting
		AASHTO GIN greater than 20	                Limiting

The maximum of the three subrules is reported as the rating for strength and slope.


9. Restrictive Layer Limitation  Some soils have layers that are difficult to excavate, such as hard bedrock or indurated layers.  On sloping sites, the presence of such layers can limit the construction of haul roads and log landings.  Non-cemented layers, which can be ripped with machinery, are not considered limiting in this context.  The depth to the indurated layer or hard bedrock is examined in two slope classes, 0 to 15 and 15 to 30 percent.

Subrule 1 - slope 15 percent or less
a. Property evaluated:  DEPTH TO BEDROCK LITHIC
Restriction limits:
		Hard bedrock depth greater than 100cm	Not limiting
		Hard bedrock depth 50 to 100cm	                Somewhat limiting	
		Hard bedrock depth greater less than 50cm	Limiting	

Subrule 2 - slope 15 to 30 percent
b. Property evaluated:  DEPTH TO BEDROCK LITHIC
Restriction limits:
		Hard bedrock depth greater than 150cm	Not limiting
		Hard bedrock depth 75 to 150cm	                Somewhat limiting	
		Hard bedrock depth greater less than 75cm	Limiting	

Subrule 3 - slope 15 percent or less
c. Property evaluated:  DEPTH TO INDURATED LAYER
Restriction limits:
		Indurated layer depth greater than 100cm	Not limiting
		Indurated layer depth 50 to 100cm	                Somewhat limiting	
		Indurated layer depth greater less than 50cm	Limiting	

Subrule 4 - slope 15 to 30 percent
d. Property evaluated:  DEPTH TO INDURATED LAYER
Restriction limits:
		Indurated layer depth greater than 150cm	Not limiting
		Indurated layer depth 75 to 150cm	                Somewhat limiting	
		Indurated layer depth greater less than 75cm	Limiting	

The most restrictive condition is reported as the rating for limitation depth.


10. Wetness Limitation  Excessive wetness, either from imperfect soil internal drainage or ponding limits the suitability of a site as a haul road or log landing.  The wetness can limit the availability of the site and can affect soil strength, leading to a loss of efficiency.  Two subrules are used to describe the wetness limitation.

Subrule 1 - Months with Frequent or Occasional Ponding
a. Property evaluated:  MONTHS WITH FREQUENT OR OCCASIONAL PONDING
Restriction limits:
		Frequent or occasional ponding 12 months		Limiting
		Frequent or occasional less 0 to 11 months		Not limiting

Subrule 2 - Depth to Water Table 0 to >60cm, Year Long
a. Property evaluated: DEPTH TO WET LAYER MINIMUM
Restriction limits:
		Wet layer depth greater than 60cm	Not limiting
		Wet layer depth 30 to 60cm		Somewhat limiting	
		Wet layer depth less than 30cm	Limiting	

b. Property evaluated: MONTHS WITH WET SOIL MOISTURE STATUS
Restriction limits:
		Wet layer 12 months		Limiting
		Wet layer fewer than 12 months	Not limiting

Both conditions must be true for a wet soil layer to be limiting.  The most limiting condition of soil wetness is reported."|Yes|03/25/2025 16:31:56|"79664"|"90078"|"8632091"
"FOR - Drought Vulnerable Soils"|"limitation"|"FOR - Forestry
AGR - Agriculture

FOR - Drought Vulnerable Soils

Summary:

Drought Vulnerable Soils

Even in a year having normal precipitation or slightly less than normal, some soils are prone to having drought stress occur in the plants growing on them. Several conditions can allow this to happen. Most influential may be a relative lack of effective precipitation, as might be estimated by subtracting the mean annual precipitation from the annual evapotranspiration. Soils west of the 100th meridian frequently fall into this situation, especially at low elevations. Also, a soil may have an inherently low ability to store water. This is typical of sandy or shallow soils or soils having a high content of rock fragments. In this case, even though there is significant rainfall, the soil matrix will not retain water.

Topographic and climatic characteristics can be present to mitigate droughty tendencies. Some soils exist on water-gathering portions of the landscape and can thus support more plant growth than their neighbors because of run on. Some soils have a water table present within the rooting zone during the growing season to supply plant water needs. Finally, some soils exist in a climate where precipitation is much higher than evapotranspiration and the soil is nearly always moist. This can occur in cool climates at high elevation.

Criteria used:

1. AWC Rule for Drought Susceptible Soils: The available water holding capacity, or available water storage, is an indication of how much water a soil may retain to have available for plants. This acts as a buffer or bank to supply water during the time between rainfall events.

Property evaluated: AWC, 0-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTIVE LAYER
Interpretive thresholds:
Rating	                    Feature
Drought resistant	        >25 cm water storage
Somewhat drought resistant	5 to 25 cm water storage
Not drought resistant	    <5 cm water storage
Null AWC is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.

2. Precipitation Deficit: The annual precipitation minus the annual evapotranspiration gives a useful metric for estimating how much water may be available for plants.

Property evaluated: PRECIPITATION MINUS POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION, MM/YEAR
Interpretive thresholds:
Rating	                     Feature
Drought resistant	         >500 mm rainfall excess
Somewhat drought resistant	 -300 to 500 mm rainfall excess
Not drought resistant	     <-300 mm rainfall excess
Null precipitation or potential evapotranspiration is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.

The membership values from rules 1 and 2 are compared and the higher (more limiting) factor is considered further in the model.

3. Water Gathering Surface, Drought: Concave landscapes can gather precipitation. The amount depends on the degree of concavity in both the up and down and across the slope directions.

Property evaluated: WATER GATHERING SURFACE
Interpretive thresholds:
Rating	                         Feature
Drought resistant	             shape across matches ""concave"" AND shape up-down matches ""concave""
Somewhat drought resistant	     shapeacross matches ""concave"" AND shape up-down matches ""convex""
Somewhat drought resistant	     shapeacross matches ""concave"" AND shape up-down matches ""linear""
Somewhat drought resistant	     shapeacross matches ""linear"" AND shape up-down matches ""concave""
Somewhat drought resistant	     shapeacross matches ""convex"" AND shape up-down matches ""linear""
Somewhat drought resistant	     shapeacross matches ""convex"" AND shape up-down matches ""linear""
Not drought resistant	         shapeacross matches ""linear"" AND shape up-down matches ""convex""
Not drought resistant	         shapeacross matches ""convex"" AND shape up-down matches ""linear""
Not drought resistant	         shapeacross matches ""convex"" AND shape up-down matches ""convex""
	
Null slope shape is assigned to the ""Not drought resistant"" class.

The membership value from Rule 3 is multiplied by 0.1 and this product subtracted from the membership value of the higher of Rules 1 or 2.

4. Subirrigation, Drought: If a water table of long persistence is present in a soil, then the water requirements of plants can be met, more or less regardless of what the soil or climate is like (except for excessive salinity).

Property evaluated: WATER TABLE DEPTH MIN DURING SUMMER GROWTH
Interpretive thresholds:
Rating	                     Feature
Drought resistant	         <100 cm to saturation
Somewhat drought resistant	 100 to 200 cm to saturation
Not drought resistant	     >200 cm to saturation or no saturation

Null water table is assigned to the ""Not drought resistant"" class.

5. Perudic Climate, Drought: Some climates are so moist that plants can receive adequate moisture despite the soil or landscape condition. These are said to be perudic climates.

Property evaluated: PRECIPITATION OVER POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION
Interpretive thresholds:
Rating	                Feature
Drought resistant	    >=2 map/pet
Not drought resistant	<2 map/pet

Null PET or MAP data is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.

The membership values from Rules 4 or 5 can take precedence over the other rules. In other words, a soil having subirrigation or existing in a perudic climate is always drought resistant."|Yes|06/01/2021 18:17:25|"70142"|"90078"|"8632092"
"FOR - Hand Planting Suitability"|"limitation"|"FOR  Forestry

FOR - Hand Planting Suitability

Summary:

Soils can be non-members, partial members, or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Hand Planting Suitability"".  If a soil characteristic within 30 cm (12 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting, and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Hand Planting Suitability"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), moderately suited (rating index > 0 and < 0.75), poorly suited (rating index 0.75 to <1.0), or unsuited (rating index = 1.0).


Description:

Ratings indicate the expected difficulty of hand planting which includes the carrying of the seedlings and the placement of the roots in the ground up to 30cm.  The ratings assess activities that include the proper placement of the root systems of tree and shrub seedlings to a depth of up to 30cm. The items to be planted include bareroot stock, tublings, containerized stock, and cuttings.  Hand tools such as spades, dibbles, planting bars or other similar planting tools are used to open the soil. Year-round water tables and year-round ponding are considered, but it is assumed that planting activities occur during customary periods of such work for the local area.  The ratings assume that necessary site preparation is completed before hand planting, but do not assess non-soil obstacles, e.g., slash.  The use of human-held powered equipment such as power augers is not considered.  The ratings do not take into account human-caused compacted layers from harvesting or other site activities (only natural restrictive layers are considered).  Frozen or snow-covered soils are not addressed.

Ratings:

Well Suited                   Few or no restrictions to hand planting; planting rates are not affected.
Moderately Suited       One or more restrictions that impede planting and reduce planting rates.
Poorly suited               One or more restrictions that severely impede planting and reduce planting rates.
Unsuited                      Site factors and features prevent the proper planting of seedlings.

Criteria:

1. Slope Limitation  slope gradient affects much of what is done on the land.  For hand planting, slope steepness is not considered limiting if it is below 35 percent.  
Subrule  Slope Limitation
Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 80%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 35 and <= 80%
		Not limiting	< 35%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated. 

2. Restrictive Layer Limitation  hard layers impeded the penetration of planting tools.  If the depth to the first restrictive layer of a soil component with a hardness of indurated is <30cm or the depth to the first restrictive layer of a soil component with a hardness of moderately cemented is =<30cm or the depth to the first restrictive layer of a soil component with a hardness of strongly or very strongly cemented is <30cm then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and restrictive layer is a restrictive feature.

Subrule 1 - Depth to Strongly/Very Strongly Cem Layer <30cm
Property used: DEPTH TO STRONGLY/VERY STRONGLY COHERENT LAYER
Restriction limits:
		Limiting 		<30cm
		Not limiting	>=30cm

Subrule 2 - Depth to Indurated Layer <30cm
Property used: DEPTH TO INDURATED LAYER
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		<30cm
		Not limiting	>=30cm

Subrule 3 - Depth to Moderately Cemented Layer <20 to >30cm
Property used: DEPTH TO MODERATELY COHERENT LAYER
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		<20cm
		Somewhat limiting	20-30cm
		Not limiting	>30cm

Subrule 4 - Depth to Bedrock (Lithic) <30cm
Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK LITHIC
Restriction limits:
		Limiting	                <30cm
		Not limiting 	>=30cm

Subrule 5 - Depth to Bedrock (Paralithic) <20 to >30cm
Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK PARALITHIC
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		<20cm
		Somewhat limiting	20-30cm
		Not limiting	>30cm


The most limiting of the 5 subrules is reported as the restrictive layer rating.


3. Sand Limitation  soils containing greater than 85 percent sand may lack cohesion and the cavity excavated for placing the propagule is likely to collapse.  This results in a slower planting speed than in more cohesive soils.  If the total particle separates coarser than very fine sand are >=85% for weighted average to 30 cm, then this rule returns a value greater than 0 and sand is a limiting feature.
Subrule  Sand Limitation
Property used: PARTICLES COARSER VFS, WTD AVE, DEPTH 0-30CM, L
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		>85 percent sand
		Somewhat limiting	75 to 85 percent sand
		Not limiting	<75 percent sand


4.  Stickiness Limitation  soils having a plasticity index over 20 can adhere to tools which slows use.  Plasticity index is related to the amount and kind of clays, with the more active clays being stickier.
Subrule  Stickiness Limitation
Property used: PLASTICITY INDEX MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM, REVISED
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		>30 percent
		Somewhat limiting	20 to 30 percent
		Not limiting 	<20 percent


5. Rock Fragments Limitation  rock fragments on and in the soil can obstruct the planting of seedlings.  Various sizes of rock fragments can present varying degrees of limitation depending on their abundance and size.  
Subrule 1 - Fragments <15% to >60% (>=75mm) Within 30cm of Surface
Property used: FRAGMENTS >=75MM MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM
Restriction limits:
		Unsuited		>60 percent
		Limited		45 to 60 percent
		Somewhat limited	15 to 45 percent
		Not limited	<15 percent

Subrule 2 - Fragments <35% to >75% (>=2 and <75mm) Within 30cm
Property used: FRAGMENTS >=2MM AND <75MM MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM
Restriction limits:
		Unsuited		>75 percent
		Limited		55 to 75 percent
		Somewhat limited	35 to 55 percent
		Not limited	<35 percent

Subrule 3 - FOR - Fragments <3% to >15% Surface Cover (>=250mm)
Property used: FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE
Restriction limits:
		Unsuited		>15 percent
		Limited		10 to 15 percent
		Somewhat limited	3 to 10 percent
		Not limited	<3 percent

The most limiting of the three subrule conditions is reported as the rock fragment limitation.


6. Wetness Limitation - excessive wetness, either from imperfect soil internal drainage or ponding limits the suitability of a site as a haul road or log landing.  The wetness can limit the availability of the site and can affect soil strength, leading to a loss of efficiency.  Two subrules are used to describe the wetness limitation.

Subrule 1 - Months with Frequent or Occasional Ponding
a. Property evaluated:  MONTHS WITH FREQUENT OR OCCASIONAL PONDING
Restriction limits:
		Frequent or occasional ponding 12 months		Limiting
		Frequent or occasional less 0 to 11 months		Not limiting

Subrule 2 - Depth to Water Table =<30cm, Year Long
a. Property evaluated: DEPTH TO WET LAYER MINIMUM
Restriction limits:
		Wet layer depth greater than 30cm	Not limiting
		Wet layer depth less than 30cm	Limiting	

b. Property evaluated: MONTHS WITH WET SOIL MOISTURE STATUS
Restriction limits:
		Wet layer 12 months		Limiting
		Wet layer fewer than 12 months	Not limiting

Both conditions must be true for a wet soil layer to be limiting.  The most limiting condition of soil wetness is reported."|Yes|03/25/2025 16:31:56|"25096"|"90078"|"8632093"
"FOR - Harvest Equipment Operability"|"limitation"|"FOR - Forestry

FOR - Harvest Equipment Operability


Summary:

Soils can be non-members, partial members, or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Harvest Equipment Operability"".  If a soil characteristic within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting, and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Harvest Equipment Operability"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through planning.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are well suited (rating index = 0), moderately suited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or poorly suited (rating index = 1.0).


Description:

Harvest Equipment Operability addresses the possible impediments to the operation of harvest equipment. This includes the off-road transport or harvest of logs and/or wood products by ground-based wheeled or
tracked equipment.  It is assumed that standard rubber-tire skidders and bulldozers used for ground-based harvesting and transport will be used. These activities may disturb from 35 to 75 percent of the
surface area with rutting, puddling, or displacement up to a depth of 45cm. Harvesting activity will be affected by year-round water tables and year-round ponding.  The ratings assume that activities occur during customary periods of such work for the local area.  The ratings do not assess non-soil obstacles, e.g., slash or frozen or snow-covered soils.  The ratings are: well suited, which means few or no restrictions to equipment operability.  Moderately suited means one or more restrictions reduce the effective and safe use of equipment. Poorly suited means one or more restrictions make the use of equipment impractical or unsafe.


Scope: National

Soil properties influence harvest equipment operability, including the selection of the site, the routing of the traffic, and the type of equipment to be used. The soil interpretation for harvest equipment operability is used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Ratings are based on the soil properties that influence ease of scraping, trafficability, and ease of maintenance.  Depth to the seasonal high water table, ponding, and flooding may restrict the period when equipment can be used.  Slope influences the ease of using machinery.  

Criteria:
Ratings reflect limitations for the operability of harvest equipment.

1. Slope limitation - Slope is a primary consideration for harvest equipment operability. The slope of the land surface affects erosion, safety, and equipment operability.  If the slope of a soil component is greater than 20 percent, then this rule returns a value greater than 0 and slope is a limiting feature.

Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		    > 35%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 20 and <= 35%
		Not limiting	    < 20%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned to the Not rated class.

2. Wetness Limitation - Excessive wetness, either from imperfect soil internal drainage or ponding limits the suitability of a site for harvest equipment operation.  The wetness can limit the availability of the site and can affect soil strength, leading to a loss of efficiency.  Two subrules are used to describe the wetness limitation.

Subrule 1 - Months with Frequent or Occasional Ponding
a. Property evaluated:  MONTHS WITH FREQUENT OR OCCASIONAL PONDING
Restriction limits:
		Frequent or occasional ponding 12 months		Limiting
		Frequent or occasional less 0 to 11 months		Not limiting

Subrule 2 - Depth to Water Table 0 to >60cm, Year Long
a. Property evaluated: DEPTH TO WET LAYER MINIMUM
Restriction limits:
		Wet layer depth greater than 60cm	Not limiting
		Wet layer depth 30 to 60cm		Somewhat limiting	
		Wet layer depth less than 30cm	Limiting	

b. Property evaluated: MONTHS WITH WET SOIL MOISTURE STATUS
Restriction limits:
		Wet layer 12 months		Limiting
		Wet layer fewer than 12 months	Not limiting

Both conditions must be true for a wet soil layer to be limiting.  The most limiting condition of soil wetness is reported.



3.  Stickiness Limitation - Soils having a plasticity index over 20 can adhere to tires and tracks which slows use.  Plasticity index is related to the amount and kind of clays, with the more active clays being stickier.
Property used: PLASTICITY INDEX MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM, REVISED
Restriction limits:
		Somewhat limiting	20 to 30 percent
		Not limiting 	    <20 percent
		
This subrule cannot cause a soil to rate ""poorly suited"".		


4. Surface Rock Fragment Limitation - The surface coverage of rock fragments and rock outcrop can affect the ease of hauling and manuevering during harvest and lead to reduced efficiency, equipment damage and physical obstruction.  This rule considers both the surface coverage and the content of large fragments within the soil, stratified by fragment size. 

a. Surface cobbles subrule
Property evaluated:  FRAGMENTS >=75MM AND <250MM ON THE SURFACE
Restriction limits:
		Fragments covering less than 15 percent 	                Not limiting
		Fragments covering 15 to 50 percent		                Somewhat limiting
		Fragments covering greater than 50 percent	            Limiting


b. Surface stones subrule
Property evaluated:  FRAGMENTS >=250MM & <600MM ON THE SURFACE
	Restriction limits:
		Fragments covering less than 3 percent 	                Not limiting
		Fragments covering 3 to 15 percent		                Somewhat limiting
		Fragments covering greater than 15 percent	            Limiting


c. Surface boulders subrule
Property evaluated:  FRAGMENTS >=600MM ON THE SURFACE
	Restriction limits:
		Fragments covering less than 0.1 percent 	            Not limiting
		Fragments covering 0.1 to 3 percent		                Somewhat limiting
		Fragments covering greater than 3 percent	            Limiting

d. Rock outcrop subrule
Property evaluated:  ROCK OUTCROP
	Restriction limits:
		Rock outcrop less than 0.1 percent	      Not limiting
		Rock outcrop 0.1 to 0.7 percent	      Somewhat limiting
		Rock outcrop greater than 0.7 percent        Limiting
		
The most limiting of a, b, c, or d is reported as the stoniness limitation rating.	


5. Sand Limitation - Very sandy soils (greater than 85 percent) are difficult to work and lack cohesion, which, due to wheel slippage, lowers the efficiency of the harvest equipment.  
Property evaluated:  PARTICLES COARSER VFS IN LAYERS >=15CM THICK, DPTH 0-30CM, L
Restriction limits:
		Sand content less than 75 percent 	  Not limiting
		Sand content 70 to 85 percent 		  Somewhat limiting
		Sand content greater than 85 percent  Limiting



6. Strength Limitation - The ability of a soil to support traffic is critical for harvest equipment.   
Property evaluated:  AASHTO GROUP INDEX, WEIGHTED AVERAGE IN DEPTH 0-50cm
Restriction limits:
		AASHTO GIN 0 to 3 	 Not limiting
		AASHTO GIN 3 to 20 	 Somewhat limiting
		AASHTO GIN greater than 20  Limiting"|Yes|05/08/2025 14:45:48|"79716"|"90078"|"8632094"
"FOR - Log Landing Suitability"|"limitation"|"FOR - Forestry

FOR - Log Landing Suitability
 
 
Summary:

Soils can be non-members, partial members, or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Log Landing Suitability"".  If a soil characteristic within 100 cm (40 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting, and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Log Landing Suitability"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through planning.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are well suited (rating index = 0 to 0.29), moderately suited (rating index > 0.29 and < 0.51), or poorly suited (rating index > 0.52.


Description:


This interpretation assesses the suitability of the soil at the forest site to serve as a log landing.  Log landings function in the efficient and effective use of equipment for the temporary storage and handling of logs.  On the site, grappel hooks, skidders, trucks, loaders, cable yarders, and other similar equipment will be used to sort and stack the logs for shipment. These activities will disturb 100 percent of the soil surface area with rutting, puddling or displacement up to a depth of 45cm.  Log Landing Suitability addresses the soil and site properties that limit a soil for natural surface road construction. Specifically, this includes the slope of the soil surface and the rock fragment cover. Stickiness, sandiness, and low soil strength can affect the construction and use of log landings. Soil instability can have a negative affect on the safety of the facility. Ponding, flooding, and shallow water tables can also impair the construction and use of log landings.  

The ratings assume that activities occur during customary periods of such work for the local area. Also, it is assumed that vegetation and debris are cleared from an area sufficient in width for the landing is constructed.  The log landings, generally one-half acre in size or less, will be using the natural setting of the soil without cut and fill construction so slope less than 12 percent gradient is essential. The ratings do not assess non-soil obstacles, e.g., slash or frozen or snow-covered soils.  The ratings are: well suited which means few or no restrictions to log landing suitability, moderately suited which means one or more restrictions reduce site suitability, and poorly suited which means one or more restrictions generally make the use of the site for a log landing very difficult or unsafe. 


Scope: National

Soil properties that influence the degree of difficulty for the installation and use of roads are considered.  The soil interpretation for road suitability (natural surface) is to be used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.


Criteria:
Ratings reflect limitations for the installation and use of natural surface roads. 

1. Slope limitation - Slope is a primary consideration for harvest equipment operability. The slope of the land surface affects erosion, safety, and equipment operability.  If the slope of a soil component is greater than 20 percent, then this rule returns a value greater than 0 and slope is a limiting feature.

Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		    > 12%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 6 and <= 12%
		Not limiting	    < 6%			
		
Null Slope is assigned to the Not rated class.

2. Surface Rock Fragment Limitation - The surface coverage of rock fragments and rock outcrop can affect the ease of hauling and manuevering during harvest and lead to reduced efficiency, equipment damage and physical obstruction.  This rule considers both the surface coverage and the content of large fragments within the soil, stratified by fragment size. 

a. Surface cobbles subrule
Property evaluated:  FRAGMENTS >=75MM AND <250MM ON THE SURFACE
Restriction limits:
		Fragments covering less than 15 percent 	                Not limiting
		Fragments covering 15 to 50 percent		                Somewhat limiting
		Fragments covering greater than 50 percent	            Limiting


b. Surface stones subrule
Property evaluated:  FRAGMENTS >=250MM & <600MM ON THE SURFACE
	Restriction limits:
		Fragments covering less than 3 percent 	                Not limiting
		Fragments covering 3 to 15 percent		                Somewhat limiting
		Fragments covering greater than 15 percent	            Limiting


c. Surface boulders subrule
Property evaluated:  FRAGMENTS >=600MM ON THE SURFACE
	Restriction limits:
		Fragments covering less than 0.1 percent 	            Not limiting
		Fragments covering 0.1 to 3 percent		                Somewhat limiting
		Fragments covering greater than 3 percent	            Limiting

d. Rock outcrop subrule
Property evaluated:  ROCK OUTCROP
	Restriction limits:
		Rock outcrop less than 0.1 percent		Not limiting
		Rock outcrop 0.1 to 0.7 percent			Somewhat limiting
		Rock outcrop greater than 0.7 percent   Limiting
		
The most limiting of a, b, c, or d is reported as the stoniness limitation rating.	

3. Stickiness Limitation - Soils having a plasticity index over 20 can adhere to tires and tracks which slows use.  Plasticity index is related to the amount and kind of clays, with the more active clays being stickier.
Property used: PLASTICITY INDEX MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM, REVISED
Restriction limits:
		Somewhat limiting	20 to 30 percent
		Not limiting 	    <20 percent
		
This subrule cannot cause a soil to rate ""poorly suited"".


4. Sand Limitation - Very sandy soils (greater than 85 percent) are difficult to work and lack cohesion, which, due to wheel slippage, lowers the efficiency of the harvest equipment.  
Property evaluated:  PARTICLES COARSER VFS IN LAYERS >=15CM THICK, DPTH 0-30CM, L
Restriction limits:
		Sand content less than 75 percent 	  Not limiting
		Sand content 70 to 85 percent 		  Somewhat limiting
		Sand content greater than 85 percent  Limiting
		
5. Strength Limitation - The ability of a soil to support traffic is critical for harvest equipment.   
Property evaluated:  AASHTO GROUP INDEX, WEIGHTED AVERAGE IN DEPTH 0-50cm
Restriction limits:
		AASHTO GIN 0 to 3 		    Not limiting
		AASHTO GIN 3 to 20 		    Somewhat limiting
		AASHTO GIN greater than 20  Limiting
		
6. Ponding Limitation:  If the number of months a soil component has frequent or occasional ponding falls within the following parameters then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and ponding is a limiting feature:
Frequent Ponding Frequency
   Property used: PONDING FREQ. MONTHS W/ FREQUENT PONDING
   Class limits: 0 months frequent ponding            Not limiting
                 1 or 2 months frequent ponding       Somewhat limiting
				 3 or more months frequent ponding    Limiting
				 
Occasional ponding frequency
	 Property used: PONDING FREQ. MONTHS W/ OCCASIONAL PONDING
     Class limits: 0 to 2 months occasional ponding       Not limiting
                   2 to 5 months occasional ponding       Somewhat limiting
				   6 or more months occasional            Limiting  

7. Flooding Limitation  flooding can cause damage to infrastructure and equipment.  Also, soil can be eroded, and other constituents can be moved. If the number of months a soil component has frequent or occasional flooding falls within the following parameters, then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and flooding is a limiting feature.

Subrule 1 - Months with Frequent/Very Frequent Flooding

a. Property evaluated:  FLOODING FREQ. MONTHS W/ FREQUENT OR VERY FREQUENT FLOODING
Restriction limits:
	0 months 		Not limiting
	1 or 2 months	Somewhat limiting
	3 or more months 	Limiting
	
	Null flooding is placed in the ""Not limited"" class

Subrule 2 - Months Occasional Flooding

b. Property evaluated:  FLOODING FREQ. MONTHS W/ OCCASIONAL FLOODING
Restriction limits:
	0 to 2 months 	Not limiting
	3 to 5 months	Somewhat limiting
	6 or more months 	Limiting
	
	Null flooding is placed in the ""Not limited"" class

The more limiting of Subrule 1 or 2 is reported as the flooding limitation.				
			
8. Soil Slippage Limitation - soils are susceptible to movement if they are undercut.  The degree of hazard is typically related to the propensity to move, the depth of the cut, and the slope gradient driving the movement.  Soil slippage potential is an estimate of the stability of a given soil.  This is influenced by many factors, such as the internal cohesion of the soil.  Most soils are far more likely to slide when they are wet.  Clayey soils, especially when layered, are more likely to slide than sandy soils.  The slope is an important consideration since if the soil is not undercut, such as when building a road on a non-sloping surface, even if the soil is likely to move, the gradient to drive the movement is not present.  However, in the case of ""Leda clays"", also known as ""sensitive clays"", the internal soil cohesion can be so low that the soil, if undercut by natural or man-made processes, can flow away on level ground.

Property evaluated:  SLOPE PERCENT
Restriction limits:
	Slope <5 percent	    Not limiting
	Slope 5 to 25 percent	Somewhat limiting
	Slope >25 percent 	    Limiting
	
	Null slope is placed in the ""Not rated"" class

Property evaluated:  SOIL SLIPPAGE POTENTIAL, REVISED
Restriction limits:		 
  	Soil slippage potential code 0		Not limiting
  	Soil slippage potential code 1-4	Somewhat limiting
  	Soil slippage potential code 5		Very limiting
  
  	Null soil slippage is placed in the ""Not limiting"" class.
  	
Slippage is considered as the interaction of slope and propensity to slide, thus the fuzzy numbers of the subrules are multiplied.	

9. Soil Wetness limitation - A high water table in soil can cause loss of strength and lead to rutting.

Property evaluated:  DEPTH TO WATER TABLE AVERAGE FOR CONSECUTIVE MONTHS
Restriction limits:
	Water table depth >80cm	        Not limiting
	Water table depth 30 to 80cm       Somewhat limiting
	Water table depth <30cm	        Limiting
	
	Null water table depth slope is placed in the ""Not limited"" class."|Yes|05/16/2025 19:05:15|"80079"|"90078"|"8632095"
"FOR - Mechanical Planting Suitability"|"limitation"|"FOR - Forestry

FOR - Mechanical Planting Suitability

Summary:

Soil interpretations for woodland management provide a means of assessing the limitations and potentials of soils for various operations.  Identification of sites that are difficult to manage will assist in the timing of the work to be done in the forest.  The characteristics of the site and soil can greatly impact the success of the woodland management in terms of efficiency and avoidance of environmental degradation.  

Soils can be a non-members, partial members or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Mechanical Planting Suitability"".  If a soil's property within 30 cm (12 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Mechanical Planting Suitability"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through timing or management.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are well suited (rating index = 0), moderately suited (rating index > 0 and < 0.5), or poorly suited  (rating index >= 0.5 and <1.0) and unsuited  (rating index = 1).

Description:

Mechanical planting suitability addresses the difficulty of planting trees or shrubs using a mechanical planter.  Mechanical planters typically create narrow furrows or trenches to a depth of about 30cm and are operated on the contour or cross-slope.  The planter can be an implement attached to a sufficiently powered tractor on a 3-point hitch.  The planter has a coulter, shank or trench shoe, and packing wheel to open a furrow, insert the bareroot stock, tublings, containerized stock, or cuttings, and then close the furrow.  It is assumed that planting activities occur during customary periods of such work for the local area in order to avoid saturated or ponded soils.  Also, necessary site preparation is completed before mechanical planting.   The presence of non-soil obstacles, e.g., slash, human-caused compacted layers from harvesting or other site activities (only natural restrictive layers are considered), and frozen or snow-covered soils are not considered.

Soil and site properties that may impact the use of a mechanical planter are the depth to a shallow restrictive layer, the slope of the land surface, the rock fragment content of the surface and the rock fragment coverage of the site, the sandiness or stickiness of the surface layers, and excess water.  These all impact the use and effectiveness of equipment.

Rating Classes:

* Well Suited - Little or no restrictions to mechanical planting; planting rates are not affected.
* Moderately Suited - One or more restrictions that impede planting and reduce planting rates.
* Poorly Suited - One or more restrictions that severely impede planting and reduce planting rates.
* Unsuited - Site factors and features prevent mechanical planting of seedlings.

Criteria Used:

1) Restrictive Layer Limitation - Mechanical planting implements require a certain depth of workable soil in order to function properly.  The soil must be deep enough so that the machine may open a furrow, insert the propagation material at an appropriate depth, and then close the furrow.  A restrictive layer may prevent the planter from performing this.  Layers that restrict root penetration may not prevent penetration by the planter, thus restrictive layers are differentiated on the basis of their hardness.  Layers that are indurated are likely to be impenetrable by the planter so the presence of a layer of this hardness within 30 cm of the soil surface is very limiting.  Layers that are very strongly or strongly cemented are somewhat limiting if they are present within 30 cm of the soil surface.  Noncemented limiting layers are slightly limiting if present within 30 cm of the soil surface.

A. Depth to Indurated Layer <30cm
Properties evaluated: 
DEPTH TO INDURATED LAYER (Modality - High, Low, Representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		<= 25 cm
		Somewhat limiting	25-30 cm
		Not limiting	>= 30 cm
The fuzzy number is not modified.

B. Depth to Strongly/Very Strongly Cemented Layer <30cm
DEPTH TO STRONGLY/VERY STRONGLY CEMENTED LAYER (Modality - High, Low, Representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		<= 25 cm
		Somewhat limiting	25-30 cm
		Not limiting	>= 30 cm
The fuzzy number is multiplier by 0.5 to reduce the impact.

C. Depth to Noncemented Restrictive Layer <30cm
DEPTH TO NONCEMENTED RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - High, Low, Representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		<= 25 cm
		Somewhat limiting	25-30 cm
		Not limiting	>= 30 cm
The fuzzy number is multiplier by 0.25 to reduce the impact.

The maximum fuzzy number of rules A-C is returned as the rating for this rule.

2) Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of machinery and can be a safety risk.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 35%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 5 and <= 35%
		Not limiting	< 5%			
		
Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3) Sand Limitation - A lack of soil cohesion caused by an excessive sand content in the soil can disrupt the planting process.   If the weighted average of total particle separates coarser than very fine sand are >=80% for the soil within 30cm then this rule returns a value greater than 0 and sand is a limiting feature.

Property used: PARTICLES COARSER VFS IN LAYERS >=7CM THICK, DEPTH 0-30CM  (Modality -  representative value)

Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 85  percent retained on the number 200 sieve
		Somewhat limiting	>= 80 and <= 85  percent retained on the number 200 sieve
		Not limiting	< 80  percent retained on the number 200 sieve			
The fuzzy number from this rule is multiplied by 0.5 to reduce its impact.		
Null  number 200 sieve is assigned Not rated.

4) Stickiness Limitation - Soils having high (>30) plasticity indices are sticky.  Soil can clog the planting mechanisms and reduce efficiency because of the need for frequent cleaning.  If the plasticity index of a soil component is >=20 for the any layer within 30cm then this rule returns a value greater than 0 and stickiness is a limiting feature. 

Property evaluated: 
PLASTICITY INDEX MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM (Modality - High, Low, Representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		Plasticity index > 30
		Somewhat limiting	Plasticity index >= 20 - <=30
		Not limiting	Plasticity index < 20
The fuzzy number is multiplied by 0.75 to reduce the impact of this property.
Null plasticity index is assigned ""not rated"".

5) Rock Fragments Limitation - The presence of excessive rock fragments, either contained in the soil or on the soil surface, can impede planting operations.  Rock fragments in the soil can reduce the penetration of the planter and also cause an unfavorable seedbed.  Large fragments on the soil surface can damage the planting equipment and may present an obstacle to the path of the vehicle.  If rock fragments fall within the following parameters then this rule returns a value greater than 0 and rock fragments are a limiting feature.

Size			Rock Fragment %
----			---------------
>=75mm			>=.01	Surface Cover
>=75mm			>=5	Within 30cm
2-75mm			>=15	Within 30cm

A. Fragments <15% to >60% (>=2 and <75mm) Within 30cm
Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >=2MM AND <75MM MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM (Modality: High, Low, Representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		Rock fragments >2 to < 75mm  > 60 percent
		Somewhat limiting	Rock fragments >2 to < 75mm  >= 15 - <=60 percent
		Not limiting	Rock fragments >2 to < 75mm  < 15 percent
Null Rock fragment content is assigned ""not rated"".

B. Fragments <5% to >35% (>=75mm) Within 30cm
Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >=75MM MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM (Modality: High, Low, Representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		Rock fragments > 75mm  > 35 percent
		Somewhat limiting	Rock fragments > 75mm  >= 5 - <=35 percent
		Not limiting	Rock fragments > 75mm  < 5 percent
Null Rock fragment content is assigned ""not rated"".

C. Fragments <0.1% to >15% Surface Cover (>75mm)
Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >=75MM ON THE SURFACE (Modality: High, Low, Representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		Rock fragments > 75mm  cover > 15 percent
		Somewhat limiting	Rock fragments > 75mm  cover >= 0.1 - <=15 percent
		Not limiting	Rock fragments > 75mm  cover < 0.1 percent
Null Rock fragment cover is assigned ""not limiting"".

The maximum fuzzy number of rules A-C is returned as the rating for this rule.

6) Wetness Limitation - Excessive soil moisture can seriously limit planting operations.  The soil can be too wet due to internal moisture (water table) or from ponding.  Both of these characteristics have a temporal aspect, meaning that at some time during the year, a soil that is often wet may be dry enough to work.   If the depth to a layer with wet soil moisture is =<15cm for 12 months of the year OR the soil component has frequent or occasional ponding for 12 months of the year then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and wetness is a limiting feature.

A. Depth to Water Table <15 to >30cm, Year Long
1. Property evaluated: DEPTH TO WET SOIL LAYER MAXIMUM  (Modality -  Representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		<= 15 cm
		Somewhat limiting	15-30 cm
		Not limiting	>= 30 cm
The fuzzy number is multiplied by 0.75 to reduce the impact.

2. Property evaluated: MONTHS WITH WET SOIL MOISTURE STATUS  (Modality - High, Low, Representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		= 12 months
		Somewhat limiting	8 to 11 months
		Not limiting	< 8 months
The fuzzy number is multiplied by 0.75 to reduce the impact.

The lowest fuzzy number of A1 or A2 is returned to the rule.

B. Months with Frequent or Occasional Ponding
MONTHS WITH FREQUENT OR OCCASIONAL PONDING
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		= 12 months
		Somewhat limiting	8 to 11 months
		Not limiting	< 8 months
The fuzzy number is multiplied by 0.75 to reduce the impact.
The highest fuzzy number of A or B is returned to the rule.

Reference:
Refer to section 537 of the National Forestry Manual for specific soil rating criteria."|Yes|06/26/2019 16:43:44|"63742"|"90078"|"8632096"
"FOR - Mechanical Site Preparation (Deep)"|"limitation"|"FOR - Forestry

FOR - Mechanical Site Preparation (Deep)

Summary:

Soil interpretations for woodland management provide a means of assessing the limitations and potentials of soils for various operations.  Identification of sites that are difficult to manage will assist in the timing of the work to be done in the forest.  The characteristics of the site and soil can greatly impact the success of the woodland management in terms of efficiency and avoidance of environmental degradation.  

Soils can be a non-members, partial members or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Mechanical Site Preparation (Deep)"".  If a soil's property within 60 cm (24 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Mechanical Site Preparation (Deep)"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through timing or management.
Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are well suited (rating index = 0), moderately suited (rating index > 0 and < 0.75), or poorly suited (rating index >= 0.75 and <1.0) and unsuited (rating index = 1).

Description:
Mechanical site preparation (deep) addresses the difficulty of using deep soil tillage equipment to prepare a site for planting trees or shrubs.  These activities include machinery for subsoiling, ripping, and other subsurface soil disturbance and are operated on the contour or cross-slope.  Deep site preparation activities may treat up to 50 to 75 percent of the site to up to 90 cm in depth to break up restrictive or compacted layers to increase water infiltration for plant growth.  Operationally, this includes the use of rippers, subsoilers, and other implements pulled by bulldozers (D8 or equivalent) that till at a depth greater than 30 cm. It is assumed that planting activities occur during customary periods of such work for the local area in order to avoid saturated or ponded soils.   The presence of non-soil obstacles, e.g., slash, human-caused compacted layers from harvesting or other site activities are not considered (only natural restrictive layers are considered).  Frozen or snow-covered soils are not considered.
Soil and site properties that may impact the use machinery for deep site preparation are the depth to a shallow restrictive layer, the slope of the land surface, the rock fragment content of the surface and the rock fragment coverage of the site, and excess water.  These all impact the use and effectiveness of equipment.

Rating Classes:

* Suited - Little or no restrictions to deep mechanical site preparation.
* Moderately suited - One or more restrictions may reduce the effective and safe use of equipment.
* Poorly Suited - One or more restrictions reduce the effective and safe use of equipment.
* Unsuited - One or more restrictions generally prevent a sufficient level of deep mechanical site preparation.

Criteria Used:

1) Restrictive Layer Limitation -  Deep site preparation implements require a certain depth of workable soil in order to function properly.  A restrictive layer may prevent the planter from performing this.  Layers that restrict root penetration may not prevent penetration by the equipment, thus restrictive layers are differentiated on the basis of their hardness.  Layers that are indurated are likely to be unrippable the presence of a layer of this hardness within 60 cm of the soil surface is very limiting.  Thick layers that are very strongly or strongly cemented are limiting if they are present within 60 cm of the soil surface, but are less limiting if they are thin.   Noncemented limiting layers are slightly limiting if present within 60 cm of the soil surface.
A. Depth to Indurated Layer <50 to >90cm
Properties evaluated:  DEPTH TO INDURATED LAYER
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		<= 50 cm
		Somewhat limiting	50-90 cm
		Not limiting	>= 90 cm
The fuzzy number is not modified.

B. Depth to Very Strongly Cemented Layer, >20cm Thick
DEPTH TO VERY STRONGLY CEMENTED LAYER, >20CM THICK 
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 <= 50 cm
		Somewhat limiting	50-90 cm
		Not limiting	 >= 90 cm
The fuzzy number is not modified.
C. Depth to Very Strongly Cemented Layer, 10-20cm Thick
DEPTH TO VERY STRONGLY CEMENTED LAYER, 10-20CM THICK
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		<= 50 cm
		Somewhat limiting	50-90 cm
		Not limiting	 >= 90 cm
The fuzzy number is multiplier by 0.5 to reduce the impact.

The maximum fuzzy number of rules A-C is returned as the rating for this rule.

2) Slope Limitation: Steep slopes impede trafficability of machinery and can be a safety risk.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
Property used: SLOPE
		
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 35%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 15 and <= 35%
		Not limiting	 < 15%			
		
Null Slope is assigned to the Not rated class.

3) Rock Fragments Limitation - The presence of excessive rock fragments, either contained in the soil or on the soil surface, can impede site preparation operations.  Rock fragments in the soil can reduce the efficiency of the implement.  Large fragments on the soil surface can damage the site preparation equipment and may present an obstacle to the path of the vehicle.  If rock fragments fall within the following parameters then this rule returns a value greater than 0 and rock fragments are a limiting feature.

Size			Rock Fragment %
----			---------------
>=250mm		>=3	Surface Cover
>=75mm			>=35	Within 90cm

A. Fragments <30% to >65% (>=75mm) 0-90cm of Surface
Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >=75MM WTD_AVG IN DEPTH 0-90CM
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		Rock fragments > 75mm  > 65 percent
		Somewhat limiting	Rock fragments > 75mm  >= 30 - <=65 percent
		Not limiting	Rock fragments > 75mm  < 65 percent
Null Rock fragment content is assigned ""not rated"".

B. Fragments <3% to >15% Surface Cover (>=250mm)
Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		Rock fragments > 250mm cover >= 15 percent
		Somewhat limiting	Rock fragments > 250mm cover  >=25 - <15 percent
		Not limiting	Rock fragments > 250mm cover    < 2 percent
Null Rock fragment coverage is assigned ""not rated"".


The maximum fuzzy number of rules 3A or 3B is returned as the rating for this rule.

4) Wetness Limitation - Excessive soil moisture can seriously limit deep mechanical site preparation operations.  The soil can be too wet due to internal moisture (water table) or from ponding.  Both of these characteristics have a temporal aspect, meaning that at some time during the year, a soil that is often wet may be dry enough to work.   If the depth to a layer with wet soil moisture is =<40cm for 8 months of the year OR the soil component has frequent or occasional ponding for 8 months of the year then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and wetness is a limiting feature.

A. Depth to Water Table <60cm, Year Long
1. Property evaluated: DEPTH TO WET LAYER MINIMUM  
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		<= 40 cm
		Somewhat limiting	40-60 cm
		Not limiting	>= 60 cm
Null water table data is assigned to the Not limiting class.

2. Property evaluated: MONTHS WITH WET SOIL MOISTURE STATUS
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		= 12 months
		Somewhat limiting	8 to 11 months
		Not limiting	< 8 months

The lowest fuzzy number of A1 or A2 is returned to the rule.

B. Months with Frequent or Occasional Ponding
MONTHS WITH FREQUENT OR OCCASIONAL PONDING
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		               = 12 months
		Somewhat limiting	8 to 11 months
		Not limiting	              < 8 months
The fuzzy number is multiplied by 0.75 to reduce the impact.
The highest fuzzy number of A or B is returned to the rule.

Reference:
Refer to section 537 of the National Forestry Manual for specific soil rating criteria."|Yes|03/12/2018 16:57:59|"63743"|"90078"|"8632097"
"FOR - Mechanical Site Preparation (Surface)"|"limitation"|"FOR - Forestry

FOR - Mechanical Site Preparation (Surface)

Summary:

Soil interpretations for woodland management provide a means of assessing the limitations and potentials of soils for various operations.  Identification of sites that are difficult to manage will assist in the timing of the work to be done in the forest.  The characteristics of the site and soil can greatly impact the success of the woodland management in terms of efficiency and avoidance of environmental degradation.  

Soils can be a non-members, partial members or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Mechanical Site Preparation (Surface)"".  If a soil's property within 30 cm (12 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Mechanical Site Preparation (Surface)"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through timing or management.
Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are well suited (rating index = 0), moderately suited (rating index > 0 and < 0.75), or poorly suited (rating index >= 0.75 and <1.0) and unsuited (rating index = 1).

Description:
Mechanical site preparation (surface) addresses the difficulty of using surface-altering soil tillage equipment to prepare a site for planting trees or seeding.   Surface site preparation activities may treat up to 50 to 75 percent of the site to up to 30 cm in depth to break up restrictive or compacted layers to increase water infiltration for plant growth.  Operationally, this includes the use brush rakes, chisels, disks and other similar types of implements pulled by bulldozers or tractors (D6/D7, 150 horse power tractor or equivalent).  It is assumed that site preparation activities occur during customary periods of such work for the local area in order to avoid saturated or ponded soils.   The presence of non-soil obstacles, e.g., slash, human-caused compacted layers from harvesting or other site activities are not considered (only natural restrictive layers are considered).  Frozen or snow-covered soils are not considered.
Soil and site properties that may impact the use machinery for surface site preparation are the depth to a shallow restrictive layer, the slope of the land surface, the stickiness of the surface soil, the rock fragment content of the surface and the rock fragment coverage of the site, and excess water.  These all impact the use and effectiveness of equipment and can impact use-dependent soil properties.

Rating Classes:

* Suited - Little or no restrictions to surface mechanical site preparation.
* Moderately suited - One or more restrictions may reduce the effective and safe use of equipment.
* Poorly Suited - One or more restrictions reduce the effective and safe use of equipment.
* Unsuited - One or more restrictions generally prevent a sufficient level of surface mechanical site preparation.

Criteria Used:

1) Restrictive Layer Limitation - Mechanical site preparation implements require a certain depth of soil in order to work properly.  The soil must be deep enough so that the machine may break up surface compaction and prepare a seedbed.  A restrictive layer may prevent the implement from performing this.  Layers that restrict root penetration may not prevent penetration by the surface preparation machinery, thus restrictive layers are differentiated on the basis of their hardness.  Layers that are indurated are likely to be impenetrable by the implement so the presence of a layer of this hardness within 30 cm of the soil surface is very limiting.  Layers that are very strongly or strongly cemented are somewhat limiting if they are present within 30 cm of the soil surface.  Noncemented limiting layers are slightly limiting if present within 30 cm of the soil surface.

A. Depth to Indurated Layer <30cm
Properties evaluated: 
DEPTH TO INDURATED LAYER (Modality - High, Low, Representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 <= 25 cm
		Somewhat limiting	25-30 cm
		Not limiting	 >= 30 cm
The fuzzy number is not modified.

B. Depth to Strongly/Very Strongly Cemented Layer <30cm
DEPTH TO STRONGLY/VERY STRONGLY CEMENTED LAYER (Modality - High, Low, Representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		<= 25 cm
		Somewhat limiting	25-30 cm
		Not limiting	>= 30 cm
The fuzzy number is multiplier by 0.5 to reduce the impact.

C. Depth to Noncemented Restrictive Layer <30cm
DEPTH TO NONCEMENTED RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - High, Low, Representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		<= 25 cm
		Somewhat limiting	25-30 cm
		Not limiting	 >= 30 cm
The fuzzy number is multiplier by 0.25 to reduce the impact.

The maximum fuzzy number of rules A-C is returned as the rating for this rule.
2) Slope Limitation: Steep slopes impede trafficability of machinery and can be a safety risk.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
Property used: SLOPE
		
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 35%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 15 and <= 35%
		Not limiting	< 15%			
		
Null Slope is assigned to the Not rated class.

3) Rock Fragments Limitation - The presence of excessive rock fragments, either contained in the soil or on the soil surface, can impede site preparation operations.  Rock fragments in the soil can reduce the efficiency of the implement.  Large fragments on the soil surface can damage the site preparation equipment and may present an obstacle to the path of the vehicle.  If the presence of rock fragments fall within the following parameters then this rule returns a value greater than 0 and rock fragments are a limiting feature.

Size			Rock Fragment %
----			---------------
>=600mm		>=.01 Surface Cover
>=250 & < 600mm	                 >=3 Surface Cover
>=75mm & <250mm	>=15 Surface Cover
>=75mm		                >=15 Within 30cm
2-75mm		                >=35 Within 30cm


A. Fragments <0.1% to >3% Surface Cover (>=600mm)
Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >=600MM ON THE SURFACE
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		Rock fragments > 600mm  > 3 percent coverage
		Somewhat limiting	Rock fragments > 600mm  >= 0.1 - <=3 percent coverage
		Not limiting	Rock fragments > 600mm  < 0.1 percent coverage
Null Rock fragment content is assigned ""not limited"".

B. Fragments <3% to >15% Surface Cover (250-600mm)
Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >=250MM & <600MM ON THE SURFACE
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		Rock fragments 250-600 mm cover > 15 percent
		Somewhat limiting	Rock fragments > 250-600 mm cover  >=3 - <=15 percent
		Not limiting	 Rock fragments > 250-600 mm cover    < 3 percent
Null Rock fragment coverage is assigned ""not limited"".


C.  Frags <15% to >50% Surface Cover (>=75 & <250mm)
Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >=75MM AND <250MM ON THE SURFACE
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 Rock fragments  75-250mm cover > 50 percent
		Somewhat limiting	 Rock fragments  75-250mm cover 15-50 percent
		Not limiting	 Rock fragments  75-250mm cover <15 percent
Null Rock fragment coverage is assigned ""not limited"".

D. Fragments <15% to >60% (>=75mm) Within 30cm of Surface
Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >=75MM MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		Rock fragments > 75mm  > 60 percent
		Somewhat limiting	Rock fragments > 75mm  >= 15 - <=60 percent
		Not limiting	Rock fragments > 75mm  < 15 percent
Null Rock fragment content is assigned ""not rated"".

E. Frags >=30% (>=2mm and <75mm) Within 30cm 
Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS 2-75MM WTD_AVG IN DEPTH 0-30CM
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		Rock fragments 2-75mm  > 40 percent
		Somewhat limiting	Rock fragments 2-75mm  30-40 percent
		Not limiting	Rock fragments 2-75mm   < 30 percent
Null Rock fragment coverage is assigned ""not rated"".


The maximum fuzzy number of rules 3A to 3E is returned as the rating for this rule.

4) Wetness Limitation - Excessive soil moisture can seriously limit surface mechanical site preparation operations.  The soil can be too wet due to internal moisture (water table) or from ponding.  Both of these characteristics have a temporal aspect, meaning that at some time during the year, a soil that is often wet may be dry enough to work.   If the depth to a layer with wet soil moisture is =<40cm for 8 months of the year OR the soil component has frequent or occasional ponding for 8 months of the year then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and wetness is a limiting feature.

A. Depth to Water Table <60cm, Year Long
1. Property evaluated: DEPTH TO WET LAYER MAXIMUM  
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		<= 20 cm
		Somewhat limiting	20-30 cm
		Not limiting	 >= 3060 cm
Null water table data is assigned to the Not limiting class.

2. Property evaluated: MONTHS WITH WET SOIL MOISTURE STATUS
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		= 12 months
		Somewhat limiting	8 to 11 months
		Not limiting	< 8 months

The lowest fuzzy number of A1 or A2 is returned to the rule.
The fuzzy number is multiplied by 0.5 to reduce the impact.

B. Months with Frequent or Occasional Ponding
MONTHS WITH FREQUENT OR OCCASIONAL PONDING
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		= 12 months
		Somewhat limiting	8 to 11 months
		Not limiting	< 8 months
The fuzzy number is multiplied by 0.75 to reduce the impact.
The highest fuzzy number of A or B is returned to the rule.


5.  Stickiness Limitation - Soils having high (>30) plasticity indices are sticky.  Soil can clog the tillage mechanisms and reduce efficiency because of the need for frequent cleaning.  If the plasticity index of a soil component is >=25 for the any layer within 30cm then this rule returns a value greater than 0 and stickiness is a limiting feature. 

Property evaluated: 
PLASTICITY INDEX MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM (Modality - High, Low, Representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		Plasticity index > 32
		Somewhat limiting	Plasticity index >= 25 - <=32
		Not limiting	Plasticity index < 25
The fuzzy number is multiplied by 0.75 to reduce the impact of this property.
Null plasticity index is assigned ""not rated"".

Reference:
Refer to section 537 of the National Forestry Manual for specific soil rating criteria."|Yes|03/20/2019 22:04:52|"63744"|"90078"|"8632098"
"FOR - Potential Erosion Hazard (Off-Road/Off-Trail)"|"limitation"|"FOR - Forestry

FOR - Potential Erosion Hazard (Off-Road/Off-Trail)

Description:

Potential Erosion Hazard (Off-Road/Off-Trail) addresses the potential of harmful erosion rates due to operations that leave the mineral soil surface bare.  Ratings indicate a relative degree of the hazard or risk of soil loss from off-road and off-trail areas after disturbance activities that expose the soil surface.  The ratings assess several items, such as sheet and rill erosion from exposed soil surfaces caused by various silvicultural practices, such as grazing, mining, fire, firebreaks, and harvest.  It is assumed these activities may disturb the site resulting in 50 to 75 percent roughened bare mineral soil surface in the affected area.  The soil surface may be disturbed by the use of any equipment type or size and uncontrolled grazing by livestock.

The ratings do not take into account clean tillage and other similar activities that disturb up to nearly 100 percent of the area and change the character of the soil.  The rating is reported without regard to  individual precipitation events, so that regional climatic characteristics should be considered.  Gully erosion and its impacts are not considered.  This rule does not deal with sediment production, delivery ratio, streambank or streambed erosion for water courses on the site.   Ground disturbing activities can alter the course and amount of surface or subsurface runoff but these effects are not considered here.

Refer to section 537 of the National Forestry Manual for specific soil rating criteria.

Summary:

Soil interpretations for woodland management provide a means of assessing the limitations and potentials of soils for various operations.  Identification of sites that are difficult to manage will assist in the timing of the work to be done in the forest.  The characteristics of the site and soil can greatly impact the success of the woodland management in terms of efficiency and avoidance of environmental degradation.  

Soils can be a non-members, partial members or complete members of the set of soils that are limited by ""Potential Erosion Hazard (Off-Road/Off-Trail)"".  If a soil's property within 15 cm (6 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Potential Erosion Hazard (Off-Road/Off-Trail)"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through timing or management.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes indicating their degree of limitation per their rating indices.  These are slight (rating index = 0), moderate (rating index > 0 and < 0.75), severe (rating index 0.75 to 0.99) or very severe (rating index = 1).


Rating Classes:
Slight - Erosion is unlikely under ordinary climatic conditions.
Moderate - Some erosion is likely; control measures may be needed.
Severe - Erosion is very likely; control measures for vegetation re-establishment on bare areas and structural measures are advised.
Very Severe - Significant erosion is expected; loss of soil productivity and off-site damages are likely; control measures are costly and generally impractical.

Criteria Used:

1) Surface Water Erosion Hazard  In a simple sense, water erosion hazard in soils can be related to the erodibility of the soil and the degree of slope of the surface.   Erodibility is estimated by the Kw, or whole soil erodibility as is calculated based on the particle size distribution, organic matter content, structure, hydraulic conductivity, and rock fragment content of the soil layer.  The slope parameter used is the representative slope of the soil component.  The product of Kw and representative slope provides a useful metric for relative erosion hazard.  A rainfall intensity metric is provided using an indexed R value.

Property used: SLOPE X K X R FACTOR THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-15CM
Restrictive limits:
             Very severe                    (Kw)(Slope) >= 35
             Severe                             (Kw)(Slope) >=27 - <35
             Moderate                       (Kw)(Slope) >4 - < 27
             Slight                               (Kw)(Slope) <= 4

Null (Kw)(Slope)(R) is assigned to the Not rated class."|Yes|03/22/2019 19:31:08|"63745"|"90078"|"8632099"
"FOR - Potential Erosion Hazard (Road/Trail)"|"limitation"|"FOR  Forestry
 
FOR - Potential Erosion Hazard (Road/Trail)
 
 
Summary:

Soils can be non-members, partial members, or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Potential Erosion Hazard (Road/Trail)"".  If a soil characteristic within 30 cm (12 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting, and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Potential Erosion Hazard (Road/Trail)"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through planning.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are erosion hazard slight (rating index = 0), erosion hazard moderate (rating index > 0 and < 0.7), erosion hazard severe (rating index > 0.7 and < 0.95), or erosion hazard very severe (rating index > 0.95 to 1.0).


Description:


Potential Erosion Hazard (Road/Trail) addresses the soil and site properties that predispose a soil to water erosion. Specifically, this interpretation examines the hazard or risk of soil loss from unsurfaced roads/trails. This includes the slope of the soil surface and the erodibility of the soil. A covering of surface fragments can reduce the severity of erosion.  The erosion hazard is caused by several factors.  First, the force that natural precipitation events have to dislodge and move soil materials on roads, trails and firebreaks. This interpretation assumes normal precipitation events for the area considered.  Second, activities on roads and trails that result in bare ground, compaction, and reshaping of the soil surface can lead to erosion.  Third, use by trucks, skidders, off-road vehicles, and other similar equipment will lead to soil exposure.  Finally, the impact on compacted, bare road, trail surface can be exacerbated on steeper slopes. 


The ratings assume that activities occur during customary periods of such work for the local area.  The ratings do not assess non-soil obstacles, e.g., slash or frozen or snow-covered soils.  The ratings are: erosion hazard slight, which means little or no erosion is likely.  Erosion hazard moderate means some erosion is likely; occasional maintenance may be needed; simple erosion control measures needed.  Erosion hazard severe means significant erosion can be expected; roads require frequent maintenance; costly erosion control measures are needed. Erosion hazard very severe means that the combination of slope and soil erodibility render the site impractical for equipment use due to extreme erosion.  


Scope: National

Soil properties that influence the degree of erosion hazard for unsurfaced roads and trails include the soil erodibility, the slope of the surface, and rock fragment covering, if any.   The soil interpretation for potential erosion hazard (road/trail) is used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Ratings are based on the soil properties that influence erodibility of a bare soil surface.  

Criteria:
Ratings reflect limitations for soil erodibility.

1. Slope, erodibility, surface fragments limitation subrule - Slope is a primary consideration for soil erosion. The effect of slope on erosion is made worse for soils having high erodibility (K factor).  To an extent, the effect of slope and K (erodibility) can be mitigated by rock fragment cover. This subrule employs three subrules to derive the membership for slope, erodibility, and fragments.

a. Slope percent -  If the slope of a soil component is greater than 3 percent, then this rule returns a value greater than 0 and slope is a limiting feature. 

Property used: SLOPE
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		    > 25%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 3 and <= 25%
		Not limiting	    < 3%			
		
Null Slope is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
b. Kw surface 15 cm - The susceptibility of soil material to be detached and moved by water is quantified using the Universal Soil Loss Equation Kw factor, which applies to the whole soil (including rock fragments). 

Property used: EROSION FACTOR THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-15CM
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		    > 0.6
		Somewhat limiting	>= 0.02 and <= 0.6
		Not limiting	    < 0.02			
		
Null erosion factor is assigned to the Not rated class.

c. Surface fragments - Rock fragment cover tends to armor to soil surface and reduce the amount of erosion that can occur.

Property used: FRAGMENTS >=75MM IN DEPTH 0-30CM
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		< 3 percent
		Somewhat limiting	>= 3 to 35 percent
		Not limiting	> 35 percent			
		
Null rock fragment cover is assigned to the Limiting class.

In this subrule, the effect of slope is amplified by multiplying the membership value by 1.5 and the effect of erodibility is enhanced by multiplying its membership vale by 1.1.  The product of these two altered membership values is then computed.  Since the effect rock fragments of cobble size and greater is to reduce erosion, the surface fragment membership value is subtracted from the product of slope and erodibility.  

The equation for Slope, erodibility, surface fragments is: membership = ((1.5a)(1.1b)) - c

2. Steep slope subrule - When the land surface slope is steeper than 50 percent, it is considered that erosion will always be excessive, regardless of low Kw or surface fragment armoring.  Thus, slope is used again in the context of excessive slope.

Property used: SLOPE
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		    > 50%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 25 and <= 50%
		Not limiting	    < 25%			
		
Null Slope is assigned to the Not rated class.

The maximum of subrule 2 or subrule 1 is reported as the rating for the component."|Yes|05/16/2025 17:26:26|"79887"|"90078"|"8632100"
"FOR - Potential Fire Damage Hazard"|"limitation"|"FOR - Forestry

FOR - POTENTIAL FIRE DAMAGE HAZARD
-------------------------------

Refer to section 537 of the National Forestry Manual for specific soil rating criteria.

Description:

The potential hazard of damage to soil nutrient, physical, and biotic characteristics from fire. 

Ratings assess:

* The impact of fires (prescribed or wildfire) of moderate fireline intensity (116-520 btu's/sec/ft) that provide the necessary heat to remove the duff layer and consume soil organic matter in the surface layer. 

Ratings assume:

* Soils with a shallow surface layer lack the capacity to safely absorb the effects of fire.
 
* Steep slopes are more likely to erode if the protective duff layer is removed.

* Soil texture and rock fragment content relate to soil erodibility, vegetative recovery rate, and vegetative productivity.
 
* Medium textured soils, with their greater inherent water holding capacity, aaare more likely to be cooler and provide higher productivty potential
 
*Soils with large volumes of rock fragments transmit heat to a greater depth in a shorter period of time.
 
* Soils with less than 2 percent organic matter are more resistant to sheet and rill erosion and have greater water holding capacity.
 
Ratings do not assess:

* The time of year in which the fire occurs (winter versus summer).
 
* Fuel moisture content or volume.
 
* Whether conditions
 
Rating Classes (Crisp):

*None - No impact to the soil characteristis are expected. 

* Low - Little negative impact to the soil characteristics are expected.

* Moderate - Negative impacts to the soil characteristic may occur.

* High - Negative impact to the soil characteristics are expected."|Yes|05/30/2025 20:51:44|"10458"|"90078"|"8632101"
"FOR - Potential Seedling Mortality"|"limitation"|"FOR - Forestry

FOR - Potential Seedling Mortality


Summary:

Soils can be non-members, partial members, or complete members of the set of soils that are limited by ""Potential Seedling Mortality"".  If a soil characteristic within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting, and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Potential Seedling Mortality"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through planning.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are low (rating index = 0), moderate (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or high (rating index = 1.0).


Description:

Potential Seedling Mortality addresses the possible impediments to establishing a forest stand due to seedling mortality.  Favorable soil properties are needed for the survival of seedlings.  Sufficient water, but not too much water is a primary concern.  Acidity and alkalinity are also to be considered.  This interpretation assumes that the site is adequately prepared for seedling planting.  Also, the appropriateness of the seedling species for the site is assumed.  Finally, normal weather for the area is assumed.  The ratings do not assess overstory tree canopies, competing plants, or pestilence.  The ratings are: low, which means seedlings are expected to develop normally and become established.  Moderate means root development is sufficiently retarded to cause death of some seedlings (up to 1 in 3) and establishment of surviving seedlings is delayed. High means that seedlings are not expected to survive (at least 2 in 3 die) without special treatment or management. 


Scope: National


Ratings are based on the soil properties that influence ease of seedling establishment such as water supply and favorable chemistry.  

Criteria:
Ratings reflect the potential for seedling mortality.

1. Wetness Limitation - A site may be too wet, either from flooding, ponding, or groundwater to allow seedling establishment.

A. Flooding and Ponding Limitation - Seedlings are negatively affected by long and frequent flooding and ponding. To quantify this impact, the flooding and ponding limitation subrule examines the frequency and duration of flooding and ponding.  Six scenarios are described, as illustrated below.

a1. Flooding of long duration and frequent or very frequent frequency
Property used: FLOODING DURATION CLASS
Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS
Limitation thresholds 
duration = ""long"" is limiting
frequency = ""frequent"" or ""very frequent"" is limiting
When both conditions are true, frequent flooding is limiting

a2. Ponding of long duration and frequent frequency
Property used: PONDING DURATION CLASS
Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY CLASS
Limitation thresholds 
duration = ""long"" is limiting
frequency = ""frequent"" is limiting
When both conditions are true, frequent ponding is limiting

a3. Flooding duration is long, but not very frequent
Property used: FLOODING DURATION CLASS
Limitation threshold
duration = ""long""
When this condition is true, the effect is divided by 2.

a4. Ponding duration is long, but not very frequent
Property used: PONDING DURATION CLASS
Limitation threshold
duration = ""long""
When this condition is true, the effect is divided by 2.

a5. Flooding duration is very long
Property used: FLOODING DURATION CLASS
Limitation threshold
duration = ""very long""

a6. Ponding duration is very long
Property used: PONDING DURATION CLASS
Limitation threshold
duration = ""very long""

The highest membership of the six scenarios is returned as the flooding or ponding limitation.

B. Depth to water table limitation - The depth and timing of saturation can negatively affect the growth of seedling roots.  Four subrules are used to establish the degree of limitation due to saturation.

b1. Depth to Water Table >15 to =<45cm, Oct-Feb
Property used: DEPTH TO WATER TABLE AVERAGE FOR CONSECUTIVE MONTHS OCT-FEB
Interpretive thresholds:
                   Water table depth greater than 45cm   Not limiting
                   Water table depth 30 to 45cm               Somewhat limiting
                   Water table depth 15 to 30cm               Limiting
				   
b2. Depth to Water Table >15 to =<45cm, Mar-Sep	
Property used: DEPTH TO WET LAYER AVERAGE, MAR-SEP
Interpretive thresholds:
                   Water table depth greater than 45cm    Not limiting
                   Water table depth 30 to 45cm                Somewhat limiting
                   Water table depth 15 to 30cm                Limiting

b3. 	Depth to Water Table <15cm	
Property used: DEPTH TO WET LAYER MINIMUM
Interpretive thresholds:
                   Water table depth greater than 15cm  Not limiting
                   Water table depth less than 15            Limiting
				   
The highest membership value of b1 to b3 is returned as the water table limitation rating.

The highest membership value of Subrule a or Subrule b is returned as the Wetness Limitation rating.
		   
2. Lime Limitation - Excessive calcium carbonate equivalency can lead to nutrient imbalances.
Property used: CALCIUM CARBONATE EQUIVALENT MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM
Interpretive thresholds:
                   Calcium carbonate less than 15          Not limiting
                   Calcium carbonate 15 to 40                Somewhat limiting
                   Calcium carbonate greater than 40    Limiting
				   
3. Soil Reaction Limitation - Soil pH is an important factor in seedling establishment.  If the pH is too low, aluminum toxicity can occur.  If the oH is to high, micronutrients can be unavailable.
a3. Soil Reaction Acidic
Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER MINIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM
Interpretive thresholds:
                   pH greater than 4.4        Not limiting
                   pH 3.5 to 4.4                  Somewhat limiting
                   pH less than 3.5              Limiting
				   
b3. Soil Reaction Alkaline
Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER MINIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM
Interpretive thresholds:
                   pH less than 7.4              Not limiting
                   pH 7.4 to 8.4                  Somewhat limiting
                   pH greater than 7.4       Limiting

The highest membership value of subrule a3 or b3 is returned as the soil reaction rating.	

4. Salinity Limitation -  Excess soluble salts in soils can couse moisture stress due to osmotic effects and toxicity.	The soil electrical conductivity is used as an indicator of salinity.
Property used: SALINITY MAXIMUM WITHIN 30CM
Interpretive thresholds:
                   Electrical conductivity less than 4 dS/m           Not limiting
                   Electrical conductivity 4 to 8 dS/m                   Somewhat limiting
                   Electrical conductivity greater than 8 dS/m     Limiting	

5. Available Water Limitation - The amount of available water for a plant to take up is a function precipitation, the available water holding capacity of the soil, losses due to evapotranspiration, and any sub-irrigation at the site.  Mean annual precipitation minus the potential evapotranspiration at a site defines, for the most part, how much water the seedling can obtain.  Some soils have a persistent water table that is not too close to the surface, but close enough that plan ts can absorb the water.  Slope aspect and slope can decrease the amount of water available on south facing slopes that are steep enough to gather solar radiation.  

Five subrules are employed to approximate water availability.
a5. MAP Minus PET Available Water
Property used: MAP MINUS POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION
Interpretive thresholds:
                   MAP minus PET greater than -100mm      Not limiting
                   MAP minus PET -450 to -100mm              Somewhat limiting
                   MAP minus PET less than -450mm            Limiting

b5. Available Water Capacity 2.5-10cm H2O
Property used: AWC, 0-50CM OR FIRST RESTRICTIVE LAYER
Interpretive thresholds:
                   AWC greater than 10cm      Not limiting
                   AWC 2.5 to 10cm                Somewhat limiting
                   AWC less than 2.5cm          Limiting	

c5. Duration of Saturation Above 70 cm
Property used: MONTHS WATER TABLE ABOVE 70CM DURING YEAR - COUNT
Interpretive thresholds:
                   Saturation above 70cm 9 months or greater   Not limiting
                   Saturation above 70cm 3 to 9 months             Somewhat limiting
                   Saturation above 70cm less than 3 months     Limiting

d5. Slope >15% (Available Water)
Property used: SLOPE PERCENT
Interpretive thresholds:
                   Slope less than 15 percent        Not limiting
                   Slope 15 to 50 percent              Somewhat limiting
                   Slope greater than 50 percent  Limiting

e5. Aspect >90 and =<270
Property used: ASPECT (REPRESENTATIVE)
Interpretive thresholds:
                   Aspect lower than 90 degrees or higher than 270 degrees    Not limiting
                   Aspect 90 to 175 degrees or aspect 185 to 270 degrees       Somewhat limiting
                   Aspect 175 to 185 degrees				    Limiting	

To derive the rating, first, the MAP-PET and AWC results are multiplied by 0.5 and the values added together.  The duration of saturation result is multiplied by 0.3 and subtracted from the first number.  This value represents the effects of effective rainfall, water storage, and subirrigation.  This amount of water is reduced by the effects of slope and slope aspect.  This value is derived by finding the product of the slope value multiplied by 0.5 and the aspect rating multiplied by 0.2.

AVAILABLE WATER SCORE = [[0.5(a5)+0.5(b5)]-0.3(c5)]+[((0.5(d5))(0.2(e5))]

The overall rating for seedling mortality is the highest of the subrule results."|Yes|06/04/2025 21:24:31|"79850"|"90078"|"8632102"
"FOR - Road Suitability (Natural Surface)"|"limitation"|"FOR Forestry
 
FOR - Road Suitability (Natural Surface)
 
 
Summary:

Soils can be non-members, partial members, or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Road Suitability (Natural Surface)"".  If a soil characteristic within 100 cm (40 inches) of the soil surface has a membership index greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting, and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Road Suitability (Natural Surface)"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through planning.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are well suited (rating index = 0 to 0.29), moderately suited (rating index > 0.29 and < 0.51), or poorly suited (rating index > 0.52.


Description:


Suitability for using the natural surface of the soil component for roads by trucks for the transport of logs and other wood products from the site with the goal of efficient and safe transport of forest products using trucks (1/2-ton to log-transport capability).  Road Suitability (Natural Surface) addresses the soil and site properties that limit a soil for natural surface road construction. Specifically, this includes the slope of the soil surface and the rock fragment cover. Stickiness, sandiness, and low soil strength can affect the construction and use of roads. Soil instability can have a negative affect on the safety of a road. Ponding, flooding, and shallow water tables can also impair the construction and use of roads. These activities will disturb 100 percent of the soil
surface area with rutting, puddling or displacement up to a depth of 45cm.  This interpretation assumes normal precipitation events for the area considered.  

The ratings assume that activities occur during customary periods of such work for the local area. Also, it is assumed that vegetation and debris are cleared from an area sufficient in width for the road before use begins.  The roads will be using the natural setting of the soil without cut and fill construction so slope less than 20 percent gradient is essential. The ratings do not assess non-soil obstacles, e.g., slash or frozen or snow-covered soils.  The ratings are: well suited which means few or no restrictions to natural road suitability, moderately suited which means one or more restrictions reduce site suitability and poorly suited which means one or more restrictions generally make the use of the site for a natural road very difficult or unsafe. 


Scope: National

Soil properties that influence the degree of difficulty for the installation and use of roads are considered.  The soil interpretation for road suitability (natural surface) is to be used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.


Criteria:
Ratings reflect limitations for the installation and use of natural surface roads. 

1. Slope limitation - Slope is a primary consideration for harvest equipment operability. The slope of the land surface affects erosion, safety, and equipment operability.  If the slope of a soil component is greater than 20 percent, then this rule returns a value greater than 0 and slope is a limiting feature.

Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		    > 12%
		Somewhat limiting	     >= 6 and <= 12%
		Not limiting	    < 6%			
		
Null Slope is assigned to the Not rated class.

2. Surface Rock Fragment Limitation - The surface coverage of rock fragments and rock outcrop can affect the ease of hauling and manuevering during harvest and lead to reduced efficiency, equipment damage and physical obstruction.  This rule considers both the surface coverage and the content of large fragments within the soil, stratified by fragment size. 

a. Surface cobbles subrule
Property evaluated:  FRAGMENTS >=75MM AND <250MM ON THE SURFACE
Restriction limits:
		Fragments covering less than 15 percent 	            Not limiting
		Fragments covering 15 to 50 percent		            Somewhat limiting
		Fragments covering greater than 50 percent	            Limiting


b. Surface stones subrule
Property evaluated:  FRAGMENTS >=250MM & <600MM ON THE SURFACE
	Restriction limits:
		Fragments covering less than 3 percent 	                Not limiting
		Fragments covering 3 to 15 percent		                Somewhat limiting
		Fragments covering greater than 15 percent	                Limiting


c. Surface boulders subrule
Property evaluated:  FRAGMENTS >=600MM ON THE SURFACE
	Restriction limits:
		Fragments covering less than 0.1 percent 	            Not limiting
		Fragments covering 0.1 to 3 percent		            Somewhat limiting
		Fragments covering greater than 3 percent	            Limiting

d. Rock outcrop subrule
Property evaluated:  ROCK OUTCROP
	Restriction limits:
		Rock outcrop less than 0.1 percent		Not limiting
		Rock outcrop 0.1 to 0.7 percent		Somewhat limiting
		Rock outcrop greater than 0.7 percent                  Limiting
		
The most limiting of a, b, c, or d is reported as the stoniness limitation rating.	

3.  Stickiness Limitation - Soils having a plasticity index over 20 can adhere to tires and tracks which slows use.  Plasticity index is related to the amount and kind of clays, with the more active clays being stickier.
Property used: PLASTICITY INDEX MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM, REVISED
Restriction limits:
		Somewhat limiting	20 to 30 percent
		Not limiting 	    <20 percent
		
This subrule cannot cause a soil to rate ""poorly suited"".


4. Sand Limitation - Very sandy soils (greater than 85 percent) are difficult to work and lack cohesion, which, due to wheel slippage, lowers the efficiency of the harvest equipment.  
Property evaluated:  PARTICLES COARSER VFS IN LAYERS >=15CM THICK, DPTH 0-30CM, L
Restriction limits:
		Sand content less than 75 percent 	  Not limiting
		Sand content 70 to 85 percent 	  Somewhat limiting
		Sand content greater than 85 percent     Limiting
		

5. Strength Limitation - The ability of a soil to support traffic is critical for harvest equipment.   
Property evaluated:  AASHTO GROUP INDEX, WEIGHTED AVERAGE IN DEPTH 0-50cm
Restriction limits:
		AASHTO GIN 0 to 3 		    Not limiting
		AASHTO GIN 3 to 20 		    Somewhat limiting
		AASHTO GIN greater than 20                     Limiting
		
		
6. Ponding Limitation:  If the number of months a soil component has frequent or occasional ponding falls within the following parameters then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and ponding is a limiting feature:
Frequent Ponding Frequency
   Property used: PONDING FREQ. MONTHS W/ FREQUENT PONDING
   Class limits: 0 months frequent ponding                 Not limiting
                      1 or 2 months frequent ponding          Somewhat limiting
	      3 or more months frequent ponding    Limiting
				 
Occasional ponding frequency
	 Property used: PONDING FREQ. MONTHS W/ OCCASIONAL PONDING
     Class limits: 0 to 2 months occasional ponding       Not limiting
                   2 to 5 months occasional ponding       Somewhat limiting
				   6 or more months occasional            Limiting  

7. Flooding Limitation  flooding can cause damage to infrastructure and equipment.  Also, soil can be eroded, and other constituents can be moved. If the number of months a soil component has frequent or occasional flooding falls within the following parameters, then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and flooding is a limiting feature.

Subrule 1 - Months with Frequent/Very Frequent Flooding

a. Property evaluated:  FLOODING FREQ. MONTHS W/ FREQUENT OR VERY FREQUENT FLOODING
Restriction limits:
	0 months 		Not limiting
	1 or 2 months	Somewhat limiting
	3 or more months 	Limiting
	
	Null flooding is placed in the ""Not limited"" class

Subrule 2 - Months Occasional Flooding

b. Property evaluated:  FLOODING FREQ. MONTHS W/ OCCASIONAL FLOODING
Restriction limits:
	0 to 2 months 	Not limiting
	3 to 5 months	Somewhat limiting
	6 or more months 	Limiting
	
	Null flooding is placed in the ""Not limited"" class

The more limiting of Subrule 1 or 2 is reported as the flooding limitation.				   

8. Soil Slippage Limitation - soils are susceptible to movement if they are undercut.  The degree of hazard is typically related to the propensity to move, the depth of the cut, and the slope gradient driving the movement.  Soil slippage potential is an estimate of the stability of a given soil.  This is influenced by many factors, such as the internal cohesion of the soil.  Most soils are far more likely to slide when they are wet.  Clayey soils, especially when layered, are more likely to slide than sandy soils.  The slope is an important consideration since if the soil is not undercut, such as when building a road on a non-sloping surface, even if the soil is likely to move, the gradient to drive the movement is not present.  However, in the case of ""Leda clays"", also known as ""sensitive clays"", the internal soil cohesion can be so low that the soil, if undercut by natural or man-made processes, can flow away on level ground.

Property evaluated:  SLOPE PERCENT
Restriction limits:
	Slope <5 percent	                Not limiting
	Slope 5 to 25 percent	Somewhat limiting
	Slope >25 percent 	                Limiting
	
	Null slope is placed in the ""Not rated"" class

Property evaluated:  SOIL SLIPPAGE POTENTIAL, REVISED
Restriction limits:		 
  	Soil slippage potential code 0		Not limiting
  	Soil slippage potential code 1-4	Somewhat limiting
  	Soil slippage potential code 5		Very limiting
  
  	Null soil slippage is placed in the ""Not limiting"" class.
  	
Slippage is considered as the interaction of slope and propensity to slide, thus the fuzzy numbers of the subrules are multiplied.

9. Soil Wetness limitation - A high water table in soil can cause loss of strength and lead to rutting.

Property evaluated:  DEPTH TO WATER TABLE AVERAGE FOR CONSECUTIVE MONTHS
Restriction limits:
	Water table depth >80cm	        Not limiting
	Water table depth 30 to 80cm        Somewhat limiting
	Water table depth <30cm	        Limiting
	
	Null water table depth slope is placed in the ""Not limited"" class."|Yes|05/16/2025 19:05:15|"79893"|"90078"|"8632103"
"FOR - Soil Rutting Hazard"|"limitation"|"FOR - Forestry

FOR - SOIL RUTTING HAZARD
-------------------------

Refer to section 537 of the National Forestry Manual for specific soil rating criteria.

Description:

Ratings indicate the hazard or risk of ruts in the uppermost soil surface layers by operation of forest equipment.  Soil displacement and puddling (soil deformation and compaction) may occur simultaneously with rutting.

Ratings assess:

* The operation of equipment on forest sites (3-10 passes) when the soil moisture is near field capacity.

* The use of standard rubber-tired vehicles (non-flotation tires).
 
* Year-long water tables < 12.
* Soil displacement and puddling which may affect aesthetics, groundwater hydrology, and productivity of the site.

Ratings assume:

* Rutting depths usually range from 2 to 24 and depends, in part, on the weight of equipment (including carried or pulled loads) and shape and size of wheels.

* Lack of organic/vegetation surface cover.

* Conditions occurs on soil with slopes and other characteristics that allow use of ground-based equipment.

Ratings do not assess:

* Impacts of rutting on sloping sites that may channel surface water and affect hydrology.

* Frozen soil within 24 of the surface.

Rating Classes (Crisp):

* Slight - Little or no rutting.

* Moderate - Ruts are likely.

* Severe- Ruts readily."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"281"|"90078"|"8632104"
"FOR - Windthrow Hazard"|"limitation"|"FOR - Forestry

FOR - Windthrow Hazard

Description:

Windfirmness is the ability of a tree to resist overturning. It is a function of the balance between the anchorage or strength of the root/soil mass and the wind drag and gravitational forces applied on the tree crown.  Windthrow is one type of wind damage and is defined as the uprooting of a tree by pivoting on the outer edge of a mass of soil, rock, and roots.   Windthrow occurs when the horizontal forces on a tree (wind drag) are transmitted down the trunk to create a torque that exceeds the resistance to turning of the root/soil system.  (Stathers, et al, 1994).  The process thus includes silvicultural, wind, tree, site, and soil variables. For example, individual tree characteristics contribute to windthrow.  Trees having large, dense canopies are more susceptible to windthrow than those having open canopies. The strength and elasticity of the bole, branches, and leaves also contribute.  The characteristics of the stand can influence the susceptibility to windthrow as well.  Stand height and stand density are also major factors, with shorter and denser stands being more resistant to windthrow than tall, open stands.  The rooting habits of the tree species impact the risk of windthrow, since deeper rooted trees are more resistant to the effects of wind than shallow rooted species (Stathers, et al, 1994).  
 
Soil and site factors are also important.  There appears to be a consensus in most windthrow studies that the soil factors that control rooting depth contribute most significantly to the risk of windthrow. Rooting depth in soil can be restricted by a variety of features.  Indurated, strongly cemented, and cemented layers such as unweathered bedrock and duripans are more or less root impenetrable.  Some noncemented layers, such as fragipans, can also curtail root penetration.  Persistent anoxic layers, such as a stagnant shallow water table can act like an impervious layer.  Wetness also has a deleterious effect on the shear strength of the soil which decreases windfirmness.  The weight of the soil over the roots adds a stabilizing anchoring influence. The shape of the land surface is also a factor in windthrow.  While the effects are complex, the trees on certain exposed portions of the landscape are more subject to high wind speeds under most circumstances.   Wind speed increases as wind streamlines are compressed by flowing through narrowing valleys, over hills and ridges, or around shoulder slopes.  Wind direction is also a factor.  In a general sense, ridgetops, shoulder slopes, and backslopes tend to increase wind speed.

This interpretation is intended to indicate those soil components on which the trees would be prone to windthrow.

Reference:

Stathers, R. J., T. P. Rollerson, and S. J. Mitchell. 1994. Windthrow Handbook for British Columbia Forests. B. C. Min For., Victoria, B. C. Working Paper 9401.

Summary:

Soils can be a non-member, partial member, or complete member of the set of soils that exhibit an intrinsic propensity for windthrow of susceptible species and specimens of trees.   If a critical soil property within 200cm of the surface or site characteristic has a membership index greater than zero, then that property is limiting.  The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum of membership indices for one or more of the soil properties that make up the ""FOR - Windthrow Hazard"" interpretive rule.  
Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).  FOR - Windthrow Hazard is an indicator of the relative susceptibility of trees growing on a soil component to being blown over by wind.  Soil and site factors, while important, are not the only factors that need to be considered in the process of windthrow.  Silvicultural practices, tree species, and climatic variables are also involved.

Scope:

Nationwide in scope.

Criteria:

	1. Windthrow Water Table - A persistent saturated layer acts as a barrier to the growth of most plant roots and causes trees to be shallow-rooted, greatly increasing the susceptibility to windthrow.  The soil feature considered is the top depth of the first saturated layer and its temporal persistence.
Property used:  DEPTH TO WET SOIL LAYER LOG AVERAGE
Restrictive limits:
			Limiting		<= 30 cm
			Somewhat limiting	30 <= 75 cm
			Not limiting	>75 cm.
			
Null depth is assigned to the ""Not limiting"" class.
		
	2.  Windthrow Depth to Restriction -  A cemented layer, dense layer, or a low pH layer can act as a barrier to the growth of most plant roots and causes trees to be shallow-rooted, greatly increasing the susceptibility to windthrow.  The soil feature considered is the top depth of the first root restricting layer.	
	
Properties Used: DEPTH TO PH <= 3.5 BELOW AN ORGANIC LAYER
	           DPTH TO BULK DENSITY DIFFERENCE >.25 BELOW AN ORGANIC
	           DEPTH TO BEDROCK OR PAN RESTRICTIVE LAYER					
Restrictive limits:
			Limiting		<= 50cm
			Somewhat limiting	50 to <=75 cm
			Not limiting	> 75 cm.
			
			
Null depth is assigned to the ""Not limiting"" class.			
					
	3. Windthrow Hillslope Position - Backslope, shoulder, or summit hillslope profile positions are more prone to having windthrow because the wind velocity increases as it moves over these surfaces and the trees are also more likely to be exposed.
	
Property used:  TWO-DIMENSIONAL SURFACE MORPHOMETRY
		
Restrictive Limits:
			Somewhat limiting	summits, shoulders, and backslopes
			Not limiting	other geomorphic positions.
			
Null morphometry is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.

	4. Windthrow Hazard - Cindery or Pumiceous Textures Rating  Some soil materials, such as volcanic cinders and pumice have very low bulk density and thus are less able to anchor trees against the wind.

Property used:  WINDTHROW HAZARD RATING FOR PARTICLE SIZE CLASS
		
Restrictive Limits:
			Somewhat limiting	pumiceous and cindery particle size classes
			Not limiting	other particle size classes
			
Null particle size class is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.

	5. Windswept Landscape Position  Some landscapes have persistent strong winds, particularly mountain crests at high elevations.  These areas are particularly prone to windthrow.

Property used:  LOCAL PHASE
		
Restrictive Limits:
			Somewhat limiting	windswept local phase
			Not limiting	other local phases
			
Null local phase is assigned to the ""Not limited"" class.

           6. Low cohesion: Soils that have low plasticity and are fine textured have low cohesion. Soil cohesiveness is important in avoiding adverse processes such as piping and windthrow.  This rule examines the outcomes of six subordinate rules and selects the most limiting outcome as being the the soil's rating for cohesiveness.  If a soil is not identified as limited or somewhat limited by one of the six tests, it considered to be not limiited by a lack of cohesiveness.
	
1. Low cohesion 1: Soil that has low plasticity and is fine textured have low cohesion.  Soil features considered are the weighted average plasticity index and the dominant Unified class from 25 to a depth of at least 180cm or the first cemented restrictive feature.  This rule examines soils having the plasticity index from 20 to 180 cm less that 10.

	Property used: PI WEIGHTED AVE. ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		< 10
		Not limiting	 >= 10 
		
	Null plasticity index is assigned to the Not rated class.

AND

	Property used: UNIFIED DOMINANT CONDITION IN DEPTH 25-200CM
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		      ml, sm, sp, cl-ml, pt
		Somewhat limiting	      gm, cl

2. Low cohesion 2: Soils that have low plasticity and are fine textured have low cohesion.  Soil features considered are weighted average plasticity index in the 10 to 15 range and the Unified class from 20 to 180 cm or the first cemented restrictive feature.  

	Property used: PI WEIGHTED AVE. ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 10 to 15
		Not limiting	<10 or >15
		
	Null plasticity index is assigned to the Not rated class.

AND

	Property used: UNIFIED DOMINANT CONDITION IN DEPTH 25-200CM  (representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		    sm, sp, cl-m
		Somewhat limiting	    gm, cl, ml

3. Low cohesion 3: Soils that have low plasticity and are fine textured have low cohesion.  Soil features considered are weighted average plasticity index in the 10 to 15 range and the Unified class from 20 to 180 cm or the first cemented restrictive feature.  

	Property used: PI WEIGHTED AVE. ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 15
		
		
	Null plasticity index is assigned to the Not rated class.

AND

	Property used: UNIFIED DOMINANT CONDITION IN DEPTH 25-200CM  (representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		    ml, sm, sp, cl-ml
		Somewhat limiting	    gm

4. Low cohesion 4: Soil cohesion is also related to the Unified class and the particle size distribution.  Soil features considered are the dominant Unified class and the weighted average percent passing the number 200, 40, and 10 sieves to a depth of at least 180cm or the first cemented restrictive feature.  

	Property used: UNIFIED DOMINANT CONDITION IN DEPTH 25-200CM  (representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		     ml, sm, sp, cl-m
		Somewhat limiting	    cl
AND

	Property used: PASSING WTD_AVG PASSING NO200 SIEVE 25-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 35%
		Not limiting	>= 35%
		
	Null 200 sieve is assigned to the Not rated class.

AND

              Property used: PASSING WTD_AVG PASSING NO 40 SIEVE 25-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)

               Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50%
		Not limiting	>= 50%
		
	Null 40 sieve is assigned to the Not rated class.

AND

              Property used: PASSING WTD_AVG PASSING NO 10 SIEVE 25-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)

               Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 65%
		Not limiting	>= 65%
		
	Null number 10 sieve is assigned to the Not rated class.

5. Low cohesion 5: Soil cohesion is also related to the Unified class and the particle size distribution.  Soil features considered are the dominant Unified class and the weighted average percent passing the number 40 and 10 sieves to a depth of at least 180cm or the first cemented restrictive feature.  

	Property used: UNIFIED DOMINANT CONDITION IN DEPTH 25-200CM  (representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		     ml, cl-m
		Somewhat limiting	    cl, gm, sm, sp
AND

              Property used: PASSING WTD_AVG PASSING NO 40 SIEVE 25-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)

               Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 70%
		Not limiting	>= 70%
		
	Null 40 sieve is assigned to the Not rated class.

AND

              Property used: PASSING WTD_AVG PASSING NO 10 SIEVE 25-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)

               Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 90%
		Not limiting	>= 90%
		
	Null number 10 sieve is assigned to the Not rated class.

6. Low cohesion 6: Soil cohesion is also related to the Unified class and the particle size distribution.  Soil features considered are the dominant Unified class and the weighted average percent passing the number 40 and 10 sieves to a depth of at least 180cm or the first cemented restrictive feature.  

	Property used: UNIFIED DOMINANT CONDITION IN DEPTH 25-200CM  (representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		    ml, cl-ml
		Somewhat limiting	    cl, gm
AND

              Property used: PASSING WTD_AVG PASSING NO 40 SIEVE 25-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)

               Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 60%
		Not limiting	>= 60%
		
	Null 40 sieve is assigned to the Not rated class.

AND

              Property used: PASSING WTD_AVG PASSING NO 10 SIEVE 25-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION (Modality - high, low, representative value)

               Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 75%
		Not limiting	>= 75%
		
	Null number 10 sieve is assigned to the Not rated class.
The higher of the fuzzy numbers returned by Rules 1 or 2 is multiplied by the highest fuzzy number returned by Rules 3, 4, 5, or 6 to derive the rating."|Yes|03/20/2019 22:04:52|"63746"|"90078"|"8632105"
"FOR (USFS) - Road Construction/Maintenance (Natural Surface)"|"suitability"|"FOR - Forestry

FOR (USFS) - Road Construction/Maintenance (Natural Surface)

Application and Limitations

This interpretation is designed to assess the suitability of soils for Forest Service single lane system roads built to specification with a natural surface. Standard specifications include a grade between 2 and 8 percent, with segments up to 12 percent; a width of about 10 to 14 feet (FSH 7709.56); and drainage structures (Copstead, Johansen, and Moll; 1998).  Roads would be designed to cross the slope, and would be constructed with a cut and fill design in order to maintain grade.  A full bench design would be used on slopes greater than 55 percent (FSH 7709.56).  

This interpretation does not consider geomorphology or geologic information relating to mass stability or landslide risk.  Identifying risk factors for mass instability would be a separate process at a local or regional scale.

Soil properties used in the interpretation criteria include slope gradient, rock fragment content, flooding and ponding frequency, depth to water table, depth to lithic bedrock, AASHTO Group Index as an indicator of soil strength, linear extensibility percent as an indicator of shrink-swell potential, and depth to permafrost.

Soils are placed into suitability classes based on the following numerical ratings:

0.91 - 1.00:   Very well suited
0.51 - 0.90:   Well suited
0.01 - 0.50:   Moderately suited
0.00:          Poorly suited  

Typical uses:

This interpretation can be used for:
 - assessing suitability for new single lane road construction in mountainous or flat terrain, 

- assessing suitability for new Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) trails (50 inches or wider) in mountainous or flat terrain,

- describing soil suitability-related maintenance issues on existing road or OHV trail (50 inches or wider) networks.

References:
Copstead, Ronald L.; Johansen, David Kim; Moll, Jeffry. 1998. Water/Road Interaction: Introduction to surface cross drains. Report 9877 1806--SDTDC. San Dimas, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Technology and Development Program. 15 p.

USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Forestry Manual, September, 1998.

USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Soil Survey Handbook Part 620- Soil Interpretation Guides, 1993 (For historic use only).

USDA, Forest Service.  FSH7709.56- Road Preconstruction Handbook Chapter 40-Design.  Effective August 19, 2011."|Yes|06/29/2023 21:46:28|"58534"|"90078"|"8632106"
"Fragile Soil Index"|"limitation"|"AGR - Agronomy

Fragile Soil Index

Summary:

Soils can be rated based on their susceptibility to degradation in the Fragile Soil Index interpretation.  Fragile soils are those that are most vulnerable to degradation. They are easily degraded (have low resistance) and are highly susceptible to erosion with low resilience. They are characterized as having low organic matter contents, low water-stable aggregates and low soil structure. Fragile soils are generally located on sloping ground, have sparse plant cover, and tend to be in arid and semiarid regions. A fragile soil index interpretation was developed to rate soils based on their fragility. The index can be used in conservation and watershed planning to assist in identifying soils and areas with greater vulnerability to degradation.

Soils are placed into interpretive classes based on their index rating.  Interpretative classes are not fragile (index rating <= 0.009), slightly fragile (index rating > 0.009 and <= 0.209), moderately fragile (rating index > 0.209 and <= 0.409), fragile (rating index > 0.409 and <= 0.609), highly fragile (rating index > 0.609 and <= 0.809), or extremely fragile (rating index > 0.809 and <= 1.0).

Description:

Soil fragility defines how vulnerable a soil is to degradation processes. When used in soil survey the index assesses the inherent soil condition. Depending on a soils inherent characteristics and the climate, soils can vary from highly resistant, or stable, to those that are vulnerable and extremely sensitive to degradation. A soils fragility can change over time do to climate change and changes in site characteristics, and thus fragility will change. Under stress, fragile soils can degrade to a new altered state which may be less or unfavorable to plant growth and less capable of performing soil functions. To assess the fragility of the soil, vulnerability indicators to degradation processes (mostly erosion) are used. The minimum dataset of indicators of soil fragility are as follows:

Organic matter content - The greater the organic matter content, the less fragile the soil. The organic matter content indicates the capacity of the soil to resist and/or recover from degradation. Increases in organic matter can improve the soil pore structure, increase water infiltration, reduce soil compaction, and decrease runoff and soil erosion. Decreasing organic matter contents indicate there has been a reduction in the capacity of the soil to function.

Soil aggregation/structure characteristics - The greater the stability of aggregates or improvement in soil structure, the less fragile the soil. Aggregate stability/soil structure indicates the capacity of the soil to resist degradation from accelerated water erosion (by increasing the amount of infiltration). From a biological point of view it is the pore structure that is important because that is where life finds its habitat (Wall, 2005). Decreasing stability of aggregates and destruction of soil structure implies an increase in soil degradation.

Rooting/soil depth - The greater the rooting depth, the less fragile the soil. Shallow soils are more vulnerable to degradation because they have limited rooting depth and have a reduced capacity to generate new soil. Soil depth is important for productivity. As erosion removes the upper soil profile, productivity will decline if the subsoil is limiting for crop growth. If erosion processes continue, there will eventually be no soil.

Vegetation coverage - The greater the vegetation coverage, the less fragile the soil. Vegetation cover is the areal percentage of the soil surface that is covered with vegetation. It is the proportion of the soil surface that is obscured by above ground vegetation such as leaves, stems, and flowers. Uncovered soil is vulnerable to the processes of soil erosion, both by wind, water and gravity. Under a protective cover of vegetation, erosion goes on so slowly that it is seldom harmful and is associated with the natural environment (Bennett, 1951). 

Slope - The greater the slope, the more vulnerable the soil is to degradation (primarily from erosion). Slope is a measure of the steepness or the degree of inclination of a feature relative to the horizontal plane. The steeper the slope, the faster the runoff flow and the more force it will have to erode soil material.

Aridity - The greater the aridity, the more vulnerable the soil is to degradation (primarily from erosion). Aridity is defined by the shortage of moisture and is essentially a climatic phenomenon that is based on average climatic conditions over an area (Agnew and Anderson, 1992). Lack of water is a main factor limiting biological processes, and thus the capacity to recover from a disturbance (decreasing resilience with decreasing moisture). Land areas will differ in their susceptibility to degradation depending in part on their climate (Eswaran et al., 2001).

Fragile Soil Index

Response or scoring curves (Karlen and Stott, 1994) are developed for each indicator. Scoring curves standardize the relationship between an indicator and the vulnerability to degradation. They convert measured indicator data to relative values ranging from 0 to 1. The standardized scores are then weighted. Aridity is given three times the weight because of its importance. Without adequate water, soil health and vegetation are difficult to restore and biological processes cannot function. Vegetative cover is equally as important as slope with twice the weight. Without vegetative cover the soil is exposed to wind and rain energy and combined with steep slopes can be devastating (Pimentel, 2006). The weighted scores are then added together to form the Fragile Soil Index (FSI): 

FSI = (0.1 x OM) + (0.1 x AgS) + (0.1 x RD) + (0.2 x V) + (0.2 x S) + (0.3 x AI)

Where OM = organic matter content score, AgS = aggregate stability/soil structure score, RD = rooting depth score, V = vegetative cover score, S = slope score and AI = aridity index score. Index values range from 0 to 1 with one being the most fragile (or limiting). Interpretation ratings are produced for mapunit components and are generally aggregated to the mapunit. If organic matter, vegetative cover, slope, soil structure, or aridity index is not available (null), the mapunit component is not rated. Interpretation ratings (from 0 -1) and fragility classes are shown below:

 Fragile soil  	Fragility Class          Description
Index Rating 
< 0.009	                Not fragile               These soils have a very high potential to resist degradation 
                                                                and be highly resilient. They are highly structured with an 
                                                                organic matter content greater than 5.7%, are nearly level, 
                                                                are deep or very deep, have greater than 85% vegetative 
                                                                cover, and are in a climate that is wet or very wet.
0.010  0.209	Slightly fragile         These soils have a high potential to resist degradation and 
                                                                be resilient. They are:
                                                                -- Poorly structured to weakly structured soils that have an 
                                                                extremely low to moderate content of organic matter, are 
                                                                very deep, have high vegetative cover, occur on nearly level 
                                                                ground, and are in wet or very wet climates;
                                                                -- Highly structured soils that have a very high content of 
                                                                organic matter, are very shallow to moderately deep, have 
                                                                high vegetative cover, occur on nearly level ground, and are 
                                                                in wet or very wet climates;
                                                                -- Highly structured soils that have a very high content of 
                                                                organic matter, are very deep, have low to moderately high 
                                                                vegetative cover, occur on nearly level ground, and are in 
                                                                wet or very wet climates;
                                                                -- Highly structured soils that have a very high content of 
                                                                organic matter, are very deep, have high vegetative cover; 
                                                                are on slopes greater than 3%, and are in wet or very wet 
                                                                climates; or
                                                                -- Highly structured soils that have a very high content of 
                                                                organic matter, are very deep, have high vegetative cover; 
                                                                occur on nearly level ground, and in semi-dry to mildly wet 
                                                                climates; 
0.210  0.409	Moderately fragile   These soils have a moderate potential to resist degradation 
                                                                and be moderately resilient. They are:
                                                                -- Highly structured soils that have a very high content of 
                                                                organic matter, are very shallow, have high vegetative cover, 
                                                                occur in nearly level to moderately sloping areas, and are in 
                                                                semi-dry climates; 
                                                                -- Poorly structured soils that have an extremely low content 
                                                                of organic matter, are deep, have low vegetative cover, occur 
                                                                in nearly level areas, and are in wet or very wet climates; 
                                                               -- Poorly structured soils that have an extremely low content 
                                                               of organic matter, occur on gentle to very steep slopes, have 
                                                               high vegetative cover, and are in wet or very wet climates; 
                                                               -- Weakly structured soils that have a very low content of 
                                                               organic matter, are deep, occur in nearly level to gently 
                                                               sloping areas, have high vegetative cover, and are in 
                                                               semi-dry climates; or 
                                                               -- Weakly structured soils that have a very low content of 
                                                               organic matter, are very shallow to very deep, occur in nearly 
                                                               level to strongly sloping areas, have high vegetative cover, 
                                                               and are in mildly wet climates.
0.410  0.609	Fragile                    These soils have a low potential to resist degradation and low 
                                                               resilience. They are:
                                                               -- Well structured soils that have a low content of organic 
                                                               matter, are shallow to very deep, have moderate to 
                                                               moderately high vegetative cover, occur on steep slopes, and
                                                               are in dry climates; 
                                                               -- Well structured soils that have a low content of organic 
                                                               matter, are shallow to very deep, have a low vegetative 
                                                               cover, occur in nearly level to gently sloping areas, and are in 
                                                               dry climates; 
                                                                -- Well structured soils that have a low content of organic 
                                                                matter, are deep, have low vegetative cover, occur on nearly 
                                                                level to very steep slopes, and are in a semi-dry climate; 
                                                                -- Moderately structured soils that have a very low content of 
                                                                organic matter, are deep, have moderately high vegetative 
                                                                cover, occur on moderately steep to very steep slopes, and a
                                                                are in semi-dry climates; or 
                                                                -- Weakly structured soils that have a low content of organic 
                                                                matter, occur on moderately steep to very steep slopes, have 
                                                                low vegetative cover, and are in wet or very wet climates.
0.610  0.809	Very fragile             These soils have a very low potential to resist degradation 
                                                                and very low resilience. They are:
                                                                -- Weakly structured soils that have an extremely low content 
                                                                of organic matter, are deep, have low vegetative cover, 
                                                                occur on nearly level to very steep slopes, and are in dry 
                                                                climates; 
                                                                -- Weakly structured soils that have an extremely low content 
                                                                of organic matter, are shallow to very deep, have low 
                                                                vegetative cover, occur on nearly level to very steep slopes, 
                                                                and are in very dry climates; or 
                                                                -- Poorly structured soils that have an extremely low content 
                                                                of organic matter, are very shallow, have no vegetative cover, 
                                                                occur on steep slopes, and are in mildly wet to wet climates.
0.810  1.000	Extremely fragile     These soils can have no potential to resist degradation and 
                                                                no resilience. They are:
                                                                -- Poorly structured soils that have an extremely low content 
                                                                of organic matter, are very shallow, have low vegetative 
                                                                cover, occur on very steep slopes, and are in dry or very 
                                                                dry climates; 
                                                                -- Weakly structured soils that have a very low content of 
                                                                organic matter, are nearly level to very deep, have low 
                                                                vegetative cover, occur on very steep slopes, and are in 
                                                                dry climates; or
                                                                -- Very shallow soils on steep slopes.


Scope: National


Criteria:

1. Organic Matter: The organic matter content of the surface horizon ('A' or 'O' horizons) is used in the index.

Property used: ORGANIC MATTER IS SURFACE LAYER (Modality - representative value)

The scoring curve for soil organic matter content in the surface layer ('A' or 'O' horizon) is based on the curve developed by the Cornell soil health assessment (medium curve). This was chosen because of the high inherent organic matter contents of the northeast (based on climate and soils), and would provide the maximum potential for organic matter and soil health on agricultural soils (of that found within the US). The organic matter content ranges from 0 to 7% with a score of one as the most limiting with zero percent organic matter. Anything over 7% gets a score of zero. The scoring curve shape is sigmoid as follows:

          Organic Matter score = (a + cx + ex2)/(1 + bx + dx2 +fx3)
          a = 1.0002993; b = -0.14767395; c = -0.21024973; d = -0.0081101367; e = 0.009697; f = 0.0073572721; x = organic matter (%)

Organic matter (OM) limits:
          Extremely Low OM: < 1.3%
          Very Low OM: 1.3 to 2.6%
          Low OM: 2.6 to 3.9%
          Moderate OM: 3.9 to 5.2%
          High OM: 5.2 to 7.0%
          Very High OM: > 7%

Null organic matter is assigned a 'not rated' for the interpretation.

2. Surface Structure: Soil structure of the surface layer is used in the index.

Property used: STRUCTURE INDEX OF SURFACE (Modality - representative value)

The scoring curve is based on the structure classes developed by Bob Grossman. The type, grade and size of structural units are grouped into classes as defined in Table 3 of the morphology index (Seybold et al., 2004). Structure classes range from 1 to 5 with 5 being the best.

Structure                          Criteria
  Class	
    5          Strong granular, strong very fine through medium blocky and very fine prismatic; 
                surface 'O' horizons (structure is not applicable to organic layers); if soil structure is
                null and OM > 10%
    4          Moderate granular, moderate very fine and fine blocky; strong fine.
    3          Moderate medium blocky; very fine, fine and medium prismatic; strong very coarse
                and coarse blocky.
    2          Weak granular; moderate very coarse and coarse blocky; coarse and medium prismatic; 
                strong very coarse and coarse prismatic; weak platy; weak lenticular.
    1          All other soil structures (includes columnar, wedge, cloddy, massive, and single grain).
 
Scores are as follows:

	Structure Class score= 1 if structure class 1; 0.75 if structure class 2; 0.5 if structure class 3; 0.25 if structure class 4; 0 if structure class 5

Surface Structure limits:
          Poor structure: structure class = 1
          Weakly structured: structure class = 2
          Moderately structured: structure class = 3
          Well structured: structure class = 4
          Highly structure: structure class = 5
 
O horizons (and OM > 10 if structure is null) are assigned to the highly structured class.
Null surface structure is assigned a 'not rated' for the interpretation.

3. Rooting Depth: Depth of the soil (or 152 cm) or to a root restrictive layer, whichever is shallower is used in the index. 

Property used: DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTION OR 152cm (Modality - representative value)

The scoring curve for effective rooting depth is developed based a maximum depth of 152 cm as being the least vulnerable to soil erosion. Response of crop yield to erosion is generally convex (Bakker et al., 2004). As erosion continues and the soil gets shallower increasingly severe productivity losses occur under equal erosion rates. The curve is based on depth to a root restrictive layer or 152 cm, whichever is shallower. The following is the scoring curve:

          Rooting Depth Score = a + bx + cx1.5 + dx3 
          a = 1.0000338; b = -0.019773028; c = 0.0011661322; d = -5.1038528e-08; x = rooting depth (cm)

Rooting depth limits:
          Very shallow: < 25 cm 
          Shallow: 25-50 cm 
          Moderately deep: 50-100 cm 
          Deep: 100-150 cm 
          Very deep: >150 cm

Null or zero depth is assigned to the not limiting class (Very deep).

4. Vegetative cover (includes sufrace fragment cover): The earth-cover-kind 1 and 2 for a map unit component is used in the index. Surface fragment cover in the component surface fragment table is also used.  The two cover percents are added together for a total cover percentage.

Property used: LAND COVER (Modality - representative value). 

The scoring curve for vegetative cover is based on the percent cover assigned to each earth-cover-kind 1 and 2 (plus any surface fragment cover) for a component. Vegetative cover plus surface fragment cover can range from 0 to 100%. Percent cover for each earth-cover-kind in shown below:

        Earth Cover Kind	                    Veg. Cover (%)
Artificial Cover                                                   80
     Rural transportation                                     100
     Urban and built-up                                        80
Barren Land                                                       5
     Rock                                                              85
     Sand and gravel                                           5
     Culturally induced barren                             5
     Permanent snow and ice                              85
     Other barren                                                 5
Crop Cover (over the year)                              25
     Row crop                                                      20
     Close-grown crop                                         30
Grass/herbaceous Cover                                  80
     Rangeland, grassland                                  70
     Rangeland, savanna                                    70
     Rangeland, shrubby                                    70
     Rangeland, tundra                                      90
     Pastureland, tame                                       70
     Hayland                                                       70
     Marshland                                                   100
     Other grass/herbaceous cover                   80
Tree Cover                                                       80
     Crop trees                                                   50
     Conifers                                                       90
     Hardwoods                                                  80
     Intermixed                                                  85
     Tropical                                                       80
     Swamp                                                       100
     Other crop trees                                        50
     Tree cover and hzname contain Ap	        50
     Tree cover and hzname contain A or O      80
Shrub Cover                                                    50
     Crop shrubs                                                40
     Crop vines                                                  40
     Native shrubs                                             60
     Other shrub cover                                     50
Water Cover                                                  100
Wetlands                                                        100	
Null earth-cover-kind and horizon designation contains O        80
Null earth-cover-kind and horizon designation contains Ap      25

The scoring curve shape is sigmoid as follows: 

          Veg Cover Score = (a + cx + ex2)(1 + bx +dx2)
          a = 0.99966629; b = -0.018080619; c = -0.019063775; d = 0.00018014742; e = 0.000090710991; x = veg cover (%)

Vegetative cover limits:
          Low vegetative cover: < 30
          Moderate vegetative cover: 30 - 60%
          Moderately-high vegetative cover: 60 - 80%
          High vegetative cover: > 80%

Null vegetative cover is assigned a 'not rated' for the interpretation.

5. Slope: The slope percent for the component is used in the index.

Property used: SLOPE (Modality - representative value)

The scoring curve for slope was based on the study by Lui et al. (1994). They showed that for slopes between 9 and 50%, the soil loss was linearly related to the sine of the slope angle, similar to what is used in RULSE but takes into account steeper slopes. The shape of the curve in plot of slope percent versus soil loss normalized to 9% is slightly convex from 9 to 50% slopes. The Y axis (soil loss normalized to 9%) was replaced with 0 to 1 to produce the scoring curve. Below 9%, the shape is still convex but less steep.  The scoring curve is as follows:

	Slope score = (a + cx + ex2 + gx3)/(1 + bx + dx2 + fx3)
	a = -0.00097169878; b = -0.085569059; c = 0.022525266; d = 0.0068975356; e = -0.0036133219; f = 8.00000689E-05; g = 0.00024152235; x = slope gradient (%)

Slope limits:
          Very steep: > 45
          Steep: 28 - 45%
          Moderately steep: 16 - 28%
          Strongly sloping: 8 - 16%
          Gently sloping: 3 - 8%
          Nearly level: 0 - 3%

Null slope is assigned a 'not rated' for the interpretation.

6. Aridity: The De Martonne (1926) aridity index (Am) (as reviewed in Maliva and Missimer, 2012 and Lunga et al., 2011) uses temperature as a proxy for ETp as follows: Am = P/(T + 10) where, P (mm) is the annual precipitation and T (C) the mean annual temperature. The equation is appropriate for temperatures greater than -9.9C. The De Martonne aridity index decreases (approaches zero) with increasing aridity. 

Property used: ARIDITY INDEX (Modality - representative value)

 The shape of the scoring curve is sigmoid as follows:
	Aridity Index score = (a + cx + ex2)/(1 + bx + dx2)
	a = 0.99992575; b = -0.069544299; c = -0.065093715; d = 0.0019192058; e = 0.0010584767; x = aridity index

Aridity index limits (classification according to De Martonne, 1926):
          Very dry: 0 - 5
          Dry: 5 - 15
          Semi-dry: 15 - 20
          Mildly wet: 20 - 30
          Wet: 30 - 60
          Very wet: > 60

Aridity index values greater than 30 are considered not fragile.
Null aridity index is assigned a 'not rated' for the interpretation.


References:

Agnew, C., and W. Anderson. 1992. Water in the arid realm. Routledge, London.

Bakker, M.M., G. Govers, M.D.A. Rounsevell. 2004. The crop productivity erosion relationship: an analysis based on experimental work. Catena 57:55-76.

Bennett, H.H. 1951. Raindrops and erosion. Circular No. 895. United States Dept. of Agric. Washington, D.C.

De Martonne, E. 1926. Arisme et indice artidite. Comptes Rendus de LAcad Sci, Paris, 182:13951398.

Eswaran, H., Lal, R., & Reich, P. F. (2001). Land degradation: An overview. In E. M. Bridges, I. D. Hannam, L. R. Oldeman, F. W. T. Pening de Vries, S. J. Scherr, & S. Sompatpanit (Eds.), Responses to land degradation, Proceedings 2nd International Conference on Land Degradation, Khon Kaen, Thailand (pp. 2035). New Delhi, India: Oxford Press.

Lungu, M., L. Panaitescu, and S. Ni. 2011. Aridity, climatic risk phenomenon in Dobrudja. Present Environment and Sustainable Development 5(1):181-190.

Karlen and Stott. 1994. A framework for evaluating physical and chemical indicators of soil quality. pp. 53-72. In: J.W. Doran, D.C. Coleman, D.F. Bezdicek, and B.A. Stewart (Eds) Defining Soil Quality for a Sustainable Environment. Soil Science Society of America Special Publication 35. Madison, WI.

Maliva, R.G., and Th.M. Missimer. 2012. Chapter 2: Aridity and Drought. In: Arid lands water evaluation and management. 

Pimentel, D. 2006. Soil erosion: A food and environmental threat. Environment, Development and Sustainability 8:119-137.

Seybold, C.A., R.B. Grossman, H. Hoper, G. Muckel, and D.L. Karlen. 2004. Soil quality morphological index measured in the 1996 NRI pilot study. Soil Survey Horizons 45(3):86-95.

Wall, D.H. 2005. Biodiversity. p.136-141. In: D. Hillel (ed.) Encyclopedia of soils in the environment. Vol. 1. Elsevier, Oxford."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"54580"|"90078"|"8632107"
"GRL - Fencing, Post Depth =<24 inches"|"limitation"|"GRL - Grazing Lands

GRL - Fencing, Post Depth =<24 inches

FENCING:
        1. Fencing is the construction and maintenance of barriers for the management of animals and people.  Fences are constructed using metal or wooden posts.  This rule was developed for conditions where the posts are set to a depth of 2 feet or less into the soil with strands of wire suspended between the posts.
 
        2. The guide, as shown in the Table below, is used to rate the ease of setting posts, maintaining the wire tension, and estimating the replacement and maintenance cost.  Excavations for wooden posts are made by power auger or hand dug, metal posts are driven into the soil.
 
        3. Bedrock, cemented pan, and large and small stones influence the excavation of post holes and the driving of posts.  Flooding and depth to a seasonal high water table may restrict the season of construction.  Flooding also affects maintenance and replacement cost.  High water tables raise the maintenance cost and require deeper post settings.  High shrink-swell soils require deep post settings or rock jacks to maintain vertical post alignment.  Setting posts in permanently frozen soil may cause lose of the insulation qualities of the soil and result in thermokarst topography.  Post alignment and maintaining the desired wire tension are often difficult on sandy soils due to their low strength.  Soil blowing causes maintenance problems.  Frost action results in frost-heaving of the posts.  Steep slopes affect the use power augers and the delivery of supplies.  During the wet seasons surface creep on steep slopes increases maintenance.  Soil reaction and salinity affect the type of post selected and maintenance costs.
 
         
 
Table of Criteria for Fencing:

                            		 LIMITS

RATING CRITERIA 		WELL            		POORLY  	RESTRICTIVE
	OR PROPERTY     	SUITED   	SUITED 		SUITED          FEATURE
 
1.      USDA TEXTURE     	---     	---    		ICE     	PERMAFROST 

1a.     TEXTURE (WEIGHT  	---     	---    		SC, SIC, C      TOO CLAYEY
        AVE. 0-24"")
 
1b.     TEXTURE (WEIGHT AV.      ---    	SC, SIC, C       ---    	TOO CLAYEY
        0-24"", KAOLINITIC
        MINERALOGY AND
        OXIC SUBGROUPS,
        AND OXISOLS AND
        UDIC MOISTURE
        REGIME)
 
1c.     TEXTURE (WEIGHT  	---    LS, LCOS, VFS,  COS, S, 			TOO SANDY
        AV. 0-24"")              	LFS, LVFS       FS
 
2.      FLOODING        	NONE, RARE      OCCAS   	FREQ    	FLOODING
 
3.      DEPTH TO BEDROCK         ---     	---    		<24""     	DEPTH TO ROCK
        (HARD OR SOFT, IN)
 
4.      DEPTH TO CEMENTED        ---     	---    		<24""     	CEMENTED PAN
        PAN (IN)
 

5.      WEIGHT PERCENT  	<25     	25-50   	>50     	TOO GRAVELLY
        2 mm-<3"" (0-24"")
 
5a.     WEIGHT PERCENT  	<25     	25-50   	>50     	TOO COBBLY
        3-10"" (0-24"")	
  
5b.     WEIGHT PERCENT  	<5      	5-15    	>15     	TOO STONY
        >10"" (0-24"")
 
6.      SHRINK-SWELL     	---     	---   		 >6      	SHRINK-SWELL
        THICKEST LAYER
        0-24"", LE (PCT)


7.      PONDING  		---     	---      	+     		PONDING
 
8.      DEPTH TO HIGH   	>2.0     	---    		<2.0    	WETNESS
        WATER TABLE (FT)
 
9.      SLOPE (PCT)     	<8      	8-15    	>15     	SLOPE
 
10.     POTENTIAL FROST
        ACTION   		---    		HIGH    	---    		FROST ACTION
 
11.     SALINITY (MMHOS/CM)      ---    	>8       	---    		EXCESS SALT
 
12.     SOIL REACTION (pH)       ---    	<3.5     	---    		TOO ACID"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"825"|"90078"|"8632108"
"GRL - Fencing, Post Depth =<36 inches"|"limitation"|"GRL - Grazing Lands

GRL - Fencing, Post Depth =<36 inches

FENCING:
        1. Fencing is the construction and maintenance of barriers for the management of animals and people.  Fences are constructed using metal or wooden posts.  This rule was developed for conditions where the posts are set to a depth of 3 feet or less into the soil with strands of wire suspended between the posts.
 
        2. The guide, as shown in the Table below, is used to rate the ease of setting posts, maintaining the wire tension, and estimating the replacement and maintenance cost.  Excavations for wooden posts are made by power auger or hand dug, metal posts are driven into the soil.
 
        3. Bedrock, cemented pan, and large and small stones influence the excavation of post holes and the driving of posts.  Flooding and depth to a seasonal high water table may restrict the season of construction.  Flooding also affects maintenance and replacement cost.  High water tables raise the maintenance cost and require deeper post settings.  High shrink-swell soils require deep post settings or rock jacks to maintain vertical post alignment.  Setting posts in permanently frozen soil may cause lose of the insulation qualities of the soil and result in thermokarst topography.  Post alignment and maintaining the desired wire tension are often difficult on sandy soils due to their low strength.  Soil blowing causes maintenance problems.  Frost action results in frost-heaving of the posts.  Steep slopes affect the use power augers and the delivery of supplies.  During the wet seasons surface creep on steep slopes increases maintenance.  Soil reaction and salinity affect the type of post selected and maintenance costs.
  
 
Table of Criteria for Fencing:

                            		 LIMITS

RATING CRITERIA 		WELL            	POORLY  	RESTRICTIVE
	OR PROPERTY     	SUITED   SUITED 	SUITED          FEATURE
 
1.      USDA TEXTURE     	---     ---    		ICE     	PERMAFROST 

1a.     TEXTURE (WEIGHT  	---     ---    		SC, SIC, C      TOO CLAYEY
        AVE. 0-36"")
 
1b.     TEXTURE (WEIGHT AV.      ---    SC, SIC, C       ---    	TOO CLAYEY
        0-36"", KAOLINITIC
        MINERALOGY AND
        OXIC SUBGROUPS,
        AND OXISOLS AND
        UDIC MOISTURE
        REGIME)
 
1c.     TEXTURE (WEIGHT  	---    LS, LCOS, VFS,  COS, S, 		TOO SANDY
        AV. 0-36"")              	LFS, LVFS       FS
 
2.      FLOODING        	NONE, RARE      OCCAS   FREQ    	FLOODING
 
3.      DEPTH TO BEDROCK         ---     ---    	<36     	DEPTH TO ROCK
        (HARD OR SOFT, IN)
 
4.      DEPTH TO CEMENTED        ---     ---    	<36     	CEMENTED PAN
        PAN (IN)
 

5.      WEIGHT PERCENT  	<25     25-50   	>50     	TOO GRAVELLY
        2 mm-<3"" (0-36"")
 
5a.     WEIGHT PERCENT  	<25     25-50   	>50     	TOO COBBLY
        3-10"" (0-36"")
  
5b.     WEIGHT PERCENT  	<5      5-15    	>15     	TOO STONY
        >10"" (0-36"")
 
6.      SHRINK-SWELL     	---     ---   		 >6      	SHRINK-SWELL
        THICKEST LAYER
        0-36"", LE (PCT)


7.      PONDING  		---     ---      	+     		PONDING
 
8.      DEPTH TO HIGH   	>2.0     ---    	<2.0    	WETNESS
        WATER TABLE (FT)
 
9.      SLOPE (PCT)     	<8      8-15    	>15     	SLOPE
 
10.     POTENTIAL FROST
        ACTION   		---    HIGH    		 ---    	FROST ACTION
 
11.     SALINITY (MMHOS/CM)      ---    >8       	---    		EXCESS SALT
 
12.     SOIL REACTION (pH)       ---    <3.5     	---    		TOO ACID"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"883"|"90078"|"8632109"
"Ground Penetrating Radar Penetration"|"limitation"|"AGR - Agronomy
DHS - Department of Homeland Security
ENG - Engineering

Ground Penetrating Radar Penetration

Introduction

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is widely used by a diverse group of service providers that include agronomist, archaeologists, criminologists, engineers, environmental specialists, foresters, geologists, geophysicists, hydrologists, land use managers, and soil scientists. In recent years, GPR has gained recognition in the search for terrorism and military hazards. A common concern of GPR service providers is whether or not GPR will be able to achieve the desired depth of penetration in the soils of a project area. In many soils, high rates of signal attenuation severely restrict penetration depths and limit the suitability of GPR for a large number of applications. In saline and sodic soils, where penetration depths are often less than 10 inches (Daniels, 2004), GPR is unsuited to most applications. In wet clays, where penetration depths are typically less than 40 inches (Doolittle et al., 2002), GPR has very low potentials for most applications. However, GPR is highly suited to most applications in dry sands and gravels, where penetration depths can exceed 160 feet with low frequency antennas (Smith and Jol, 1995). 

Most GPR service providers have limited knowledge of soils and are unable to foretell attenuation rates, penetration depths, and the general suitability of the soils within project areas to GPR. Knowledge of the probable penetration depth and the relative suitability of soils would help service providers assess the appropriateness of using GPR and the likelihood of achieving acceptable results. Soil attribute data contained in the State Soil Geographic (STATSGO) and the Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) data bases have been used to develop thematic maps showing, at different scales and levels of resolution, the relative suitability of soils for many GPR applications. Both STATSGO and SSURGO data bases consist of digital map data, attribute data, and Federal Geographic Data Committee compliant metadata. These data bases are linked to soil interpretation records, which contain data on the physical and chemical properties of approximately 21,000 different soils (USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1994). 


Factors Influencing the Penetration Depth of GPR

The penetration depth of GPR is determined by antenna frequency and the electrical conductivity of the earthen materials being profiled (Daniels, 2004). Soils having high electrical conductivity rapidly attenuate radar energy, restrict penetration depths, and severely limit the effectiveness of GPR. The electrical conductivity of soils increases with increases in water, clay and soluble salt contents. 

Electrical conductivity is directly related to the amount, distribution, chemical composition, and phase (liquid, solid, or gas) of the soil water (McNeill, 1980). At a given frequency, the attenuation of electromagnetic energy increases with increasing moisture contents (Daniels, 2004). The lack of adequate data on soil moisture and the high spatial and temporal variations in the degree of soil wetness within most soil map units precluded the use of moisture content in the preparation of GPR soil suitability maps. As a consequence, properties selected to prepare these maps principally reflect variations in the clay and soluble salt contents of soils. These properties include clay content and mineralogy, electrical conductivity, sodium absorption ratio, and calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate contents. 

Clays have greater surface areas and can hold more water than the silt and sand fractions at moderate and higher water tensions. Because of their high adsorptive capacity for water and exchangeable cations, clays produce high attenuation losses (Daniels, 2004). As a consequence, the penetration depth of GPR is inversely related to clay content. While soils with more than 35 percent clay are restrictive, soils with less than 10 percent clay are generally favorable to deep penetration with GPR. 

Soils contain various proportions of different clay minerals (e.g., members of kaolin, mica, chlorite, vermiculite, smectite groups). The size, surface area, cation-exchange capacity (CEC), and water holding capacity of clay minerals vary greatly. Variations in electrical conductivity are attributed to differences in the CEC associated with different clay minerals (Saarenketo, 1998). Electrical conductivity increases with increasing CEC (Saarenketo, 1998). Soils with clay fractions dominated by high cation exchange capacity clays (e.g., smectitic and vermiculitic soil mineralogy classes) are more attenuating to GPR than soils with an equivalent percentage of low cation exchange capacity clays (e.g., kaolinitic, gibbsitic, and halloysitic soil mineralogy classes). Soils classified as kaolinitic, gibbsitic, and halloysitic characteristically have low cation-exchange capacity and low base saturation. As a general rule, for soils with comparable clay and moisture contents, greater depths of penetration can be achieved in highly weathered soils of tropical and subtropical regions that have kandic or oxic horizons than in soils of temperate regions that have argillic horizons. Compared with argillic horizons, kandic and oxic horizons have greater concentrations of low activity clays (Soil Survey Staff, 1999).

Electrical conductivity is directly related to the concentration of dissolved salts in the soil solution, as well as the type of exchangeable cations and the degree of dissociation of the salts on soil particles (Soil Survey Staff, 1993). The concentration of salts in the soil solution is dependent upon the degree of water-filled porosity, the soil texture, and the minerals found in soils. In semi-arid and arid regions, soluble salts and exchangeable sodium accumulate in the upper part of some soil profiles. These salts produce high attenuation losses that restrict penetration depths (Doolittle and Collins, 1995). Because of their high electrical conductivity, saline (saturated extract electrical conductivity  4 mmhos cm -1) and sodic (sodium absorption ratio  13) soils are considered unsuited to GPR. 

Calcareous and gypsiferous soils are characterized by layers with secondary accumulations of calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate, respectively. These soils mainly occur in base-rich, alkaline environments in semi-arid and arid regions. High concentrations of calcium carbonate and/or calcium sulfate imply less intense leaching, prevalence of other soluble salts, greater quantities of inherited minerals from parent rock, and accumulations of specific mineral products of weathering (Jackson, 1959). Grant and Schultz (1994) observed a reduction in the depth of GPR signal penetration in soils that have high concentrations of calcium carbonate. 

GPR Soil Indices

Soil properties selected to prepare GPR soil suitability maps are summarized in Table 1. Attribute index values (AIV) were assigned to each of the selected soil properties based on field experiences. Lower AIVs are associated with lower rates of signal attenuation, greater penetration depths, and soil properties that are characteristically more suited to GPR. For clay content, AIVs range from 1 to 5. Mineral soils with clay contents less than 10 percent in all horizons within a depth of 3.3 feet have a very high potential for most GPR applications and are assigned an AIV of 1. Mineral soils with clay contents greater than 60 percent in one or more horizons within a depth of 3.3 feet have a very low potential for most GPR applications and are assigned an index value of 5. A mineralogy override is used for highly weathered soils that are dominated by low activity clay minerals. Based on taxonomic criteria, a textural adjustment is applied to all soils that have kandic or oxic horizons and more than 10 percent clay. Fabric adjustments and separate indices are used for organic soils. Organic soils with more acidic reactions (dysic; AIV of 1) are typically more nutrient deficient and less limiting to GPR than organic soils with more neutral or alkaline soil reactions (euic; AIV of 2). Distinctions are also made for organic soils with mineral layers that are more than 12 inches thick and occur within depths of 4.1 feet (terric taxonomic subgroup). Because of their unsuitability to GPR, saline and sodic soils are assigned an AIV of 6. Based principally on taxonomic criteria, mineral soils with less than 60 percent clay that are characterized by high gypsum and/or calcium carbonate contents are assigned an added AIV of 1. Very fine textured soils (>60 percent clay) have very low potential for GPR and were not assigned this additional AIV.

For each component of a soil map unit, the most limiting condition (highest AIV) for each of the selected properties (clay content, electrical conductivity or SAR, and calcium carbonate or calcium sulfate content) at the soil horizon level is selected. These index values are summed to a depth of 3.3 feet for mineral soils and 4.1 feet for organic soils. The summation of the most limiting conditions represents the component index value (CIV). A CIV is computed for each soil in the map unit. Table 2 shows the relative composition (percentage) of different soil components and their CIVs for a hypothetical soil map unit.

A relative suitability index (SI) is computed for each map unit by summing the percentages of soils with the same CIV. Table 3 shows the results of summing the soil component percentages by the CIVs shown in Table 2. The dominant CIV is 4 for the map unit shown in Table 3. Soils with this index value make up 38 percent of the map unit. However, this map unit is also composed of soils that have more limiting (21%) and more favorable (41%) CIVs. The SI for a map unit represents the most dominant attribute properties, but does not identify or weighs the proportion of other soils that have different CIVs and occur within the map unit.

The final product is a lookup table consisting of the map unit identifiers and dominant GPR suitability indices (SI) shown in Table 4. The dominant SI for the soil components is joined to the map unit identifiers and displayed in graduated colors on digital maps. 

Relative Suitability of Soils for GPR

Soil attribute index values and relative soil suitability indices are based on observed responses from antennas with center frequencies between 100 and 200 MHz. For mineral soils, the inferred SI is based on unsaturated conditions and the absence of contrasting materials within depths of 3.3 feet. Penetration depths and the relative suitability of mineral soils will be less under saturated conditions. Contrasting physical and chemical properties will also affect attenuation rates and penetration depths.

Areas dominated by mineral soil materials with less than 10 percent clay or very deep organic soils with pH values < 4.5 in all layers have very high potential (SI of 1) for GPR applications. Areas with very high potential afford the greatest possibility for deep, high resolution profiling with GPR. However, depending on the ionic concentration of the soil solution and the amounts and types of clay minerals in the soil matrix, signal attenuation and penetration depths will vary. With a 200 MHz antenna, in soils with very high potential for GPR, the effective penetration depth has averaged about 16.5 feet. However, because of variations in textural layering, mineralogy, soil water content, and the ionic concentration of the soil water, the depth of penetration can range from 3.3 to greater than 50 feet. 

Areas dominated by mineral soils with 18 to 35 percent clay or with 35 to 60 percent clay that are mostly low-activity clay minerals have moderate potential (SI of 3) for GPR. Low activity clays are principally associated with older, more intensely weathered soils that form in materials weathered from highly permeable granitic parent rock on the Piedmont and Coastal Plains of southeastern United States. In soils with moderate potential for GPR, the effective penetration depth with a 200 MHz antenna has averaged about 7 feet with a range of about 1.6 to 16 feet. Though penetration depths are restricted, soil polygons with moderate potential are suited to many GPR applications. 

Mineral soils with 35 to 60 percent clay, or calcareous and/or gypsiferous soils with 18 to 35 percent clay have low potential (SI of 4) for GPR. Areas with low potential are very depth restrictive to GPR. In soils with low potential for GPR, the depth of penetration with a 200 MHz antenna has averaged about 1.6 feet with a range of about 0.8 to 6.5 feet. 

Areas that are unsuited (SI >5) to GPR consist of saline and sodic soils. These soil map units are principally restricted to arid and semiarid regions and coastal areas of the United States.

A more readable document can be found at:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/geo/?cid=nrcs142p2_053623



References

Daniels, D. J. 2004. Ground Penetrating Radar, 2nd Edition. The Institute of Electrical Engineers, London, United Kingdom. 

Doolittle, J. A. and M. E. Collins. 1995. Use of soil information to determine application of ground-penetrating radar. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 33:101-108.

Doolittle, J. A., F. E. Minzenmayer, S. W. Waltman, and E. C. Benham. 2002. Ground penetrating radar soil suitability map of the conterminous United States. 7-12 pp. In: Koppenjan, S. K., and L. Hua (Eds). Ninth International Conference on Ground Penetrating Radar. Proceedings of SPIE Volume 4158. 30 April to 2 May 2002. Santa Barbara, CA.

Grant, J. A. and P. H. Schultz. 1994. Erosion of ejecta at Meteor Crater: Constraints from ground penetrating radar. 789-803 pp. In: Proceedings Fifth International Conference on Ground-Penetrating Radar. Waterloo Centre for Groundwater Research and the Canadian Geotechnical Society. June 1214, 1994, Kitchner, Ontario, Canada. 

Jackson, M. L. 1959. Frequency distribution of clay minerals in major great soil groups as related to the factors of soil formation. Clays and Clay Minerals 6: 133-143.

McNeill, J. D. 1980. Electrical conductivity of soils and rock. Technical Note TN-5. Geonics Limited, Mississauga, Ontario.

Saarenketo, T. 1998. Electrical properties of water in clay and silty soils. Journal of Applied Geophysics 40: 73-88.

Smith, D. G. and H. M. Jol. 1995. Ground-penetrating radar: antenna frequencies and maximum probable depths of penetration in Quaternary sediments. Journal of Applied Geophysics 33: 93-1.

Soil Survey Staff. 1993. Soil Survey Manual. US Department of Agriculture - Soil Conservation Service, Handbook No. 18, US Government Printing Office. Washington, DC.

Soil Survey Staff. 1999. Soil Taxonomy, A Basic System of Soil Classification for Making and Interpreting Soil Surveys 2nd Edition. US Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 436, US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.

USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service. 1994. State Soil Geographic (STATSGO) Database - Data Use Information. Misc. Publication No. 1492. National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, NE.

USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service. 1995. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database - Data Use Information. Misc. Publication No. 1527. National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, NE.

----------------------------------------------------------Tables-----------------------------------------------

 
Table 1. Soil properties and attribute index values (AIV) used to calculate soil component index values.
CIV = (A + B + C).
A. Clay
A1.1. Mineral Soils
Clay content Attribute Index Value 
 10 1 
> 10 and  18 2 
> 18 and  35 3 
> 35 and  60 4 
> 60 5 

A1.2. Mineralogy override for low activity clays
Taxonomic Order Attribute Index Value 
All Oxisols and those Ultisols that belong
to Kandic subgroups or great groups % clay index (A1.1) - 1 

A2. Fabric override for Organic Soils
Soil reaction group and Taxonomic Subgroup Attribute Index Value 
Dysic and not Terric subgroup 1 
Euic and not Terric subgroup 2 
Terric subgroup % clay index + 1 

B. Electrical Conductivity (mmho/cm) and Sodium Absorption Ratio
Salinity and Sodicity Attribute Index Value 
EC  4 or SAR  13 6 

C. Calcium Carbonate and Calcium Sulfate
Determined from Taxonomic Classification Attribute Index Value 
Calcic or Gypsic great group or subgroup 1 
Calcareous reaction class 1 
Rendolls suborder 1 
Histosols order and Marly mineralogy
Calcic, Gypsic, Calcareous, Illitic (calcareous),
Montmorillonitic (calcareous), or
Mixed (calcareous) mineralogy 1 
(Determined from representative
Calcium carbonate percent) > 10 1

Table 2
Computed index values for soil components in a hypothetical Sharpsburg soil map unit
Soil component     Component percent     CIV
Sharpsburg                      84                       4
Pawnee                              6                       4
Judson                               4                       3
Nodaway                           4                       3
Colo                                   2                       4

Table 3
Soil Component percents summed by CIV for the hypothetical Sharpsburg soil map unit
Sum component  percent                    CIV
          92                                              4
            8                                              3



Table 4
GPR potential ratings based on group suitability indices (SI)
GPR suitability index                               Potential
         1                                                 Very high
         >1 to 2                                        High
         >2 to 3                                      Moderate
         >3 to 4                                           Low
         >4 to 5                                      Very low
            >5                                           Unsuited
         99                                              No data"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"26588"|"90078"|"8632110"
"MIL - Bivouac Areas (DOD)"|"limitation"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Bivouac Areas

Summary: Military interpretations provide a tool for managing the impact of military training and support activities on soil and soil landscape.  Soils vary in their capacity to support these activities and the ratings reflect limitations that individual soils may have.  Restrictive soil features guide the user in predicting how the soil will respond to management.  The ratings are for the soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use, existing vegetation, or water sources. Site evaluation and planning, however, should consider these items.

The degree of limitation is express as a numeric index between 0 (non-limiting condition) and 1.0 (limiting condition).  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a degree of limitation greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule.  Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less than the maximum and are identified to provide the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support the interpretation.  These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and application modifications.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation.  These are not limited (degree of limitation = 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0).  

Scope:  Bivouac areas are tracts of land used intensively as sites for field operation centers for military activity.  Bivouac areas require such site preparation as shaping and leveling in the areas used for tents and parking areas, stabilizing roads and intensively used areas, and installing sanitary facilities and utility lines.  Bivouac areas are also subject to heavy foot traffic and some vehicular traffic.

The MIL - Bivouac Areas interpretation provides information about the soil limitations for use as a bivouac and identifies those soil properties that influence the ease of developing bivouac areas and the performance of the area after development.  Soil properties that influence trafficability and promote the growth of vegetation after heavy use are also important.  For tent or remote camp sites, the limitations would be less restrictive.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, and depth to bedrock or a cemented pan are the main concerns in developing bivouac areas.  For good trafficability, the surface of bivouac area should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under heavy foot traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence trafficability are texture of the surface layer, wetness, permeability, and large stones.  The limitations of slow permeability and clayey surface texture are not as severe in dry regions of the country; however, silty soils may be more of a problem because they are dusty.  Soil properties that influence the growth of plants are depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, permeability, and presence of toxic materials.  Soils that are subject to flooding are particularly hazardous for bivouac areas because of the danger to life and property.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Too clayey: Clayey surface layers are slippery and sticky when wet, are slow to dry, and, when dry, are usually hard.  Timing and techniques that are used in preparing a seedbed and in planting the seeds, mechanical use, and large animal hoof impact are affected.  Hard surfaces affect seedling emergence and survival.  These factors should be considered in selecting alternatives for use and management.

	Property used: ""CLAY PERCENT SURFACE LAYER (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		>= 40%
		Somewhat limiting	> 27 to < 40%
		Not limiting	<= 27%
			
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	2.  Cobble content: Excessive cobbles (rock fragments, 3 to 10 inches in size) in the surface layer may impede road and trail construction and maintenance.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight coarse fragments 3 to 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS 75mm to 250mm SURFACE LAYER (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=> 75%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 25% to < 75%
		Not limiting		=< 25%
		
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class.

	3.  Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits the soil's water holding capacity and the thickness of the root zone.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock*"".  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: ""DEPTH TO BEDROCK (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	4.  Wetness:  A seasonal high water table results in poorly drained soils that are wet, have low trafficability, and maybe boggy.

	Property used: ""DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 45cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 45 to < 75cm
		Not limiting	=> 75cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	5.  Sodium content: High concentrations of exchangeable sodium cause poor soil conditions that restrict trafficability and the growth of most plants.
		
	Property used: ""SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-50cm (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 13 
		Not limiting	 < 13			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	6.  Flooding: Flooding from stream overflow, runoff, or high tides adversely affects the use and management of these areas.  Flooding delays use of the area until the floodwater has receded and the soils have dried sufficiently to allow renewed activity.

	Property used: ""FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""occasional"", ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	7.  Too Gravelly: High gravel content in the soil surface may impede road and trail construction and maintenance.

	Property used: ""COARSE FRAGMENTS 2 to 75MM IN SURFACE LAYER (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 => 50%
		Somewhat limiting	  > 25% to < 50%
		Not limiting		 =< 25%
		
	Null passing #10 sieve is assigned to the Not lilmiting class.

	8.  Percs slowly: The slow movement of water through the soil can cause periodic wet soil conditions and increased runoff potential.
		
	Property used: ""KSAT MINIMUM, 0-100CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Very limited	=< 0.42 micrometers/second
		Limited		 > 0.42 and < 4.2 micrometers/second
		Not limiting	=> 4.2 micrometers/second	
		
	Null Ksat is assigned to the not limiting class.

	9.  Ponding: Ponding restricts trafficability and access to these areas and affects revegetation and plant growth during periods of wetness.  Soil feature considered is ponding duration. 
	
	Property used: ""PONDING DURATION (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting	 = ""none""
		
	Null ponding duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	10. Excess salt: Soils with high electrical conductivity in the surface layer may suppress plant growth and will require a high degree of management. Soil feature considered is the electrical conductivity of the surface layer.
		
	Property used: ""SALINITY SURFACE LAYER (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 8 
		Somewhat limiting	=> 4 to < 8
		Not limiting		 < 4			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	11. Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation of installation equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 8 and < 15%
		Not limiting		=< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

	12. Content of large stones: Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter in soil surface layer are may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS > 250mm SURFACE LAYER (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 => 3%
		Somewhat limiting	  > 0.1% to < 3%
		Not limiting		 =< 0.1%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class.

	13. Too acid: Soils that are too acid restrict plant growth and site reclamation.  Acid soils generally contain sulfuric acid, have low base saturation, and have the potential for aluminum and/or manganese toxicity.  The addition of soil amendments and/or the selection of species that are tolerant to acid conditions are management considerations.
	
	Property used: ""SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER SURFACE LAYER (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=< 4.0
		Somewhat limiting	 > 4.0 to < 6.0
		Not limiting		=> 6.0
		
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.

	14. Sandy or loamy surface: Sandy surface layers are soft and loose, highly permeable, and generally low in fertility.  Planting techniques, seedling emergence, and survival are adversely affected.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first USDA Texture class of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: ""USDA TEXTURE SURFACE LAYER (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		""COS"", ""S"", ""FS"", and ""VFS""
		Somewhat Limiting	""LFS"", ""LVFS"", ""LCOS"", AND ""LS""
		Not limiting		all other USDA Textures
		
	Null USDA Texture is assigned to the Not rated class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25190"|"90078"|"8632111"
"MIL - Excavations Crew-Served Weapon Fighting Position (DOD)"|"limitation"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Excavations for Crew-Served Weapon Fighting Positions

Summary: Military interpretations provide a tool for managing the impact of military train and support activities on soil and soil landscape.  Soils vary in their capacity to support these activities and the ratings reflect limitations that individual soils may have.  Restricting soil features guide the user in predicting how the soil will respond to management.  The rating are for the soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use, existing vegetation, or water sources. Site evaluation and planning, however, should consider these items.

The degree of limitation is express as a numeric index between 0 (non-limiting condition) and 1.0 (limiting condition).  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a degree of limitation greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule.  Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less then the maximum and are identified to provide the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support the interpretation.  These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and application modifications.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation.  These are not limited (degree of limitation = 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0).  

Scope:  The soil interpretations for Excavations for Crew-Served Weapon Fighting Positions are designed to be used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for sites to be used and excavated weapon emplacements.  As part of the interpretation process, the rating applies to each soil in its present condition and does not consider present land use.  The limitation rating provided is based on the influence of existing soil properties for that use.
 
The soil feature(s) is identified for its affects on excavation, site preparation, and ease of maintenance.  These soil feature(s) also determines the performance to be expected after weapons have been placed and the kind and degree of future maintenance required to maintain the site and weapon readiness.  Minor soil features are not identified or considered as part of the initial rating process but could be important factors where the major soil feature restrictions are overcome through design application.  Use of the soil interpretation rating guides in the planning and evaluation process allows the user to identify and recommend site selection and to plan alternative measures that minimize impacts on the soil resource.

Description:  Excavations for Crew-Served Weapon Fighting Positions are trenches or holes dug in the soil to a maximum depth of 5 or 6 feet.  They are used for troop and weapon protection and support bases.  The excavations are most commonly made by trenching machines or backhoes.

Soil properties and qualities, limits, and restrictive features used in rating are based on the soil properties that influence ease of digging, resistance to sloughing, and weapon readiness.  Depth to bedrock or cemented pan, hardness of bedrock or a cemented pan, and the amount of large stones influence the ease of digging, filling, and compacting.  Depth to the seasonal high water table and flooding may restrict the period when excavations can be made and can affect weapon readiness.  Slope influences the ease of using machinery.  Soil texture and depth to water table influence the resistance to sloughing.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Too clayey: Clayey soils may become sticky when wet and are difficult to compact.  Soil feature considered is the maximum percent clay between 0 and 120cm.
		
	Property used: ""CLAY PERCENT IN DEPTH 0-120CM (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		>= 80%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 35 to < 80%
		Not limiting		<= 35%
			
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	2.  Cutbanks cave: If soil texture is silt or texture group is sandy or texture modifier is sandy or gravelly or soil order is Vertisols than cutbanks have a high potential to cave in.  This tendency is true for all soils but to a lesser degree and the interpretive model is designed to give a rating no less then .1 ""Somewhat limiting"".  Extreme care and caution should be used around cutbanks to protect from cave in injury or death.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first USDA Texture modifier and class of each layer and taxonomic order.
	
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE GROUP IN DEPTH 50-180cm (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting 		matches ""*S *"" or matches ""*S"" or matches ""GR*"" or matches ""* GR""
		Somewhat limiting	all other USDA textures
		
	Null USDA Texture modifier is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
OR

	Property used: WTTP-TAXONOMIC ORDER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 = ""vertisols""
		Not limiting	not = ""vertisols""
		
	Null Taxonomic Order is assigned to the Not rated class.

	3.  Depth to cemented pan: Shallow depth to cemented pan limits the soil's water holding capacity and the thickness of the root zone.  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: ""DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 = 0cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 0 and < 120cm
		Not limiting		=> 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: ""WTTP-KIND OF FIRST RESTRICTION"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	     = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic"" 
	     	Not limiting	 not = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic"" 
		
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND

	Property used: ""FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = ""Noncemented""
	     	Not limiting		    = ""Noncemented""
		
	Null hardness is assigned to the limiting class.

	4.  Dense layer: The presence of a dense layer limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, and restricts installation of underground practice components. 

	Property used: ""DEPTH TO BULK DENSITY >1.8 G/CC (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting	 < 120cm
		Not limiting		=> 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limited class.

	5.  Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, and restricts installation of underground practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: ""DEPTH TO BEDROCK (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 75cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 75cm and < 120cm
		Not limiting		=> 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
AND
	Property used: ""KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	     = ""bedrock (lithic)""
	     	Not limiting	not  = ""bedrock (lithic)"" 
		
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	6.  Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, and restricts installation of underground practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: ""DEPTH TO BEDROCK (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting	 < 120cm
		Not limiting		=> 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
AND
	Property used: ""KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	     = ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
	     	Not limiting	not  = ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
		
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	7.  Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: ""DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 = 0cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 0 to < 120cm
		Not limiting		=> 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	8.  Flooding: The frequency, timing, and duration of flooding can influence seedbed preparation, seedling emergence, and stand survival.  Planting species that are tolerant to wet soil conditions minimizes the impact of this limitation.

	Property used: ""FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional"", ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	9.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in  horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 120cm deep.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-120CM (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 15% and < 50%
		Not limiting		=< 15%
		
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.

	10.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt, ol, or oh is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the soil layers between 50 and 150cm.
	
	Property used: ""UNIFIED IN DEPTH 50-150cm (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= pt, ol, or oh
		Not limiting	not = pt, ol, or oh
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.

	11.  Ponding: Ponding restricts trafficability and access to these areas and affects revegetation and plant growth during periods of wetness.  Soil feature considered is ponding duration. 
	
	Property used: ""PONDING DURATION (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting	 = ""none""
		
	Null ponding duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	12.  Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation of installation equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 8 and < 15%
		Not limiting		=< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25191"|"90078"|"8632112"
"MIL - Excavations for Individual Fighting Position (DOD)"|"limitation"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Excavations for Individual Fighting Positions

Summary: Military interpretations provide a tool for managing the impact of military train and support activities on soil and soil landscape.  Soils vary in their capacity to support these activities and the ratings reflect limitations that individual soils may have.  Restricting soil features guide the user in predicting how the soil will respond to management.  The rating are for the soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use, existing vegetation, or water sources. Site evaluation and planning, however, should consider these items.

The degree of limitation is express as a numeric index between 0 (non-limiting condition) and 1.0 (limiting condition).  If a soil's property within 60 cm (24 inches) of the soil surface has a degree of limitation greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule.  Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less then the maximum and are identified to provide the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support the interpretation.  These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and application modifications.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation.  These are not limited (degree of limitation = 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0).  

Scope:  The soil interpretations for Excavations for Individual Fighting Positions are designed to be used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for sites to be used and excavated for individual fighting emplacements.  As part of the interpretation process, the rating applies to each soil in its natural condition and does not consider present land use.  The limitation rating provided is based on the influence of existing soil properties for that use.
 
The soil feature(s) is identified for its affects on excavation, site preparation, and ease of maintenance.  These soil feature(s) also determines the performance to be expected after fighting positions have been placed and the kind and degree of future maintenance required to maintain the site and position readiness.  Minor soil features are not identified or considered as part of the initial rating process but could be important factors where the major soil feature restrictions are overcome through design application.  Use of the soil interpretation rating guides in the planning and evaluation process allows the user to identify and recommend site selection and to plan alternative measures that minimize impacts on the soil resource.

Description:  Excavations for Individual Fighting Positions are trenches or holes dug in the soil to a maximum depth of 2 or 3 feet.  They are used for troop.  The excavations are most commonly made by trenching tools and shovels.

Soil properties and qualities, limits, and restrictive features used in rating are based on the soil properties that influence ease of digging, resistance to sloughing, and position readiness.  Depth to bedrock or cemented pan, hardness of bedrock or a cemented pan, and the amount of large stones influence the ease of digging, filling, and compacting.  Depth to the seasonal high water table and flooding may restrict the period when excavations can be made and can affect position readiness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Too clayey: Clayey soils may become sticky when wet and are difficult to compact.  Soil feature considered is the maximum percent clay between 0 and 60cm.
		
	Property used: ""CLAY PERCENT IN DEPTH 0-60CM (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		>= 80%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 35 to < 80%
		Not limiting		<= 35%
			
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	2.  Depth to cemented pan: Shallow depth to cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, and restricts installation of underground practice components.  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: ""DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 = 0cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 0 and < 50cm
		Not limiting		>= 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: ""WTTP-KIND OF FIRST RESTRICTION"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	     = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic"" 
	     	Not limiting	 not = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic"" 
		
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND

	Property used: ""FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = ""Noncemented""
	     	Not limiting		    = ""Noncemented""
		
	Null hardness is assigned to the limiting class.

	3.  Dense layer: The presence of a dense layer limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, and restricts installation of underground practice components.

	Property used: ""DEPTH TO BULK DENSITY >1.8 G/CC (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting	 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limited class.

	4.  Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts installation of underground practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"".  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: ""DEPTH TO BEDROCK (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 25cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 25 and < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
				
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
AND
	Property used: ""KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	     = ""bedrock (lithic)""
	     	Not limiting	not  = ""bedrock (lithic)"" 
		
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	5.  Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, and restricts installation of underground practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: ""DEPTH TO BEDROCK (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting	 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
AND
	Property used: ""KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	     = ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
	     	Not limiting	not  = ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
		
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	6.  Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: ""DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 = 0cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 0 to < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	7.  Flooding: The frequency, timing, and duration of flooding can influence seedbed preparation, seedling emergence, and stand survival.  Planting species that are tolerant to wet soil conditions minimizes the impact of this limitation.

	Property used: ""FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional"", ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	8.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 50 cm deep.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-50CM (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=> 65%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 20% and < 65%
		Not limiting		=< 20%
		
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.

	9.  Ponding: Ponding restricts trafficability and access to these areas and affects revegetation and plant growth during periods of wetness.  Soil feature considered is ponding duration. 
	
	Property used: ""PONDING DURATION (TX)"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting	 = ""none""
		
	Null ponding duration is assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25192"|"90078"|"8632113"
"MIL - Excavations for Vehicle Fighting Position (DOD)"|"limitation"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Excavations for Vehicle Fighting Positions

Summary: Military interpretations provide a tool for managing the impact of military train and support activities on soil and soil landscape.  Soils vary in their capacity to support these activities and the ratings reflect limitations that individual soils may have.  Restricting soil features guide the user in predicting how the soil will respond to management.  The rating are for the soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use, existing vegetation, or water sources.  Site evaluation and planning, however, should consider these items.

The degree of limitation is express as a numeric index between 0 (non- limiting condition) and 1.0 (limiting condition).  If a soil's property within 180 cm (72 inches) of the soil surface has a degree of limitation greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule.  Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less then the maximum and are identified providing the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support the interpretation.  These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and application modifications.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation.  These are not limited (degree of limitation = 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0).

Scope:  The soil interpretations for Excavations for Vehicle Fighting Positions are designed to be used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for sites to be used and excavated large vehicle and weapons emplacements.  As part of the interpretation process, the rating applies to each soil in its present condition and does not consider present land use.  The limitation rating provided is based on the influence of existing soil properties for that use.

The soil feature(s) is identified for its affects on excavation, site preparation, and ease of maintenance.  These soil feature(s) also determines the performance to be expected after weapons and vehicles have been placed and the kind and degree of future maintenance required to maintain the site and weapon readiness.  Minor soil features are not identified or considered as part of the initial rating process but could be important factors where the major soil feature restrictions are overcome through design application.  Use of the soil interpretation rating guides in the planning and evaluation process allows the user to identify and recommend site selection and to plan alternative measures that minimize impacts on the soil resource.

Description:  Excavations for Vehicle Fighting Positions are trenches or holes dug in the soil to a maximum depth of 5 or 6 feet.  They are used for troop, vehicle, and weapon protection and support bases.  The excavations are most commonly made by trenching machines or backhoes.

Soil properties and qualities, limits, and restrictive features used in rating are based on the soil properties that influence ease of digging, resistance to sloughing, and weapon readiness.  Depth to bedrock or cemented pan, hardness of bedrock or a cemented pan, and the amount of large stones influence the ease of digging, filling, and compacting.  Depth to the seasonal high water table and flooding may restrict the period when excavations can be made and can affect weapon readiness.  Slope influences the ease of using machinery.  Soil texture and depth to water table influence the resistance to sloughing.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.  Criterion name: Clayey 35 To 80%

    Too clayey: Clayey soils may become sticky when wet and are difficult
    to compact.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the maximum
    percent clay.

            Property used: ""CLAY PERCENT Maximum"" (Modality - high,
            low, and representative value)

            Restriction limits:
                    Limiting                >= 80%
                    Somewhat limiting        > 35 to < 80%
                    Not limiting            <= 35%

            Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not limiting class.

        Evaluation applied: Clay (35 to 80% Maximum)

        This evaluation checks the soil's clay content within a
        depth of and indexes the degree to which clay content is
        limiting.  Where the soil property ""CLAY PERCENT Maximum
        (TX)"" is:

                 => 80% the soil is limited and the degree of
        limitation index is expressed as the number 1.0.
                  > 35 and < 80% the soil is somewhat limited and
        the degree of limitation index is expressed as a number
        between 0 and 1.0.
                 =< 35% the soil is not limited and the degree of
        limitation index is expressed as the number 0.

            Data required: CLAY PERCENT Maximum

            Data used: claytotal from component horizon table.
                    Consideration:
                    1.  Clay percent

            Logic: Finds the maximum clay percent for any
            horizon.

            Returns values for low, high, and rv: normally each
            has a single value.

2.  Criterion name: Cutbank Caving Implicit

    Cutbanks cave: If soil texture is silt or texture group is sandy or
    texture modifier is sandy or gravelly or soil order is Vertisols than
    cutbanks have a high potential to cave in.  This tendency is true for
    all soils but to a lesser degree and the interpretive model is designed
    to give a rating no less then .1 ""Somewhat limiting"".  Extreme care and
    caution should be used around cutbanks to protect from cave in injury
    or death.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first USDA Texture
    modifier and class of each layer and taxonomic order.

            Property used: USDA TEXTURE GROUP IN DEPTH 50-180cm""
            (Modality - representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
               Limiting         matches ""*S *"" or matches ""*S"" or matches ""GR*""
                                or matches ""* GR""
               Somewhat limiting       all other USDA textures

            Null USDA Texture modifier is assigned to the Not limiting class.

    OR

           Property used: TAXONOMIC ORDER (Modality - representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Limiting         = ""vertisols""
                    Not limiting    not = ""vertisols""

            Null Taxonomic Order is assigned to the Not rated class.

        Evaluation applied: Taxonomic Order - Vertisol

        This evaluation checks soil's taxonomic order and indexes
        the degree to which order is limiting.  Where the soil
        property ""TAXONOMIC ORDER"" matches:

                ""vertisols"" the soil is limited and the degree of
        limitation is expressed as the number 1.0.
                else the soil is not limited and the degree of
        limitation is expressed as the number 0.

            Data required: TAXONOMIC ORDER

            Data used: taxorder from component table.
                    Consideration:
                    1.  Taxonomic order.

            Logic:  Finds the taxonomic order for the component
            and returns the name as the rv.

        Evaluation applied: USDA Texture Class & Modifiers - Sand
        and Sandy Gravel

        This evaluation checks the USDA texture group of the soil
        horizon between 50 and 180cm and indexes the degree to
        which the texture group is limiting.  Where the soil
        property ""USDA TEXTURE GROUP IN DEPTH 50-180cm"" matches:

                ""*S *"", ""*S"", ""GR*"", or ""* GR"" the soil is
        limited and the degree of limitation index is expressed
        as the number 1.0.
                else the soil is not limited and the degree of
        limitation index is expressed as the number 0.

            Data required: USDA TEXTURE GROUP IN DEPTH 50-180cm
            
            Data used: texture_modifier_and_class from component
            horizon texture group table.
                    Consideration:
                    1.  Texture group.
                    2.  RV or First texture group
                    3.  In depth 50 to 180cm
                    4.  RV or first texture matches ""*S *"",
            ""*S"", ""GR*"", or ""* GR*""

            Logic:  Finds the USDA texture group and class codes
            for all horizons that have any portion in the depth
            range 20"" to 72"" (50-180 cm).

            Returns the group and class codes in rv: may have
            multiple values.

        Evaluation applied: USDA Texture Class & Modifiers - Sand
        and Sandy Gravel

        This evaluation checks the USDA texture group of the soil
        horizon between 50 and 180cm and indexes the degree to
        which the texture group is limiting.  Where the soil
        property ""USDA TEXTURE GROUP IN DEPTH 50-180cm""
        matches:

                ""*S *"", ""*S"", ""GR*"", or ""* GR"" the soil is
        limited and the degree of limitation index is expressed
        as the number 1.0.
                else the soil is not limited and the degree of
        limitation index is expressed as the number 0.

            Data required: USDA TEXTURE GROUP IN DEPTH 50-180cm
          
            Data used: texture_modifier_and_class from component
            horizon texture group table.
                    Consideration:
                    1.  Texture group.
                    2.  RV or First texture group
                    3.  In depth 50 to 180cm
                    4.  RV or first texture matches ""*S *"",
            ""*S"", ""GR*"", or ""* GR*""

            Logic:  Finds the USDA texture group and class codes
            for all horizons that have any portion in the depth
            range 20"" to 72"" (50-180 cm).

            Returns the group and class codes in rv: may have
            multiple values.

3.  Criterion name: Depth to Cemented Pan 0 to 180cm

    Depth to cemented pan: Shallow depth to cemented pan limits site
    preparation such as shaping and leveling, and restricts installation of
    underground practice components.  Depth to restrictive feature must be
    synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in
    the horizon table.

            Property used: ""DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE""
            (Modality - representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Limiting                 = 0cm
                    Somewhat limiting        > 0 and < 180cm
                    Not limiting            => 180cm

            Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
    AND
            Property used: ""KIND OF FIRST RESTRICTION"" (Modality -
    representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Limiting             = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or
    ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic""
                    Not limiting     not = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or
    ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic""

            Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.
    AND

            Property used: ""FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS""
    (Modality - representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Limiting                not = ""Noncemented""
                    Not limiting                = ""Noncemented""

            Null hardness is assigned to the limiting class.

        Evaluation applied: Depth to First Restrictive Feature 0
        to 180cm

        This evaluation checks the depth of the first restrictive
        feature and indexes the degree to which restrictive
        feature depth is limiting.  Where the soil property
        ""DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE"" is:
                  = 0cm the soil is limited and the degree of
        limitation index is expressed as the number 1.0.
                  > 0cm and < 180cm the soil is somewhat limited
        and the degree of limitation index is expressed as a
        number between 0 and 1.0.
                  => 180cm the soil is not limited and the degree
        of limitation index is expressed as the number 0.

            Data required: DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

            Data used:  resdept from the component restrictions table.
                    Considerations:
                    1.  Depth to the top of the first restrictive layer

            Logic:  Finds the top depth of the first restrictive
            feature.

        Evaluation applied: First Restrictive Feature Hardness =
        Noncemented

        This evaluation checks the hardness of any cemented pan
        and indexes the degree to which cemented pan hardness is
        limiting.  Where the soil property ""RESTRICTIVE FEATURE
        HARDNESS (TX)"" is:
                 not = ""Noncemented"" the soil is limited and the
        degree of limitation index is expressed as the number 1.0.
                     = ""Noncemented"" the soil is not limited and
        the degree of limitation index is expressed as the number 0.

            Data required: FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS
            (TX)

            Data used:  reshard from the component restrictions
            table.
                    Considerations:
                    1.  Restrictive feature hardness

            Logic:  Finds the restrictive feature hardness.

            Returns values for rv.

        Evaluation applied: Restrictive Feature; Cemented Pan
        (TX)

        This evaluation checks restrictive feature kind of
        bedrock and indexes the degree to which the type of
        bedrock is limiting.  Where the soil property ""KIND OF
        RESTRICTION (TX)"" is:

                     = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic""
        or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic"" the soil is limited and
        the degree of limitation index is expressed as the number
        1.0.
                 Not = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic""
        or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic"" the soil is not limited
        and the degree of limitation index is expressed as the
        number 0.

            Data required: KIND OF FIRST RESTRICTION (TX)

            Data used:  reskind from the component restrictions
            table.
                    Considerations:
                    1.  Restrictive feature type

            Logic:  Finds the soil's first restrictive feature
            kind.

            Returns the restrictive feature kind as rv, having a
            single value.

4.  Criterion name: Depth to Dense Layer; BD > 1.8 Within 180cm (TX)

    Dense layer: The presence of a dense layer limits site preparation such
    as shaping and leveling, and restricts installation of underground
    practice components.

            Property used: ""DEPTH TO BULK DENSITY >1.8 G/CC (TX)"" (Modality
            - representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Somewhat limiting        < 180cm
                    Not limiting            => 180cm

            Null depth is assigned to the Not limited class.

        Evaluation applied: Depth to High Bulk Density > 1.8; 0
        to 180cm (TX)

        The evaluation checks for the presence of a dense layer
        and if present indexes the depth.  This index expresses
        the degree to which ""DENSE LAYER"" is a limiting feature.
        Where the soil property ""DEPTH TO BULK DENSITY >1.8 G/CC
        (TX)"" is:

                 = 0cm the soil is limited and the degree of
        limitation index is expressed as the number 1.0.
                  > 0cm and < 180cm the soil is somewhat limited
        and the degree of limitation index is expressed as a
        number between 0 and 1.0.
                 => 180cm the soil is not limited and the degree
        of limitation index is expressed as the number 0.

            Data required: DEPTH TO BULK DENSITY >1.8 G/CC (TX)

            Data used:  hzdept and dbthirdbar_h from the
            component table.
                    Considerations:
                    1.  Horizon depth to the first layer with
            bulk density high > 1.8

            Logic:  Finds the depth to the top of the first
            horizon having a high bulk density greater than 1.8
            g/cc.

            Returns values for low, high, and rv: each has a
            single value.

5.  Criterion name: Depth to Hard Bedrock 120 to 180cm (TX)
    Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site
    preparation such as shaping and leveling, and restricts installation of
    underground practice components. Soil feature considered is the top
    depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock
    (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the
    depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

            Property used: ""DEPTH TO BEDROCK (TX)"" (Modality -
            representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Limiting                =< 120cm
                    Somewhat limiting        > 120cm and < 180cm
                    Not limiting            => 180cm

            Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

    AND
            Property used: ""KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (TX)"" (Modality -
            representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Limiting             = ""bedrock (lithic)""
                    Not limiting    not  = ""bedrock (lithic)""

            Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting
            class.

        Evaluation applied: Depth to Bedrock 120 to 180cm (TX)

        The evaluation checks for the presence of ""bedrock*"" and
        if present indexes the depth.  This index expresses the
        degree to which ""DEPTH TO BEDROCK"" is a limiting feature.
        Where the soil property ""DEPTH TO BEDROCK (TX)"" is:

                 =< 120cm the soil is limited and the degree of
        limitation index is expressed as the number 1.0.
                 > 120cm and < 180cm the soil is somewhat limited
        and the degree of limitation index is expressed as a
        number between 0 and 1.0.
                 => 180cm the soil is not limited and the degree
        of limitation index is expressed as the number 0.

            Data required: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (TX)

            Data used: resdept and reskind from component
            restriction table.
                    Consideration:
                    1.  reskind imatches ""bedrock*"" and if true
                    2.  resdepth

            Logic:  Reports the top depth of the first
            restrictive layer where kind equal bedrock.  Depth
            to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the
            depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in
            the horizon table.

        Evaluation applied: Restrictive Feature; Hard Bedrock
        (TX)

        This evaluation checks restrictive feature kind of
        bedrock and indexes the degree to which the type of
        bedrock is limiting.  Where the soil property ""KIND OF
        BEDROCK RESTRICTION (TX)"" is:

                     = ""bedrock (lithic)"" the soil is limited and
        the degree of limitation index is expressed as the number
        1.0.
                 Not = ""bedrock (lithic)"" the soil is not limited
        and the degree of limitation index is expressed as the
        number 0.

            Data required: KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (TX)

            Data used: reskind from component restriction table.
                    Consideration:
                    1.  reskind imatches ""bedrock*""

            Logic:  Reports the first restrictive layer kind.

6.  Criterion name: Depth to Soft Bedrock 50 to 180cm (TX)

    Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site
    preparation such as shaping and leveling, and restricts installation of
    underground practice components. Soil feature considered is the top
    depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock
    (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must
    be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown
    in the horizon table.

            Property used: ""DEPTH TO BEDROCK (TX)"" (Modality -
            representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Somewhat limiting        < 180cm
                    Not limiting            => 180cm

            Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

    AND
            Property used: ""KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (TX)"" (Modality -
            representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
               Limiting       = ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
               Not limiting   not = ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""

            Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

        Evaluation applied: Depth to Bedrock 50 to 180cm (TX)

        The evaluation checks for the presence of ""bedrock*"" and
        if present indexes the depth.  This index expresses the
        degree to which ""DEPTH TO BEDROCK"" is a limiting feature.
        Where the soil property ""DEPTH TO BEDROCK (TX)"" is:

                 =< 50cm the soil is limited and the degree of
        limitation index is expressed as the number 1.0.
                 > 50cm and < 180cm the soil is somewhat limited
        and the degree of limitation index is expressed as a
        number between 0 and 1.0.
                 => 180cm the soil is not limited and the degree
        of limitation index is expressed as the number 0.

            Data required: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (TX)

            Data used: resdept and reskind from component
            restriction table.
                    Consideration:
                    1.  reskind imatches ""bedrock*"" and if true
                    2.  resdepth

            Logic:  Reports the top depth of the first
            restrictive layer where kind equal bedrock.  Depth
            to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the
            depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in
            the horizon table.

        Evaluation applied: Restrictive Feature; Soft Bedrock
        (TX)

        This evaluation checks restrictive feature kind of
        bedrock and indexes the degree to which the type of
        bedrock is limiting.  Where the soil property ""KIND OF
        BEDROCK RESTRICTION (TX)"" is:

                     = ""bedrock (paralithic)"", ""bedrock (densic)""
        the soil is limited and the degree of limitation index is
        expressed as the number 1.0.
                 Not = ""bedrock (paralithic)"", ""bedrock (densic)""
        the soil is not limited and the degree of limitation
        index is expressed as the number 0.

            Data required: KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (TX)

            Data used: reskind from component restriction table.
                    Consideration:
                    1.  reskind imatches ""bedrock*""

            Logic:  Reports the first restrictive layer kind.

7.  Criterion name: Depth to Water Table 0 to 180cm (TX)

    Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table are
    slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of
    heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the
    first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during
    any month.

            Property used: ""DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM (TX)""
            (Modality - representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Limiting                 = 0cm
                    Somewhat limiting        > 0 to < 180cm
                    Not limiting            => 180cm

            Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

        Evaluation applied: Depth to Water Table 0 to 180cm (TX)

        The evaluation checks for the presence of a wet or
        saturated layer and if present indexes the depth.  This
        index expresses the degree to which ""WETNESS"" is a
        limiting feature.  Where the soil property ""DEPTH TO HIGH
        WATER TABLE MINIMUM (TX)"" is:
                  = 0cm the soil is limited and the degree of
        limitation index is expressed as the number 1.0.
                  > 0cm and < 180cm the soil is somewhat limited
        and the degree of limitation index is expressed as a
        number between 0 and 1.0.
                  => 180cm the soil is not limited and the degree
        of limitation index is expressed as the number 0.

            Data required: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM
            (TX)

            Data used: comonth.month, soimoiststat, and
            soimoistdept from component month and component soil
            moisture table.
                    Consideration:
                    1.  soimoiststat = ""wet"" or ""saturation""
                    2.  resdepth

            Finds the shallowest depth to soil moisture status
            ""wet"" or ""saturation"".

8.  Criterion name: Flooding Occasional or Frequent (TX)

    Flooding: The frequency, timing, and duration of flooding can influence
    seedbed preparation, seedling emergence, and stand survival.  Planting
    species that are tolerant to wet soil conditions minimizes the impact
    of this limitation.

            Property used: ""FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest (TX)""
            (Modality - representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
               Somewhat limiting   = ""occasional"", ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
               Not limiting        = ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""

            Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.

        Evaluation applied: Flooding ""FREQUENT"" or Greater (TX)

        This evaluation checks soil's flooding frequency and
        indexes the degree to which flooding is limiting.  Where
        the soil property ""FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS (TX)"" is:

                 = ""frequent"" or ""very frequent"" the soil is
        limited and the degree of limitation is expressed as the
        number 1.0.
             not = ""frequent"" or ""very frequent"" the soil is not
        limited and the degree of limitation is expressed as the
        number 0.

            Data required: FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest
            (TX)

            Data used: flodfreqcl from the component month
            (comonth) table.
                    Consideration:
                    1.  Flood Frequency class

            Logic:  Finds the longest flooding frequency classes
            for all months.

            Returns each distinct frequency class in rv:
            multiple values are possible.

        Evaluation applied: Flooding ""OCCASIONAL"" (TX)

        This evaluation checks soil's flooding frequency and
        indexes the degree to which flooding is limiting.  Where
        the soil property ""FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS (TX)"" is:

                 = ""occasional"" the soil is limited and the
        degree of limitation is expressed as the number 1.0.
                 not = ""occasional"" the soil is not limited and
        the degree of limitation is expressed as the number 0.

            Data required: FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest
            (TX)
            Data used: flodfreqcl from the component month
            (comonth) table.
                    Consideration:
                    1.  Flood Frequency class

            Logic:  Finds the longest flooding frequency classes
            for all months.

            Returns each distinct frequency class in rv:
            multiple values are possible.

9.  Criterion name: Fragments >75mm, 15 to 50% by Wght. Av. 0-72"" (TX)

    Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil
    and restricts position installation and site reclamation.  Soil feature
    considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size
    greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0
    to 180 cm deep.

            Property used: ""FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-180cm
            (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Limiting                => 50%
                    Somewhat limiting        > 15% and  < 50%
                    Not limiting            =< 15%

            Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.

        Evaluation applied: Fragments >75mm, 15 to 50%, Wght. Av.
        0-180cm (0-72"") (TX)

        The weighted average of the component horizon
        rock_frag_3_to_10_in and rock_frag_greater_than_10_in to
        a depth of 180cm (72"") indexes the degree to which LARGE
        STONES are limiting.  Where the soil property ""FRAGMENTS
        > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-180cm (TX)"" is:
                 => 50 the soil is limited and the degree of
        limitation is expressed as the number 1.0.
                 > 15 and < 50 the soil is somewhat limited and
        the degree of limitation is expressed as a number between
        0 and 1.0.
                 =< 15 the soil is not limited and the degree of
        limitation is expressed as the number 0.

            Data required: FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN
            DEPTH 0-180cm (TX)

            Data used: frag3to10 and fraggt10_r from component
            horizon table.
                    Consideration:
                    1.  LAYER THICKNESS IN RANGE; ABOVE A
            RESTRICTIVE LAYER
                    2.  THICKEST LAYER
                    3.  frag3to10 and fraggt10_r

            Logic: Finds the average percentage of rock
            fragments of size greater than 3"" in the horizons
            from 0"" to 72"" (0 to 180 cm) deep or first
            restrictive layer.  Uses the rock percents from the
            Horizon table.  To compute a weighted average, the
            sum of rock 3-10"" and rock > 10"" for each horizon is
            multiplied by the horizon thickness, then averaged
            over all horizons to 72"".

            Returns values for low, high, and rv: each has a
            single value.

10.  Criterion name: Humus Between 50 to 150cm (TX)

     Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt, ol, or oh is high
    in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil
    feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the soil layers
    between 50 and 150cm.

            Property used: ""UNIFIED IN DEPTH 50-150cm (TX)"" (Modality -
            representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
                    Limiting        = pt, ol, or oh
                    Not limiting    not = pt, ol, or oh

            Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.

        Evaluation applied: Unified; (Organic 50 to 150cm (20-
        60"")) (TX)

        This evaluation checks the Unified class of the soil
        between a depth of 50 to 150cm and indexes the degree to
        which unified class is limiting.  Where the soil property
        ""UNIFIED IN DEPTH 50-150cm (TX)"" is:

                     = ""OL"", ""OH"", or ""PT"" the soil is limited
        and the degree of limitation index is expressed as the
        number 1.0.
                 not = ""OL"", ""OH"", or ""PT"" the soil is not
        limited and the degree of limitation index is expressed
        as the number 0.

            Data required: UNIFIED IN SURFACE THICKER THEN 25CM
            (TX)

            Data used: unifiedcl, hzdept_r, hzdepb_r, and
            rvindicator from component, chorizon, and chunified
            tables.
                    Considerations:
                    1.  Horizon depth;
                    2.  Unified class
                    3.  unified class rv flag set.

            Logic:  Finds the Unified class of the surface soil
            thicker then 25cm, where the unified rv is set to
            yes else the first unified class listed is selected.
            The representative or first unified class for each
            horizon is returned as the rv value.

11.  Criterion name: Ponding Duration All (TX)

    Ponding: Ponding restricts trafficability and access to these areas and
    affects revegetation and plant growth during periods of wetness.  Soil
    feature considered is ponding duration.

            Property used: ""PONDING DURATION (TX)"" (Modality -
            representative value)

            Restrictive limits:
               Limiting     = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or ""long"" or ""very long""
               Not limiting = ""none""

            Null ponding duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.

        Evaluation applied: Ponding Duration (All) (TX)

        This evaluation checks for the duration of Ponding.
        Where the soil property ""PONDING DURATION (TX)"" is:
                 = ""VERY BRIEF"", ""BRIEF"", ""LONG"" or ""VERY LONG""
        the soil is limited and the degree of limitation index is
        expressed as the number 1.0.
                 = null the soil is not limited and the degree of
        limitation index is expressed as the number 0.

            Data required: PONDING DURATION (TX)

            Data used: ponddurcl from component month table.
                    Considerations:
                    1.  Ponding duration.

            Logic:  Finds the  ponding duration classes for all
            months.

            Returns values for low, high, and rv: each has a
            single value.

12.  Criterion name: Slopes 8 to 15% (TX)

    Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation of installation equipment and
    may require special system design and construction to overcome the
    slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.

            Property used: ""SLOPE (TX)"" (Modality - low, high,
            representative value)

            Restriction limits:
                    Limiting                => 15%
                    Somewhat limiting        > 8 and < 15%
                    Not limiting            =< 8%

            Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

        Evaluation applied: Slope 8 to 15% (TX)

        This evaluation checks slope and indexes the degree to
        which slope is limiting.  Where the soil property ""SLOPE
        (TX)"" is:
                 => 15 the soil is limited and the degree of
        limitation index is expressed as the number 1.0.
                 > 8 and < 15 the soil is somewhat limited and
        the degree of limitation index is expressed as a number
        between 0 and 1.0.
                 =< 8 the soil is not limited and the degree of
        limitation index is expressed as the number 0.

            Data required: SLOPE (TX)

            Data used: slope from the component table.
                    Consideration:
                    1.  slope percent

            Logic:  Finds the low, high, and rv values for
            component slope."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25193"|"90078"|"8632114"
"MIL - Helicopter Landing Zones (DOD)"|"limitation"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Helicopter Landing Zones

Summary: Military interpretations provide a tool for managing the impact of military training and support activities on soil and the soil landscape.  Soils vary in their capacity to support these activities and the ratings reflect limitations that individual soils may have.  Restrictive soil features guide the user in predicting how the soil will respond to management.  The rating are for the soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use, existing vegetation, or water sources.  Site evaluation and planning, however, should consider these items.

The degree of limitation is express as a numeric index between 0 (non-limiting condition) and 1.0 (limiting condition).  If a soil's surface property has a degree of limitation greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule.  Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less then the maximum and are identified to provide the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support the interpretation.  These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and application modifications.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation.  These are not limited (degree of limitation = 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0).  

Scope:  The soil interpretations for Helicopter Landing Zones are designed to be used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for sites to be used as landing zones.  As part of the interpretation process, the rating applies to each soil in its present condition and does not consider present land use.  The limitation rating provided is based on the influence of existing soil properties for that use.

The soil feature(s) is identified for its affects on site preparation and ease of maintenance.  These soil feature(s) also determines the performance to be expected after landing zones have been constructed and the kind and degree of future maintenance required to maintain the site readiness.  Minor soil features are not identified or considered as part of the initial rating process but could be important factors where the major soil feature restrictions are overcome through design application.  Use of the soil interpretation rating guides in the planning and evaluation process allows the user to identify and recommend site selection and to plan alternative measures that minimize impacts on the soil resource.

Description:  Helicopter Landing Zones are areas that are developed to land helicopters and transport troops and supplies.  Soil properties and qualities, limits, and restrictive features used in rating are based on the soil properties that influence construction, maintenance, and readiness of helicopter landing zones.  Dusty surface layer, slope, or the amount of large stones influence the development and functionality of an area for landing helicopters.  Flooding or ponding may restrict the period when the landing zone can be used. 

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Flooding: Flooding limits construction and maintenance of fencing.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: ""FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""frequent"", ""occasional"", ""rare"" or ""very rare""
		Not limiting	= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	2.  Ponding: Ponding restricts trafficability and access to these areas and affects revegetation and plant growth during periods of wetness.  Soil feature considered is ponding duration. 
	
	Property used: ""PONDING DURATION"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting	  = ""none""
		
	Null ponding duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.

	3.  Dusty: Soils with silty surface layer are dusty when dry.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first USDA Texture class of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: ""USDA TEXTURE SURFACE LAYER"" (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting 	""SIL"", ""SI"", ""VFSL"", or ""L""
		Not limiting	all other USDA Textures
		
	Null USDA Texture and Taxonomic class are assigned to the Not limiting class.

	4.  Slope: Slopes impede the operation of helicopters due to the risk of the tail rotor striking the ground, the aircraft sliding downslope, and other safety concerns.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.

	Property used: ""SLOPE"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 8%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 3 and < 8%
		Not limiting	=< 3%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

	5.  Content of large stones: Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter in soil surface layer are may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 10 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS > 250mm SURFACE LAYER"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 => 3%
		Somewhat limiting	  > 0.1% to < 3%
		Not limiting	 =< 0.1%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25194"|"90078"|"8632115"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 1 1-pass wet season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 1 1-pass wet season

Summary:  Military category type 1 vehicles are lightweight vehicles with low contact pressure (less than 2.0 pounds per square inch) such as amphibious tracked vehicles used to carry cargo.  Soils trafficability during the wet season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 1.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils when wet is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for one vehicle pass.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is  common and persistent.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.85	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, pt
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 100%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 100%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.
 
When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 23cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.99	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, sc-sm, ch, mh, ml, cl, cl-ml 

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 23cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.99	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.98	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, sc-sm, ch, cl 
	0.97	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sp-sm, mh, ml, cl-ml, ol
	0.96	sm, sw-sm, oh
	0.94	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 23cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.99	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, sc-sm, ch, mh  
	0.98	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, ml, cl, cl-ml, ol
	0.97	all others

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is common and more persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm, ml, cl-ml
	0.85	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl
	0.65	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sc-sm, sm, sw-sm, ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, cl
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sp-sm, sc-sm
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl
	0.45	all others

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25195"|"90078"|"8632116"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 1 50-passes wet season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 1 50-pass wet season

Summary:  Military category type 1 vehicles are lightweight vehicles with low contact pressure (less than 2.0 pounds per square inch).  Soils trafficability during the wet season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 1.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils when wet is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for a maximum of 50 vehicle passes in the same ruts.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is  common and persistent.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.85	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, pt
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 100%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 100%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 23cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, ch
	0.97	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.96	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, sc-sm, mh, cl
	0.95	ml
	0.94	all others 

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 23cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.93	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, ch
	0.92	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.91	sc-sm
	0.90	cl	
	0.86	mh
	0.84	sp-sm
	0.82	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, ml
	0.81	cl-ml
	0.80	sm, sw-sm
	0.73	ol
	0.69	oh
	0.65	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 23cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.96	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ch
	0.95	sc-sm
	0.94	mh
	0.93	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.92	ol
	0.91	cl-ml
	0.90	sm, sw-sm, ml, cl, oh
	0.82	all others

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is common and more persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm, ml, cl-ml
	0.85	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl
	0.65	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sc-sm, sm, sw-sm, ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, cl
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sp-sm, sc-sm
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl
	0.45	all others

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25196"|"90078"|"8632117"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 1 dry season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 1 dry season

Summary:  Military category type 1 vehicles are lightweight vehicles with low contact pressure (less than 2.0 pounds per square inch).  Soils trafficability during the dry season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 1.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for a minimum number of vehicle passes (1) or a maximum of 50 vehicles in the same ruts.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships, which produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become slippery after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  The exeption is the sandy Unified Class of the thickest layer which is within a depth of 15 to 30cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw,gp,sw,sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 100%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 100%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	1.0	not = sp, 0 to 23cm
	0.98	sp, 0 to 15cm
	
OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm or in the case of sp 0 to 15cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.99	gw, gp, sw
	0.98	ch, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp (0 to 15cm), sp-sc, sw-sc, sc-sm, cl
	0.97	mh, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, ml, cl-ml, ol
	0.96	sm, sw-sm, oh
	0.94	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	1.0	not = sp, 0 to 23cm
	0.98	sp, 0 to 15cm

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is common and more persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm, ml, cl-ml
	0.85	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl
	0.65	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sc-sm, sm, sw-sm, ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, cl
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sp-sm, sc-sm
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl
	0.45	all others

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25197"|"90078"|"8632118"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 2 1-pass wet season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 2 1-pass wet season

Summary:  Military category type-2 vehicles are engineer and high speed tractors with comparatively wide tracks and low contact pressures such as wide tracked tanks or landing vehicles (25,000-100,000 pound vehicle weight) or lighter wheeled vehicles such as pickup trucks and HumVee (3,000 to 10,000 vehicle weight).  Soils trafficability during the wet season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 2.   Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils when wet is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for one vehicle pass.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is  common and persistent.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.85	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, pt
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 100%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 100%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 23cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.99	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, ch
	0.97	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, sc-sm, , mh, ml, cl
	0.96	all others 

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 23cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.96	ch
	0.95	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.94	sc-sm, cl
	0.91	sp-sm
	0.88	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, mh
	0.87	cl-ml
	0.86	ml, ol, sm, sw-sm
	0.82	oh
	0.73	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 23cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.97	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, sc-sm, ch 
	0.96	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, mh
	0.95	ol
	0.94	sm, sw-sm, ml, cl, cl-ml, oh
	0.90	all others

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is common and more persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm, ml, cl-ml
	0.85	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl
	0.65	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sc-sm, sm, sw-sm, ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, cl
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sp-sm, sc-sm
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl
	0.45	all others

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25198"|"90078"|"8632119"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 2 50-passes wet season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 2 50-pass wet season

Summary:  Military category type-2 vehicles are engineer and high speed tractors with comparatively wide tracks and low contact pressures.  Soils trafficability during the wet season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 2.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils when wet is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for a maximum of 50 vehicle passes in the same ruts.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is  common and persistent.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.85	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, pt
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 100%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 100%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 23cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.97	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.96	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, ch
	0.95	sm, sw-sm, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.93	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, sc-sm, mh, cl
	0.92	ml
	0.89	all others 

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 23cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.97	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.86	ch
	0.85	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc 
	0.84	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.82	sc-sm
	0.81	mh
	0.71	cl
	0.69	sp-sm
	0.67	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.65	sm, sw-sm, ml
	0.49	cl-ml
	0.48	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 23cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.97	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.93	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, ch
	0.92	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.91	sc-sm
	0.89	mh
	0.86	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.85	cl
	0.82	sm, sw-sm
	0.73	ml
	0.69	cl-ml, ol
	0.65	oh
	0.49	all others

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is common and more persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm, ml, cl-ml
	0.85	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl
	0.65	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sc-sm, sm, sw-sm, ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, cl
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sp-sm, sc-sm
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl
	0.45	all others

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25199"|"90078"|"8632120"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 2 dry season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 2 dry season

Summary:  Military category type-2 vehicles are engineer and high speed tractors with comparatively wide tracks and low contact pressures.  Soils trafficability during the dry season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 2.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for a minimum number of vehicle passes (1) or a maximum of 50 vehicles in the same ruts.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become slippery after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm.  The exeption is the sandy Unified Class of the thickest layer which is within a depth of 15 to 30cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw,gp,sw,sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 100%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 100%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	1.0	not = sp, 0 to 23cm
	0.96	sp, 0 to 15cm
	
OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 23cm or in the case of sp 0 to 15cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw
	0.96	ch, sp (0 to 15cm)
	0.95	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.94	sc-sm, cl
	0.91	sp-sm, ml
	0.88	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, mh
	0.87	cl-ml
	0.86	sm, sw-sm, ol
	0.82	oh
	0.73	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	1.0	not = sp, 0 to 23cm
	0.96	sp, 0 to 15cm

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25200"|"90078"|"8632121"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 3 1-pass wet season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 3 1-pass wet season

Summary:   Military category type-3 vehicles are tractors with average contact pressures, tanks with comparatively low contact pressures, and some trailed vehicles with very low contact pressures.  Soils trafficability during the wet season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 3.  Examples include heavy tracked vehicles such as M1 tanks,  amored bulldozer, or 105mm Howitzer or lighter wheeled vehicles such as 5 ton 6x6 cargo truck or  2.5 ton 4x4 cargo trucks with20-36 thousand pound vehicle weight.   Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils when wet is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for one vehicle pass.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is  common and persistent.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.85	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 80%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 80%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 30cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, ch
	0.97	sm, sw-sm, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl
	0.96	sc-sm, ml 
	0.95	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 30cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.94	ch, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.93	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.92	sc-sm
	0.91	cl
	0.87	sp-sm, mh
	0.84	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.83	cl-ml
	0.82	sm, sm-sw
	0.81	ol
	0.79	ml
	0.72	oh
	0.68	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 30cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.97	ch
	0.96	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, sc-sm
	0.95	mh
	0.94	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.93	ol
	0.92	sm, sw-sm, ml, cl-ml
	0.91	cl, oh	
	0.85	all others

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is common and more persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm, ml, cl-ml
	0.85	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl
	0.65	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sc-sm, sp-sm, sm, sw-sm, ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, cl
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sp-sm, sc-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt, mh, cl
	0.45	all others

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25201"|"90078"|"8632122"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 3 50-passes wet season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 3 50-pass wet season

Summary:   Military category type-3 vehicles are tractors with average contact pressures, tanks with comparatively low contact pressures, and some trailed vehicles with very low contact pressures.  Soils trafficability during the wet season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 3.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils when wet is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for 50 vehicle passes in the same ruts.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is  common and persistent.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.85	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 80%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 80%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 30cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.96	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.95	ch
	0.94	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.93	sm, sw-sm
	0.92	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.90	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, sc-sm, mh, cl
	0.85	ml
	0.70	all others 

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 30cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.96	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.76	mh
	0.72	ch
	0.71	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.70	sc-sm
	0.49	cl 
	0.48	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, ml
	0.47	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 30cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.96	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.90	ch
	0.89	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.88	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.85	sc-sm
	0.82	mh
	0.73	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.70	cl, sm, sw-sm
	0.66	ml
	0.48	cl-ml, ol, oh
	0.47	all others

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is common and more persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm, ml, cl-ml
	0.85	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl
	0.65	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sc-sm, sp-sm, sm, sw-sm, ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, cl
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sp-sm, sc-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt, mh, cl
	0.45	all others

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25202"|"90078"|"8632123"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 3 dry season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 3 dry season

Summary:  Military category type-3 vehicles are tractors with average contact pressures, tanks with comparatively low contact pressures, and some trailed vehicles with very low contact pressures.  Soils trafficability during the dry season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 3.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for a minimum number of vehicle passes (1) or a maximum of 50 vehicles in the same ruts.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become slippery after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 30cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 80%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 80%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	1.0	not = sp, 0 to 30cm
	0.94	sp, 0 to 15cm
	
OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 30cm or in the case of sp 0 to 15cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw
	0.94	ch, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sp (0-15cm)
	0.93	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.92	sc-sm
	0.91	cl, ml
	0.87	mh, sp-sm
	0.84	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.83	cl-ml
	0.82	sm, sw-sm
	0.81	ol
	0.72	oh
	0.68	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	1.0	not = sp, 0 to 30cm
	0.94	sp, 0 to 15cm

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become sticky after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 30cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, oh, pt, ol, sc-sm, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	cl, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc,
	0.45	all other classes

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25203"|"90078"|"8632124"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 4 1-pass wet season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 4 1-pass wet season

Summary:  Military category type-4 vehicles are most medium tanks, tractors with high contact pressures, and all-wheel-drive trucks and trailed vehicles with low contact pressures.  Examples include heavy tracked vehicles in the range of 120,000 to 140,000 pound vehicle weights to wheeled vehicles in the range of 17,000 to 25,000 vehicle weight (Truck, van, 2-1/2 ton, 6x6, M109A1).  Soils trafficability during the wet season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 4.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils when wet is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for one vehicle pass.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is  common and persistent.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.85	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 80%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 80%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 30cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, ch
	0.97	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.96	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl, sc-sm
	0.95	ml 
	0.94	all others 

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 30cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.93	ch
	0.92	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.90	sc-sm
	0.89	cl
	0.86	mh
	0.84	sp-sm
	0.81	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.80	cl-ml
	0.79	sm, sm-sw
	0.76	ml
	0.72	ol
	0.68	oh
	0.64	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 30cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.97	ch, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.95	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, sc-sm
	0.94	mh
	0.93	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.92	ol
	0.90	sm, sw-sm, ml, cl-ml
	0.89	cl, oh	
	0.81	all others

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is common and more persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm, ml, cl-ml
	0.85	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl
	0.65	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sc-sm, sp-sm, sm, sw-sm, ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, cl
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sp-sm, sc-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt, mh, cl
	0.45	all others

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE (TX)"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25204"|"90078"|"8632125"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 4 50-passes wet season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 4 50-pass wet season

Summary:  Military category type-4 vehicles are most medium tanks, tractors with high contact pressures, and all-wheel-drive trucks and trailed vehicles with low contact pressures.  Soils trafficability during the wet season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 4.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils when wet is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for 50 vehicle passes in the same ruts.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is  common and persistent.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.85	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 80%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 80%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 30cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.96	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.95	ch
	0.94	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.93	sm, sw-sm
	0.92	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.90	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, sc-sm, mh, cl
	0.85	ml
	0.70	all others 

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 30cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.96	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.73	mh
	0.72	ch
	0.71	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.70	sc-sm
	0.49	cl 
	0.48	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, ml
	0.47	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 30cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.96	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.90	ch
	0.89	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.88	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.85	sc-sm
	0.82	mh
	0.73	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.70	cl, sm, sw-sm
	0.66	ml
	0.48	cl-ml, ol, oh
	0.47	all others

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is common and more persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm, ml, cl-ml
	0.85	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl
	0.65	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sc-sm, sp-sm, sm, sw-sm, ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, cl
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 8 to 23cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sp-sm, sc-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt, mh, cl
	0.45	all others

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25205"|"90078"|"8632126"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 4 dry season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 4 dry season

Summary:  Military category type-4 vehicles are most medium tanks, tractors with high contact pressures, and all-wheel-drive trucks and trailed vehicles with low contact pressures.  Soils trafficability during the dry season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 4.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for a minimum number of vehicle passes (1) or a maximum of 50 vehicles in the same ruts.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become slippery after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 30cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 80%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 80%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	1.0	not = sp, 0 to 30cm
	0.92	sp, 0 to 15cm
	
OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 TO 30cm or in the case of sp 0 to 15cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw
	0.93	ch
	0.92	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sp (0-15cm), sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.91	ml
	0.90	sc-sm
	0.89	cl
	0.86	mh
	0.84	sp-sm
	0.81	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.80	cl-ml
	0.79	sm, sw-sm
	0.72	ol
	0.68	oh
	0.64	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	1.0	not = sp, 8 to 23cm
	0.92	sp, 0 to 15cm

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become sticky after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 30cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, oh, pt, ol, sc-sm, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	cl, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc,
	0.45	all other classes

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25206"|"90078"|"8632127"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 5 1-pass wet season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 5 1-pass wet season

Summary:  Military category type-5 vehicles are most all-wheel-drive trucks, a great number of trailed vehicles, and heavy tanks such as 5 ton 6x6 dump trucks or 5 ton 6x6 truck tractors in the weight range of 32,000 to 45,000 pounds vehicle weight.  Civilian semi tractors could be included in type 5.  Soils trafficability during the wet season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 5.   Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils when wet is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for one vehicle pass.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is  common and persistent.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.85	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE (TX)"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 80%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 80%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.97	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, ch
	0.96	sm, sw-sm, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.95	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl, sc-sm 
	0.93	all others 

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.91	ch, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.90	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.88	sc-sm
	0.86	cl
	0.85	mh
	0.80	sp-sm
	0.73	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.72	sm, sm-sw, ml
	0.71	cl-ml
	0.67	ol
	0.64	oh
	0.49	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.95	ch, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.94	sc-sm
	0.93	mh, cl
	0.91	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.90	ol
	0.88	sm, sw-sm
	0.87	ml, cl-ml
	0.82	oh	
	0.72	all others

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become sticky after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, oh, pt, ol, sc-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	cl, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc,
	0.45	all other classes

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25207"|"90078"|"8632128"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 5 50-passes wet season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 5 50-pass wet season

Summary:  Military category type-5 vehicles are most all-wheel-drive trucks, a great number of trailed vehicles, and heavy tanks.  Soils trafficability during the wet season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 5.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils when wet is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for 50 vehicle passes in the same ruts.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is  common and persistent.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increases as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.85	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 80%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 80%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.95	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.94	ch
	0.93	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.92	sm, sw-sm
	0.91	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.89	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.88	mh, cl
	0.84	sc-sm
	0.74	ml
	0.66	all others 

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.95	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.73	mh
	0.68	ch
	0.67	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.66	sc-sm
	0.48	cl, sp-sm
	0.47	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, ml, cl-ml
	0.46	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.95	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.88	ch
	0.86	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.84	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.81	sc-sm
	0.73	mh
	0.70	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.66	cl, sm, sw-sm
	0.49	ml
	0.47	all others

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become sticky after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, oh, pt, ol, sc-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	cl, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc,
	0.45	all other classes

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25208"|"90078"|"8632129"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 5 dry season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 5 dry season

Summary:  Military category type-5 vehicles are most all-wheel-drive trucks, a great number of trailed vehicles, and heavy tanks.  Soils trafficability during the dry season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 5.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for a minimum number of vehicle passes (1) or a maximum of 50 vehicles in the same ruts.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become slippery after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 30cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 80%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 80%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	1.0	not = sp, 0 to 38cm
	0.86	sp, 0 to 15cm
	
OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm or in the case of sp 0 to 15cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.98	gw, gp, sw
	0.91	ch, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.90	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.88	sc-sm
	0.86	cl, sp (0 to 15cm)
	0.85	mh
	0.80	sp-sm
	0.73	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.72	sm, sw-sm, ml
	0.71	cl-ml
	0.67	ol
	0.64	oh
	0.49	all others
	
OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	1.0	not = sp, 0 to 38cm
	0.86	sp, 0 to 15cm

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become sticky after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, oh, pt, ol, sc-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	cl, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc,
	0.45	all other classes

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25209"|"90078"|"8632130"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 6 1-pass wet season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 6 1-pass wet season

Summary:  Military category type-6 vehicles are a great number of all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive trucks and trailed vehicles intended primarily for highway use such as the 10 ton 6x6 M125A1 .  Soils trafficability during the wet season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 6.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils when wet is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for one vehicle pass.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is  common and persistent.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.85	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 35%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 35%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.97	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, ch
	0.96	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.95	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.94	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl, sc-sm 
	0.93	ml
	0.91	all others 

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.97	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.89	ch
	0.87	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.86	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.84	sc-sm, cl
	0.82	mh
	0.71	sp-sm
	0.69	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.68	sm, sm-sw, ml
	0.49	cl-ml, ol
	0.48	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.97	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.94	ch, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.93	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.92	sc-sm
	0.91	mh
	0.88	cl, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.84	sm, sw-sm
	0.80	ml
	0.79	ol
	0.73	cl-ml
	0.69	oh	
	0.65	all others

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become sticky after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, oh, pt, ol, sc-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	cl, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc,
	0.45	all other classes

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25210"|"90078"|"8632131"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 6 50-passes wet season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 6 50-pass wet season

Summary:  Military category type-6 vehicles are a great number of all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive trucks and trailed vehicles intended primarily for highway use.  Soils trafficability during the wet season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 6.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils when wet is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for 50 vehicle passes in the same ruts.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is  common and persistent.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.85	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 35%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 35%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.94	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.93	ch
	0.92	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.90	sm, sw-sm
	0.88	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.83	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.80	mh
	0.79	cl
	0.70	sc-sm
	0.69	ml
	0.48	all others 

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.94	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.48	mh, ch, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, sc-sm
	0.47	cl
	0.46	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, ml
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.94	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.81	ch
	0.72	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.70	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.68	sc-sm
	0.66	mh
	0.49	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.48	cl, sm, sw-sm
	0.47	ml
	0.46	all others

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become sticky after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, oh, pt, ol, sc-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	cl, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc,
	0.45	all other classes

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25211"|"90078"|"8632132"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 6 dry season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 6 dry season

Summary:  Military category type-6 vehicles are a great number of all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive trucks and trailed vehicles intended primarily for highway use.  Soils trafficability during the dry season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 6.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for a minimum number of vehicle passes (1) or a maximum of 50 vehicles in the same ruts.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become slippery after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 15 to 30cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 35%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 35%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	1.0	not = sp, 0 to 38cm
	0.72	sp, 0 to 15cm
	
OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm or in the case of sp 0 to 15cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.97	gw, gp, sw
	0.89	ch
	0.87	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.86	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.84	sc-sm, cl
	0.82	mh
	0.72	sp (0 to 15cm)
	0.71	sp-sm
	0.69	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.68	sm, sw-sm, ml
	0.49	cl-ml, ol
	0.48	all others
	
OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	1.0	not = sp, 0 to 38cm
	0.72	sp, 0 to 15cm

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become sticky after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, oh, pt, ol, sc-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	cl, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc,
	0.45	all other classes

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25212"|"90078"|"8632133"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 7 1-pass wet season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 7 1-pass wet season

Summary:  Military category type-7 vehicles are rear-wheel-drive vehicles and others that generally are not expected to operate off road, especially in wet soils.  Soils trafficability during the wet season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 7.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils when wet is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for one vehicle pass.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is  common and persistent.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.85	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 25%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 25%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.97	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.96	ch
	0.95	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.94	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.92	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, mh, cl, sc-sm 
	0.91	ml
	0.82	all others 

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.97	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.84	ch
	0.82	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.81	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.80	sc-sm
	0.79	mh
	0.69	cl
	0.66	sp-sm
	0.64	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.49	sm, sm-sw, ml
	0.48	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.97	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.96	sp-sm
	0.92	ch, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.91	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.90	sc-sm
	0.87	mh
	0.84	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.82	cl
	0.80	sm, sw-sm
	0.71	ml
	0.65	cl-ml
	0.63	ol
	0.53	oh	
	0.48	all others

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become sticky after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, oh, pt, ol, sc-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	cl, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc,
	0.45	all other classes

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25213"|"90078"|"8632134"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 7 50-passes wet season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 7 50-pass wet season

Summary:  Military category type-7 vehicles are rear-wheel-drive vehicles and others that generally are not expected to operate off road, especially in wet soils.  Soils trafficability during the wet season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 7.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils when wet is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for 50 vehicle passes in the same ruts.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the wet season this condition is  common and persistent.

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.85	all others

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.85	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, sc-sm
	0.65	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, ml, cl, cl-ml, ol, oh, pt
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 25%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 25%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.93	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.91	ch
	0.90	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.86	sm, sw-sm
	0.81	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.73	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.69	mh
	0.68	cl
	0.64	sc-sm
	0.49	ml
	0.46	all others 

OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.94	gw, gp, sw, sp
	0.48	mh, ch, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc, sc-sm
	0.47	cl
	0.46	sp-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm, ml
	0.45	ol, oh, pt
	0.44	all others

OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer in depth of 0 to 38cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.94	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.72	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.70	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.68	sc-sm
	0.66	mh
	0.49	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.48	sm, sw-sm
	0.46	ml, cl, ol, oh, pt
	0.45	all others

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become sticky after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, oh, pt, ol, sc-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	cl, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc,
	0.45	all other classes

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|02/09/2016 16:02:12|"25214"|"90078"|"8632135"
"MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 7 dry season (DOD)"|"suitability"|"MIL - Military, Department of Defense

MIL - Trafficability Veh. Type 7 dry season

Summary:  Military category type-7 vehicles are rear-wheel-drive vehicles and others that generally are not expected to operate off road, especially in wet soils.  Soils trafficability during the dry season is the capacity of soils to support vehicles in category type 7.  Trafficability estimates can be made from terrain data such as topography and soil data and weather conditions.  The Military Trafficability interpretations are base on procedures and criteria contained Army Field Manual - 5-430-00-1; Chapter Seven and are conservative estimates for use in operations planning.  Commanders and engineers must be cautious as the interpreted results can vary greatly.

The trafficability of fine-grained soils (silts and clays) and sands that contain enough fine-grained material to behave like fine-grained soils is more difficult to assess than trafficability in coarse-grained soils (clean sands).  Relationships that describe the soil-vehicle interactions are based on soil strength, slipperiness, stickiness, large surface stones, and slope are the basis for soil trafficability interpretations.

Rating classes ""Excellent,"" ""Good"", ""Fair"", or ""Poor"" indicate the extent to which the soils are suitable for military vehicle traffic and considers soil features that affect trafficability.  An ""Excellent"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that do not limit trafficability and have very low maintenance.  A ""Good"" rating indicates that the soil may have characteristics that limit trafficability but are favorable for use.  Good operational performance and low maintenance can be expected.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  A ""Fair"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that limit trafficability and are moderately favorable for use.  The limitations can be overcome or minimized by special planning, design, or management.  Fair performance, moderate maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.  A ""Poor"" rating indicates that the soil has characteristics that severely limit trafficability and one or more features that are unfavorable for use.  Generally, the limitations cannot be overcome without major soil reclamation, special design, or special management.  Poor performance, high maintenance, and soil degradation can be expected.

Scope:  The information presented in this interpretation is limited to problems associated with soils. It does not include problems associated with natural or man-made obstacles (such as forests or ditches) nor information on vehicle characteristics (such as the maximum tilt or side angle at which a vehicle can climb without power stall or overturning).  These interpretations are developed for temperate and tropical climates and for soils that have been subjected to freeze-thaw cycles, if they are not frozen at the time of traffic.

Trafficability performances were estimated for a minimum number of vehicle passes (1) or a maximum of 50 vehicles in the same ruts.  Today most relations are used for one pass and the combined effects on vehicle performance of terrain features such as soil, vegetation, and slope can only accurately be determined using the computerized Army mobility prediction system contained in the NATO Reference Mobility Model (NRMM).  The engineering relationships that produce vehicle speed predictions or GO/NO GO performance based on measured terrain and vehicle characteristics are contained in the NRMM.

Description:  Slope, stoniness, depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, flooding, ponding, and unified class are the main soil properties used in determining vehicular trafficability.  For good trafficability, the surface of the soil should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under repeated traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence soil strength, slickness, and stickiness are unified class and their relationship to soil moisture conditions and surface ponding, flooding, and stoniness.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.	Slipperiness:  Slipperiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become slick when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become slippery after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following slipperiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 15 to 30cm.  Slipperiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	sc-sm, ol
	0.45	all others

2.	Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation mechanized equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations.   Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: ""SLOPE"" (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Not suited		=> 25%
		Somewhat suited		 > 0 and < 25%
		Suited			 = 0%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

3.	Soil Strength:  Soil Strength is the ability of the soil to support vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is least stable were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table. 

When high topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 120cm
	2.	Not ""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	Not a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		    b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	1.0	not = sp, 0 to 38cm
	0.68	sp, 0 to 15cm
	
OR When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DRURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm or in the case of sp 0 to 15cm.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	0.97	gw, gp, sw
	0.84	ch
	0.82	gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc
	0.81	sc, sp-sc, sw-sc
	0.80	sc-sm
	0.79	mh
	0.69	cl
	0.68	sp (0 to 15cm)
	0.66	sp-sm
	0.64	gm, gp-gm, gw-gm
	0.49	sm, sw-sm, ml
	0.48	all others
	
OR When low topography is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" > 50cm and <= 120cm
	2.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following strength rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer.  Strength increase as the index increases.
	1.0	not = sp, 0 to 38cm
	0.68	sp, 0 to 15cm

4.	Stickiness:  Stickiness is the condition where the soil has a potential to become sticky when used for vehicular traffic.  During the dry season this condition is most common and persistent were the soil is ponded, flooded, or has a high water table.  If these conditions are not present soil may become sticky after precipitation events but the condition is not persistent.

When low topography and high moisture is defined as:
	1.	""HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM"" =< 50cm
	2.	""PONDING DURATION"" = ""long"" or ""very long""
	3.	a. ""FLOODING FREQUENCY"" = ""frequent"" AND
		b. ""FLOODING DURATION = ""long"" or ""very long""
THEN the following stickiness rating index is assigned according to the soils Unified Classification of the thickest layer within a depth of 0 to 38cm.  Stickiness increase as the index decreases.
	1.00	gw, gp, sw, sp, sp-sm
	0.85	ml, cl-ml, oh, pt, ol, sc-sm, gm, gp-gm, gw-gm, sm, sw-sm
	0.65	cl, gc, gc-gm, gp-gc, gw-gc, sc, sp-sc, sw-sc,
	0.45	all other classes

5.	Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: ""FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE"" (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Not Suited		=> 50%
		Somewhat Suited		 > 0 to < 50%
		Suited			 = 0%
		
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"25215"|"90078"|"8632136"
"NCCPI - National Commodity Crop Productivity Index (Ver 3.0)"|"suitability"|"AGR - Agronomy

NCCPI - National Commodity Crop Productivity Index

A soil may be a full member, partial member, or non-member of the set of soils that are suited to growing commodity crops.  This NCCPI is designed to predict the relative productivity of soils for growing major commodity crops.

Factors rated are soil chemical properties, soil physical properties, landscape characteristics, and climate.  The scope of this rating is nationwide.  Climate factors to a large extent drive what crops are grown in an area.  Version attempts to accomodate ""corn"", ""soybeans"", ""small grains"", and ""cotton"" climates and to an extent the differing soil property preferences of the different crops.

The major advancements are in the way RZAWC is handled for corn and how negative soil attributes are handled.

Detailed documentation for this model can be found at:

http://soils.usda.gov/technical/

Look for the NCCPI User Guide:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_050734.pdf

This is the updated version of NCCPI and the User Guide.  They are current as of September 8, 2021.
"|Yes|04/10/2025 17:06:51|"54955"|"90078"|"8632137"
"PFAS - Chemical Attenuation in Soils"|"suitability"|"PFAS - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances 

Summary: PFAS Attenuation in Soils

PFAS chemicals are a wide variety of manmade compounds that have been entered into the environment for many different reasons.  Since the molecules are generally anionic, they have some degree of mobility in soils.  The research illustrates a variety of interactions between PFAS and soil constituents that can lead to the movement of PFAS with water being slowed or perhaps even stopped at least temporarily.

Li et al (2018) report on several mechanisms of sorption-desorption in their review of the literature.  These mechanisms conceptually include hydrophobic interaction with organic matter, ligand bridging through divalent cations, electrostatic interaction with positive charges on mineral surfaces and some organic matter, and electrostatic interaction with oxides (Li et al. 2018). 
 
In their study of differing sizes of PFAS molecules and differing soil properties, Nguyen et al. (2020) concluded that many soil properties need to be evaluated in studying PFAS mobility in soils and also the size and shape of the PFAS molecules play a role in attenuation.  They also hypothesize that some PFAS molecules may be trapped in soil micropores and the volume of soil available for sorption-desorption must be considered in the field (Nguyen et al. 2020).  

Brusseau (2019) reports that adsorption at air-water interfaces can cause significant retention of PFAS spatially and temporally.  The amount of interfacial adsorption depends upon the volume of soil present (Brusseau, 2019).  Recently, there has been study of a non-extractable residue (NER) of PFAS chemicals (Gassmann et al. 2020) but the mechanism of occlusion remains obscure.  Gassmann et al. 2020) have postulated that the PFAS molecules may occasionally be physically entrapped into the soil organic matter matrix, rather than adsorbed on the surface.

Uwayezu et al. (2019) examined the interactions between PFOS isomers and goethite in varying regimes of pH, organic matter and sulphate.  As pH was increased from 4.36 sorption of PFOS decreased due to the changing of the charge of organic matter.  Sorption of PFOS in the pH range less than 7.5 is thought to be due to electrostatic attractions between iron minerals such as goethite surfaces and the PFOS anions (Uwayezu et al. 2019).  Campos-Pereira et al. (2020) also examined the adsorption of PFAS by poorly crystalline ferrihydrite as a function of pH and phosphate concentration.

PFAS Attenuation Model

Many of the parameters that address the mobility of PFAS in soils that have been examined in the literature are data elements in the soil survey database.  Thus, the database should prove useful in tying the relative mobility of PFAS to soil and site properties.  Keep in mind that the goal is to provide an array of the relative ability of soils to hold PFAS and not a quantitative estimate at this time.  The model is focused on an eight-carbon chain molecule having a carboxyl functional group.  The overall rule-based fuzzy logic model contains four sub-rules.  First, the surface area of unsaturated soil is estimated, as is suggested by the work of Nguyen et al. (2020) and Brusseau (2019).  This capacity factor is considered as the surface area of soil throughout the year that exists on a one-centimeter square of soil multiplied by the depth, in cm, to the saturated zone or bedrock summed over twelve months.

The next sub-rule considers the anion exchange capacity of the amorphous materials in soils and the organic matter content.  This is pH dependent charge that is manifested at low pH.  Some soil orders, such as Andisols, are characterized by typically having a large concentration of poorly crystalline materials while young soils, such as Inceptisols are generally low in amorphous materials.  This sub-rule is suggested by the work of Uwayezu et al. (2019) and Gassmann et al. (2020).

A large body of literature examines the interaction between PFAS materials and soil organic matter. Higgins and Luthy (2006), Millinovic et al. (2015), Li et al. (2012), and Zhu et al. (2021) all conclude that the organic materials in soil can sorb PFAS.  Thus, a soil organic matter sub-rule provides a relative measure of the organic matter content of the profile of soils, in kilograms organic matter per meter square of soil.

Criteria:

1. Surface Unsaturated Soil for Attenuation - Sorption of PFAS requires surfaces with which the ions can interact.  This sub-rule looks only at the volume of unsaturated soil and does not currently account for the differing amount of surface area provided by different soil constituents.  The ability of soil constituents to attenuate is addressed in another sub-rule.  This sub-rule considers the capacity rather than the intensity of the soil to adsorb PFAS. Nguyen et al suggest the role of micropore volume in the soil for binding PFAS.  The calculation examines the unsaturated soil column from the surface to a restrictive layer if present by month and calculates the total.  Clay sized particles are assumed to be the primary surface for retaining ions (organic matter is considered in another sub-rule).  The soil volume examined is adjusted for rock fragment content.  A continuously saturated soil would be evaluated as 0.  A deep, well drained 

Unsaturated surface area
Property used: SURFACE UNSATURATED SOIL, CLAY, AND FINE EARTH
Interpretive thresholds: High sorption -  > 600
                                       Moderate sorption -  0 to 600
                                       Low sorption - 0
 
2.  Amorphous Materials for Attenuation -  The amorphous materials sub-rule is composed of several membership functions that describe differing soil conditions.  Since the content of iron and aluminum oxides is not currently well-populated in the database, Soil Taxonomic mineralogy family classes are used to fill the gaps.  Soils in Taxonomic mineralogy families of ""amorphic"", ""halloysitic"", ""ferruginous"", ""kaolinitic"", ""parasesquic"", ""oxidic"", ""ferritic"", ""gibbsitic"", ""sesquic"", ""allitic"", ""ferrihydritic"", ""glassy"", ""parasesquic"", or ""isotic"" are assumed to contain significant amounts of amorphous materials that can have anion exchange capacity at low pH.  
The soil pH is evaluated over the range from 4.5 to 5.0 for its effect on anion exchange.  

Taxonomic order is used as a proxy for free iron oxide content, assuming that more highly weathered soils have more free iron oxides than less weathered soils and may have anion exchange if the pH is low.  The soil orders are arrayed as follows: Andisols > Spodosols = Oxisols > Ultisols = Histosols > Alfisols > Inceptisols > Entisols.  The soil orders of Gelisols, Mollisols, Vertisols, Aridisols are not considered to have anion exchange and because of this will not attenuate PFAS by this mechanism.  Campos-Pereira et al. (2020) observed adsorption of PFAS on poorly crystalline iron oxides when the pH was below 7 for most PFAS species.  This suggests pH dependent anion exchange may persist in soils when the pH is above 4.5.  

2a.  Taxonomic Mineralogy Family - Attenuation
Property used: TAXONOMIC MINERALOGY CLASS UPPER
Sorption due to amorphous materials  = ""amorphic"" or ""halloysitic"" or ""ferruginous"" or""kaolinitic"" or ""parasesquic"" or ""oxidic"" or ""ferritic"" or ""gibbsitic"" or ""sesquic"" or ""allitic"" or ""ferrihydritic"" or ""glassy"" or ""parasesquic"" or ""isotic""
No sorption due to amorphous materias = other mineralogy classes

2b. Taxonomic Mineralogy - pH Attenuation Coefficient
Property used:  ANION EXCHANGE PH COEFFICIENT
Interpretrive thresholds:  No anion exchange - pH > 5.5
                                         Some anion exchange - pH 4.0 to 5.5
                                         Anion exchange - pH < 4.0

2c. Taxonomic Order - Attenuation
Property used:
Interpretive thresholds - Sorption due to iron oxides if Order = ""Andisols"",  ""Spodosols"",  ""Oxisols"", ""Ultisols"", ""Histosols"", ""Alfisols"", ""Inceptisols"", or ""Entisols"" 
                                        Not sorption due to iron oxides = other orders

2b. Taxonomic Order - pH Attenuation Coefficient
Property used:  ANION EXCHANGE PH COEFFICIENT
Interpretrive thresholds:  No anion exchange - pH > 5.5
                                         Some anion exchange - pH 4.0 to 5.5
                                         Anion exchange - pH < 4.0

3.  Soil organic matter content is highly correlated with PFAS attenuation.  The type of organic matter likely also has some bearing, but the current model is constrained to only look at the estimate of the total amount.  The organic matter content is evaluated over the range of 5 kg/m2 to 50 kg/m2.  Higher organic matter contents are assumed to cause more attenuation of PFAS.   A large body of literature examines the interaction between PFAS materials and soil organic matter. Higgins and Luthy (2006), Millinovic et al. (2015), Li et al. (2012), and Zhu et al. (2021) all conclude that the organic materials in soil can sorb PFAS.  Thus, a soil organic matter sub-rule provides a relative measure of the organic matter content of the profile of soils, in kilograms organic matter per meter square of soil.

Organic Matter Content for Attenuation
Property used:  ORGANIC MATTER IN KG/M2, WHOLE PROFILE
Interpretive thresholds: Low attenuation due to organic matter - < 5 kg/m2
                                       Moderate attenuation due to organic matter - 5 to 50 kg/m2
                                       High attenuation due to organic matter - > 50kg/m2

4. The fourth sub-rule considers the interactions between temperature, land surface slope, and the annual fluctuations of a water table on PFAS mobility.  This subrule consists of a further three sub-rules.  The sorption-desorption processes are temperature dependent and will be drastically slowed in frozen soils.  The ideas of Brusseau (2019), Nguyen et al. (2020), Gassmann et al. (2020), and Gassmann et al. 2020) suggest that cyclical reduction-oxidation processes which dissolve and recrystallize amorphous iron oxides could play a role in the entrapment and release of PFAS at air-water interfaces.  Since not all water movement in soils is vertical, the lateral component of PFAS movement must be considered.  In a reduced soil, PFAS, ferrous iron, and water will flow laterally downslope.  Once an oxidized condition is encountered the ferrous iron will oxidize and demobilize.  The PFAS may be entrapped in the oxides.

4a.  Mean Annual  Air Temperature - The temperature of the system (top rule of Figure 2) is known to affect the rates of chemical reactions and presumably the rates of sorption and desorption which in turn affects attenuation.  Not mentioned here, although it perhaps should be, is the effect of frozen soil on the attenuation of PFAS.  Soils in areas where the mean annual air temperature is less than 10 degrees C are likely to be frozen to some depth for some time during the year.  These dynamics are yet to be studied.  For the current model, it is considered that higher temperature will enhance attenuation of PFAS because of the temperature effect on biological and chemical systems.  

Mean annual air temperature
Property used: MEAN ANNUAL AIR TEMPERATURE
Interpretive thresholds: Slow attenuation rate - < 4 degrees C
                                        Moderate attenuation rate - 4 to 18 degrees C
                                        Rapid attenuation rate - >18 degrees C

4b.  Lateral movement - Any appreciable slope on the landscape is assumed to drive lateral movement under saturated conditions.  In soils having slope less than 5 percent it is assumed that PFAS will be attenuated in place.  On steeper slopes, it is postulated that less attenuation will occur as the soil water moves downslope.

Slope
Property used: SLOPE PERCENT
Interpretive thresholds: Slow attenuation rate - > 15% slope
                                        Moderate attenuation rate - 5 to 15 % slope
                                        Rapid attenuation rate - < 5 % slope

4c. Relationships between water table fluctuations, oxidation-reduction processes, iron oxide chemistry, and PFAS attenuation have not yet been thoroughly explored.  A net gain in attenuation is hypothesized here because of the dissolution and precipitation of iron is thought to form structures where the PFAS anions may be held.  While other soil features may affect the ability of a soil to hold PFAS, currently the thickness of soil that is affected by the rising and falling of the zone of saturation is considered here.  Since the air-water interface seems to be important for this process, this sub-rule examines the distance between the top of the shallowest water depth and the top of the deepest water depth or 200cm.  If a fluctuating water table does not exist, this sub-rule does not contribute to PFAS attenuation.

Water table fluctuation
Property used: WATER TABLE FLUCTUATION THICKNESS
Interpretive thresholds: Slow attenuation rate - 0 cm
                                        Moderate attenuation rate - 0 to 200 cm
                                        Rapid attenuation rate - > 200cm


References

Li, Yasong, Danielle P. Oliver, Rai S. Kookana. 2018. A critical analysis of published data to discern the role of soil and sediment properties in determining sorption of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.167.

Nguyen, Thi Minh Hong, Jennifer Brunig, Kristie Thompson, Jack Thompson, Shervin Kabiri, Divina A. Navarro, Rai S. Kookana, Charles Grimison, Craig M. Barnes, Christopher P. Higgins, Michael J. McLaughlin, and Jochen F. Mueller. 2020. Influences of Chemical Properties, Soil Properties, and Solution pH on SoilWater Partitioning Coefficients of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs). Environmental Science & Technology 2020 54 (24), 15883-15892. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c05705.

Brusseau, Mark L. 2019. The influence of molecular structure on the adsorption of PFAS to fluid-fluid interfaces: Using QSPR to predict interfacial adsorption coefficients. Water Research 152 (2019) 148e158. 

Campos-Pereira, Hugo, Dan B. Kleja, Carin Sjstedt, Lutz Ahrens, Wantana Klysubun, and Jon Petter.  Gustafsson. 2020. The Adsorption of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) onto Ferrihydrite Is Governed by Surface Charge.  Environmental Science & Technology. 54 (24), 15722-15730. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c01646"|Yes|07/02/2024 21:47:43|"73074"|"90078"|"8632138"
"PFAS - Movement Classes in Soils"|"class"|"PFAS - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances

Summary: PFAS - Movement Classes in Soils

PFAS Movement on and Through the Landscape

PFAS molecules are generally large anions that interact with soil constituents.  These compounds are generally expected to move in solution with soil water.  Soil and landscape features influence the movement of water and so should also have some bearing on the direction of PFAS translocation.  The rate of movement is the subject of another model.  The model described here consists of rules having one or more levels of sub-rules and attempts to predict the fate of PFAS based on soil and landscape features using the soil survey database (SSURGO).
Four pathways are proposed:
  
1.	Direct runoff, related to slope and infiltration, with rapid transport to surface waters.
2.	Subsurface runoff or subsurface stormwater flow to surface water, with sorption/desorption of solutes in transit.
3.	Rapid infiltration to groundwater, with little sorption or desorption in transit.
4.	Slow movement to groundwater.

1. PFAS - Class, Transmits to Surface Waters, Overland Flow

This sub-rule is composed of three further sub-rules that focus on soil and site features that tend to prevent water from infiltrating into the soil.  One sub-rule examines the surface condition for runoff and is also composed of three base rules:  The first base rule examines slope gradient in the 2 to 80 percent range.  Slope of 2 percent or less generally prevents runoff and slopes over 80 percent encourages runoff.  The second base rule considers the effects flooding, ponding, or a high water table on surface runoff.  The third base rule looks at and evaluates the surface saturated hydraulic conductivity of a soil.  The highest membership value of the three base rules is used to quantify surface condition for runoff from a soil component.  The second part of the overland flow water movement style considers the case of a non-transmissive, wet soil.  The third base rule looks at the scenario of a slowly transmissive subsoil in a well drained soil.

Sub-rules:

1a. Surface Condition for Runoff - This sub-rule looks at surface conditions that may cause runoff.
      1a1. Slope for Runoff
              Property used:  SLOPE
              Class limits: Slow runoff -  0 to 2 percent
                                 Moderately rapid runoff - 2 to 80 percent
                                 Very rapid runoff - 80 and greater percent

        1a2. Flooding. Ponding, Water Table
              1a2a. Flooding:  If the number of months a soil component has frequent or occasional flooding falls within the following parameters then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and flooding is a limiting feature:
                               Frequent Flooding Frequency
                                      Property used: FLOODING FREQ. MONTHS W/ FREQUENT OR VERY FREQUENT FLOODING
                                      Class limits: Frequent flooding causes surface movement - greater than 0 months
                                                    Frequent flooding does not cause surface movement - Not frequently flooded
                               Occasional Flooding Frequency
                                      Property used: FLOODING FREQ. MONTHS W/ OCCASIONAL FLOODING
                                      Class limits: Occasional flooding causes surface movement - greater than 0 months
                                                    Occasional flooding does not cause surface movement - Not occasionally flooded

              1a2b. Ponding:  If the number of months a soil component has frequent or occasional ponding falls within the following parameters then the rule returns a value greater than 0 and ponding is a limiting feature:
                                Frequent Ponding Frequency
                                      Property used: PONDING FREQ. MONTHS W/ FREQUENT PONDING
                                      Class limits: Frequent ponding causes surface movement - greater than 0 months
                                                    Frequent ponding does not cause surface movement - Not frequently ponded
                               Occasional Ponding Frequency
                                      Property used: PONDING FREQ. MONTHS W/ OCCASIONAL PONDING
                                      Class limits: Occasional ponding causes surface movement - greater than 0 months
                                                    Occasional ponding does not cause surface movement - Not occasionally ponded

              1a2c. High water table: A water table at or near the soil surface can cause runoff.
                               Depth to high water table minimum
                                      Property used: DEPTH TO WET LAYER MINIMUM
                                      Class limits: Contributes strongly to runoff - less than 15cm
                                                    Contributes less to runoff - greater than 15cm
                               Note: The maximum membership value of the flooding, ponding, or water table rules is used in the surface condition rule.

      1a3. Infiltration for Runoff -  If water movement into the soil is slow, then runoff is expected.
               Infiltration for Runoff
                    Property used:  KSAT OF SURFACE MINERAL LAYER
                    Class limits: Low runoff - >15 micrometers/sec
                                  Moderate runoff - 4 to 25 micrometers/sec
                                  Rapid runoff - <4 micrometers/sec


                Note: The maximum membership value of 1a1, 1a2, or 1a3 is used as the surface condition result and sent to Transmits to Surface Waters, Overland Flow.

1b.  Non-transmissive Wet Soil - This rule examines the depth to water table deeper than in the surface condition with a deeper water contributing less to causing runoff.
               Wet Soil
                    Property used: DEPTH TO WET LAYER MINIMUM	
                    Class limits: Shallow water table - less than 10cm
                                  Medium water table - 10 to 100cm
                                  Deep water table - greater than 100cm

1c. Non-transmissive Subsoil - This rule examines the case of a slowly permeable soil lacking long-term saturation.  The depth to hydraulic conductivity less than 1 or less than 8 is evaluated, if present.
                Non-transmissive Subsoil
                     Property used: DEPTH TO KSAT <1.0 UM/SEC
                     Class limits: Shallow to slow movement - less than 25cm
                                  Medium to slow movement - 25 to 100 cm
                                  Deep to slow movement - greater than 100cm

                Non-transmissive Subsoil
                     Property used: DEPTH TO KSAT <8.0 UM/SEC
                     Class limits: Shallow to slow movement - less than 25cm
                                  Medium to slow movement - 25 to 100 cm
                                  Deep to slow movement - greater than 100cm

              Note: The maximum membership value of these two evaluations is used in Transmits to Surface Waters, Overland Flow.

The maximum membership value of 1a, 1b, and 1c must be at least 0.502 to fall into the Transmits to Surface Waters, Overland Flow class.  The membership value is cannot exceed 0.75 to fit the Transmits to Surface Waters, Overland Flow class.

2. PFAS - Class, Transmits to Surface Waters, Subsurface Flow

Conceptually, this sub-rule considers water that has infiltrated into the soil profile and then the course of downward movement is interrupted by a change in the saturated hydraulic conductivity (a restrictive layer or a hydraulic conductivity differential) which then turns the flow lateral.  Eventually, downslope, this water may outcrop in a discharge area and then flow into a stream.  This style of movement is thought to be important because the PFAS molecules will be in the soil and will interact with the various soil constituents.  Four sub-rules are used.  First, in order to initiate subsurface flow, enough water must be present as rainfall less evapotranspiration and storage.  Second, a slope gradient must be present.  Third, typically a restrictive layer or a layer of slower permeability may be needed to cause horizontal water flow.  Fourth, the soil surface must allow sufficient infiltration.

2a. Water for Transmission - A calculation is performed to determine if rainfall is sufficient to cause subsurface stormwater flow after accounting for evapotranspiration and storage. 
                   Water for Transmission
                        Property used: MAP MINUS PET MINUS STORAGE
                        Class limits: Low water for transmission - less than -250 mm/year
                                      Moderate water for transmission - -250 to 100 mm/year
                                      Adequate water for transmission - greater than 100 mm/year

2b. Slope for Horizontal Water Movement - Some slope is needed for horizontal water movement.  As the slope steepens, the gradient increases and presumably the rate of water movement.
                   Slope for Horizontal Transmission
                         Property used: SLOPE
                         Class limits:  Rapid horizontal movement - greater than 15 percent
                                       Moderate horizontal movement - 1 to 15 percent
                                       Mostly vertical movemement - less than 1 percent

2c. Depth to Ksat Differential or Restriction - This sub-rule considers how much soil infiltrating water encounters before being slowed and made to flow laterally.  Not every storm event would provide sufficient rainfall to initiate lateral flow, depending on the depth to a change in the hydraulic conductivity.  Three conditions are examined: the depth to a decrease in hydraulic conductivity, the depth to a restrictive layer, and the presence of sufficient slope in the context of permeability changes and lateral flow.
                   Depth to Ksat Differential or Restriction
                   Property used: DEPTH TO DIFFERENTIAL ZONE
                   Class limits:  Saturated flow with small input - less than 50cm
                                  Saturated flow requires medium input - 50 to 150cm
                                  Saturated flow requires large input - greater than 150cm

                   Property used: DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE LAYER - NO HARDNESS
                   Class limits:  Saturated flow with small input - less than 50cm
                                  Saturated flow requires medium input - 50 to 150cm
                                  Saturated flow requires large input - greater than 150cm

                   Property used: SLOPE
                   Class limits:  Saturated flow with small input - slope greater than 20 percent
                                  Saturated flow requires medium input - slopes from 8 to 20 percent
                                  Saturated flow requires large input - slopes less than 8 percent

2d. Infiltration for Subsurface Flow - Soils having rapid infiltration may be more susceptible to lateral water flow.
                    Infiltration for Subsurface Flow
                    Property used: KSAT OF SURFACE MINERAL LAYER
                    Class limits: Rapid infiltration - Greater than 9 micrometers/sec
                                  Moderate infiltration - 4 to 9 micrometers/sec
                                  Slow infiltration - Less than 4 micrometers/sec

Note: The minimum membership value reported by the four sub-rules is used to index the subsurface flow rule.  The threshold rating for subsurface flow is set at 0.252.  The component must rate at least that high to indicate subsurface flow may occur.  The membership value is limited to 0.501 to fall into the subsurface flow class.

3. PFAS - Class, Transmits Rapidly to Groundwater
This subrule considers highly transmissive soils on landforms that overly an aquifer at a fairly shallow depth, such as may occur on glacial outwash or on an alluvial fan, for instance.  Also, this sub-rule takes into account the special case of underdrained karst landforms.  First, the landscape is considered.  It either is or isnt one that may overlie a shallow aquifer.  This situation exists on the marine terraces, outwash plains, floodplains, and a number of other landforms.  Second, the soil must have a uniformly high transmissivity.  Finally, enough precipitation must occur to push the PFAS downward.  The lowest membership is used as the rating for the sub-rule, except if the soil is over limestone bedrock that may have preferential flow channels. 

3a. Landform for Transmission to Groundwater - Some landforms have soils that are susceptible to rapid infiltration into the groundwater.
                Landform for Transmission to Groundwater
                Property used: GEOMORPHIC FEATURE NAME OF LANDFORM
                Class limits: Transmission landform - ""flood plain"" or ""terrace"" or ""outwash plain"" or ""outwash delta"" or ""outwash terrace"" or ""outwash fan"" or ""kame"" or ""esker"" or ""plain"" or ""alluvial fan"" or 
                                                       ""kame terrace"" or ""stream terrace"" or ""marine terrrace""	
                              Not Transmission landform - all others

3b. Transmissive Soil - Not all soils on transmissive landforms are permeable to water.  
               Transmissive Soil 
               Property used: KSAT MINIMUM IN PROFILE
                    Class limits: Rapid infiltration - Greater than 9 micrometers/sec
                                  Moderate infiltration - 0.4 to 9 micrometers/sec
                                  Slow infiltration - Less than 0.4 micrometers/sec

3c. Water for Transmission - A calculation is performed to determine if rainfall is sufficient to cause subsurface stormwater flow after accounting for evapotranspiration and storage. 
                   Water for Transmission
                        Property used: MAP MINUS PET MINUS STORAGE
                        Class limits: Low water for transmission - less than -250 mm/year
                                      Moderate water for transmission - -250 to 100 mm/year
                                      Adequate water for transmission - greater than 100 mm/year

3d. Bedrock May Have Flow Channels - Limestone bedrock (and other types) may have numerous solution channels that allow contaminants to enter the groundwater quickly and with no renovation.  The porous nature of the bedrock is often reflected by ""karst"" phases of map units.  Deeper soils will tend to lessen the risk of contamination.  Currently, 2 conditions are examined: soluble salts and limestone (carbonate) bedrock.
              Bedrock May Have Flow Channels
              Property used: PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT
              Class limits: Soluble salt - Bedrock is gypsum, anhydrite, or halite
                            Not soluble salt - all others

              Property used: LIMESTONE IN THE PARENT MATERIAL
              Class limits: Limestone (carbonates) - bedrock contains ""limestone"", ""dolomite"", or ""marble"" 
                            Not carbonates - all others

Note: The minimum condition of 3a, 3b, or 3c is selected and that result compared with the result of 3d.  The maximum membership value is used rate ""Transmits Rapidly to Groundwater"".  The rating must be at least 0.751 to fall into this class and it cannot exceed 1.0.  The rating numbers from these sub-rules must be at least 0.751 to fall into the Transmits Rapidly to Groundwater class.

4. PFAS - Class, Transmits Slowly to Groundwater
In this sub-rule, it is proposed that water moves vertically deeply into and through the soil.  The landform is high above the local aquifer, so there is not direct transmission.  There is sufficient precipitation that the net direction of movement through the soil is downward.  The saturated hydraulic conductivity throughout the profile is not water-restricting.  Also, the slope is not so steep that lateral movement is appreciable.  This movement style is modelled in the Transmits Slowly to Groundwater.

4a. Not Landform for Transmission to Aquifer - The soil is not on one of the landforms that transmits rapidly to groundwater. 
               Not Landform for Transmission to Groundwater
               Property used: GEOMORPHIC FEATURE NAME OF LANDFORM
               Class limits: Not a Transmission landform - ""flood plain"" or ""terrace"" or ""outwash plain"" or ""outwash delta"" or ""outwash terrace"" or ""outwash fan"" or ""kame"" or ""esker"" or ""plain"" or ""alluvial fan"" or 
                                                       ""kame terrace"" or ""stream terrace"" or ""marine terrrace""	
                              Slow Transmission landform - all others

4b. Transmissive Soil - Slow transmission to groundwater requires enough permeability to not cause mostly lateral flow.  
               Transmissive Soil 
               Property used: KSAT MINIMUM IN PROFILE
                    Class limits: Rapid infiltration - Greater than 9 micrometers/sec
                                  Moderate infiltration - 0.4 to 9 micrometers/sec
                                  Slow infiltration - Less than 0.4 micrometers/sec

4c. Water for Transmission - A calculation is performed to determine if rainfall is sufficient to cause subsurface stormwater flow after accounting for evapotranspiration and storage. 
                   Water for Transmission
                        Property used: MAP MINUS PET MINUS STORAGE
                        Class limits: Low water for transmission - less than -250 mm/year
                                      Moderate water for transmission - -250 to 100 mm/year
                                      Adequate water for transmission - greater than 100 mm/year

4d. Slope for Runoff - The inverse of the output of this sub-rule is used in further calculations.  The objective is to identify soils that are not steeply sloping.
              Property used:  SLOPE
              Class limits: Slow runoff -  0 to 2 percent
                            Moderately rapid runoff - 2 to 80 percent
                            Very rapid runoff - 80 and greater percent 


Note:  The minimum of 4a-d is used as the rating for this sub-rule.  In order to fit into this class, the membership value is limited to 0.251.

Discussion: 

The Movement Classes model is a class style interpretation where the fuzzy numbers produced by the sub-rules are manipulated to fit into certain classes as is spelled out by the rating classes.  These are shown in the table below.  For a class style interpretation to display on Web Soil Survey, a distinct Not rated class, set to 0, is needed instead of null not rated when nulls are encountered.

The classes are mutually exclusive, but it will be seen that some components will have a dominant transmission style and a secondary style.


Rating class names and boundaries:  Rating Class Name	               Rating Class         Rating Class
                                                                                                               Lower Boundary  Upper Boundary
                                     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Transmission to groundwater	                  0.751	                    1.000
                                    Overland flow to surface water                            0.502	                    0.750
                                    Subsurface flow to surface water                         0.252	                    0.501
                                    Slow transmission to groundwater                        0.001	                   0.251
                                    Not rated		                                   0"|Yes|10/01/2024 15:15:33|"73075"|"90078"|"8632139"
"SOH - Agricultural Organic Soil Subsidence"|"limitation"|"SOH - Soil Health

SOH - Agricultural Organic Soil Subsidence

Organic soils used in agricultural production are subject to a loss of volume and depth of organic material due to oxidation caused by above normal microbial activity resulting from excessive water drainage, soil disturbance, or extended drought. Microbial mediated oxidation is the primary driver of volume reduction once water is removed.   Soil shrinkage and compaction due to dewatering is considered to be secondary. Any drawdown resulting in water levels below soil surface can result in increased subsidence rates.  The subsidence rate can also be influenced by agricultural practices. The type of tillage operation, such as plowing, disc harrowing and switch plowing, moldboard plowing increase the oxidation rate.  The use of  no-till practice is recommended to slow the subsidence. Any aggressive tillage measure increases microbiological activity and decreases carbon sequestration.  Drainage water management can be implemented to control water tables to help slow the subsidence rate.

Climate

Organic soils occur in temperate lowlands and cool mountain areas; only one-tenth of all Histosols are found in the tropics.  Organic soils that formed in plant material under the permanent influence of groundwater (`low moor peat') occupy the lower parts of fluvial, lacustrine and marine landscapes, mainly in temperate regions.  Organic soils  in lacustrine landforms are commonly associated with Vertisols.  Rain-dependent organic soils  are found in environments with sufficiently high and evenly spread rainfall, e.g. in raised `dome' peat formations (`high moor peat') in lowland areas and in upland areas with blanket peat, where a paucity of nutrient elements, acidity and near-permanent wetness retard decay of organic debris.  Organic soil materials in northern regions could accumulate there because decay of organic debris is retarded by frost in the cold season and by prolonged water-saturation of the thawed surface soil during summer. Permafrost-affected organic soils  are associated with Cryosols and with soils that have gleyic or stagnic properties, e.g. Gleysols in Alaska and in the northern part of the former USSR. 

Hydrology

The surface 10 cm of the soil most reactive. The loss of soil material due to oxidation is directly related to depth of drainage. The rate of loss of drained organic soils (up to a few inches per year) can be 100 times greater than the natural rate of accumulation (a few inches per 100 years) of organic soils. The direction of water movement is also important because of the dissolved materials that move with the water.  A rain-fed fen has more oxygen available than bog, which is saturated by groundwater.  However, fens have more cations in solution and generally have a more basic pH.  Bogs are typically more acidic. Maintaining the water table (water saturation to exclude oxygen) in the soil profile slows the rate of decomposition since anaerobic decomposition is slower than aerobic decomposition.   

Material

Histosols are unlike all other soils in that they are formed in organic soil material with physical, chemical and mechanical properties that differ strongly from those of mineral soil materials. Morphological characteristics includes large pore volume typically greater than 85 percent.  They contain at least 20-30 percent  organic matter by weight and are more than 40 cm thick. Bulk densities are quite low, often less than 0.3 g cm3.  Organic soil material accumulates in conditions where plant matter is produced by an adapted (""climax"") vegetation, and where decomposition of plant debris is slowed by low temperatures, persistent water saturation of the soil body, extreme acidity or paucity of nutrient elements (""oligotrophy""), and/or high levels of electrolytes or organic toxins.  The existing degree of decomposition influences the rate of further decomposition, since the remaining organic material becomes more resistant to decomposition.

References

Histosols. (2018, March 01). Retrieved from University of Idaho Soil Taxonomy: https://www.cals.uidaho.edu/soilorders/histosols.htm

Histosols Organic Soils. (2018, March 01). Retrieved from Reference Soil Group: http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/Y1899E/y1899e04.htm

NRCS, U. (2012, March). eFOTG. Retrieved from Soil Subsidence : https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/AR/Soil_Quality_Degradation_Subsidence.pdf

Procedure to Calculate the Soil Conditioning Index for Histosols. (2018, March 01). Retrieved from SCI Histosols: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA.../download?cid...ext=pdf

Snyder, A. L. (2018, March 01). University of FL IFAS Extension. Retrieved from Soil Subsidence in the Evergaldes Agrciultural Area Pub #SL 311: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss523



Criteria

1.  Cumulative organic layer thickness - The thickness of the organic layer over any mineral material ultimately determines the amount of subsidence that can occur.

Property evaluated: THICKNESS OF O HORIZONS IN DEPTH 0-150CM

Restrictive limits:  
        Less limiting       Less than 40cm total of organic thickness
        Somewhat limiting   40 to 130cm total of organic thickness
        Limiting            Thicker than 130cm of organic material

2. Cumulative mineral layer thickness - Some soils that are primarily organic have layers of mineral material interbedded in them.  These mineral layers act to slow the decomposition of the underlying organic material.

Property evaluated: PERCENTAGE OF MINERAL HORIZONS IN DEPTH 0-150CM

Restrictive limits:  
        Less limiting       More than 50 percent of mineral material
        Somewhat limiting   1 to 50 percent of mineral material
        Limiting            0 percent of mineral material

3. Organic decay resistance - The degree of decay influences the rate of further decay of the organic matter because the material becomes more difficult for the microorganisms to attack 
as it humifies.

Property evaluated: USDA TEXTURE CLASS DOMINANT CONDITION IN DEPTH 0-150CM

Restrictive limits:  
        Less limiting       Highly decomposed plant material, muck
        Somewhat limiting   Moderately decomposed plant material, partially decomposed plant material, mucky peat
        Limiting            Undecomposed plant material, slightly decomposed plant material, peat
  

4. Organic soil subsidence, frost-free days - The rate of microbial activity in soils is temperature dependent.  The amount of oxidation that can occur is also dependent upon the length of time the temperature is suitable for microbial activity.  A useful metric of these parameters is the frost-free days or length of the growing season. 

Property evaluated: FROST-FREE DAYS

Restrictive limits:  
        Less limiting       Less than 90 frost-free days
        Somewhat limiting   Between 90 and 270 frost-free days
        Limiting            Greater than 270 frost-free days

5. Flooding and ponding - Flooding and ponding of the soil surface tend to exclude oxygen and decrease the rate of microbial decomposition of organic matter.  

   A. Properties evaluated: FLOODING DURATION CLASS, FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS

Restrictive limits:  
        Less limiting       ""long"" duration and ""frequent"" frequency or ""very long"" duration
        Somewhat limiting   ""long"" duration, ""rare"" or ""occasional"" frequency
        Limiting            ""none""

   B.  Properties evaluated: PONDING DURATION CLASS, PONDING FREQUENCY CLASS

Restrictive limits:  
        Less limiting       ""long"" duration and ""frequent"" frequency or ""very long"" duration
        Somewhat limiting   ""long"" duration, ""rare"" or ""occasional"" frequency
        Limiting            ""none""

6. Salinity - The degree of saltiness in the soil water has an influence on the rate of microbial activity in soil because of the impact of salinity on the activity of water.

Property evaluated: SOIL SALINITY THICKEST LAYER IN DEPTH 0-100cm

Restrictive limits:  
        Less limiting       Greater than 8 dS/m
        Somewhat limiting   4 to 8 dS/m 
        Limiting            Less than 4 dS/m

7. Depth to air exclusion - Microbial decomposition of organic matter is slower under anaerobic conditions.  Thus, saturation tends to preserve organic soils.

Property evaluated: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM

Restrictive limits:  
        Less limiting       Less than 30cm to saturation
        Somewhat limiting   30 to 100cm to saturation 
        Limiting            Greater than 100cm to saturation

8. Subsidence pH - The degree of acidity or alkalinity of the soil environment has an impact on the rate of microbial activity.

Property evaluated: WTD_AVG PH 0-150cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Restrictive limits:  
        Less limiting       Less than 3.5 or Greater than 9.5
        Somewhat limiting   Between 3.5 and 5.0 or between 7 and 9.5 
        Limiting            Between 5.0 and 7.0

All of the above criteria are evaluated and a membership value is derived for each.  The average membership value is returned as the rating for that soil.  An initial criterion is applied to determine if the soil is organic or not."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"62848"|"90078"|"8632140"
"SOH - Concentration of Salts- Soil Surface"|"limitation"|"SOH - Soil Health

SOH - Concentration of Salts- Soil Surface

Salts of sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium are produced by the weathering of minerals in soils.  Some salts can be added to the surface due to aeolian deposition.  Excess salts can be concentrated in soils when precipitation is sufficient to move salts within the soil but of insufficient quantity to move the salts out of the soil.  Salts move downward with percolating precipitation from the generally convex recharge areas of the landscape to the generally concave discharge areas.  Net water movement can be upward in these areas due to evapotranspiration or water movement may be more or less horizontal due to restrictive layers or differences in water transmission rates.  

Criteria:
1. The soil must exist in a non-leaching environment.  In areas where salt accumulates in the soil, precipitation does not exceed evapotranspiration, thus excess salts do not move vertically or laterally through the soil profile and thence into ground or surface waters.  A method for estimating potential evapotranspiration is described by Hamon (1967) and is used here, since it does not require as many data inputs as other PET models.  To determine whether or not a climate generally causes leaching or not, the mean annual precipitation is subtracted from the potential evapotranspiration.  When the precipitation deficit exceeds 100mm the climate is considered to no longer cause leaching in most soils.   
   
Property evaluated: MAP MINUS POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION (UPDATED)
                Leaching                  MAP-PET >10mm/yr
               Transition                 MAP-PET -100 to 10 mm/yr
               Non-leaching            MAP-PET <-100 mm

2.  The soil surface and subsurface must generally concentrate water flow.  Research has shown that in regions where rainfall is limited the concave parts of the landscape also concentrate subsurface water flow as well as surface flow.  The shape of the land surface curvature in the up-down and across directions is considered.  The shape can be convex, linear, or concave in both the up and down or across orientations.  Areas that are concave up-down and linear across are the best at concentrating salts at the soil surface.  This basically describes the footslopes of stream channels.  

Property evaluated:  SALINIZATION WATER GATHERING SURFACE
                Least concentrating         convex up-down -convex across
                Transition                         all others
                Best salt concentrator     concave updown -linear across

3. Presence of salts.  Excess salts must exist in the soil in order to have movement and surface concentration.  The concentration of excess salts in soils is estimated by measuring the electrical conductivity of the soil.

Property evaluated:  WEIGHTED AVERAGE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY 0-150cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Not salty                 EC <= 0 dS/m
Somewhat salty      EC 0-4 dS/m
Salty                       EC >4 dS/m

4.  Depth to and persistence of seasonal high water.  Salts move through soil when water flows.  Most water movement happens when the soil is saturated, thus, the depth to saturation and its temporal persistence influence whether or not salts will remain deep in the profile or be carried to the surface.  If the water table remains deep the salts will accumulate deeper in the profile.  If the water table is close enough to the surface that capillary rise and evapotranspiration can bring water to the soil surface, salts will accumulate at the surface.

Property evaluated: WATER TABLE DEPTH DURING GROWING SEASON

Close to soil surface                           < 20cm
Somewhat close to the soil surface    20 to 100 cm
Water table far from surface             >100cm

Property evaluated: WATER TABLE W/IN 100CM MONTHS DURING GROWING SEASON - COUNT

Persistent water table                       >4 months per year
Somewhat persistent water table    1 to 3 months per year
Non-persistent water table               0 months per year

5.  Soils that are nearly always saturated to the surface with ground water, are constantly flooded, or are constantly ponded do not accumulate salts near the surface.

Property evaluated: WATER TABLE AT SURFACE, MONTHS - COUNT

Constant surface saturation                   10 to 12 months
Near constant surface saturation           7 to 9 months
Not much surface saturation                   less than 7 months


Property evaluated: FLOODING DURATION CLASS
Property evaluated: FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS

Flooding duration ""LONG"" and flooding frequency ""FREQUENT""               No salts on surface due to flooding
All other classes or no flooding                                                                  No flooding effects

Property evaluated: PONDING DURATION CLASS

Ponding duration ""LONG""                     No salts on surface due to ponding
All other classes or no ponding            No ponding effects"|Yes|11/04/2022 17:51:31|"62833"|"90078"|"8632141"
"SOH - Dynamic Soil Properties Response to Biochar"|"suitability"|"SOH - Soil Health

SOH - Dynamic Soil Properties Response to Biochar

Biochar is the solid byproduct of the decomposition of organic materials in oxygen-limited environments at high temperatures, known as pyrolysis. The extremely carbon-rich material has an average half-life of 1,400 years, due to its recalcitrant condensed aromatic ring structure, allowing it to sequester carbon in soils over long periods of time, with the potential to provide substantial increases to soil organic matter. Although it has only recently begun to receive attention as a soil health amendment, biochar has been used to increase the fertility, productivity, and health of soils around the world by indigenous communities for thousands of years, most notably in the Amazon rainforest.

The feedstock used to produce biochar has a significant impact on its properties. Many waste products can be pyrolized to produce biochar.  These include forestry wastes, grass clippings, manure, food wastes, and many other waste products.  This interpretation assumes a corn stover and manure waste feedstock, producing a mid-range particle size, ideally sourced locally. Relatively few large-scale biochar producers exist in the United States presently, resulting in a high cost ranging from $1200-$1500/ton. This interpretation assumes a minimal incorporation with tillage, rather spreading the biochar with a manure surface spreader.   Application methods vary.  The biochar can be mixed with manure and spread as a part of a slurry.

Soil and site properties can be dynamic (changeable on a human timescale) or more or less invariant.  Soil properties associated with soil health include pH, cation exchange capacity, water holding capacity, bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, and organic matter content.  These properties affect aggregate stability, fungal growth, and microbial activity, which in turn affect plant growth.  Conceptually, these properties may be improved by the application of biochar. Soils that are in the least favorable condition initially may show the most improvement in their health following biochar application. Some conditions of the site, such as slope, ponding, flooding, karst, and rock fragment content, while affecting the application and use of biochar, cannot be changed by biochar application.

Criteria used:
 
 
1. Water Table Rule (Biochar Response):  Water table depth -The presence of a shallow water table during the growing season will affect spreading of the biochar due to the possibility of rutting and soil compaction.  Whether or not the shallow water table will affect the function of the biochar is unknown. 
 
Property evaluated: WATER TABLE DEPTH, GROWING SEASON
 
Suitability limits:       Well suited        >75cm
                                 Somewhat suited    15 to 75cm
                                 Poorly suited      <15cm
 
Null water table data is assigned to the ""Well suited"" class.
 
2. CPS808 - Karst landform: The presence of karst topography implies rapid transport of water to an aquifer with little or no filtering. 
 
Property evaluated: GEOMORPHIC FEATURE NAMES (SINKHOLE)
 
Suitability limits:    Well suited      No sinkholes present
                              Poorly suited    Sinkholes present
 
Null geomorphic feature data is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.

Property evaluated: KARST MAPUNIT NAME
 
Suitability limits:    Well suited      Map unit name does not contain ""karst""
                              Poorly suited    Map unit name contains ""karst""
 
Null map unit name data is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.

 
3. CPS808 - Slope 6  to > 15%: Slope -  For ease of tillage and cultivation slopes less than 6 percent are best for application of biochar. If site has slopes greater than 15 percent tillage and cultivation will be limited, and risk of erosion will increase and the safe operation of machinery becomes a consideration. 

Property evaluated: SLOPE
 
Suitability limits:       Well suited        <6 percent
                                 Somewhat suited    6 to 15 percent
                                 Poorly suited      >15 percent
 
Null slope data is assigned to the ""Not Rated"" class.
 

 
4. CPS808 - Cobble and Stone Content 0-30cm: Rock fragment content - excessive rock fragment in the rooting zone dilutes the soil, affecting the volume of soil remaining to contribute nutrients and water.  Rock fragment volume also affects heat and water movement in soil.  Volumetric rock fragment content is examined from 0 to 30 cm and the surface stone coverage is considered.
 
      a. Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >=75MM MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM
 
                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        <2 percent
                                                          Somewhat suited     2 to 15 percent
                                                          Poorly suited      >15 percent
 
                          Null volumetric rock fragment data is assigned to the ""Well suited"" class.
 
      b. Property evaluated: FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON SURFACE
 
                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        <0.1 percent
                                                          Somewhat suited     0.1 to 3 percent
                                                          Poorly suited      >3 percent
 
                          Null surface fragment coverage data is assigned to the ""Well suited"" class.
 
5. CPS808 - Ponding Rating (Suitability): Ponding - water ponded on the surface can cause the biochar to float and concentrate on the downwind side of the ponded area. 

Property evaluated: PONDING FREQUENCY RATER
 
                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        None and null
                                                          Somewhat suited    Rare and occasional
                                                          Poorly suited      Common and frequent
 
                          Null ponding data is assigned to the ""Well suited"" class.
 
6. CPS808 - Flooding Frequency Rating (Suitability): Flooding - Flooding criteria are similar to those of the ponding criteria except they involve flowing water. Flood waters can move biochar away from the intended site. 

Property evaluated: FLOODING FREQUENCY RATER
 
                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        None, null, and very rare
                                                          Somewhat suited    Rare and occasional
                                                          Poorly suited      Frequent and very frequent
 
                          Null flooding data is assigned to the ""Well suited"" class.
 
 
7. CPS808 - AWC Average 0-30cm: Available water holding capacity is a soil attribute that is claimed to be enhanced by biochar application.  Soils with low water holding capacity will be benefitted the most from the biochar.

Property evaluated: AWC AVG 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, BELOW O HORIZON
 
                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        <0.02 cm/cm
                                                          Somewhat suited    0.02 to 0.2 cm/cm
                                                          Poorly suited      >0.2 cm/cm
 
                          Null AWS data is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.
 
8. CPS808 - Organic Carbon, kg/m2 to 30cm: Organic carbon content - The organic carbon content of a soil is beneficial in many ways. Organic matter can provide nutrients to plants, increase water holding capacity and improve soil aggregation. Soil has been shown to be a good sink for carbon to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. The best response will be seen in soils having low initial carbon content.

Property evaluated: ORGANIC CARBON IN KG/M2 TO 30CM
 
                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        <2 kilograms
                                                          Somewhat suited    2 to 10 kilograms
                                                          Poorly suited      >10 kilograms
 
                          Null organic carbon data is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.
 
9. CPS808 - pH WTD_AVG 0-30 Suitability: Soil pH - Neutral soils are ideal as nutrients are most chemically available within that range. Biochar normally is alkaline, so it is expected that application of biochar will increase the pH of soils that are acidic. Excessively high soil pH can cause micronutrients to be bound up and render them plant unavailable.  

Property evaluated: WTD_AVG PH 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION
 
                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        <5.5 
                                                          Somewhat suited    5.5 to 7.5
                                                          Poorly suited      >7.5
 
                          Null pH data is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.
 
 
10.  CPS808 - Bulk Density Ratio Max 0-30cm: Bulk density - bulk density affects air and water flow through a soil.  Also, when soils are compacted, root penetration is impeded.  Biochar is alleged to decrease soil bulk density, since it has an inherently low bulk density.  A ratio of the reported bulk density as compared to a calculated ideal bulk density is used a metric of compaction.  Soils that are already somewhat compacted are thought to obtain the most benefit from biochar. 

Property evaluated: BULK DENSITY RATIO MAXIMUM 0-30 CM
 
                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        >0.4 
                                                          Somewhat suited    0 to 0.4 
                                                          Poorly suited      <0 
 
                          Null bulk density data is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.
 
 
13. CPS808 - MEQ 0-30cm: Milliequivalents of exchange is calculated on a volumetric basis from the populated cation exchange capacity data.  This proves to be more useful in comparing soils of differing rock fragment content and bulk density. It is analogous to AWS, in that the amount of exchange in a 1 cm square to the stated depth is estimated.  CEC is largely driven by organic matter content and clay which provide abundant exchange sites.  Biochar is alleged to provide abundant exchange sites to enhance the nutrient-holding capability of soils.  Soil having the least initial CEC will be benefittwed the most.

Property evaluated: MEQ 0-30cm OR RESTRICTION
 
                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        <4 meq from 0-30cm 
                                                          Somewhat suited    4 to 12 meq from 0-30cm 
                                                          Poorly suited      >12 meq from 0-30cm 
 
                          Null cation exchange capacity data is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.
 
 
14. CPS808 - Ksat Max 0-30cm: Ksat- measures the transmisivity of water in the soil profile. Ksat is related to clay content of the soil.  If a soil is too transmissive, the water will leave the profile and will remove nutrients with it.  Biochar is thought to reduce the hydraulic conductivity of some soils. 
 
Property evaluated: KSAT MAX 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, BELOW O HORIZON
 
                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        >40 um/sec 
                                                          Somewhat suited    14 to 40 um/sec 
                                                          Poorly suited      <14 um/sec 
 
                          Null hydraulic conductivity is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.
 
 15. CPS808 - LEP Max 0-30cm: Linear extensibility percent is a measure of how much a soil shriks and swell upon drying and wetting.  LEP is related to clay content and type of clay in the soil.  If LEP is excessive, the biochar may move downward through the cracks and out of the root zone. 

Property evaluated: LEP MAX 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, BELOW O HORIZON
 
                          Suitability limits:       Well suited        <4 percent 
                                                          Somewhat suited    4 to 12 percent  
                                                          Poorly suited      >12 percent 
 
                          Null LEP is assigned to the ""Not rated"" class.
  

Literature

Arif, M., Ilyas, M., Riaz, M., Ali, K., Shah, K., Ul Haq, I., Fahad, S. 2017. Biochar improves phosphorus use efficiency of organic-inorganic fertilizers, maize-wheat productivity and soil quality in a low 	fertility alkaline soil. Field crops research. 214, 25-37. 

Bruun, S. and El-Zehery, T. 2012. Biochar effect on the mineralization of soil organic matter. Pesq. 	Agropec. Bras. Vol 47 (5). 

Bu, X. Xue, J. Wu, Y., Ma, W. 2020. Effect of biochar on seed germination and seedling growth of 	Robinia pseudoacacia L. in karst calcareous soils. Comm. In Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 	Vol. 51 (3), 352-363. 

Burrell, L.D., F. Zehetner, N. Rampazzo, B. Wimmer, and G. Soja. 2016. Long-term effects of biochar on 	soil physical properties. Geoderma 282:96-102.

CCE of Suffolk County. 2020. Biochar Basics: https://vod.video.cornell.edu/media/1_0zozgaa6

Cheng, C.H., J. Lehmann, and M.H. Engelhard. 2008. Natural oxidation of black carbon in soils: Changes 	in molecular form and surface charge along a climosequence. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 	72:15981610.

Dokoohaki, H., Miguez, F.E., Laird, D., Dumortier, J. 2019. Where should we apply biochar? Environ. 	Res. Lett. 14 044005. 

Fidel, R.B., Laird, D.A., Thompson, M.L., Lawrinenko, M. 2016. Characterization and quantification of		biochar alkalinity. Chemosphere. 167, 367-373. 

Gunes, A., Inal, A., Taskin, M.B., Sahin, O., Kaya, E.C., Atakol, A.R.D.A. 2014. Effect of phosphorus-	enriched biochar and poultry manure on growth and mineral composition of lettuce (Lactuca 	sativa L. cv.) grown in alkaline soil. 

Ibrahim, H.M., Al-Wabel, M.I., Usman, A.R.A., Al-Omran, A. 2013. Effect of Conocarpus biochar 	application on the hydraulic properties of a sandy loam soil. Soil Science. 178 (4), 165-173. 

Kishimoto S. and Sugiura, G. 1985. Charcoal as a soil conditioner. Symposium on Forest Products		Research International Achievements for the Future 5, 1223.

Li, G.Z., Zhang C.R., Ibrahim, M., Zhang, G., Wang, L., Zhang, R., Chen, F. and Liu, Y. 2017. The 	beneficial effect induced by biochar on soil erosion and nutrient loss of slopping land under 	natural rainfall conditions in central China. Agric. Water Manage. 185:145150. 43.

Liu, Z., Dugan, B., Masiello, C.A., Gonnermann, H.M. 2017. Biochar particle size, shape, and porosity 	act together to influence soil water properties. PLoS ONE 12(6): e0179079.			https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0179079. 

Major, J., Rondon, M., Molina, D., Riha, S.J., Lehmann, J. 2010. Maize yield and nutrition during 4 years 	after biochar application to a Colombian savanna oxisol. Plant Soil, 333, pp. 117-128

Mukherjee, A., A.R. Zimmerman, and W. Harris. 2011. Surface chemistry variations among a series of 	laboratory-produced biochars. Geoderma 163:247-255.

Novak, J.M., W.J. Busscher, D.L. Laird, M. Ahmedna, D.W. Watts, and M.A.S. Niandou. 2009. Impact 	of Biochar Amendment on Fertility of a Southeastern Coastal Plain Soil. Soil Science 174:105-	112.

Pituello, C.; Ferro, N. dal; Francisco, O.; Simonetti, G.; Berti, A.; Piccoli, I.; Pisi, A.; Morari, F.  Effects 	of biochar on the dynamics of aggregate stability in clay and sandy clay loam soils.  European 	Journal of Soil Science. 69 (5) Oxford; Wiley, 2019, pp. 827-842.

Silva, F.C., C. Borrego, J.J. Keizer, J.H. Amorim, and F.G.A. Verheijen. 2015. Effects of moisture 	content on wind erosion thresholds of biochar. Atmospheric Environment 123:121-128.

Terrell, A.C. and Risinger, M. 1992. Guides for estimating soil properties. Region 9 Soil Interpretations 	Guidebook. 

USDA-NRCS. 2007. National Engineering Handbook, Part 630 Hydrology. Ch. 7, p. 7-4.

USDA-NRCS. National Soil Science Handbook, Part 618.37 pp. 618-22  618-23.

Vaccari, F.P., Baronti, S., Lugato, E., Genesio, L., Castaldi, S., Fornasier, F. Miglietta, F. 2011. Biochar 	as a strategy to sequester carbon and increase yield in durum wheat. Eur. J. Agron., 34, pp. 231-	238

Zhang, M., Riaz, M., Zhang, L, El-desouki, Z., Jiang, C. 2019. Biochar induces changes to basic soil 	properties and bacterial communities of different soils to varying degrees at 25 mm rainfall: 	more effective on acidic soils. Front. Microbiol. 10:1321. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01321"|Yes|09/13/2021 16:08:53|"70134"|"90078"|"8632142"
"SOH - Limitations for Aerobic Soil Organisms"|"limitation"|"SOH - Soil Health

SOH - Limitation for Aerobic Soil Organisms

Soil is the habitat for a wide variety of organisms, ranging from viruses, bacteria, fungi, nematodes and a variety of others.  Bacteria and fungi provide many services in soils.  For example, bacteria convert plant and animal tissues into humus.  Many of the resultant compounds bind the soil into aggregates.  Bacteria may fix nitrogen for plant use and fungi assist plant roots in obtaining nutrients and water.  Soil microbes are generally most abundant in the surface layer since they typically are found around plant roots.  Soils vary in their ability to foster plant growth and thus also in their ability to support microbial populations.  These differences can be caused by natural, inherent soil and site properties or can be the result of dynamic soil properties that are influenced by management, good or bad.  Two major classifications of soil organisms are aerobic and anaerobic, which deal with electron flow in the metabolic processes in the presence or absence of oxygen.

Several site and soil properties are major attributes in the suitability, in terms of survival and growth rates, of soil for various organisms.  On a broad scale, trends in temperature (heat) and precipitation (water) govern the rates of respiration since biologic processes are temperature dependent and soil organisms exist in films of water.  The organic matter content of the soil is always a major factor in microbial populations since they are typically saprophytic.  The pore space in the soil influences water and gas movement as well as the volume for organisms to occupy and the tortuosity of paths through which they may move.  The water content of the soil is important as when too much water is present anaerobic processes begin and when too little is present the organisms may go dormant.  Osmotic conditions are also important, as are the presence of toxic materials or the absence of required elements.

References

Blanco-Canqui, H., M.M. Mikha, D.R. Presley, and M.M. Claassen. 2011. Addition of cover crops enhances no-till potential for improving soil physical properties. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 75:14711482. doi:10.2136/ sssaj2010.0430 

Carr, B. 2015. Winter Cover Crop Species Adapted to North-Central West Texas and Southwestern Oklahoma. USDA-NRCS James E. Bud Smith Plant Material Center. Knox City, TX. June 2015. 8p. ID# 12635. 

Duiker, 2014. Effects of Soil Compaction. Penn State Extension. 

Fernandez-Calvino, D., E. Baath. 2010.  Growth response of the bacterial community to pH in soils differing in pH. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 73 (2010) 149156

Fierer, N., and R.B. Jackson. 2006. The diversity and biogeography of soil bacterial communities. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 103:626-631. 

Hooper D. U., Bignell D. E., Brown V. K., Brussaard, L. 2000. ""Interactions between aboveground and belowground biodiversity in terrestrial ecosystems: Patterns, mechanisms, and feedbacks."" Bioscience 50 (12):1049-1061. 

Kemper W. D., and E.J. Koch. 1966. Aggregate stability of soils from western United States and Canada. Technical Bulletin No. 1355. United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. U S Government Printing Office Washington, DC. pp 52. 

Kieft, T.L., Soroker, ED., and M. Firestone. Microbial Biomass response to rapid increase in water potential when dry soil is wetted. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Soil &of. Biochem. Vol. 19. No. 2, pp. I 19-I 26, 1987 

Lauber, C.L., M. Hamady, R. Knight, and N. Fierer. 2009. Pyrosequencing-based assessment of soil pH as a predictor of soil bacterial community structure at the continental scale. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 75:5111-5120. 

Olson, Kenneth, Ebelhar S. E., and James M. Lang. 2014. ""Long-Term Effects of Cover Crops on Crop Yields, Soil Organic Carbon Stocks and Sequestration."" Open Journal of Soil Science Vol.04No.08:9. doi: 10.4236/ojss.2014.48030. 

Owojori, O. J., A. J. Reinecke, P. Voua-Otomo, and S. A. Reinecke. 2009. ""Comparative study of the effects of salinity on life-cycle parameters of four soil-dwelling species (Folsomia candida, Enchytraeus doerjesi, Eisenia fetida and Aporrectodea caliginosa)."" Pedobiologia 52 (6):351-360. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedobi.2008.12.002. 
Porazinska D. L., Bardgett R.D., Blaauw M.B., Hunt W.H., Parsons A.N., Seastedt T.R., and Wall, D.H. 2003. Relationships at the Aboveground-belowground interface: Plants, Soil Biota, and Soil Processes. Ecological Monographs 73 (3):377-395. doi: 10.1890/0012-9615(2003)073[0377:RATAIP]2.0.CO;2. 

Soil Interpretation Criteria Group Mighty Mini Microbes Paolucci, Patton, Reisner, Spears, Thomas, Villarreal 

Schenk, H.R., R.B. Jackson. Rooting depths, lateral root spreads and below-ground/above-ground allometries of plants in water-limited ecosystems. Journal of Ecology. Volume 90, Issue 3. June 2002. Pages 480494 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. National soil survey handbook, title 430-VI. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2008. Soil Quality Indicators. USDA-NRCS Publication. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2014. Soil Quality Kit - Guide for Educators. Bulk Density, Moisture, Aeration. USDA-NRCS Publication.

Criteria

1.  The pH of the soil at 30cm is used as an indicator of how conducive the soil is to the growth of soil organisms.  Soil solution pH impacts several processes in soil.  The solubility of potentially toxic elements in soils is pH dependent and may impact the vigor and diversity of microbial populations.

Property used:  WTD_AVG PH 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION 
Interpretive thresholds:
              limiting to the growth of soil organisms            pH <5.0	 
              not limiting to the growth of soil organisms      pH 5.0-8.0
              limiting to the growth of soil organisms            pH >8.0	
	
	Null pH is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.

2.  Mean annual air temperature  While soil temperature is the best metric for assessing the amount of heat available for the growth of soil organisms, mean annual air temperature is used as a proxy.  It is understood that the mean annual soil temperature will be several degrees higher.  Also, it is understood that the temperature that the organisms are dealing with may be much higher or lower than the mean.

Property used:  MEAN ANNUAL AIR TEMPERATURE
Interpretive thresholds:
	limited		MAAT less than 1C or greater than 50C 
	somewhat limited     MAAT between 0 and 15 or MAAT between 24 and 50C
	not limited	MAAT between 15 and 24C
	
	Null mean annual air temperature is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.

3.  Moisture relations  The spatial and temporal distribution of water in soil is governed mainly by three relationships.  One relationship is the basic difference between the amount of precipitation and potential evapotranspiration a soil experiences.  More precipitation is needed for soil organisms to thrive in warmer climates, or, conversely, less precipitation is needed in cooler climates.  Another feature that can influence the water content of soil is the presence of a water table (a zone of saturation) that can either drown organisms if it is too shallow or provide subirrigation if the water is in a depth where the organisms can use it.  Finally, precipitation that a soil does receive must not be allowed to rapidly move through the soil, but rather be stored.

A.  Property used:  PRECIPITATION MINUS POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION, MM/YEAR
Interpretive thresholds:
              limited to the growth of soil organisms              less than -100mm/yr MAP-PET
              somewhat limited to the growth of soil organisms   -100 to 100 mm/yr MAP-PET
              not limited to the growth of soil organisms                  greater than 100mm/yr MAP-PET
	
	Null MAP or PET is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.

B.  Property used:  WATER TABLE DEPTH, GROWING SEASON

Interpretive thresholds:
          limiting to the growth of soil organisms                     saturated at surface or greater than 200cm
          somewhat limiting to the growth of soil organisms   saturation between 0 and 30cm or 50 to 200cm
          not limiting to the growth of soil organisms              saturation 30 and 50cm
	
	Null water table depth is assigned to the poorly suited class.

C.  Property used:  AWC 0-150cm OR FIRST ROOT RESTRICTIVE LAYER
Interpretive thresholds:
          limiting to the growth of soil organisms                     AWC of 0cm
          somewhat limiting to the growth of soil organisms    AWC between 0 and 30cm 
          not limiting to the growth of soil organisms               AWC greater 300cm
	
	Null AWC is assigned to the not rated class.

4.  Electrical conductivity  The electrical conductivity of soil is a measure of the amount of cations available in soil solution.  These cations are present in the soil solution.  In regions that receive less precipitation than evapotranspiration, these ions can accumulate to the point where they saturate the exchange complex and become concentrated enough to seriously impact the osmotic relations of organisms.  In highly leached systems, the concentration of basic cations mat be too low to support thriving populations of soil organisms.

Property used:  BULK EC 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Interpretive thresholds:
     limiting                    EC less than 0.3 or greater than 10 dS/m 
     somewhat limiting   EC between 0.3 and 0.75 or between 1.5 and 10 dS/m
     not limiting              EC between 0.75 and 1.5 dS/m
	
	Null EC is assigned to the not rated class.

5.  Aluminum saturation  In highly acidic soils, aluminum species can become the dominant cation in soil solution.  In high concentrations, aluminum can be toxic to soil microorganisms.  Aluminum can become the dominant cation on the exchange complex and can even come to saturate the CEC of some soils.

Property used:  ALUMINIUM SATURATION WTD AVE TO 30CM

Interpretive thresholds:
      limiting                       Aluminum saturation above 100 percent
      somewhat limiting     Aluminum saturation between 2 and 100 percent
      not limiting                Aluminum saturation less than 2 percent
	
	Null aluminum saturation is assigned to the not rated class.

6.  Organic matter  Organic matter in the soil acts as an energy source for many organisms.  

Property used:  WTD_AVG OM 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION
Interpretive thresholds:
      limiting                    Organic matter content less than 0.3 percent
      somewhat limiting   Organic matter content between 0.3 and 3.0
      not limiting              Organic matter content greater than 3.0 percent
	
	Null organic matter is assigned to the not rated class.

7.  Bulk density  The bulk density of a soil provides information about the macropore space and the strength of the soil.  Since organisms live and gases and water flow through the macropores, they are a significant attribute of soil.  However, just the number for bulk density is not very informative, since the soil texture and the density of the soil particles are also factors in identifying an optimal soil density for biologic components.  A sandy soil having a bulk density of 1.4 g/cm3 might not be limited but a clayey soil of the same density will be.  In order to obtain a meaningful metric, an ideal bulk density is calculated for the soil sand, silt, clay, and organic matter content, then this is compared to the observed bulk density.  Just the difference is not entirely informative, because the change in density between ideal and limiting changes for each texture.  In other words, a 0.15 g/cm3 increase in the density of a clayey soil may be more problematic that a similar increase in a sandy soil.

Property used:  BULK DENSITY RATIO MAXIMUM 0 TO 30CM
Interpretive thresholds:
      limiting                    Density ratio greater than 1.0
      somewhat limiting   Density ratio greater between  0 and 1.0
      not limiting              Density ratio less than 0
	
	Null density ration is assigned to the not rated class.

8.  Clay content  Clay sized particles in soil provide surface area for organisms to live on.  

Property used:  WTD_AVG CLAY CONTENT 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION
Interpretive thresholds:
     limiting                       Clay content less than 30 percent
     somewhat limiting      Clay content between 30 and 40 percent
     not limiting                 Clay content greater than 40 percent
	
	Null density ration is assigned to the not rated class."|Yes|05/24/2021 20:07:32|"70154"|"90078"|"8632143"
"SOH - Organic Matter Depletion"|"limitation"|"SOH - Soil Health

SOH - Soil Susceptibility to Organic Matter Depletion


A fertile and healthy soil is the basis for healthy plants, animals, and humans.  Soil organic matter is the very foundation for healthy and productive soils. Understanding the role of organic matter in maintaining a healthy soil is essential for developing ecologically sound agricultural practices.   Perhaps just as important is identifying areas at greater risk of depleting that organic matter.  The accumulation of organic matter in soil is the result of the processes that synthesize organic matter being able to generally out-produce the processes that destroy organic matter.  These processes act on continental and local scales.  Continental factors include the mean annual temperature which ultimately governs the rates of biological processes, both synthesizing and destroying organic matter. Another continental scale factor is the amount of moisture generally available for plants and soil microbes to use.  This is governed by the amount of rainfall an area receives in relation to the potential evapotranspiration.

These continental scale factors are modified by local factors that influence organic matter accumulation or destruction.  Oxygen is needed for both processes.  Oxygen can be excluded from the soil by seasonal saturation, which generally favors the accumulation processes.  The antecedent organic matter content is used as an indicator of the level of vulnerability of the soil to loss of organic matter.  Well aerated soils, all other things being equal, tend to promote higher oxidation rates but may still accumulate organic matter depending on the other factors, ground cover, and management.  The amount of clay-sized particles in the soil influences the protection of organic compounds and so tends to favor accumulation.  The shape of the land surface also influences the organic matter content of soils.  Concave areas tend to accumulate water and sediment while convex areas are material spreading.

Criteria

1. Organic matter loss sensitivity - is an index of the antecedent soil organic matter content.  The current organic matter content give some indication of the ability of a soil and landscape to accumulate organic matter.

Property evaluated:  ORGANIC MATTER PERCENT 0-20 CM

Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 0.5 percent
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 0.5 to =< 6.0 percent
		Not limiting	> 6.0 percent

Null organic matter is assigned  to the ""Not rated"" class.

2. Mean annual air temperature - mean annual air temperature gives an indication of the amount of heat available to drive biological processes and so acts as a proxy for oxidation rate.  

Property evaluated:  MEAN ANNUAL AIR TEMPERATURE

Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 20 degrees C
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 3 to =< 20 degrees C
		Not limiting	<3 degrees C

Null mean annual air temperature  is assigned  to the ""Not rated"" class.

References

Owens P,  Winzeler E, Libohova Z, Waltman S, Miller D, and Waltman B. Evaluating U.S. Soil Taxonomy Soil Climate Regimes: Application Across Scales. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_053084.pdf. Accessed 1 March 2018.
Page-Dumrose, Deborah S.  1993. Susceptibility of Volcanic Ash Influenced Soils in Northern Idaho to Mechanical Compaction. U.S. Forest Service Intermountain Research Station.  Research Note INT-409.

Pimentel, D. 2006. Soil erosion: A food and environmental threat. Environment, Development and Sustainability 8:119-137.

Schmidt, M. W. I., Torn, M. S., Abiven, S., Dittmar, T., Guggenberger, G., Janssens, I. A.,  Trumbore, S. E. (2011). Persistence of soil organic matter as an ecosystem property. Nature, 478, 49. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature10386.

Schmitt, A., & Glaser, B. (2011). Organic matter dynamics in a temperate forest as influenced by soil frost. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 174(5), 754764. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.201100009.

Soil Survey Staff. 2014. Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 12th ed. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington, DC.  https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/class/taxonomy/?cid=nrcs142p2_053580.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. Predicting Soil Erosion by Water: A Guide to Conservation Planning with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), Agriculture Handbook 703. https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/64080530/rusle/ah_703.pdf.
 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. National Soil Survey Handbook, Title 430-VI. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=nrcs142p2_054242 (accessed 1 March 2018).

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service (1961). Land Capability Classification. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs142p2_052290.pdf. (accessed 1 March 2018).

Zhanyu Zhang, Liting Sheng, Jie Yang, Xiao-An Chen, Lili Kong and Bakhtawar Wagan. Effects of Land Use and Slope Gradient on Soil Erosion in a Red Soil Hilly Watershed of Southern China. Sustainability 2015, 7, 14309-14325; doi:10.3390/su71014309"|Yes|11/07/2022 17:35:48|"62834"|"90078"|"8632144"
"SOH - Soil Surface Sealing"|"limitation"|"SOH - Soil Health

SOH - Soil Susceptibility to Surface Sealing

Surface sealing is the orientation and packing of dispersed soil particles that result from the physical breakup of soil aggregates due to raindrop impact. Rapid soil wetting (in dry soils) and high exchangeable sodium percent can also cause aggregates to disperse. Sealing results when clay and silt particles get detached and/or dispersed and become suspended in the infiltrating water, which is moving downward through surface-connected pores. The pores become clogged with the fine particles, which become closely packed, creating a surface seal. Surface sealing is the initial process in the formation of a mineral crust (Awadhwal and Thierstein, 1985). A soil crust is a broader term for a surface feature that is dense, hard, or restricts infiltration and can be biological or mineral. A seal is a more specific term referring to a surface layer that inhibits infiltration (Heil, 1993). Surface seals decrease infiltration rates, reduce the amount of available water to plants, diminish natural recharge of aquifers, increase runoff, and decrease crop yields (Assouline, 2011). Surface sealing has also been shown to be the primary cause of post-fire runoff and erosion (Larsen et al., 2007).

The intensity and energy of rainfall is an important factor affecting the susceptibility of a soil to form a seal (Moncada et al., 2014). Under most conditions and given enough time, most non-swelling bare soils (soils with low shrink-swell capacity) will become impermeable to water because of clogging of surface pores (Heil, 1993). In swelling soils (soils with high shrink-swell capacity), the formation of surface seals occurs in the zone between the cracks (until the cracks close) and infiltration is thus limited to the vicinity of the crack (Wells et al., 2003). Plant and mulch cover can shield the soil from raindrop impact and so reduce or eliminate sealing in otherwise susceptible soils. Soil management practices that increase organic matter combined with the use of plant or residue cover for protection help control the formation of surface seals in most soils. Because tillage disrupts soil structure and aggregates, it accelerates the formation of seals. Management that minimizes soil disturbances and protects the soil from raindrop impact greatly increases infiltration and reduces runoff.

The interpretation 'Soil Susceptibility to Surface Sealing' is national in scope. The interpretation is only applicable to conditions or times of the year when any portion of the soil surface is exposed to the impact of raindrops and the amount of rain or sprinkler irrigation is significant.  Soils that do not have vegetative, canopy, residue, litter, or duff cover on the surface are the most vulnerable to surface sealing.

Interpretation Summary

Soils are rated based on the degree of susceptibility to surface sealing using a membership function (or degree of membership). Soils can be a non-member, partial member, or complete member of the set of soils that are susceptible to surface sealing. If a soil's property within the surface layer has a membership value greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting and contributes to the soils susceptibility to surface sealing. The interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership value for one or more of the soil interpretive properties that comprise the interpretive rule 'Soil Susceptibility to Surface Sealing'. Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating values. These are low susceptibility (rating value = 0), moderate susceptibility (rating value > 0 and < 1), and high susceptibility (rating value = 1).

Evaluation Criteria

The interpretive rating is based on the most limiting of four soil properties/indices: exchangeable sodium percentage, organic matter to clay ratio, clay dispersion ratio, and silt/soil crusting index.

1. Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP).--Too much exchangeable sodium in the surface layer can cause soil particles to disperse. When the water quality is high, such as in rain or snow water, an ESP of 5 can be detrimental to the physical condition of soils (Shainberg and Letey, 1984).

A property (a program with coded instructions; the first part of an interpretation) is used to extract soil properties from the database. The following are calculations and decisions that were applied in the coded instructions:   
-    If ESP is null, then ESP is calculated from the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) based on established relationship and equations in U.S. Salinity Laboratory Staff (1954), Soil Survey Staff (2011), and McBride (1994).
-    If the electrical conductivity (EC) is sufficient to maintain the concentration of salt in the percolating solution above the level where particle dispersion occurs, the rate of water flow through the soil can be maintained at acceptable levels. It is assumed that in surface layers with an EC  8 dS/m (of saturated paste) particle dispersion is not likely to occur and not form a surface seal (very conservative assumption). 
-    According to van der Watt and Valentin (1992) textures most prone to crusting consist of approximately 90% sand and 10% silt and clay. It is probable that in extremely sandy soils the amount of clay, once dispersed, is not sufficient to clog the conducting pores at the soil surface (van der Watt and Valentin, 1992). Therefore, if the amount of silt-sized particles is < 5% and the clay content is < 5% or (clay + silt < 10% and clay < 5%), the soil is unlikely to seal.
 
An evaluation is applied to the data returned from the property (program with coded instructions). The evaluation assesses the ESP for its relative impact on the susceptibility to surface sealing. Data are standardized on a scale from 0 to 1, where 0 means low susceptibility and 1 means high susceptibility. Numbers in between represent the degree of susceptibility to surface sealing. The rating classes are defined in a rule that combines results of the ESP, slope, and fragment cover evaluations.

     Property used: SURFACE SEALING - EXCHANGEABLE SODIUM (Modality - representative value)
			
     Exchangeable sodium percent limits:
          Low susceptibility	     <= 1.5%
          Moderate susceptibility      > 1.5% to < 5%
          High susceptibility              >= 5%
		
     Null exchangeable sodium is assigned zero.

    a. Slope:  The limitation of the ESP is reduced based on slope (gradient). Surface sealing intensity is inversely proportional to slope (Poesen, 1984). For heavy vertical rainfall, rainfall intensity and its impact force decreases as the gradient or slope increases (Valentin, 1989). On steep slopes, runoff velocity is sufficient to carry away detach particles, thus reducing the susceptibility to surface sealing.
 
          Slope limits:
               No reduction in susceptibility                   <= 9%
               Increasing reduction in susceptibility      > 9% to < 45%
               Complete reduction in surface sealing    >= 45%

          Null slopes are rated by default as 1.0.

     b. Fragment Cover:  The limitation of the ESP is reduced based on the percent fragment cover. Fragment cover reduces the surface sealing potential. The greater the fragment cover the greater the reduction in surface sealing. Coarse fragments protect the soil surface from raindrop impact (in the same way as mulch). Reduction in raindrop impact decreases the likelihood of aggregate breakdown and thus the potential for surface sealing (van der Watt and Valentin, 1992).

A property (a program with coded instructions; the first part of an interpretation) is used to extract soil properties from the database. The following are calculations and decisions that were applied in the coded instructions:  
-    If surface fragment cover is null, it is calculated from surface fragments in the fragment table or from rock fragments and sieves in the horizon table (in the database).

          Fragment cover limits:
               No reduction in susceptibility                   <= 15%
               Increasing reduction in susceptibility      > 15% to < 80%
               Complete reduction in surface sealing    >= 80%

         Null surface fragments are rated by default as 1.0.

2. Organic matter to clay ratio (organic matter/total clay x 100).--The soil organic matter to clay ratio decreases with decreasing soil structural stability. An organic matter to clay ratio > 7% is considered to have a favorable influence on soil structural stability (Valentin, 1989). Soils with good structural stability are less likely to form surface seals. A soil organic carbon to clay ratio of 1:10 (organic carbon x 1.72/10 x 100 = 17.2%) was considered the limit between good and medium structural quality by Johannes et al. (2017).

A property (a program with coded instructions; the first part of an interpretation) is used to extract soil properties from the database. The following are calculations and decisions that were applied in the coded instructions:  
-    The organic matter to clay ratio (Valentin, 1989) is calculated for the surface layer.
-    Surface soils with > 20% organic matter (organic soils) are considered non-limiting or not likely to form surface seals.
-    Soils with EC > 4 dS/m are generally flocculated and are considered not likely to form surface seals. 
-    Water-dispersible clay (WDC) for soils with gypsum is considered non-limiting. If gypsum >= 1%, the soil is considered not likely to seal. 
-    According to van der Watt and Valentin (1992) textures most prone to crusting consist of approximately 90% sand and 10% silt and clay. It is probable that in extremely sandy soils the amount of clay, once dispersed, is not sufficient to clog the conducting pores at the soil surface (van der Watt and Valentin, 1992). Therefore, if the amount of silt-sized particles is < 5% and the clay content is < 5% or (clay + silt < 10% and clay < 5%), the soil is unlikely to seal.

An evaluation is applied to the data returned from the property (program with coded instructions). It assesses the clay dispersion ratio for its relative impact on the susceptibility to surface sealing. Data are standardized on a scale from 0 to 1, where 0 means low susceptibility and 1 means high susceptibility. Numbers in between represent the degree of susceptibility to surface sealing. The rating classes are defined in a rule that combines the organic matter to clay ratio, slope, and fragment cover evaluations.

     Property used: SURFACE SEALING - ORGANIC MATTER CLAY RATIO (Modality - representative value)
			
     Organic matter to clay ratio limits:
          Low susceptibility	     >= 17%
          Moderate susceptibility      > 7% to < 17%
          High susceptibility              <= 7%
		
     Null organic matter to clay ratio is assigned null.

     a. Slope:  The limitation of the organic matter to clay ratio is reduced based on slope (see 1a).

          Slope limits:
               No reduction in susceptibility                   <= 9%
               Increasing reduction in susceptibility      > 9% to < 45%
               Complete reduction in surface sealing    >= 45%

     b. Fragment Cover:  The limitation of the organic matter to clay ratio is reduced based on the percent fragment cover (see 2b).

          Fragment cover limits:
               No reduction in susceptibility                   <= 15%
               Increasing reduction in susceptibility      > 15% to < 80%
               Complete reduction in surface sealing    >= 80%

3. Clay dispersion ratio (water dispersible clay/total clay).--Water dispersible clays are soil particles < 2 microns that can be easily dispersed in soil water (Soil Survey Staff, 2011). The propensity of the clay fraction to disperse in water affects surface sealing and crust formation and thus erodibility (Brubaker et al., 1992). The clay dispersion ratio was found to be a good index for predicting the erodibility of soils of southeastern Nigeria (Igwe, 2005). The dispersion ratio (silt + clay in suspension/[total silt + clay]) was shown to be the single most valuable criterion in distinguishing between erosive and nonerosive soils (Middleton, 1930). It was suggested that a dispersion ratio of less than 0.15 can be considered nonerosive, indicating that the soil infiltration is adequate to prevent erosion and thus, surface sealing.

A property (a program with coded instructions; the first part of an interpretation) is used to extract soil properties from the database. The following are calculations and decisions that were applied in the coded instructions:  
-    Clays with lower charge densities are nearly twice as dispersible as those with higher charge densities (Brubaker et al., 1992). Different equations for predicting water dispersible clay (and thus clay dispersion) were used based on the charge density of the clay (Brubaker et al., 1992). 
-    If the OM content was > 9%, clay dispersion was not evaluated (limit of the calibration datasets in Brubaker et al., 1992). 
-    The organic matter to clay ratio takes precedence over the clay dispersion ratio. Clay dispersion is not evaluated for organic matter to clay ratios > 0.17 where the organic matter content is > 2.5% (minimum range of the dataset that determined the 0.17 limit). These soils have been shown to have very good structure by Johannes et al. (2017) and are not likely to form a surface seal. 
-    For soils with high carbonates, an equation was developed from the soil characterization database predicting water dispersible clays on soils where CaCO3 content was >= 10 (with minimal EC and no gypsum was present). 
-    The contribution of poorly crystalline Fe oxides in forming stable aggregates equals or exceeds that of organic carbon (OC) in soils with low organic matter contents (Duiker et al., 2014). An equation for predicting water-dispersible clay for soils with large amounts of Fe and Al oxides was developed from the characterization database where oxalate extractable Fe content was > 2%. 
-    According to van der Watt and Valentin (1992) textures most prone to crusting consist of approximately 90% sand and 10% silt and clay. It is probable that in extremely sandy soils the amount of clay, once dispersed, is not sufficient to clog the conducting pores at the soil surface (van der Watt and Valentin, 1992). Therefore, if the amount of silt-sized particles is < 5% and the clay content is < 5% or (clay + silt < 10% and clay < 5%), the soil is unlikely to seal. 
-    Soils with EC > 4 dS/m are generally flocculated and are considered not likely to seal. 
-    Water-dispersible clay (WDC) for soils with gypsum is non-limiting. If gypsum >= 1%, the soil is considered not likely to seal.
 
An evaluation is applied to the data returned from the property (program with coded instructions). It assesses the clay dispersion ratio for its relative impact on the susceptibility to surface sealing. Data are standardized on a scale from 0 to 1, where 0 means low susceptibility and 1 means high susceptibility. Numbers in between represent the degree of susceptibility to surface sealing. The rating classes are described in the rule that combines the clay dispersion ratio, slope, and fragment cover evaluations. 
			
     Clay dispersion ratio limits:
          Low susceptibility	     <= 0.15
          Moderate susceptibility      > 0.15 to < 0.5
          High susceptibility              >= 0.5
		
     Null clay dispersion ratio is assigned null.

     a. Slope:  The limitation of the clay dispersion ratio is reduced based on slope (see 1a).

          Slope limits:
               No reduction in susceptibility                   <= 9%
               Increasing reduction in susceptibility      > 9% to < 45%
               Complete reduction in surface sealing    >= 45%

     b. Fragment Cover:  The limitation of the clay dispersion ratio is reduced based on the percent fragment cover (see 1b).

          Fragment cover limits:
               No reduction in susceptibility                   <= 15%
               Increasing reduction in susceptibility      > 15% to < 80%
               Complete reduction in surface sealing    >= 80%

4. Silt/soil crusting index (silt/[clay + [organic matter x 10]]).--Soils low in clay and organic matter and high in silt are highly prone to sealing and crusting (Moncada et al., 2014). A crusting index < 0.2 indicates no crust formation, and a value > 2 is considered a critical limit for soils that have a high susceptibility to seal and form crusts.

A property (a program with coded instructions; the first part of an interpretation) is used to extract soil properties from the database. The following are calculations and decisions that were applied in the coded instructions:  
-    The silt/crusting index used is described in Moncada et al. (2014). Total silt is used as a proxy for (1.5 x fine silt) + (0.75 x coarse silt) in the index.
-    Soils with > 20% organic matter are not evaluated. Organic soil surface layers are considered non-limiting.  
-    Soils with EC > 4 dS/m are generally flocculated and are considered not likely to seal. 
-    Water-dispersible clay (WDC) for soils with gypsum is non-limiting. If gypsum >= 1%, the soil is considered not likely to seal. 
-    According to van der Watt and Valentin (1992) textures most prone to sealing and crusting consist of approximately 90% sand and 10% silt and clay. It is probable that in extremely sandy soils the amount of clay, once dispersed, is not sufficient to clog the conducting pores at the soil surface (van der Watt and Valentin, 1992). Therefore, if the amount of silt-sized particles is < 5% and the clay content is < 5% or (clay + silt < 10% and clay < 5%), the soil is unlikely to seal.
-    The organic matter to clay ratio takes precedence over the silt/crusting index. The silt/crusting index is not evaluated for organic matter to clay ratios > 0.17 where the organic matter content is > 2.5% (minimum range of the dataset that determined the 0.17 limit). These soils have been shown to have very good structure by Johannes et al. (2017) and are not likely to form a surface seal.

An evaluation is applied to the data returned from the property (program with coded instructions). It assesses the silt/crusting index for its relative impact on the susceptibility to surface sealing. Data are standardized on a scale from 0 to 1, where 0 means low susceptibility and 1 means high susceptibility. Numbers in between represent the degree of susceptibility to surface sealing. The rating classes are described in the rule that combines the silt/soil crusting index, slope, and fragment cover evaluations.

     Property used: SURFACE SEALING - CRUSTING INDEX (Modality - representative value)
			
     Crusting index limits:
          Low susceptibility	     <= 0.2
          Moderate susceptibility      > 0.2 to < 2.0
          High susceptibility              >= 2.0
		
     A Null crusting index is assigned null.

     a. Slope:  The limitation of the silt/crusting index is reduced based on slope (see 1a).

          Slope limits:
               No reduction in susceptibility                   <= 9%
               Increasing reduction in susceptibility      > 9% to < 45%
               Complete reduction in surface sealing    >= 45%

     b. Fragment Cover:  The limitation of the silt/crusting index is reduced based on the percent fragment cover (see 1b).

          Fragment cover limits:
               No reduction in susceptibility                   <= 15%
               Increasing reduction in susceptibility      > 15% to < 80%
               Complete reduction in surface sealing    >= 80%


References

Assouline, S. 2011. Soil surface sealing and crusting. In: J. Glinski, J. Horabik, and J. Lipiec (eds.) Encyclopedia of agrophysics: Encyclopedia of earth sciences series. Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. pp. 786-791.

Awadhwal, N.K., and G.E. Thierstein. 1985. Soil crust and its impact on crop establishment: A review. Soil and Tillage Research 5:289-302.

Brubaker, S.C., C.S. Holzhey, and B.R. Brasher. 1992. Estimating the water-dispersible clay content of soils. Soil Science Society of America Journal 56:1227-1232. 

Duiker, S.W., F.E. Rhoton, J. Torrent, N.E. Smeck, and R. Lal. 2014. Iron (hydr) oxide crystallinity effects on soil aggregation. Soil Science Society of America Journal 67:606-611.

Heil, J.W. 1993. Soil properties influencing hydraulic sealing of the surface on Alfisols in the Sahel. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

Igwe, C.A. 2005. Erodibility in relation to water-dispersible clay for some soils of eastern Nigeria. Land Degradation and Development 16:87-96.

Johannes, A., A. Matter, R. Schulin, T. Weisskopf, P.C. Baveye, and P. Boivin. 2017. Optimal organic carbon values for soil structure quality of arable soils. Does clay content matter? Geoderma 302:14-21.

Larsen, I.J., L.H. MacDonald, E. Brown, D. Rough, M.J. Welsh, J.H. Pietraszek, Z. Libohova, J. de Dios Benavides-Sororio, and K. Schaffrath. 2007. Causes of post-fire runoff and erosion: Water repellency, cover, or soil sealing? Soil Science Society of America Journal 73:1393-1407. 

McBride, M.B. 1994. Environmental chemistry of soils. Oxford University Press, New York, NY.

Middleton, H.E. 1930. Properties of soils which influence soil erosion. Technical Bulletin No. 178. USDA, Washington, DC.

Moncada, M.P., D. Gabriels, D. Lobo, K. De Beuf, R. Figueroa, and W.M. Cornelis. 2014. A comparison of methods to assess susceptibility to soil sealing. Geoderma 226-227:397-404.

Poesen, J. 1984. The influence of slope angle on infiltration rate and Hortonian overland flow. Geomorphology 49:117-131.

Shainberg, I., and J. Letey. 1984. Response of soils to sodic and saline conditions. University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Hilgardia 52(2):1-57.

Soil Survey Staff. 2011. Soil survey laboratory information manual. Soil Survey Investigations Report No. 45, Version 2.0. R. Burt (ed.). USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

U.S. Salinity Laboratory Staff. 1954. Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils. Agriculture Handbook No. 60. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.

Valentin, C. 1989. Surface crusting, runoff, and erosion on steeplands and coarse material. The Establishment of Soil Management Experiments on Sloping Lands, IBSRAM Technical Notes (ir3), Bangkok.

van der Watt, H.v.H., and C. Valentin. 1992. Soil crusting: The African view. In: M.E. Sumner and B.A. Stewart (eds.) Soil crusting: Chemical and physical processes. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL. pp. 301-338.

Wells, R.R., D.A. DiCarlo, T.S. Steenhuis, J.-Y. Parlange, M.J.M. Romkens, and S.N. Prasad. 2003. Infiltration and surface geometry features of a swelling soil following successive simulated rainstorms. Soil Science Society of America Journal 67:1344-1351."|Yes|08/28/2018 20:03:43|"54647"|"90078"|"8632145"
"SOH - Soil Susceptibility to Compaction"|"limitation"|"SOH - Soil Health

SOH - Soil Susceptibility to Compaction

Soils can be a full member, partial member, or non-member of the set of soils that are susceptible to compaction.  Soils are rated based on their susceptibility to compaction from the operation of ground-based equipment for planting, harvesting, and site preparation activities when soils are moist.  Soil compaction is the process in which soil particles are pressed together more closely that in the original state.  Typically, the soil must be moist to be compacted because the mineral grains must slide together.  Compaction reduces the abundance mostly of large pores in the soil by damaging the structure of the soil.  This produces several effects that are unwanted in agricultural soils since large pores are most effective at transmitting water and air through the soil.  Compaction also increases the soil strength which can limit root penetration and growth.  The ability of soil to hold water is adversely affected by compaction since the large pores hold water.  The degree of compaction of a soil is measured by its bulk density, which is the mass per volume, generally expressed in grams per cubic centimeter.

Compacted soils are less favorable for good plant growth because of high soil bulk density and hardness, reduced pore space, and poor aeration and drainage. Root penetration and growth is decreased in compacted soils because the hardness or strength of these soils prevents the expansion of roots. Supplies of air, water, and nutrients that roots need are also less favorable when compaction decreases soil porosity and drainage.

Interpretation ratings are based on soil properties in the upper 12 inches of the profile.  Factors considered are soil texture, soil organic matter content, soil structure, rock fragment content, and the existing bulk density.  Each of these is thought to contribute to resisting the susceptibility of a soil to compaction when present.  Organic matter in the soil provides resistance to compaction and the resilience to ameliorate the effects with time.  Soil structure adds strength as discrete aggregates and it is the aggregates that are deformed or destroyed by compactive forces, thus strong soil structure lowers the susceptibility to compaction.  Similarly, rock fragments in the soil can bridge and provide a framework to resist compaction.  Finally, if a soil is already fairly dense causing further compaction is more difficult. 

Definitions of the ratings:

Low - The potential for compaction is insignificant.  This soil is able to support standard equipment with minimal compaction. The soil is moisture insensitive, exhibiting only small changes in density with changing moisture content.

Medium - The potential for compaction is significant.  The growth rate of seedlings may be reduced following compaction.  After the initial compaction (i.e., the first equipment pass), this soil is able to support standard equipment with only minimal increases in soil density.  The soil is intermediate between moisture insensitive and moisture sensitive.

High - The potential for compaction is significant.  The growth rate of seedlings will be reduced following compaction.  After initial compaction, this soil is still able to support standard equipment, but will continue to compact with each subsequent pass.  The soil is moisture sensitive, exhibiting large changes in density with changing moisture content.

References:

Adams, P.W.  1998. Soil Compaction on Woodland Properties.  Oregon State University Extension Publication EC 1109.

Adams, P.W.  1981. Compaction of Forest Soils.  Oregon State University Extension Publication PNW 217.

Boyer, Don. 1997. Guidelines for Soil Resource Protection and Restoration for Timber Harvest and Post-Harvest Activities.  U.S Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Watershed Management.

Geist, J.M.; Hazard, J.W.; Seidel, K.W. 1989. Assessing Physical Conditions of Some Pacific Northwest Volcanic Ash Soils After Forest Harvest.  Soil Science Society of America Journal 53:946-950.

Froehlich, Henry A and David H. McNab. 1983. Minimizing Soil Compaction in Pacific Northwest Forests.  Proceedings of Sixth North American Forest Soils Conference, University of Tennessee.

Page-Dumrose, Deborah S.  1993. Susceptibility of Volcanic Ash Influenced Soils in Northern Idaho to Mechanical Compaction. U.S. Forest Service Intermountain Research Station.  Research Note INT-409."|Yes|02/15/2019 17:39:53|"57990"|"90078"|"8632146"
"URB/REC - Camp Areas"|"limitation"|"URB/REC - Urban and Recreational Land Uses

URB/REC - Camp Areas

Summary:

Soil interpretations for recreational development are to be used to guide the user in identifying and evaluating the suitability of the soil for specific recreational purposes.  The soil survey interpretation rating guides are applicable to both heavily and sparsely populated areas, depending upon the objectives of the user.  The ratings are for soils in their present condition and do not consider present land use.  These ratings do not consider location and accessibility of the area, size and shape of the area, scenic quality, the ability of the soil to support vegetation, access to water or potential sites for water impoundment.  Nor do the ratings consider access to public sewers or the capacity of the soil to support localized sanitary facilities such as septic tank adsorption fields or sanitary landfills.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Camp Areas"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Camp Areas"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Camp areas are tracts of land used intensively as sites for tents, trailers, campers, and the accompanying activities of outdoor living.  Camp areas require site preparation such as shaping and leveling in the areas used for tents and parking areas, stabilizing roads and intensively used areas, and installing sanitary facilities and utility lines.  Camp areas are subject to heavy foot traffic and some vehicular traffic.

Many soil survey areas in sparsely populated parts of the country have soil surveys of lower intensity.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.

Scope: National

Soil properties and qualities considered in rating the degree of limitation are those that influence the ease of developing camping areas and the performance of the camping area after development.  Soil properties that influence trafficability and promote the growth of vegetation after heavy use are important.  For tent or remote campsites, the limitations would be less restrictive.

Slope, stoniness, and depth to bedrock or cemented pans are the main concerns in developing camp areas.  However, areas associated with picnic areas may have steep slopes and rough terrain for aesthetic purposes.  For good trafficability, the surface of camp areas should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under heavy foot traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence trafficability are texture of the surface layer, wetness, permeability, and large stones.  The limitations of slow permeability and clayey surface texture are not as severe in dry regions of the country; however, silty soils may be more of a problem because they are dusty.  Soil properties that influence the growth of plants are depth to bedrock or a cemented pan, permeability, and presence of toxic materials.  Soils that are subject to flooding are particularly hazardous for camp areas because of the danger to life and property.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the surface layer if the layer is greater then 25cm thick.
	
	Property used: SURFACE LAYER THICKNESS nssc (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 > 25cm
		Not limiting	<= 25cm

AND

	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 25-180cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pt""
		Not limiting	not = ""pt""
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	2.  Flooding: Soil that floods limit the installation and function for building site applications.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very rare"" or ""rare"" or ""occasional"" or ""frequent"" or ""very frequent""
		Not limiting		= ""none""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Too Stony: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) on the soil surface can interfere with equipment operations and are a nuisance for most landuses.  Soil feature considered is percent of the soil surface covered by rock fragments > 10 inches in size.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON SURFACE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 3.0%
		Somewhat limiting	>=  .1% to <= 3.0%
		Not limiting		 <  .1%
		
	Null surface cover percentage of rock fragments with an rv >=250mm are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 3 inch) in size in soil surface layer are nuisances and may impede maintenance.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 3 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		   > 75%
		Somewhat limiting	 >=  25% to <= 75%
		Not limiting		  <  25%
		
	Null > 3 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	5.  Restricted permeability: The soil horizon with the minimum Ksat governs the rate of water movement through the whole soil.  When this rate is low, transmission of fluids into and through the soil impedes infiltration and percolation of percipitation and may cause water to pond and wet condition to presist for extended periods of time. Soil feature considered is the layer with the minimum saturated hydraulic conductivity within 100cm of the surface and above a restrictive layer.  If the soil is in taxonomic class TOR, UST, or XER SUBORDERS; TOR, UST, or XER GREAT GROUPS; TOR, UST, ARIDIC, or XER SUBGROUPS then the limiting condition is reduced by half.
	
	Property used: KSAT MINIMUM ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (0-100cm) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=< .4 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	 > .4 and < 4 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		=> 4 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	6.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Salinity: Soils with high salinity have reduced available water capacity and may induce salinity toxicity, which restricts vigorous plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the highest value of salinity (electrical conductivity) of the surface layers.
		
	Property used: SALINITY SURFACE LAYER (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 => 8 mmhos/cm
		Somewhat limiting	 => 4 to < 8 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		  < 4 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Too sandy: Soil with sandy surface layer is subject to blowing sand, are hard to re-vegetate, and restricts the soils ability to support multiple use recreational activities.  Soil feature considered are the percent clay in the surface layer and the #4 and 200# sieve sizes.  Sand percentage is calculated using the difference between the #4 and #200 sieve.
	
	Property used: SAND (#4-#200SIEVE) SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		<= 70
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 70 and < 90
		Not limiting		>= 90
		
	Null sieves are assigned to the Not limiting class.

AND 	
	
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 < 15 percent
		Not limiting	>= 15 percent
		
	Null clay percentage in the surface layer is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	10. Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the soils ability to support multiple use recreational activities. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	11. Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the soils ability to support multiple use recreational activities. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	12. Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	13. Gravel content: Gravel (small stones) in the surface layer is a nuisance and may impede maintenance.  Soil feature considered is the surface percent retained on the #10 sieve (100 - #10). This is adjusted for stones by multiplying it times the fraction less than 3"" (1 - (Rock 3-10 + Rock >10)/100).

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 2MM-75mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 50%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 25 to <= 50%
		Not limiting		 < 25%
		
	Null sieve are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	14. Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the potential to restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area. Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest sodium adsorption ratio.
		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 12 
		Not limiting		<= 12 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	15. Too acid: Soils with low pH restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the (pH) of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	 < 3.5
		Not limiting	=> 3.5
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	16. Too clayey: Soil with clayey surface layer has slow intake rates, remain muddy for extended periods and compaction may reduce the growth of grass and ornamental plantings.  Rating is reduced by half if the soil is in taxonomic class SUBORDERS or GREAT GROUPS (TOR, UST, or XER); SUBORDERS (TOR, UST, ARID, XER, or OXI); or ORDERS (OXISOLS).   Soil feature considered is the clay percentage of the surface layer and the taxonomic classification.
	
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 40%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 40% 
						and in TOR, UST, or XER SUBORDERS or
						TOR, UST, or XER GREAT GROUPS or
						TOR, UST, ARID, XER, or OXI SUBORDERS or
						OXISOLS ORDERS 
		Not limiting		=< 40%
		
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.
	Null taxonomic classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	17. Dusty: Soils with silty surface layer and in taxonomic classes ORDERS (ARIDISOLS); SUBORDERS (TOR, UST, Or XER) or GREAT GROUPS (TOR, UST, Or XER) are dusty when dry.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first USDA Texture class of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE SURFACE LAYER NSSC (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting 	""SIL"", ""SI"", ""VFSL"", or ""L""
		Not limiting		all other USDA Textures
		
	Null USDA Texture and Taxonomic class are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	18. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table maybe difficult to reclaim and revegetated.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 43cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 43 to <= 75cm
		Not limiting		 > 75cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"1404"|"90078"|"8632147"
"URB/REC - Off-Road Motorcycle Trails"|"limitation"|"URB/REC - Urban and Recreational Land Uses

URB/REC - Off-Road Motorcycle Trails

Summary:

Soil interpretations for recreational development are to be used to guide the user in identifying and evaluating the suitability of the soil for specific recreational purposes.  The soil survey interpretation rating guides are applicable to both heavily and sparsely populated areas, depending upon the objectives of the user.  The ratings are for soils in their present condition and do not consider present land use.  These ratings do not consider location and accessibility of the area, size and shape of the area, scenic quality, the ability of the soil to support vegetation, access to water or potential sites for water impoundment.  Nor do the ratings consider access to public sewers or the capacity of the soil to support localized sanitary facilities such as septic tank adsorption fields or sanitary landfills.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Off-Road Motorcycle Trails"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Off-Road Motorcycle Trails"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Off-road motorcycle trails are primarily for recreational use.  Trails for other off-road vehicles may have similar criteria.  Little or no preparation is done to the trail, and the surface is not vegetated or surfaced.  Considerable compaction of the soil on the trail is expected.

Many soil survey areas in sparsely populated parts of the country have soil surveys of lower intensity.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.

Scope: National

Soil properties and qualities considered in rating the degree of limitation are those that influence the ease of developing off-road motorcycle trails and the performance of off-road motorcycle trails after development.  Erodibility, revegetation, trafficability, and dustiness are the main concerns in developing paths and trails.  For good trafficability, the surface of a path or trail should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under heavy traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Considerations for desirable off-road challenges are not included.

Soil properties considered are stoniness, slope, wetness, texture of the surface layer, and flooding.  Slope affects the soil erodibility.  Large stones affect the configuration of the trail.  Small stones affect trafficability.  Wetness and flooding affect revegetation and frequency of use.  Surface texture affects erodibility, trafficability, revegetation, and probability of dust.

These soil properties and qualities are.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Water erosion: Soils with high K factors and steep slopes have a tendency to erode and when used for paths and trails.  Water erosion preventative practices are recommended on these soils.  Soil feature considered is the maximum K factor (whole) and slope. 
		
	Property used: EROSION FACTOR FIRST LAYER NOT ORGANIC (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> .35
		Not limiting		 < .35 			
		
	Null K factor whole is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
AND

	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 8%
		Not limiting		 < 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	2.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the surface layer if the layer is greater then 25cm thick.
	
	Property used: SURFACE LAYER THICKNESS nssc (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 > 25cm
		Not limiting	<= 25cm

AND

	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 25-180cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pt""
		Not limiting	not = ""pt""
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	3.  Flooding: Soil that floods have limitation on the recreational use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting	= ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare"" or ""occasional""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Too Stony: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) on the soil surface can interfere with equipment operations and are a nuisance for most landuses.  Soil feature considered is percent of the soil surface covered by rock fragments > 10 inches in size.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON SURFACE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 3.0%
		Somewhat limiting	>=  .1% to <= 3.0%
		Not limiting		 <  .1%
		
	Null surface cover percentage of rock fragments with an rv >=250mm are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 3 inch) in size in soil surface layer are nuisances and may impede maintenance.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 3 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		   > 75%
		Somewhat limiting	 >=  25% to <= 75%
		Not limiting		  <  25%
		
	Null > 3 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	6.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Too sandy: Soil with sandy surface layer is subject to blowing sand, are hard to re-vegetate, and restricts the soils ability to support multiple use recreational activities.  Soil feature considered are the percent clay in the surface layer and the #4 and 200# sieve sizes.  Sand percentage is calculated using the difference between the #4 and #200 sieve.
	
	Property used: SAND (#4-#200SIEVE) SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		<= 70
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 70 and < 90
		Not limiting		>= 90
		
	Null sieves are assigned to the Not limiting class.

AND 	
	
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	         < 15 percent
		Not limiting        >= 15 percent
		
	Null clay percentage in the surface layer is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Slope: Steep slopes impede site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restrict the soils ability to support multiple use recreational activities.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 40%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 25 and < 40%
		Not limiting	=< 25%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	10. Gravel content: Gravel (small stones) in the surface layer may impede trafficability.  Soil feature considered is the surface percent retained on the #10 sieve (100 - #10). This is adjusted for stones by multiplying it times the fraction less than 3"" (1 - (Rock 3-10 + Rock >10)/100).

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 2MM-75mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 65%
		Not limiting	<= 65%
		
	Null sieve are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	11. Too clayey: Soil with clayey surface layer has slow intake rates, remain muddy for extended periods and compaction may reduce the growth of grass and ornamental plantings.  Rating is reduced by half if the soil is in taxonomic class SUBORDERS or GREAT GROUPS (TOR, UST, or XER); SUBORDERS (TOR, UST, ARID, XER, or OXI); or ORDERS (OXISOLS).   Soil feature considered is the clay percentage of the surface layer and the taxonomic classification.
	
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 40%
		Somewhat limiting	 < 40% 
						and in TOR, UST, or XER SUBORDERS or
						TOR, UST, or XER GREAT GROUPS or
						TOR, UST, ARID, XER, or OXI SUBORDERS or
						OXISOLS ORDERS 
		Not limiting		=< 40%
		
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.
	Null taxonomic classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	12. Dusty: Soils with silty surface layer and in taxonomic classes ORDERS (ARIDISOLS); SUBORDERS (TOR, UST, Or XER) or GREAT GROUPS (TOR, UST, Or XER) are dusty when dry.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first USDA Texture class of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE SURFACE LAYER NSSC (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting 	""SIL"", ""SI"", ""VFSL"", or ""L""
		Not limiting		all other USDA Textures
		
	Null USDA Texture and Taxonomic class are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	13. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 30cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 30 to < 60cm
		Not limiting	=> 60cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

14.  Dust - Dustiness is a concern for human health as well as aesthetic reasons.  Dust generation from roads is a significant source of inhalable particulate matter.  Two dust particle sizes are recognized: PM10 and PM2.5, relating to particles of aerodynamic diameters of 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively.  The capacity of soils to produce dust particles has been found by Carvacho et al (2004) to be directly related to the clay or silt content of the soil.  Thus, the PM10 or PM2.5 generation capacity of a soil is inversely proportional to its sand content.  Gypsum is also related to dustiness because the soft crystals are relatively easily crushed to silt and clay size particles which can then be picked up by air.

Other major variables in dust generation are moisture content, vehicle size, and the amount of traffic on the trail.

The ""Dryness Index"" accounts for the moisture content of the surface.  In a dry, hot environment, the generation of dust is greater than in a cool, moist environment.  Thus dust generation is directly proportional to temperature and inversely proportional to rainfall.

An array of materials is available for overcoming dust limitations (Gebhart et al, 1999).


Property used:  WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, NO O

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 70 percent sand
					Somewhat limiting	 20-70 percent sand
					Not limiting		 <=20 percent sand
					
					
					
Property used:  WTD_AVG GYPSUM 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 15 percent gypsum
					Somewhat limiting	 2-15 percent gypsum
					Not limiting		 <=2 percent gypsum
					
					
Property used:  DRYNESS INDEX

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 5  
					Somewhat limiting	 0.3-5  
					Not limiting		 <=0.3
					
					
					The Dryness Index is 100(mean annual air temperature)/(mean annual precipitation)  
					
									


References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"10018"|"90078"|"8632148"
"URB/REC - Paths and Trails"|"limitation"|"URB/REC - Urban and Recreational Land Uses

URB/REC - Paths and Trails

Summary:

Soil interpretations for recreational development are to be used to guide the user in identifying and evaluating the suitability of the soil for specific recreational purposes.  The soil survey interpretation rating guides are applicable to both heavily and sparsely populated areas, depending upon the objectives of the user.  The ratings are for soils in their present condition and do not consider present land use.  These ratings do not consider location and accessibility of the area, size and shape of the area, scenic quality, the ability of the soil to support vegetation, access to water or potential sites for water impoundment.  Nor do the ratings consider access to public sewers or the capacity of the soil to support localized sanitary facilities such as septic tank adsorption fields or sanitary landfills.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Paths and Trails "".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Paths and Trails "" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Paths and trails ratings apply to walking, horseback riding, and similar uses that require little or no cutting or filling.  The soils are rated based on the properties and qualities that influence trafficability and erodibility.

Many soil survey areas in sparsely populated parts of the country have soil surveys of lower intensity.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.

Scope: National

Soil properties and qualities considered in rating the degree of limitation are those that influence the ease of developing paths and trails and the performance of paths and trails after development.  Stoniness, wetness, texture of the surface layer, slope, flooding, erodibility, and, in dry regions, dustiness are the main concerns in developing paths and trails.  For good trafficability, the surface of a path or trail should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under heavy foot traffic, and not be dusty when dry.

These soil properties and qualities are.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Water erosion: Soils with high K factors and steep slopes have a tendency to erode and when used for paths and trails.  Water erosion preventative practices are recommended on these soils.  Soil feature considered is the maximum K factor (whole) and slope. 
		
	Property used: EROSION FACTOR FIRST LAYER NOT ORGANIC (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> .35
		Not limiting		 < .35 			
		
	Null K factor whole is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
AND

	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 8%
		Not limiting		 < 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	2.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the surface layer if the layer is greater then 25cm thick.
	
	Property used: SURFACE LAYER THICKNESS nssc (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 > 25cm
		Not limiting	<= 25cm

AND

	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 25-180cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pt""
		Not limiting	not = ""pt""
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	3.  Flooding: Soil that floods have limitation on the recreational use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting	= ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare"" or ""occasional""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Too Stony: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) on the soil surface can interfere with equipment operations and are a nuisance for most landuses.  Soil feature considered is percent of the soil surface covered by rock fragments > 10 inches in size.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON SURFACE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 3.0%
		Somewhat limiting	>=  .1% to <= 3.0%
		Not limiting		 <  .1%
		
	Null surface cover percentage of rock fragments with an rv >=250mm are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 3 inch) in size in soil surface layer are nuisances and may impede maintenance.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 3 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		   > 75%
		Somewhat limiting	 >=  25% to <= 75%
		Not limiting		  <  25%
		
	Null > 3 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	6.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Too sandy: Soil with sandy surface layer is subject to blowing sand, are hard to re-vegetate, and restricts the soils ability to support multiple use recreational activities.  Soil feature considered are the percent clay in the surface layer and the #4 and 200# sieve sizes.  Sand percentage is calculated using the difference between the #4 and #200 sieve.
	
	Property used: SAND (#4-#200SIEVE) SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		<= 70
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 70 and < 90
		Not limiting		>= 90
		
	Null sieves are assigned to the Not limiting class.

AND 	
	
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 < 15cm
		Not limiting	>= 15cm
		
	Null clay percentage in the surface layer is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Slope: Steep slopes impede site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restrict the soils ability to support multiple use recreational activities.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 25%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 15 and < 25%
		Not limiting		=< 15%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	10. Gravel content: Gravel (small stones) in the surface layer may impede trafficability.  Soil feature considered is the surface percent retained on the #10 sieve (100 - #10). This is adjusted for stones by multiplying it times the fraction less than 3"" (1 - (Rock 3-10 + Rock >10)/100).

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 2MM-75mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 65%
		Not limiting		<= 65%
		
	Null sieve are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	11. Too clayey: Soil with clayey surface layer has slow intake rates, remain muddy for extended periods and compaction may reduce the growth of grass and ornamental plantings.  Rating is reduced by half if the soil is in taxonomic class SUBORDERS or GREAT GROUPS (TOR, UST, or XER); SUBORDERS (TOR, UST, ARID, XER, or OXI); or ORDERS (OXISOLS).   Soil feature considered is the clay percentage of the surface layer and the taxonomic classification.
	
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 40%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 40% 
						and in TOR, UST, or XER SUBORDERS or
						TOR, UST, or XER GREAT GROUPS or
						TOR, UST, ARID, XER, or OXI SUBORDERS or
						OXISOLS ORDERS 
		Not limiting		=< 40%
		
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.
	Null taxonomic classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	12. Dusty: Dustiness is a concern for human health as well as aesthetic reasons.  Dust generation from roads is a significant source of inhalable particulate matter.  Two dust particle sizes are recognized: PM10 and PM2.5, relating to particles of aerodynamic diameters of 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively.  The capacity of soils to produce dust particles has been found by Carvacho et al (2004) to be directly related to the clay or silt content of the soil.  Thus, the PM10 or PM2.5 generation capacity of a soil is inversely proportional to its sand content.  Gypsum is also related to dustiness because the soft crystals are relatively easily crushed to silt and clay size particles which can then be picked up by air.

Other major variables in dust generation are moisture content, vehicle size, and the amount of traffic on the road.

The ""Dryness Index"" accounts for the moisture content of the surface.  In a dry, hot environment, the generation of dust is greater than in a cool, moist environment.  Thus dust generation is directly proportional to temperature and inversely proportional to rainfall.

An array of materials is available for overcoming dust limitations (Gebhart et al, 1999).


Property used:  WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, NO O

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 70 percent sand
					Somewhat limiting	 20-70 percent sand
					Not limiting		 <=20 percent sand
					
					
					
Property used:  WTD_AVG GYPSUM 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 15 percent gypsum
					Somewhat limiting	 2-15 percent gypsum
					Not limiting		 <=2 percent gypsum
					
					
Property used:  DRYNESS INDEX

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 5  
					Somewhat limiting	 0.3-5  
					Not limiting		 <=0.3
					
					
					The Dryness Index is 100(mean annual air temperature)/(mean annual precipitation)  
					
									


References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
	
	13. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 30cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 30 to < 60cm
		Not limiting		=> 60cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"1406"|"90078"|"8632149"
"URB/REC - Picnic Areas"|"limitation"|"URB/REC - Urban and Recreational Land Uses

URB/REC - Picnic Areas

Summary:

Soil interpretations for recreational development are to be used to guide the user in identifying and evaluating the suitability of the soil for specific recreational purposes.  The soil survey interpretation rating guides are applicable to both heavily and sparsely populated areas, depending upon the objectives of the user.  The ratings are for soils in their present condition and do not consider present land use.  These ratings do not consider location and accessibility of the area, size and shape of the area, scenic quality, the ability of the soil to support vegetation, access to water or potential sites for water impoundment.  Nor do the ratings consider access to public sewers or the capacity of the soil to support localized sanitary facilities such as septic tank adsorption fields or sanitary landfills.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Picnic Areas"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Picnic Areas"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Picnic areas are natural or landscaped tracts used primarily for preparing meals and eating outdoors.  These areas are subject to heavy foot traffic.  Most vehicular traffic is confined to access roads and parking lots.  Soils ratings are based on properties that influence the development costs of shaping the site, trafficability, and the growth of vegetation after development.

Many soil survey areas in sparsely populated parts of the country have soil surveys of lower intensity.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.

Scope: National

Soil properties and qualities considered in rating the degree of limitation are those that influence the ease of developing picnic areas and the performance of the picnic areas after development.  Soil properties that influence trafficability and promote the growth of vegetation after heavy use are important.

Slope and stoniness are the main concerns in developing picnic areas.  For good trafficability, the surface of picnic areas should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under heavy foot traffic, and not be dusty when dry.  Soil properties that influence trafficability are texture of the surface layer, wetness, permeability, and large stones.  The limitations of slow permeability and clayey surface texture are not as severe in dry regions of the country; however, silty soils may be more of a problem because they are dusty.  Soil properties that influence the growth of plants are depth to bedrock, permeability, and the presence of toxic materials.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the surface layer if the layer is greater then 25cm thick.
	
	Property used: SURFACE LAYER THICKNESS nssc (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 > 25cm
		Not limiting	<= 25cm

AND

	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 25-180cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pt""
		Not limiting	not = ""pt""
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	2.  Flooding: Soil that floods have limitation on the recreational use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting	= ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare"" or ""occasional""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Too Stony: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) on the soil surface can interfere with equipment operations and are a nuisance for most landuses.  Soil feature considered is percent of the soil surface covered by rock fragments > 10 inches in size.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON SURFACE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 3.0%
		Somewhat limiting	>=  .1% to <= 3.0%
		Not limiting		 <  .1%
		
	Null surface cover percentage of rock fragments with an rv >=250mm are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 3 inch) in size in soil surface layer are nuisances and may impede maintenance.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 3 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		   > 75%
		Somewhat limiting	 >=  25% to <= 75%
		Not limiting		  <  25%
		
	Null > 3 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	5.  Restricted permeability: The soil horizon with the minimum Ksat governs the rate of water movement through the whole soil.  When this rate is low, transmission of fluids into and through the soil impedes infiltration and percolation of percipitation and may cause water to pond and wet condition to presist for extended periods of time. Soil feature considered is the layer with the minimum saturated hydraulic conductivity within 100cm of the surface and above a restrictive layer.  If the soil is in taxonomic class TOR, UST, or XER SUBORDERS; TOR, UST, or XER GREAT GROUPS; TOR, UST, ARIDIC, or XER SUBGROUPS then the limiting condition is reduced by half.
	
	Property used: KSAT MINIMUM ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (0-100cm) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=< .4 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	 > .4 and < 4 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		=> 4 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	6.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Not limiting	    = ""none""
		Limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Salinity: Soils with high salinity have reduced available water capacity and may induce salinity toxicity, which restricts vigorous plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the highest value of salinity (electrical conductivity) of the surface layers.
		
	Property used: SALINITY SURFACE LAYER (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 => 8 mmhos/cm
		Somewhat limiting	 => 4 to < 8 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		  < 4 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Too sandy: Soil with sandy surface layer is subject to blowing sand, are hard to re-vegetate, and restricts the soils ability to support multiple use recreational activities.  Soil feature considered are the percent clay in the surface layer and the #4 and 200# sieve sizes.  Sand percentage is calculated using the difference between the #4 and #200 sieve.
	
	Property used: SAND (#4-#200SIEVE) SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		<= 70
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 70 and < 90
		Not limiting		>= 90
		
	Null sieves are assigned to the Not limiting class.

AND 	
	
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 < 15 percent
		Not limiting	>= 15 percent
		
	Null clay percentage in the surface layer is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	10. Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the soils ability to support multiple use recreational activities. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	11. Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the soils ability to support multiple use recreational activities. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	12. Slope: Steep slopes impede trafficability of heavy machinery and reclamation of borrow sites.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 15%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 8 and <= 15%
		Not limiting		< 8%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	13. Gravel content: Gravel (small stones) in the surface layer is a nuisance and may impede maintenance.  Soil feature considered is the surface percent retained on the #10 sieve (100 - #10). This is adjusted for stones by multiplying it times the fraction less than 3"" (1 - (Rock 3-10 + Rock >10)/100).

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 2MM-75mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 50%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 25 to <= 50%
		Not limiting		 < 25%
		
	Null sieve are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	14. Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the potential to restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area. Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest sodium adsorption ratio.
		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 12 
		Not limiting		<= 12 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	15. Too acid: Soils with low pH restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the (pH) of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	 < 3.5
		Not limiting	=> 3.5
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	16. Too clayey: Soil with clayey surface layer has slow intake rates, remain muddy for extended periods and compaction may reduce the growth of grass and ornamental plantings.  Rating is reduced by half if the soil is in taxonomic class SUBORDERS or GREAT GROUPS (TOR, UST, or XER); SUBORDERS (TOR, UST, ARID, XER, or OXI); or ORDERS (OXISOLS).   Soil feature considered is the clay percentage of the surface layer and the taxonomic classification.
	
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 40%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 40% 
						and in TOR, UST, or XER SUBORDERS or
						TOR, UST, or XER GREAT GROUPS or
						TOR, UST, ARID, XER, or OXI SUBORDERS or
						OXISOLS ORDERS 
		Not limiting		=< 40%
		
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.
	Null taxonomic classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	17. Dusty: Soils with silty surface layer and in taxonomic classes ORDERS (ARIDISOLS); SUBORDERS (TOR, UST, Or XER) or GREAT GROUPS (TOR, UST, Or XER) are dusty when dry.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first USDA Texture class of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE SURFACE LAYER NSSC (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting 	""SIL"", ""SI"", ""VFSL"", or ""L""
		Not limiting		all other USDA Textures
		
	Null USDA Texture and Taxonomic class are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	18. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation and are slow to drain.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 30cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 30 to < 75cm
		Not limiting		=> 75cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

             19.Dust PM10 and PM2.5 Generation: Dustiness is a concern for human health as well as aesthetic reasons.  Dust generation from roads is a significant source of inhalable particulate matter.  Two dust particle sizes are recognized: PM10 and PM2.5, relating to particles of aerodynamic diameters of 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively.  The capacity of soils to produce dust particles has been found by Carvacho et al (2004) to be directly related to the clay or silt content of the soil.  Thus, the PM10 or PM2.5 generation capacity of a soil is inversely proportional to its sand content.  Gypsum is also related to dustiness because the soft crystals are relatively easily crushed to silt and clay size particles which can then be picked up by air.

Other major variables in dust generation are moisture content, vehicle size, and the amount of traffic on the road.

The ""Dryness Index"" accounts for the moisture content of the surface.  In a dry, hot environment, the generation of dust is greater than in a cool, moist environment.  Thus dust generation is directly proportional to temperature and inversely proportional to rainfall.

An array of materials is available for overcoming dust limitations (Gebhart et al, 1999).

 Property used:  WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, NO O

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 70 percent sand
					Somewhat limiting	 20-70 percent sand
					Not limiting	 <=20 percent sand
					
					
					
Property used:  WTD_AVG GYPSUM 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 15 percent gypsum
					Somewhat limiting	 2-15 percent gypsum
					Not limiting	 <=2 percent gypsum
					
					
Property used:  DRYNESS INDEX

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 5  
					Somewhat limiting	 0.3-5  
					Not limiting	 <=0.3
					
					
					The Dryness Index is 100(mean annual air temperature)/(mean annual precipitation)"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"1405"|"90078"|"8632150"
"URB/REC - Playgrounds"|"limitation"|"URB/REC - Urban and Recreational Land Uses

URB/REC - Playgrounds

Summary:

Soil interpretations for recreational development are to be used to guide the user in identifying and evaluating the suitability of the soil for specific recreational purposes.  The soil survey interpretation rating guides are applicable to both heavily and sparsely populated areas, depending upon the objectives of the user.  The ratings are for soils in their present condition and do not consider present land use.  These ratings do not consider location and accessibility of the area, size and shape of the area, scenic quality, the ability of the soil to support vegetation, access to water or potential sites for water impoundment.  Nor do the ratings consider access to public sewers or the capacity of the soil to support localized sanitary facilities such as septic tank adsorption fields or sanitary landfills.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Playgrounds"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Playgrounds"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Playgrounds are areas used intensively for games, such as baseball and football, and similar activities.  Playgrounds require a nearly level soil that is free of stones and that can withstand heavy foot traffic and still maintain adequate vegetation.  Soils ratings are based on properties that influence the cost of shaping, trafficability, and the growth of vegetation.

Many soil survey areas in sparsely populated parts of the country have soil surveys of lower intensity.  While some general observations may be made, onsite evaluation is required before the final site is selected.

Scope: National

Soil properties and qualities considered in rating the degree of limitation are those that influence the ease of developing playgrounds and the performance of playgrounds after development.  Slope and stoniness are the main concerns in developing playgrounds.  For good trafficability, the surface of playgrounds should absorb rainfall readily, remain firm under heavy foot traffic, and not be dusty when dry.

Soil properties that influence trafficability are texture of the surface layer, wetness, permeability, and large stones.  The limitations of slow permeability and clayey surface texture are not as severe in dry regions of the country; however, silty soils may be more of a problem because they are dusty.  Soil properties that influence the growth of plants are depth to bedrock, permeability, and the presence of toxic materials.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the surface layer if the layer is greater then 25cm thick.
	
	Property used: SURFACE LAYER THICKNESS nssc (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 > 25cm
		Not limiting	<= 25cm

AND

	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 25-180cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pt""
		Not limiting	not = ""pt""
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	2.  Flooding: Flooding at frequency greater then rare has the potential to transport agricultural waste off site and pollute surface waters.  Flooding also limits the recreational use and management of these soils.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very frequent"" or ""frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional""
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
		
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Too Stony: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in size) on the soil surface can interfere with equipment operations and are a nuisance for most landuses.  Soil feature considered is percent of the soil surface covered by rock fragments > 10 inches in size.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON SURFACE (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 3.0%
		Somewhat limiting	>=  .1% to <= 3.0%
		Not limiting		 <  .1%
		
	Null surface cover percentage of rock fragments with an rv >=250mm are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Content of large stones: Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 3 inch) in size in soil surface layer are nuisances and may impede maintenance.  Soil feature considered is percent by weight rock fragments > 3 inches in size in the surface soil layer.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		   > 30%
		Somewhat limiting	 >=  5% to <= 30%
		Not limiting		  <  5%
		
	Null > 3 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	5.  Restricted permeability: The soil horizon with the minimum Ksat governs the rate of water movement through the whole soil.  When this rate is low, transmission of fluids into and through the soil impedes infiltration and percolation of percipitation and may cause water to pond and wet condition to presist for extended periods of time. Soil feature considered is the layer with the minimum saturated hydraulic conductivity within 100cm of the surface and above a restrictive layer.  If the soil is in taxonomic class TOR, UST, or XER SUBORDERS; TOR, UST, or XER GREAT GROUPS; TOR, UST, ARIDIC, or XER SUBGROUPS then the limiting condition is reduced by half.
	
	Property used: KSAT MINIMUM ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (0-100cm) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=< .4 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	 > .4 and < 4 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		=> 4 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	6.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting	not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.  Salinity: Soils with high salinity have reduced available water capacity and may induce salinity toxicity, which restricts vigorous plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the highest value of salinity (electrical conductivity) of the surface layers.
		
	Property used: SALINITY SURFACE LAYER (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 => 8 mmhos/cm
		Somewhat limiting	 => 4 to < 8 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		  < 4 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	9.  Too sandy: Soil with sandy surface layer is subject to blowing sand, are hard to re-vegetate, and restricts the soils ability to support multiple use recreational activities.  Soil feature considered are the percent clay in the surface layer and the #4 and 200# sieve sizes.  Sand percentage is calculated using the difference between the #4 and #200 sieve.
	
	Property used: SAND (#4-#200SIEVE) SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		<= 70
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 70 and < 90
		Not limiting		>= 90
		
	Null sieves are assigned to the Not limiting class.

AND 	
	
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	 < 15cm
		Not limiting	>= 15cm
		
	Null clay percentage in the surface layer is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	10. Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the soils ability to support multiple use recreational activities. Moderately deep soil with slope greater then 2% and shallow or very shallow soils are considered restrictive.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.


	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	AND
	
	RV Slope is greater then 2%

OR

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	11. Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts the soils ability to support multiple use recreational activities. Moderately deep soil with slope greater then 2% and shallow or very shallow soils are considered restrictive.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to < 100cm
		Not limiting		=> 100cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	AND
	
	RV Slope is greater then 2%

OR
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Not limiting		=> 50cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
		
AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	12. Slope: Steep slopes impede site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restrict the soils ability to support multiple use recreational activities.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 6%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 2 and < 6%
		Not limiting	=< 2%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	13. Gravel content: Gravel (small stones) in the surface layer is a nuisance and may impede maintenance.  Soil feature considered is the surface percent retained on the #10 sieve (100 - #10). This is adjusted for stones by multiplying it times the fraction less than 3"" (1 - (Rock 3-10 + Rock >10)/100).

	Property used: FRAGMENTS 2MM-75mm SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 25%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 10 to < 25%
		Not limiting		<= 10%
		
	Null sieve are assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	14. Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio have the potential to restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area. Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest sodium adsorption ratio.
		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 12 
		Not limiting		<= 12 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	15. Too acid: Soils with low pH restrict plan growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the (pH) of the surface layer.
	
	Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
				
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting	 < 3.5
		Not limiting	=> 3.5
			
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	16. Too clayey: Soil with clayey surface layer has slow intake rates, remain muddy for extended periods and compaction may reduce the growth of grass and ornamental plantings.  Rating is reduced by half if the soil is in taxonomic class SUBORDERS or GREAT GROUPS (TOR, UST, or XER); SUBORDERS (TOR, UST, ARID, XER, or OXI); or ORDERS (OXISOLS).   Soil feature considered is the clay percentage of the surface layer and the taxonomic classification.
	
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT SURFACE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 40%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 40% 
						and in TOR, UST, or XER SUBORDERS or
						TOR, UST, or XER GREAT GROUPS or
						TOR, UST, ARID, XER, or OXI SUBORDERS or
						OXISOLS ORDERS 
		Not limiting		=< 40%
		
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.
	Null taxonomic classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	17. Dusty: Dustiness is a concern for human health as well as aesthetic reasons.  Dust generation from roads is a significant source of inhalable particulate matter.  Two dust particle sizes are recognized: PM10 and PM2.5, relating to particles of aerodynamic diameters of 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively.  The capacity of soils to produce dust particles has been found by Carvacho et al (2004) to be directly related to the clay or silt content of the soil.  Thus, the PM10 or PM2.5 generation capacity of a soil is inversely proportional to its sand content.  Gypsum is also related to dustiness because the soft crystals are relatively easily crushed to silt and clay size particles which can then be picked up by air.

Other major variables in dust generation are moisture content, vehicle size, and the amount of traffic on the area.

The ""Dryness Index"" accounts for the moisture content of the surface.  In a dry, hot environment, the generation of dust is greater than in a cool, moist environment.  Thus dust generation is directly proportional to temperature and inversely proportional to rainfall.

An array of materials is available for overcoming dust limitations (Gebhart et al, 1999).


Property used:  WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, NO O

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 70 percent sand
					Somewhat limiting	 20-70 percent sand
					Not limiting	 <=20 percent sand
					
					
					
Property used:  WTD_AVG GYPSUM 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 15 percent gypsum
					Somewhat limiting	 2-15 percent gypsum
					Not limiting	 <=2 percent gypsum
					
					
Property used:  DRYNESS INDEX

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 5  
					Somewhat limiting	 0.3-5  
					Not limiting	 <=0.3
					
					
					The Dryness Index is 100(mean annual air temperature)/(mean annual precipitation)  
					
References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
	
	18. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table maybe difficult to reclaim and revegetated.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 43cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 43 to <= 75cm
		Not limiting		 > 75cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"1411"|"90078"|"8632151"
"WMS - Embankments, Dikes, and Levees"|"limitation"|"WMS - Water Management Systems

WMS - Embankments, Dikes, and Levees

Summary:

Soil interpretations for various water management practices are developed for use in evaluating the potential of the soil for various water management practices.  These practices may involve the movement of water to or from a site, holding water on a site, or securing a water source.  The soil survey interpretation rating guides are applicable to both heavily and sparsely populated areas, depending upon the objectives of the user.  The ratings are for soils in their present condition and do not consider present land use.  Soil limitation ratings and associated restrictive features are given for ponds and reservoir areas; embankments, dikes, and levees; and excavated ponds.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""Embankments, Dikes, and Levees"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Embankments, Dikes, and Levees"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

Embankments, dikes, and levees are raised structures of soil material that are constructed to impound water or protect land against overflow.  They generally are less than 20 feet high, are constructed of ""homogeneous"" soil material (without a core zone), and are compacted to medium density.  Embankments that have zoned construction (core and shell) are not considered.

Soil properties influence development of embankments, dikes, and levees including site selection, structure design, construction, performance, and after construction maintenance.  The soil interpretations for embankments, dikes, and levees are used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Scope: National

Ratings are made for the soil that may be source of material for embankment fills.  The rating is given for the whole soil, from the surface to a depth of about 5 feet, based on the assumption that soil horizons will be mixed in loading, dumping, and spreading.  The ratings do not indicate the suitability of the undisturbed soil for supporting the embankment.  Soil properties to a depth greater than the embankment height have an effect on the performance and safety of the embankment.  Generally, deeper onsite geologic investigations must be made to determine these important properties.


Ratings are based on soil properties and qualities to act as a natural barrier against seepage into deeper layers, without regard to cutoff trenches or other features that may be installed under the pond embankment.  Excessive slope in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the pond embankment seriously reduces the storage capacity of the reservoir area.  Suitable sites may be difficult to find on slopes steeper than about 10 percent.

Embankments, dikes, and levees require soil material that is resistant to seepage, piping, and erosion and that has favorable compaction characteristics.  Organic soils are not suitable because of high compression, low strength, and unpredictable permeability.  When compacting with tamping rollers (sheepsfoot rollers) or pneumatic rollers, stones over 6 inches in size must be removed; therefore, stony soils are limited for this use.  If a water table is present, the depth of usable material and the trafficability are affected.

The content of sodium and salts affects the capability for plant growth on embankment surfaces.  These properties may also indicate dispersive soils that are highly erosive and susceptible to piping.  Soils that contain gypsum may have piping and uneven settling.

Low-density silts and clays in the supporting foundation generally have excessive settlement and low strength.  Loose soils in arid regions undergo much settlement very rapidly upon becoming saturated as water is impounded.  These soils generally do not provide adequate support for embankments.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Hard to pack: Fine textured soils high in sodium and gypsum content with high plasticity and liquid limits are difficult to compact.  These hard to pact soil are limited for use in building embankments, dikes, and levees.   The interpretive model uses the maximum sodium or gypsum rating index and adds the low compaction index.  This sum is compared to the liquid limit index and the lowest index is applied to the parent rule.

	{Soil feature considered is the maximum percent gypsum found in the soil layers.
	
	Property used: GYPSUM MAXIMUM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=> 25%
		Somewhat Limiting 	 >  5 and < 25%
		Not limiting		=<  5%
				
	Null gypsum values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
 
	OR
	
	Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest sodium adsorption ratio.
		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 13 
		Somewhat limiting	 > 4 to < 13
		Not limiting		<= 4 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.}
	
	+
	
	{Soil features considered are plasticity index and percent passing the 200 sieve of the thickest layer to a depth of at least 180cm or the first cemented restrictive feature.  

	Property used: PI WEIGHTED AVE. ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=> 40
		Somewhat limiting	 > 20 to < 40
		Not limiting		=< 20
		
	Null plasticity index is assigned to the Not rated class.

	AND

	Property used: PASSING #200 SIEVE WEIGHTED AVE. ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 50%
		Not limiting		=< 50%
		
	Null 200 sieve is assigned to the Not rated class.}
	
AND	

	Soil feature considered is the thickest layer's liquid limit between a depth of 25 to at least 180cm or the first cemented restrictive feature.  

	Property used: LIQUID LIMIT WEIGHTED AVE. ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=> 50
		Not limiting		 < 50
		
	Null plasticity index is assigned to the Not limited class.
	
	2.  Thin layer: Shallow depth to a cemented restrictive layer limits the amount of source materials available for constructing dikes, levees, or water retention embankments.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive hardness is not ""noncemented"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 50 to  < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Content of organic matter: Soil in Unified class pt, ol, or oh is high in organic materials, has low strength, and is hard to reclaim.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first Unified class of the thickest soil layer above a restrictive layer and between 25 and 180cm.
	
	Property used: UNIFIED THICKEST LAYER 25-180cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= pt, ol, or oh
		Not limiting	not = pt, ol, or oh
		
	Null Unified classes are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		> 50%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 25% to <= 50%
		Not limiting		< 25%
		
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.
	
	5.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Piping: Fine textured soils high in sodium and gypsum content with low cohesion and liquid limits are subject to piping and are limited for use in building embankments, dikes, and levees.   The interpretive model uses the maximum sodium or gypsum rating index and adds the low cohesion index.  This sum is compared to the liquid limit index and the lowest index is applied to the parent rule.

	{Soil feature considered is the maximum percent gypsum found in the soil layers.
	
	Property used: GYPSUM MAXIMUM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=> 25%
		Somewhat Limiting 	 >  5 and < 25%
		Not limiting		=<  5%
				
	Null gypsum values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
 
	OR
	
	Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest sodium adsorption ratio.
		
	Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 13 
		Somewhat limiting	 > 4 to < 13
		Not limiting		<= 4 			
		
	Null SAR is assigned to the Not limiting class.}
	
	+
	
	{Soil features considered are weight average plasticity index and weight average percent passing the 200 sieve to a depth of at least 180cm or the first cemented restrictive feature.  

	Property used: PI WEIGHTED AVE. ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 10
		Somewhat limiting	 > 10 to < 20
		Not limiting		=> 20
		
	Null plasticity index is assigned to the Not rated class.

AND

	Property used: PASSING #200 SIEVE WEIGHTED AVE. ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 50%
		Not limiting		=< 50%
		
	Null 200 sieve is assigned to the Not rated class.}
	
AND	

	Soil feature considered is the thickest layer's liquid limit between a depth of 25 to at least 180cm or the first cemented restrictive feature.  

	Property used: LIQUID LIMIT WEIGHTED AVE. ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50
		Not limiting		=> 50
		
	Null plasticity index is assigned to the Not limited class.
	
	7.  Salinity: Soils with high salinity have reduced available water capacity, which restrict plant growth and re-establishing vegetation in disturbed area.  Soil feature considered is the highest value of salinity (electrical conductivity) for all layers.
		
	Property used: SALINITY MAXIMUM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		  > 16 mmhos/cm
		Somewhat limiting	 >= 8 to <= 16 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		  < 8 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	8.   Seepage: Soils that are high in gravel or sand or are very silty are prone to seepage when used as materials to build embankments, dikes, or levees.  The following child rules are joined by the OR operator and the one with the highest index number determine the interpretive result.

Child rules used:

	Percent Passing #200 Sieve, 25-200cm (Weighted Average) -- Gravelly or sandy soils allow seepage.  Soil feature considered is percent passing the #4 sieve of the soil between 20 and 200 cm or a restrictive layer.   

	
	
	Property used: PASSING #200 SIEVE WTD_AVE 25-200cm OR ABOVE RESTR LAYER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 50
		Somewhat limiting 	 < 50 and > 10
		Not limiting		<= 10
		
	Null sieves are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
OR

	Unified Class, 25-200cm (Dominant Condition)  Soils in the  ""gw"", ""gp"", ""sw"", ""sp"", ""gw-gm"", ""gp-gm"",""sw-sm"", ""sp-sm"", and ""pt"" are not suited for embankments, dikes, or levees.
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		Unified =  ""gw"", ""gp"", ""sw"", ""sp"", ""gw-gm"", ""gp-gm"",""sw-sm"", ""sp-sm"", ""pt""
		
		Not limiting		Unified !=  ""gw"", ""gp"", ""sw"", ""sp"", ""gw-gm"", ""gp-gm"",""sw-sm"", ""sp-sm"", ""pt""
		
	Null Unified is assigned to the Not rated class.
	
	
	
	9.  Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table maybe difficult to reclaim and revegetated.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: HIGH WATER TABLE DEPTH MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 60cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 60 to < 120cm
		Not limiting		=> 120cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	10. Ponding: Ponding is the condition where standing water is on the soil surface for a given period of time.  Soil that pond has restrictions that limit the installation and function of most landuse applications.  Soil features considered are ponding duration and frequency classes for all months.

	Property used: PONDING DURATION (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		= ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	  ""long"" or ""very long""
		Not limiting		not = ""very brief"" or ""brief"" or 
				  	      ""long"" or ""very long""
		
	Null duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: PONDING FREQUENCY
			(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""none""
		Not limiting  not = ""none""
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

11. Dust: Dustiness is a concern for human health as well as aesthetic reasons.  Dust generation from roads is a significant source of inhalable particulate matter.  Two dust particle sizes are recognized: PM10 and PM2.5, relating to particles of aerodynamic diameters of 10 and 2.5 microns, respectively.  The capacity of soils to produce dust particles has been found by Carvacho et al (2004) to be directly related to the clay or silt content of the soil.  Thus, the PM10 or PM2.5 generation capacity of a soil is inversely proportional to its sand content.  Gypsum is also related to dustiness because the soft crystals are relatively easily crushed to silt and clay size particles which can then be picked up by air.

Other major variables in dust generation are moisture content, vehicle size, and the amount of working of the soil.

The ""Dryness Index"" accounts for the moisture content of the surface.  In a dry, hot environment, the generation of dust is greater than in a cool, moist environment.  Thus dust generation is directly proportional to temperature and inversely proportional to rainfall.

An array of materials is available for overcoming dust limitations (Gebhart et al, 1999).


Property used:  WTD_AVG SAND CONTENT 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION, NO O

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 70 percent sand
					Somewhat limiting	 20-70 percent sand
					Not limiting	 <=20 percent sand
					
					
					
Property used:  WTD_AVG GYPSUM 0-50cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 15 percent gypsum
					Somewhat limiting	 2-15 percent gypsum
					Not limiting	 <=2 percent gypsum
					
					
Property used:  DRYNESS INDEX

Restrictive limits:  Restriction limits:
					Limiting		 >= 5  
					Somewhat limiting	 0.3-5  
					Not limiting		 <=0.3
					
					
					The Dryness Index is 100(mean annual air temperature)/(mean annual precipitation)  
					
									


References:

Carvacho, Omar F., Lowell L. Ashbaugh, Michael S. Brown, Robert G. Flocchini (2004) Measurement of PM2.5 Emission Potential from Soil Using the UC Davis Resuspension Test Chamber. Geomorphology 59 (1-4), 75 - 80

Gebhart, D. L., M. L. Denight, and R. H. Grau. 1999. Dust control guidance and technology selection key. AEC Report #SFIM-AEC-EQ-CR-99002. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers."|Yes|03/12/2019 18:47:48|"10954"|"90078"|"8632152"
"WMS - Excavated Ponds (Aquifer-fed)"|"limitation"|"WMS - Water Management Systems

WMS - Excavated Ponds (Aquifer-fed)

Summary:

Soil interpretations for various water management practices are developed for use in evaluating the potential of the soil for various water management practices.  These practices may involve the movement of water to or from a site, holding water on a site, or securing a water source.  The soil survey interpretation rating guides are applicable to both heavily and sparsely populated areas, depending upon the objectives of the user.  The ratings are for soils in their present condition and do not consider present land use.  Soil limitation ratings and associated restrictive features are given for ponds and reservoir areas; embankments, dikes, and levees; and excavated ponds.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for "" Excavated Ponds (Aquifer-fed)"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise ""Excavated Ponds (Aquifer-fed)"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

An aquifer-fed excavated pond is a body of water created by excavating a pit or dugout into a ground-water aquifer.  Excluded are ponds that are fed by surface runoff and embankment ponds that impound water 3 feet or more above the original surface.

Scope: National

Soil properties and qualities that affect aquifer-fed excavated ponds are depth to a permanent water table, permeability of the aquifer, and quality of water as determined by inference from the salinity of the soil.  Large stones are also considered because of their effect on the ease of excavation.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Cutbanks cave: Soils with high water table are suited for aquifer-fed ponds.  However, cutbanks may cave or slump during excavation of the pond reservoir and pose a safety concern when the soil texture is silt or texture group is sandy or texture modifier is sandy or gravelly.  This tendency is true for all soils but to a lesser degree and the interpretive model is designed to give a rating no less then .1 ""Somewhat limiting"".  Extreme care and caution should be used around cutbanks to protect from cave in injury or death.  Cutbanks caving can also reduce the life expectancy of the pond unless practices are applied to limit slumping once the reservoir is filled.  Soil feature considered is the rv or first USDA Texture modifier and class of each layer and the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: USDA GROUP-CLASS IN DEPTH 50-180cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		matches ""*S *"" or matches ""*S"" or matches ""GR*"" or matches ""* GR""
		Somewhat limiting	all other USDA textures other then silt
		
	Null USDA Texture modifier is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	OR
	
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE IN DEPTH 50-180cm (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Somewhat limiting 	""SI"" set at .5
					all other textures set at .1
		Not limiting		none
		
	Null USDA Texture class is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
AND

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
				
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	2.  Depth to water: Soils deep to an apparent water table are not potential sites for aquifer fed ponds.  These areas have little potential recharge capacity.  Soil feature considered is the depth to the first soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month and where all subsequent layer are either wet or saturated.

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=> 150cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 60 to < 150cm
		Not limiting		=< 60cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation and restricts the installation of an Aquifer-fed pond only when an apparent water table is at depth less then 150cm.  Soil features considered are depth to water table and top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 100cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 100 to < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
				
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
AND

Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
				
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep and the presence of an apparent water table.

	Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 > 50%
		Somewhat limiting	=> 25% to <= 50%
		Not limiting		 < 25%
		
		Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.
		
AND

Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		  > 150cm
		Not limiting		 =< 105cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	5.  Slow refill: The soil horizon with the maximum Ksat contained within an apparent water table governs the rate of water movement into an Aquifer-fed pond.  When this rate is low, refilling of the pond is slow.  Soil features considered are depth to water table and maximum permeability of the layers that occur within that depth.
	
	Property used: KSAT MAXIMUM of Apparent Water Table (Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting 	 	=< 1.0 micrometers/sec
		Somewhat Limiting 	 > 1.0 and < 14 micrometers/sec
		Not limiting		=> 14 micrometers/sec
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) limits site preparation and restricts the installation of an Aquifer-fed pond only when an apparent water table is at depth less then 150cm.  Soil features considered are depth to water table and top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".

	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
			Null depths are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null depths are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
AND

Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
				
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Salty water: Salinity soils with a high apparent water table may have reduced potential for aquifer-fed ponds.  The water source may be to salty or to high a content of undesirable minerals to be used as a source of livestock or wildlife water.  Soil feature considered is the highest value of salinity (electrical conductivity) for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 10"" to 60"" (25-150 cm) and has an apparent water table within 150cm of the surface.
	
	Property used: SALINITY MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 25-150cm (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		 > 16 mmhos/cm
		Somewhat limiting	>= 4 to <= 16 mmhos/cm
		Not limiting		 < 4 mmhos/cm			
		
	Null EC is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
AND

Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month.

	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE APPARENT MINIMUM (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
				
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"10887"|"90078"|"8632153"
"WMS - Irrigation, General"|"limitation"|"WMS - Water Management Systems

WMS-General Irrigation								Date: 7/2/07

Summary: Soil interpretations for ""WMS-Irrigation -General"" evaluate a soil's limitation(s) for installation and use of irrigation systems.  The ratings are for soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use. This interpretation is for non-specific irrigation methods and is intended to provide initial planning information.  If the type of irrigation system has been determined additional interpretations provide more specific information.  This interpretation does not apply if the crop planned for irrigation is rice or other crops (such as cranberries) with unique plant physiological characteristics.

The degree of limitation is expressed as a numeric index between 0 (non-limiting condition) and 1.0 (limiting condition).  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a degree of limitation greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule.  Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less then the maximum and are identified to provide the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support the interpretation.  These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and application modifications.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation.  These are not limited (degree of limitation = 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0). NOTE: Several soil criteria that result in very limited responses, do not apply when irrigating rice. This report is not applicable to basin irrigation of rice. 

The General Irrigation interpretation was developed by the Temple, Texas interpretation and irrigation engineering staff. The original interpretation rules and criteria developed by Temple, Texas interpretation staff for General irrigation has been modified to meet the need for this application in other regions of the United States.  

This application is NOT DESIGNED NOR INTENDED TO BE USED IN A REGULATORY MANNER. 

Scope: Irrigation systems are used to provide supplemental water to crops, orchards, vineyards, and vegetables in area where natural precipitation will not support desired production of crops being grown.

Description: The soil properties and qualities important in design and management are sodium adsorption ratio, depth to high water table, available water holding capacity, permeability, erosion factor, slope, calcium carbonate content, ponding, and flooding.  Soil properties and qualities that influence installation and tillage are stones, depth to bedrock or cemented pan, and depth to a high water table.  The properties and qualities that affect performance of the irrigation system are depth to bedrock or to a cemented pan, the sodium adsorption ratio, salinity, and soil reaction.  Permanently frozen soils are not suited to irrigation.
 
CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.  Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, reduces rooting depth and available water capacity, and restricts installation of underground irrigation practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown
in the horizon table.

	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO BEDROCK (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		  < 50 cm
			Somewhat limiting	=> 50 cm and < 150 cm
			Not limiting 		=> 150cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting	      = ""bedrock (lithic)""
			Not limiting	not = ""bedrock (lithic)""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

2. Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, reduces rooting depth and available water capacity, and restricts installation of underground irrigation practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO BEDROCK (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		  < 50 cm
			Somewhat limiting	=> 50 cm and < 150cm
			Not limiting 		=> 150cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting	      = ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
			Not limiting	not = ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

3.  Depth to cemented pan: Shallow depth to cemented limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, reduces rooting depth and available water capacity, and restricts installation of underground irrigation practice components.   Soil features considered are the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restriction kind = ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"".  Depth to restrictive feature shown in the component restrictions table must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table in NASIS. 

	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
	
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		  < 50cm
			Somewhat limiting	=> 50 and < 150cm
			Not limiting		=> 150cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		 = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic"" 
			Not limiting		not = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic"" 
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting	 not = ""Noncemented""
			Not limiting 	       = ""Noncemented""
	Null hardness is assigned to the limiting class.

4.  Depth to saturated zone: A shallow depth to water table will hamper installation of irrigation pipelines, appurtenances, water control structures, and earth forming that might be needed install and maintain an irrigation system.  A shallow depth to water table will also complicate the irrigation water management requirements for the site, and often increases probability of salinity problems developing.  A shallow water table will also make the soil difficult to work, restrict rooting zone, and increase risk of ground water contamination through leaching of nitrates, pesticides or other contaminants.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month in the growing season. Soil feature used is 60 cm depth as limiting. This limitation can sometimes be overcome with installation of a properly designed drainage system.  Used greater than or equal to 90 cm as not limiting based on NEH, Part 652, Irrigation Guide, and Exhibit 2.1.


	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM IN GROWING SEASON (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		  < 60cm
			Somewhat limiting	=> 60 cm and <90 cm
			Not limiting		  => 90 cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
5.  Low Available Water Capacity:  Soils with low available water capacities have limited potential to hold irrigation water.  Irrigation system design and management is critical on soil with low AWC to insure adequate soil water for maximum plant growth and production.  Soil feature considered is the (available water capacity x layer thickness) summed through a depth of 150 cm or to a restrictive layer.  Used 0.05 cm/cm as limiting based on NEH, Part 652, Irrigation Guide, and Exhibit 2.1.

	Property used: WMS - AVAILABLE WATER CAPACITY IN DEPTH 0-150cm (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=< 7.5 cm
			Somewhat limiting	  > 7.5 to < 18cm
			Not limiting		=> 18cm
	Null AWC is assigned to the Not rated class.

6.  Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio are prone to develop irrigation water and rainfall infiltration restriction/reductions due to soil dispersion caused by sodium in the soil and/or soil water.  Soils with elevated SARs will require monitoring of SAR in soil and irrigation water being applied, very careful irrigation water management, possible chemical treatment.  An elevated SAR may impact expected crop response to irrigation by suppressing plant growth and will require a high degree of management. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 150cm.

	Property used: WMS - SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-150cm (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting		> 20
			Somewhat limiting	> 6 and < 20
			Not limiting		< 6
	Null SAR is assigned not rated.

7.  Flooding: Flooding frequency greater then rare has the potential to damage irrigation infrastructure, and impact expected crop response to irrigation by causing frequent crop damage.  Most irrigation systems involve a relatively high investment in money or labor or both. Most producers will need to be fairly certain the investment necessary to install an irrigation system will pay.  A frequently flooded area would not likely provide a very stable investment.  Frequently flooded areas are more likely to transport nutrients and agricultural chemicals, which are typically applied at a higher rate on irrigated land, off site to receiving surface waters.  Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: WMS - FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest ANY MONTH (PAN) (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		= Very frequent""
			Somewhat limiting	= frequent or ""occasional""
			Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.

8.  Percs slowly: Soils with low hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) have slow percolation causing excess runoff and erosion during high precipitation or irrigation events.  Agri-chemical and fertilizers applied to soils with this limitation may be removed from the site by runoff and can impacting adjacent surface waters.  Timing, application rates, and application methods are management tools that can be used when applying these products to soil susceptible to slow percolation.  Soil feature considered is the horizon with the lowest Ksat that has any portion in the depth range 0 to 150 cm or to a restrictive layer if less then 150 cm.

	Property used: WMS - KSAT MINIMUM, 0-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting		=< 0.14 micrometers/second
			Somewhat limiting	  > 0.14 and < 1.40 micrometers/second
			Not limiting		=> 1.40 micrometers/second	
	Null Ksat is assigned not rated.

9. Ponding: Ponding may damage irrigation infrastructure, and will likely impact expected crop response to irrigation by causing frequent crop damage.  Most irrigation systems involve a relatively high investment in money or labor or both. Most producers will need to be fairly certain the investment necessary to install an irrigation system will pay.  A ponding area would not likely provide a very stable investment.  Soil feature considered is ponding duration any month during the growing season. Soil feature considered is ponding duration.  This limitation can sometimes be overcome with installation of a properly designed drainage system.  
	
	Property used: WMS - PONDING DURATION DURING GROWING SEASON (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		= ""long"" or ""very long""
			Somewhat limiting	= brief or ""very brief""
			Not limiting		= ""none""
	Null ponding duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.

10. Excess salt: Soils with elevated salinity levels will require EC monitoring of soil and irrigation water being applied.  Matching irrigated crop selection to expected salinity levels, proper leaching, and careful irrigation water management, will be required on soils with elevated salinity. A properly designed drainage system may be required to properly irrigate some soils with elevated salinity levels.  Irrigation runoff and associated subsurface drainage from these soils has potential to increase salinity levels in groundwater, downstream surface waters, and wetlands.  Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest electrical conductivity 0-150 cm.

	Property used: WMS - SALINITY MAXIMUM (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Somewhat limiting	=> 4 
			Not limiting		  < 4
	Null EC is assigned not rated.

11. Slope: Limitation due to slope is highly dependant on type of irrigation system. Moderate slopes may increase runoff and erosion, when used with surface irrigation methods and specific types of mobile sprinkler irrigation systems (LEPA, LESA, LPIC, and MESA).   LEPA, LESA, LPIC, and MESA are sprinklers equipped with low pressure spray nozzles that operate on drops.  The closer the nozzle spacing and lower the drop the greater potential for runoff and irrigation induced erosion on a given soil.  Actual limiting slopes for sprinkler irrigation systems using spray nozzles on drops would be  average slope >1% for LEPA, average slope > 3.0% for LESA; and for LIPC and MESA systems average slope > 3% and surface texture finer than loam, or > 5% and surface texture loam or coarser.  All other sprinkler systems would have limitations at >= 15%.  Surface irrigation systems would have a limitation at or above 3 % slope.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.

	Property used: WMS - SLOPE (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting 		=> 15 	
       			Somewhat limiting	   >1 and < 15			
			Not limiting 		=< 1%			
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

12. Soil Reaction:  (too acid or too alkaline) Low or High soil pH can result in corrosion of irrigation infrastructure, significantly increase in irrigation system operation and maintenance requirements, and impact expected crop response to irrigation by restricting plant growth.    Soil feature considered is the (pH) from 0 to 100cm.
	
	Property used: WMS - SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MINIMUM, 0 TO 100CM (PAN) AND SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MAXIMUM, 0 TO 100CM (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restriction limits:  Too acid
			Very limiting		=< 3.5
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 3.5 and <5.0
			Not limiting		=> 5.0
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.

		Restriction limits:  Too alkaline
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 9.0 
			Not limiting		=< 9.0
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.

13.  Calcium Carbonate: Soils with free carbonates below the surface layer may reduce irrigation efficiency and effectiveness by increasing irrigation intake rate from what would have been estimated based on texture alone. Calcium carbonate may restrict intake if compacted or equipment blockages from precipitation of calcium.  Free carbonates can also restrict available root zone of irrigated crops.   Soil feature considered is the maximum CaCO3 equivalent (pct in thickest layer) between 25 and 100cm (10 to 40 inches) or a restrictive layer.

	Property used: WMS - CaCO3 MAXIMUM 25-100CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Somewhat limiting	=> 50% 
			Not limiting		  < 50 %
	Null CaCO3 is assigned to the Not limiting class.


14.  Seepage:	Rapid permeability that allows irrigation water to percolate out of the root zone is undesirable and increase irrigation management expenses.  Permeability that maintains irrigation water within the root zone during the consumptive use period is desirable to maintain the growth and vigor of the irrigated crop. Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest Ksat that has any portion in the depth range 0 to 150 cm or to a restrictive layer if less then 150 cm.
	
	Property used: WMS - KSAT MAXIMUM, 0-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting		  > 44.0 um/sec 
			Somewhat limiting	  > 14.0 to < 44.0 um/sec	
			Not limiting		<= 14.0 um/sec
Null Ksat is assigned to the Not limiting class.

15.  Content of large stones: Large stones may impede installation of pipelines and water control structures, irrigation land leveling and/or shaping, and construction of earthen canals, ditches, or ridges.  Large stones may also impact operation and maintenance requirements of the selected irrigation system and will impact expected crop response to irrigation by effecting tillage, planting, and harvesting and plant growth through reduced soil AWC.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep.

	Property used: WMS - FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (PAN)      (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		  > 35 %
			Somewhat limiting	  > 25 % to 35 %
			Not limiting		=<25 %
Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.


16.  Content of large stones (b): Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede installation of pipelines and water control structures, irrigation land leveling and/or shaping, and construction of earthen canals, ditches, or ridges.  Large stones may also impact operation and management requirements of the selected irrigation system and will impact expected crop response to irrigation by effecting tillage, planting, harvesting, and plant growth through reduced soil AWC.   Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: WMS - FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE (PAN) (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=> 5%
			Somewhat limiting	 > 0.1 to < 5%
			Not limiting		<= 0.1%
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class

17.  Subsidence - The presence of gypsum or soluble salts in the soil, parent material, or bedrock may lead to the formation of subsidence features if the amount of irrigation water applied grossly exceeds evapotranspiration.  In humid climates, excessive irrigation on soils occuring over limestone bedrock can also experience sinkhole formation.  Soil features considered are the gypsum content of the soil and bedrock as well as the presence of limestone bedrock.

	Property used: ""LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
		 Restrictive Limits:
		    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
		  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
		  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
		  
		  
	Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	                If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		  
	Property used:  ""SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM, REV""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=> 30cm
			Somewhat limiting	                10-30cm
			Not limiting		<= 10cm

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reference Information:
Criteria were adjusted as requested 9/19/2006 by NRCS Central States, NSSC, and CNTSC staff working on Irrigation Applications. The following individuals were consulted on the criteria:

Bob Nielson, Consultant, Soil Scientist, Lincoln, NE
Troy Collier, NRCS, Resource Soil Scientist, Woodward, OK
Wayne Gabriel, NRCS, Soil Data Quality Specialist, Temple, TX
Allen Gehring, NRCS, Assistant State Engineer, Ames, IA
Edward Griffin, NRCS, National Resource Soil Scientist, Fort Worth, TX
Cleon Namken, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Lubbock, TX
Mike Risinger, NRCS, State Soil Scientist/Leader M09, Temple, TX
Chuck Sample, NRCS, Assistant State Soil Scientist, Stillwater, OK
Rick Schegel, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Woodward, OK
Marty Soffran, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Salina, KS
Chris Stoner, NRCS, Civil Engineer, Stillwater, OK
Jerry Walker, NRCS, National Water Management Engineer, Fort Worth, TX
Jon Whan, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Hondo, TX
Susan Southard, NRCS, Soil Data Quality, Davis, CA
Karl Hipple, NRCS, National Leader, Interpretation, Lincoln, NE
All NRCS States Soil Scientists and State Engineers were consulted on the criteria.
California Irrigation Guide. USDA-SCS. 1982. Developed in cooperation with the Pond-Shafter-Wasco Resource Conservation District.
Hanson, Blaine and Grattan, Stephen R. 1993. Agricultural Salinity and Drainage. University of California Irrigation Program. University. Of California, Davis.
National Engineering Handbook. USDA-NRCS. Aug. 1996. Part 652.
National Soil Survey Handbook. 1993. United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Service. Part 620 - Soil Interpretations
Rating Guides 620, Table 620-32.

Flooding (frequent or very frequent) that occurs during the growing season where the crop growing seasons is defined by the taxonomic temperature
regime:

taxonomic temperature
regime				corresponding months
----------------------------	---------------------
cryic, isofrigid or pergelic	July and August

frigid or mesic			June, July, 
				August and September

thermic 			March, April, May, 
				June, July, August,
				September and October
				
isothermic,			Jan., Feb., March, April,
isohyperthermic,		May, June, July, August,
				September, October, 
				November and December

isomesic, hyperthermic		February, March, April,
				May, June, July, August,
				September, October, 
				November and December"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"23580"|"90078"|"8632154"
"WMS - Irrigation, Micro (above ground)"|"limitation"|"WMS - Water Management Systems

WMS - Micro-irrigation, (Above Ground)				Date: 7/02/07

Summary: Soil interpretations for ""WMS- Micro-irrigation, (Above Ground)"" evaluate a soil's limitation(s) for irrigation systems that apply water at a slow rate near the plants or crops being irrigated. The ratings are for soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use.

The degree of limitation is express as a numeric index between 0 (non-limiting condition) and 1.0 (limiting condition). If a soil's property within 100 cm (40 inches) of the soil surface has a degree of limitation greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.

The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule. Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less then the maximum and are identified to provide the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support the interpretation. These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and application modifications.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation. These are not limited (degree of limitation = 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0).

The Drip or Trickle Irrigation interpretation was developed by the Davis, California interpretation staff in cooperation with the University of California. The original interpretation rules and criteria developed by Davis, California interpretation staff for Drip or Trickle Irrigation had been modified to meet states needs for this application in other part of the United States.  

This application is NOT DESIGNED NOR INTENDED TO BE USED IN A REGULATORY MANNER. 

Drip or trickle irrigation is the controlled application of water to supplement rainfall. The soil properties and qualities that affect design, layout, construction, management, or performance of the irrigation system are evaluated and their degree of limitation determines the final rating.

Scope:  Micro-irrigation systems are irrigation systems that generally apply frequent application of small quantities of water on or below the soil surface: as drops, tiny streams or miniature spray through emitters or applicators placed along a water delivery line.   Generally, these irrigation systems are very efficient irrigation technologies in terms of both water and energy use and are suitable for used in vineyards, orchards, windbreaks, truck crops, nurseries, and on some row crops.  This interpretation report addresses micro-irrigation systems which emit or apply water at or on the soil surface.  The Micro-irrigation, Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) report addresses micro-irrigation systems that apply water below the soil surface.  

Description: The soil properties and qualities important in the design and management of drip irrigation systems are depth, wetness or ponding, a need for drainage, percolation, and flooding. The soil properties and qualities that influence installation are depth, flooding and ponding. The features that affect performance of the system and plant growth are the amount of salts, lime, gypsum or sodium.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.  Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation, reduces rooting depth and available water capacity, and restricts installation of underground irrigation practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO BEDROCK (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		   < 50cm
			Somewhat limiting	=> 50cm and < 100cm
			Not limiting		=> 100cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting	= ""bedrock (lithic)""
			Not limiting	not = ""bedrock (lithic)""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

2.  Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation, reduces rooting depth and available water capacity, and restricts installation of underground irrigation practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO BEDROCK (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		   < 50cm
			Somewhat limiting	= > 50cm and < 100cm
			Not limiting		=> 100cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting	 = ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
			Not limiting	 not = ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

3.  Depth to cemented pan: A shallow depth to cemented pan could also reduce rooting depth and available water capacity, making it unlikely that anticipated crop response to microirrigation will be achieved.  Soil features considered are the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restriction _ kind = ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"".  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		  < 50cm
			Somewhat limiting	=> 50 and < 100cm
			Not limiting		=> 100cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
Property used: WMS - KIND OF RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting	= ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic""
			Not limiting	not = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting	not = ""Noncemented""
			Not limiting	= ""Noncemented""
	Null hardness is assigned to the limiting class.

4.  Depth to saturated zone: A shallow depth to water table will hamper installation of irrigation pipelines, appurtenances, and earth forming that might be needed install and maintain an irrigation system.  A shallow depth to water table will also complicate the irrigation water management requirements for the site, and often increases probability of salinity problems developing.  A shallow water table will also make the soil difficult to work, restrict rooting zone, and increase risk of ground water contamination through leaching of irrigation chemical treatment constituents, nitrates, pesticides or other contaminants.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month in the growing season. Used 90 cm as limiting based on NEH, Part 652, Irrigation Guide, and Exhibit 2.1.  

	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM DURING GROWING SEASON (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		  < 60cm
			Somewhat limiting	=>60 to < 90 cm
			Not limiting		=> 90 cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

5.  Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio are prone to develop irrigation water and rainfall infiltration restriction/reductions due to soil dispersion caused by sodium in the soil and/or soil water.  Soils with elevated SARs will require monitoring of SAR in soil and irrigation water being applied, very careful irrigation water management, possible chemical treatment.  An elevated SAR may impact expected crop response to irrigation by suppressing plant growth and will require a high degree of management. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 100cm.

	Property used: WMS - SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-100cm (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting		=> 20 
			Somewhat limiting	  > 6 to < 20
			Not limiting		<= 6			
	Null SAR is assigned not rated.

6.  Flooding: Flooding: Flooding frequency greater then rare has the potential to damage irrigation infrastructure, and impact expected crop response to irrigation by causing frequent crop damage.  Most microirrigation systems involve a relatively high capitol investment. Most producers will want to be fairly certain the investment necessary to install the irrigation system will pay.  A frequently flooded area would not likely provide a very stable investment.  Frequently flooded areas are more likely to transport nutrients, and agricultural and water treatment chemicals, which are typically applied through or in conjunction with this type of irrigation system.   Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: WMS - FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest, ANY MONTH (PAN) (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	Restrictive limits:
		Very limiting		= Very frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional or "" frequent""
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.

7.  Ponding: Ponding restricts or effects tillage, rooting depth, and plant growth.    Ponding may damage irrigation infrastructure, and will likely impact expected crop response to irrigation by causing frequent crop damage.  Most irrigation systems involve a relatively high investment in money or labor or both. Most producers will need to be fairly certain the investment necessary to install an irrigation system will pay.  A ponding area would not likely provide a very stable investment.  Soil feature considered is ponding duration any month during the growing season. 

	Property used: WMS - PONDING DURATION GROWING SEASON (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		= ""long"" or ""very long""
			Somewhat limiting 	= very brief or brief
			Not limiting 		= ""none""
	Null ponding duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.

8.  Excess salt: Excess salts in soil can result in corrosion of irrigation infrastructure, significant increases in irrigation system operation and maintenance requirements, and negatively impact crop response to irrigation by restricting plant growth.  Soils with elevated salinity levels will require EC monitoring of soil and irrigation water being applied.  Matching irrigated crop selection to expected salinity levels, proper leaching, and careful irrigation water management, will be required on soils with elevated salinity. A properly designed drainage system may be required to properly irrigate some soils with elevated salinity levels.  Irrigation runoff and associated subsurface drainage from these soils has potential to increase salinity levels in groundwater, downstream surface waters, and wetlands.  Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest electrical conductivity 0-100 cm.

	Property used: WMS - SALINITY MAXIMUM (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Somewhat limiting 	=> 4 
			Not limiting 		  < 4
	Null EC is assigned not rated.

9.  Low Available Water Capacity:  Soils with low available water capacities have limited potential to hold irrigation water.  Irrigation management is critical on soil with low AWC to insure adequate soil water for maximum plant growth and production.  Soil feature considered is the (available water capacity * the layer thickness) summed through a depth of 100cm or to a restrictive layer.  Used 5 cm as limiting based on NEH, Part 652, Irrigation Guide, and Exhibit 2.1.

	Property used: WMS - AVAILABLE WATER CAPACITY IN DEPTH 0-100cm (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=< 5 cm
			Somewhat limiting	  > 5 to < 12 cm
			Not limiting		=> 12 cm
	Null AWC is assigned to the Not rated class. 

10.  Soil Reaction:  (too acid or too alkaline) Low or High soil pH can result in corrosion of irrigation infrastructure, significantly increase in irrigation system operation and maintenance requirements, and impact expected crop response to irrigation by restricting plant growth.  Soil feature considered is the (pH) from 0 to 100cm.
	
	Property used: WMS - SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MINIMUM, 0 TO 100CM (PAN) AND SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MAXIMUM, 0 TO 100CM (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
			Restriction limits:  Too acid
			Very limiting		=< 3.5
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 3.5 and <5.0
			Not limiting		=> 5.0
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.

		Restriction limits:  Too alkaline
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 9.0 
			Not limiting		=< 9.0
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.


11.  Calcium Carbonate: Soils with free carbonates below the surface layer may reduce irrigation efficiency and effectiveness by increasing irrigation intake rate from what would have been estimated based on texture alone. Calcium Carbonate may restrict intake if compacted or equipment blockages from precipitation of calcium.  Free carbonates can also restrict available root zone of irrigated crops.   Soil feature considered is the maximum CaCO3 equivalent (pct in thickest layer) between 25 and 100cm (10 to 40 inches) or a restrictive layer.

	Property used: WMS - CaCO3 MAXIMUM 25-100CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Somewhat limiting 	=> 50%
			Not limiting 		  < 50%
	Null CaCO3 is assigned to the Not limiting class.

12.  Seepage: Rapid permeability that allows irrigation water to percolate out of the root zone is undesirable and increase irrigation management expenses.  Permeability that maintains irrigation water within the root zone during the consumptive use period is desirable to maintain the growth and vigor of the irrigated crop. 

	Property used: WMS - KSAT MAXIMUM, 0-100CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting		  > 44.0 um/sec
			Somewhat limiting	  > 21.0 to < 44.0 um/sec 
			Not limiting		<= 21.0 um/sec
	Null Ksat is assigned not rated.

13.  Content of large stones (a): Large stone impede installation of irrigation system pipeline mains, laterals, and appurtenances.  Large stones may make O&M on buried irrigation infrastructure more difficult and may impact expected crop response to irrigation by effecting tillage, planting, and harvesting and plant growth through reduced soil available water content.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the surface layer.

	Property used: WMS - FRAGMENTS > 75MM SURFACE LAYER (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		  > 35 %
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 25 % to <= 35 %
			Not limiting 		=< 25 %
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.

14.  Content of large stones (b): Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede installation of irrigation pipelines and appurtenances to deliver water to microirrigation (above ground) systems.   Above ground installations of main pipelines and laterals can often be used to overcome this limitation.  Above ground installations will sometimes have more varmint damage issues than below ground system delivery pipelines.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: WMS - FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE (PAN) (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Somewhat limiting	 => 5%
			Not limiting		< 5 %
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class.

15.  Subsidence - The presence of gypsum or soluble salts in the soil, parent material, or bedrock may lead to the formation of subsidence features if the amount of irrigation water applied grossly exceeds evapotranspiration.  In humid climates, excessive irrigation on soils occuring over limestone bedrock can also experience sinkhole formation.  Soil features considered are the gypsum content of the soil and bedrock as well as the presence of limestone bedrock.


	Property used: ""LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
	
		 Restrictive Limits:
		    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
		  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
		  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
		  
		  
	Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		  
		  
	Property used:  ""SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM, REV""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=> 30cm
			Somewhat limiting	10-30cm
			Not limiting		<= 10cm

References: 
The original interpretation rules and criteria developed by Temple, Texas for Micro-irrigation, Above Ground had been modified to meet states needs for this application in other part of the United States.

Criteria were adjusted as requested 9/19/2006 by NRCS Central States, NSSC, and CNTSC staff working on Irrigation Applications. 

Bob Nielson, Consultant, Soil Scientist, Lincoln, NE
Troy Collier, NRCS, Resource Soil Scientist, Woodward, OK
Wayne Gabriel, NRCS, Soil Data Quality Specialist, Temple, TX
Allen Gehring, NRCS, Assistant State Engineer, Ames, IA
Edward Griffin, NRCS, National Resource Soil Scientist, Fort Worth, TX
Cleon Namken, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Lubbock, TX
Mike Risinger, NRCS, State Soil Scientist/Leader M09, Temple, TX
Chuck Sample, NRCS, Assistant State Soil Scientist, Stillwater, OK
Rick Schegel, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Woodward, OK
Marty Soffran, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Salina, KS
Chris Stoner, NRCS, Civil Engineer, Stillwater, OK
Jerry Walker, NRCS, National Water Management Engineer, Fort Worth, TX
Jon Whan, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Hondo, TX
Susan Southard, NRCS, Soil Data Quality, Davis, CA
Karl Hipple, NRCS, National Leader, Interpretation, Lincoln, NE
All NRCS States Soil Scientists and State Engineers were consulted on the criteria.

National Engineering Handbook. USDA-NRCS.  Sept. 1997. Part 652.0603

National Soil Survey Handbook. 1993. United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Service. Part 620 - Soil Interpretations Rating Guides 620, Table 620-32.

Conservation Practice Standard - Irrigation System, Micro -irrigation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas, April, 2002.

Flooding (frequent or very frequent) that occurs during the growing season where the crop growing seasons is defined by the taxonomic temperature regime:


regime				corresponding months
----------------------------	---------------------
cryic, isofrigid or pergelic	July and August

frigid or mesic			June, July, 
				August and September

thermic 			March, April, May, 
				June, July, August,
				September and October
				
isothermic,			Jan., Feb., March, April,
isohyperthermic,		May, June, July, August,
				September, October, 
				November and December

isomesic, hyperthermic		February, March, April,
				May, June, July, August,
				September, October, 
				November and December"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"23576"|"90078"|"8632155"
"WMS - Irrigation, Micro (subsurface drip)"|"limitation"|"WMS - Water Management Systems

WMS - Irrigation, Micro (subsurface drip)					Date: 7/02/07

Summary: Soil interpretations for ""WMS - Micro-irrigation, Subsurface Drip"" evaluate a soil's limitation(s) for irrigation systems that apply water at slow rates to the soil-rooting zone and installed beneath the soil surface.  The ratings are for soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use.

The degree of limitation is express as a numeric index between 0 (non-limiting condition) and 1.0 (limiting condition).  If a soil's property within 100 cm (40 inches) of the soil surface has a degree of limitation greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule.  Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less then the maximum and are identified to provide the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support the interpretation.  These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and application modifications.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation.  These are not limited (degree of limitation = 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0).

The Micro-irrigation, Subsurface Drip was developed by the Temple, Texas interpretation and irrigation engineering staffs and is NOT DESIGNED NOR INTENDED TO BE USED IN A REGULATORY MANNER.  The original interpretation rules and criteria developed by Temple, Texas for Micro-irrigation, Subsurface Drip had been modified to meet states needs for this application in other regions of the United States. The soil properties and qualities that affect design, layout, construction, management, or performance of the irrigation system are evaluated and their degree of limitation determines the final rating.

Scope: Micro- irrigation systems are irrigation systems that apply low volume water application on or below the soil surface: as drops, tiny streams or miniature spray through emitters or applicators placed along a water delivery line. This report addresses Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) systems which are buried micro-irrigation systems that apply water directly to the subsoil very slowly.  Generally, these systems are very efficient irrigation technologies in terms of both water and energy use and are suitable for used in windbreaks, vegetables, berries, landscape plantings, vineyards, orchards, and some row crops.   The Micro- irrigation (Above Ground) report addresses those systems which emit or apply water at or on the soil surface.

Description: The soil properties and qualities that affect design, layout, construction, management, or performance of the irrigation system are evaluated and their degree of limitation determines the final rating.  The soil properties and qualities important in the design and management of drip irrigation systems are soil depth, available water capacity, wetness, or ponding, a need for drainage, percolation rate, pH, erosion potential, and flooding.  The soil properties and qualities that influence installation are soil depth, stoniness, flooding, and ponding.  The features that affect performance of the system and plant growth are available water capacity, shrink-swell, salts, lime, pH and sodium.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.  Calcium Carbonate: Soils with free carbonates below the surface layer may reduce irrigation efficiency and effectiveness by increasing irrigation intake rate from what would have been estimated based on texture alone. Calcium Carbonate may restrict intake if compacted or equipment blockages from precipitation of calcium.  Free carbonates can also restrict available root zone of irrigated crops.   Soil feature considered is the maximum CaCO3 equivalent (pct in thickest layer) between 25 and 100cm (10 to 40 inches) or a restrictive layer.

	Property used: WMS - CaCO3 MAXIMUM 25-100CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Somewhat limiting	 => 50%
			Not limiting		   < 50%
	Null CaCO3 is assigned to the Not limiting class.

2.  Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock can impede installation of irrigation system pipelines, appurtenances, and subsurface drip irrigation laterals.   A shallow depth to hard bedrock reduce available rooting depth, and available water capacity making it unlikely that anticipated crop response to microirrigation will be achieved.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

Shallow depth to bedrock also limits the soil's adsorptive capacity and the thickness of the biologically active zone through with waste materials can percolate.  Shallow soils may pose environmental and health risks when agricultural and municipal waste materials are applied. 

	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO BEDROCK (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		  < 50 cm
			Somewhat limiting	  > 50 cm and <100 cm
			Not limiting		=> 100 cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		 = ""bedrock (lithic)""
			Not limiting not	 = ""bedrock (lithic)""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

3.  Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock can impede installation of irrigation system pipelines, appurtenances, and subsurface drip irrigation laterals.   A shallow depth to soft bedrock reduce available rooting depth, and available water capacity making it unlikely that anticipated crop response to microirrigation will be achieved.    Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the
restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO BEDROCK (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		 =< 50cm
			Somewhat limiting	   > 50cm and < 100cm
			Not limiting		 => 100cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting	 = ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
			Not limiting 	not = ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

4.  Depth to cemented pan: Shallow depth to cemented pan can impede installation of subsurface drip irrigation laterals, and could result in irrigation laterals being placed below the pan making uniform soil moisture distribution problematic.  A shallow depth to cemented pan could also reduce rooting depth and available water capacity, making it unlikely that anticipated crop response to microirrigation will be achieved.  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=< 50cm
			Somewhat limiting	  > 50 and < 100cm
			Not limiting		=> 100cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting	  = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic"" 
			Not limiting	  not = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or petrogypsic"" 
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		not = ""Noncemented""
			Not limiting		      = ""Noncemented""
	Null hardness is assigned to the limiting class.

5.  Depth to saturated zone: A shallow depth to water table will hamper installation of irrigation pipelines, SDI lateral tubing, appurtenances, and earth forming that might be needed install and maintain an irrigation system.  A shallow depth to water table will also complicate the irrigation water management requirements for the site, and often increases probability of salinity problems developing.  A shallow water table will also make the soil difficult to work, restrict rooting zone, and increase risk of ground water contamination through leaching of irrigation chemical treatment constituents, nitrates, pesticides or other contaminants.  These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month in the growing season. Used 90 cm as limiting based on NEH, Part 652, Irrigation Guide, and Exhibit 2.1. 

	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM DURING GROWING SEASON (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=< 60cm
			Somewhat limiting	  > 60 to < 90cm
			Not limiting		=> 90cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

6.  Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio are prone to develop irrigation water and rainfall infiltration restriction/reductions due to soil dispersion caused by sodium in the soil and/or soil water.  Soils with elevated SARs will require monitoring of SAR in soil and irrigation water being applied, very careful irrigation water management, possible chemical treatment.  An elevated SAR may impact expected crop response to irrigation by suppressing plant growth and will require a high degree of management.  Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 100cm.

	Property used: WMS - SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-100cm (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting		=> 20
			Somewhat limiting	  > 6 to < 20
			Not limiting		<= 6			
	Null SAR is assigned not rated.

7.  Flooding: Flooding: Flooding frequency greater then rare has the potential to damage irrigation infrastructure, and impact expected crop response to irrigation by causing frequent crop damage.  Most microirrigation (Subsurface Drip) systems involve a relatively high capitol investment. Most producers will want to be fairly certain the investment necessary to install this type of  irrigation system will pay.  A frequently flooded area would not likely provide a very stable investment.  Frequently flooded areas are more likely to transport nutrients, and agricultural and water treatment chemicals, which are typically applied through or in conjunction with this type of irrigation system.    Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: WMS - FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest (PAN) (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		= Very frequent""
			Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional"" or frequent
			Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.

8.  Content of large stones (a): Large stone impede installation of irrigation system mains, subsurface drip laterals, and appurtenances.  Large stones have the potential to damage SDI tubing over time when tubing is installed in contact with stones.  Large stones may make operation and management on buried microirrigation tubing more difficult and may impact expected crop response to irrigation by effecting tillage, planting, and harvesting and plant growth through reduced soil available water content.    Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep.

	Property used: WMS - FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=> 25%
			Somewhat limiting	  > 0% and < 25%
			Not limiting		= 0%
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.

9.  Content of large stones (b): Excessive stones (rock fragments, > 10 inch in diameter) on the soil surface layer may impede installation of subsurface irrigation systems and mechanized equipment operations.  Soil feature considered is percent rock fragments > 10 inches in size on the surface soil layer.

	Property used: WMS - FRAGMENTS >=250MM ON THE SURFACE (PAN) Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=> 5%
			Somewhat limiting	  > 0.1 to < 5%
			Not limiting		<= 0.1%
	Null > 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not limiting class.

10. Low Available Water Capacity:  Soils with low available water capacities have limited potential to hold irrigation water.  Irrigation management is critical on soil with low AWC to insure adequate soil water for maximum plant growth and production.  Soil feature considered is the (available water capacity x layer thickness) summed through a depth of 100cm or to a restrictive layer. Used 0.05 cm/cm as limiting based on NEH, Part 652, Irrigation Guide, and Exhibit 2.1.

	Property used: WMS - AVAILABLE WATER CAPACITY IN DEPTH 0-100cm (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=< 5cm
			Somewhat limiting	  > 5 cm and < 12 cm
			Not limiting		=> 12 cm 
	Null AWC is assigned to the Not rated class.

11. Ponding:  Ponding restricts or effects tillage, rooting depth, and plant growth.    Ponding may damage irrigation infrastructure, and will likely impact expected crop response to irrigation by causing frequent crop damage.  Most irrigation systems involve a relatively high investment in money or labor or both. Most producers will need to be fairly certain the investment necessary to install an irrigation system will pay.  A ponding area would not likely provide a very stable investment.  Soil feature considered is ponding any month during growing season. 
	
	Property used: WMS - PONDING DURATION GROWING SEASON (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		 = long"" or ""very long""
			Somewhat limiting	 = brief or ""very brief""
			Not limiting		 = ""none""
	Null ponding duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.

12. Excess salt: Soils with high electrical conductivity may suppress plant growth and will require a high degree of management.  Soils with elevated salinity levels will require EC monitoring of soil and irrigation water being applied.  Matching irrigated crop selection to expected salinity levels, proper leaching, and careful irrigation water management, will be required on soils with elevated salinity. A properly designed drainage system may be required to properly irrigate some soils with elevated salinity levels.  Irrigation runoff and associated subsurface drainage from these soils has potential to increase salinity levels in groundwater, downstream surface waters, and wetlands.  Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest electrical conductivity 0-100 cm.
Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest electrical conductivity.

	Property used: WMS - SALINITY MAXIMUM (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Somewhat limiting	=> 4
			Not limiting		  < 4
	Null EC is assigned not rated.

13. Seepage: Microirrigation Subsurface Irrigation Systems utilize irrigation laterals installed below the normal tillage zone to prevent damage.  Especially in drier climates rapid permeability can result in crop germination problems if applied irrigation water is unable to move up to planted seeds to insure germination.  In addition, rapid permeability that allows irrigation water to percolate out of the root zone is undesirable and increases irrigation management expenses.  Permeability that maintains irrigation water within the root zone during the consumptive use period is desirable to maintain the growth and vigor of the irrigated crop. Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest Ksat that has any portion in the depth range 0 to 100 cm or to a restrictive layer if less then 100 cm.

	Property used: WMS - KSAT MAXIMUM, 0-100CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting		  > 44.0 um/sec
			Somewhat limiting	  > 21.2 to < 44.0 um/sec 
			Not limiting		<= 21.2 um/sec
	Null Ksat is assigned not rated.

14. Shrink-Swell: High shrink-swell potential limits the installation and maintenance of subsurface drip irrigation lines and emitters.  Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) tubing can be damaged due to stress imposed by movement of high shrink swell clays.  Damage to buried lateral lines and resulting sediment contamination from field repairs can be significant problems on high shrink swell soils tubing is exposed by cracks allowing easy rodent access.   In some cases this limitation can be addressed by operating and managing a microirrigation (subsurface drip irrigation) system to maintain soil moisture year round at a level that will prevent soil cracking.  In drier climates and limited water supply areas this may not be an option.  Soil feature considered is the maximum linear extensibility percent

	Property used: WMS - SHRINK-SWELL, MAXIMUM 0-100CM (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=> 10.5
			Somewhat limiting	  > 4.5 to < 10.5
			Not limiting		=< 4.5
	Null shrink-swell is assigned to the Not rated class.

15. Soil Reaction (too acid or alkaline): Low or high soil pH can result in corrosion of irrigation infrastructure, significantly increase in irrigation system operation and maintenance requirements, and impact expected crop response to irrigation by restricting plant growth.   Soil feature considered is the (pH) in 0-100 cm. 
	
	Property used: WMS - SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MINIMUM, 0 TO 100CM (PAN) AND SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MAXIMUM, 0 TO 100CM (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
	
	Restriction limits:  Too acid
			Very limiting		=< 3.5
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 3.5 and <5.0
			Not limiting		=> 5.0
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.

		Restriction limits:  Too alkaline
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 9.0 
			Not limiting		=< 9.0
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.

16. Subsidence: The presence of gypsum or soluble salts in the soil, parent material, or bedrock may lead to the formation of subsidence features if the amount of irrigation water applied grossly exceeds evapotranspiration.  In humid climates, excessive irrigation on soils occuring over limestone bedrock can also experience sinkhole formation.  Soil features considered are the gypsum content of the soil and bedrock as well as the presence of limestone bedrock.


	Property used: ""LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
	
		 Restrictive Limits:
		    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
		  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
		  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
		  
		  
	Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		  
		  
	Property used:  ""SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM, REV""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=> 30cm
			Somewhat limiting	10-30cm
			Not limiting		<= 10cm
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

References: 
The original interpretation rules and criteria developed by Temple, Texas for Micro-irrigation, Subsurface Drip had been modified to meet states needs for this application in other part of the United States.
Criteria were adjusted as requested 9/19/2006 by NRCS Central States, NSSC, and CNTSC staff working on Irrigation Applications. The following individuals were consulted on the criteria:
Bob Nielson, Consultant, Soil Scientist, Lincoln, NE
Troy Collier, NRCS, Resource Soil Scientist, Woodward, OK
Wayne Gabriel, NRCS, Soil Data Quality Specialist, Temple, TX
Allen Gehring, NRCS, Assistant State Engineer, Ames, IA
Edward Griffin, NRCS, National Resource Soil Scientist, Fort Worth, TX
Cleon Namken, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Lubbock, TX
Mike Risinger, NRCS, State Soil Scientist/Leader M09, Temple, TX
Chuck Sample, NRCS, Assistant State Soil Scientist, Stillwater, OK
Rick Schegel, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Woodward, OK
Marty Soffran, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Salina, KS
Chris Stoner, NRCS, Civil Engineer, Stillwater, OK
Jerry Walker, NRCS, National Water Management Engineer, Fort Worth, TX
Jon Whan, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Hondo, TX
Susan Southard, NRCS, Soil Data Quality, Davis, CA
Karl Hipple, NRCS, National Leader, Interpretation, Lincoln, NE
All NRCS States Soil Scientists and State Engineers were consulted on the criteria.

National Engineering Handbook. USDA-NRCS.  Sept. 1997. Part 652.0603

National Soil Survey Handbook. 1993. United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Service. Part 620 - Soil Interpretations Rating Guides 620, Table 620-32.

Conservation Practice Standard - Irrigation System, Micro -irrigation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas, April, 2002.

Flooding (frequent or very frequent) that occurs during the growing season where the crop growing seasons is defined by the taxonomic temperature regime:


regime				corresponding months
----------------------------	---------------------
cryic, isofrigid or pergelic	July and August

frigid or mesic			June, July, 
				August and September

thermic 			March, April, May, 
				June, July, August,
				September and October
				
isothermic,			Jan., Feb., March, April,
isohyperthermic,		May, June, July, August,
				September, October, 
				November and December

isomesic, hyperthermic		February, March, April,
				May, June, July, August,
				September, October, 
				November and December"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"49927"|"90078"|"8632156"
"WMS - Irrigation, Sprinkler (close spaced outlet drops)"|"limitation"|"WMS - Water Management Systems

WMS-Sprinkler Irrigation, Close Spaced Outlets, Drops				Date: 7/2/07

Summary: Soil interpretations for ""WMS-Sprinkler Irrigation, Close Spaced Outlets, Drops"" evaluate a soil's limitation(s) for installation and use of sprinkler irrigation systems equipped with close spaced outlets on drops. The ratings are for soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use. 

The degree of limitation is expressed as a numeric index between 0 (non-limiting condition) and 1.0 (limiting condition). If a soil's property within 100 cm (40 inches) of the soil surface has a degree of limitation greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified. 

The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule. Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less then the maximum and are identified to provide the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support the interpretation. These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and application modifications.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation. These are not limited (degree of limitation = 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation > 0 and <1.0), or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0).

This Irrigation Application is NOT DESIGNED OR INTENDED TO BE USED IN A REGULATORY MANNER.

Scope: Sprinkler irrigation systems (Close Spaced Outlets, Drops) are generally linear move or center pivots equipped with low pressure spray sprinkler nozzles mounted on close spaced drops that apply water close to the ground surface.  Examples of these types of systems include Low Pressure in Canopy (LPIC), Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA), Low Elevation Spray Application (LESA), and Mid Elevation Spray Application (MESA) systems.  These systems have separate slope criteria from other sprinkler systems because of their higher application rates which increase risk of runoff and irrigation induced erosion on steeper slopes.   This type of irrigation system is generally suitable for small grains, row crops, and vegetables.

Description: The soil properties and qualities important in the design and management of sprinkler irrigation systems utilizing close spaced spray nozzles on drops are depth, available water holding capacity, sodium adsorption ratio, surface coarse fragments, permeability, salinity, slope, wetness, and flooding. The features that affect performance of the system and plant growth are surface texture and rocks, salinity, sodium adsorption ratio, wetness, erosion potential, and available water holding capacity.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1. Too clayey: Soil with clayey surface layer has slow intake rates with associated increased potential for translocation of applied irrigation water.  The soil becomes extremely sticky when wet and causes deep rutting, which concentrates and conveys irrigation runoff.  These soils will increase operation and maintenance requirements due to stuck and slipping wheels and resulting improper sprinkler lateral alignment. These soils may also reduce plant growth and cause the irrigation system to not produce expected benefits. Soil feature considered is the clay percentage of the surface layer.

	Property used: WMS - CLAY PERCENT SURFACE LAYER (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting	 	=> 60%
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 40 % and < 60%
			Not limiting 		=< 40 %
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.

2. Depth to cemented pan: Shallow depth to cemented pan limits the soil's water holding capacity and the thickness of the root zone. Soil features considered are the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restriction kind = ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=< 50 cm
			Somewhat limiting	  > 50 cm and < 100 cm
			Not limiting 		=> 100cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 	= ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic""
			Not limiting 	not =""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
Property used: WMS - RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting	 not =""Noncemented""
			Not limiting	 = ""Noncemented""
	Null hardness is assigned to the limiting class.

3. Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, reduces rooting depth and available water capacity, and restricts installation of underground irrigation practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO BEDROCK (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=< 50 cm
			Somewhat limiting	  > 50 cm and < 100 cm
			Not limiting 		=> 100cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		= ""bedrock (lithic)""
			Not limiting not 	= ""bedrock (lithic)""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

4. Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, reduces rooting depth and available water capacity, and restricts installation of underground irrigation practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO BEDROCK (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=< 50 cm
			Somewhat limiting	  > 50 cm and < 100 cm
			Not limiting 		=> 100cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		= ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
			Not limiting not 	= ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

5. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table A shallow depth to water table will hamper installation of irrigation pipelines, appurtenances, and earth forming that might be necessary to install and maintain an irrigation system.  A shallow depth to water table will also complicate the irrigation water management requirements for the site, and often increases probability of salinity problems developing.  A shallow water table will also make the soil difficult to work, restrict rooting zone, increase risk of ground water contamination through leaching of nitrates, pesticides or other contaminants.  Soil feature considered is, for any month, the top depth where soil moisture status is wet or saturated any month in the growing season. Used greater than or equal to 90 cm as not limiting based on NEH, Part 652, Irrigation Guide, and Exhibit 2.1.

	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM IN GROWING SEASON (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		=< 60cm
			Somewhat limiting	  > 60 to < 90 cm
			Not limiting 		= > 90 cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

6.  Low Available Water Capacity:  Soils with low available water capacities have limited potential to hold irrigation water.  Irrigation management is critical on soil with low AWC to insure adequate soil water for maximum plant growth and production.  Soil feature considered is the (available water capacity x layer thickness) summed through a depth of 100cm or to a restrictive layer.  Used 0.05 cm/cm as limiting based on NEH, Part 652, Irrigation Guide, and Exhibit 2.1.

	Property used: WMS - AVAILABLE WATER CAPACITY IN DEPTH 0-100cm (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=< 5 cm
			Somewhat limiting	  > 5 to < 12 cm
			Not limiting		=> 12 cm
	Null AWC is assigned to the Not rated class. 

7. Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio are prone to develop irrigation water and rainfall infiltration restriction/reductions due to soil dispersion caused by sodium in the soil and/or soil water.  Soils with elevated SARs will require monitoring of SAR in soil and irrigation water being applied, very careful irrigation water management, possible chemical treatment.  An elevated SAR may impact expected crop response to irrigation by suppressing plant growth and will require a high degree of management. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 100 cm.

	Property used: WMS - SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-100cm (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting 		=> 20
			Somewhat limiting	   > 6 to < 20
			Not limiting 		 <= 6
	Null SAR is assigned not rated.

8.  Flooding: Flooding frequency greater then rare has the potential to damage irrigation infrastructure, and impact expected crop response to irrigation by causing frequent crop damage.  Most irrigation systems involve a relatively high investment in money or labor or both. Most producers will need to be fairly certain the investment necessary to install an irrigation system will pay.  A frequently flooded area would not likely provide a very stable investment.  Frequently flooded areas are more likely to transport nutrients and agricultural chemicals, which are typically applied at a higher rate on irrigated land off site to receiving surface waters. Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: WMS - FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest, ANY MONTH (PAN) (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	Restrictive limits:
		Very limiting		= Very frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional"" or "" frequent""
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.

9. Content of large stones: Large stones may impede installation of underground supply pipelines and to supply sprinkler systems trafficability and tillage, planting and harvesting of crops.  Large stones may also impact operation and management  requirements of the irrigation system by damaging mobile system components and complicating pipeline and irrigation system repairs, and will impact expected crop response to irrigation by effecting tillage, planting, harvesting and plant growth through reduced soil AWC.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep. The degree of limitation is reduced by subtraction. Given this constraint; a somewhat limiting 0.5 is the highest degree of limitation given. 

	Property used: WMS - FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limited 		=> 35%
			Somewhat limiting	  > 25% and < 35
			Not limiting 		=< 25%
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.

10. Ponding: Ponding restricts or effects tillage, rooting depth, and plant growth. Soil feature considered is ponding duration.  Ponding may damage irrigation infrastructure, and will likely impact expected crop response to irrigation by causing frequent crop damage.  Most sprinkler irrigation systems involve a relatively high capital investment.   Most producers will need to be fairly certain the investment necessary to install a Sprinkler close spaced outlets on drops  will pay.  Significant ponding areas would not likely provide a very stable investment.  Soil feature considered is ponding duration any month during the growing season. Soil feature considered is ponding duration.  This limitation can sometimes be overcome with installation of a properly designed drainage system.  

Property used: WMS - PONDING DURATION DURING GROWING SEASON (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		 = ""long"" or ""very long""
			Somewhat limiting	 = ""very brief"" or brief
			Not limiting		 = ""none""
	Null ponding duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.

11. Excess salt: Soils with high electrical conductivity will tend to increase corrosion of metal irrigation system components.  Soils with elevated salinity levels will require EC monitoring of soil and irrigation water being applied.  Matching irrigated crop selection to expected salinity levels, proper leaching, and careful irrigation water management, will be required on soils with elevated salinity.  Leaching applications can be very difficult to apply without producing runoff due to high application rates associated with this type of sprinkler irrigation system. A properly designed drainage system may be required to properly irrigate some soils with elevated salinity levels.  Irrigation runoff and potential subsurface drainage during leaching applications from these soils has potential to increase salinity levels in groundwater, downstream surface waters, and wetlands.  Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest electrical conductivity 0-100 cm.

Property used: WMS - SALINITY MAXIMUM (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Somewhat limiting 	=> 4
			Not limiting 		  < 4
	Null EC is assigned not rated.

12. Slope: Slopes may increase runoff and erosion, when used with specific sprinklers equipped with close spaced low pressure spray nozzles that are discharge types of sprinkler systems (LEPA, LESA, LPIC, and MESA. LEPA, LESA, LPIC, and MESA are sprinklers equipped with low pressure spray nozzles that operate on drops.  The closer the nozzle spacing and lower the drop the greater potential for runoff and irrigation induced erosion on a given soil.  Actual limiting slopes for sprinkler irrigation systems using spray nozzles on drops would be  average slope >1% for LEPA, average slope > 3.0% for LESA; and for LIPC and MESA systems average slope > 3% and surface texture finer than loam, or > 5% and surface texture loam or coarser.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.

	Property used: WMS - SLOPE (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting		  > 5 %
			Somewhat limiting	  > 1 and =< 5 %
			Not limiting		=< 1%			
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.


13. Percs slowly: Soils with low surface hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) and smectitic mineralogy have slow percolation causing excess runoff and erosion during high precipitation or irrigation events. Agri-chemical and fertilizers applied to soil's with this limitation may be removed from the site by runoff and can impacting adjacent surface waters. Timing, application rates, and application methods are management tools that can be used when applying these products to soil susceptible to slow percolation. Soil feature considered is the horizon with the lowest Ksat that has any portion in the depth range 0 to 100cm or to a restrictive layer if less then 100cm and the surface horizon's Ksat. 

Property used: WMS - KSAT MINIMUM, 0-100CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting		=< 0.14 micrometers/second
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 0.14 to < 1.4 micrometers/second
			Not limiting 		=> 1.4 um/sec

	Null Ksat is assigned not rated.

14. Soil Reaction (too acid or alkaline): Low or high soil pH can result in corrosion of irrigation infrastructure, significantly increase in irrigation system operation and maintenance requirements, and impact expected crop response to irrigation by restricting plant growth.  Soil feature considered is the (pH) in 0-100 cm. 
	
Property used: WMS - SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MINIMUM, 0 TO 100CM (PAN) AND SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MAXIMUM, 0 TO 100CM (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restriction limits: Too acid
			Very limiting		=< 3.5
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 3.5 and <5.0
			Not limiting		=> 5.0
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.

		Restriction limits:  Too alkaline
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 9.0 
			Not limiting		=< 9.0
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.

	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.

15. Calcium Carbonate: Soils with free carbonates below the surface layer may reduce irrigation efficiency and effectiveness by increasing irrigation intake rate from what would have been estimated based on texture alone. Calcium Carbonate may restrict intake if compacted or blockages of equipment from precipitation of calcium.  Free carbonates can also restrict available root zone of irrigated crops.  Soil feature considered is the maximum CaCO3 equivalent (pct in thickest layer) between 25 and 100cm (10 to 40 inches) or a restrictive layer.

	Property used: WMS - CaCO3 MAXIMUM 25-100CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
		Restrictive limits:
			Somewhat limiting 	=> 50%
			Not limiting		   < 50%
	Null CaCO3 is assigned to the Not limiting class.

16. Erodes Easily: Surface soil water erodibility indicator is the product of the surface K factor multiplied by the soil slope. Soils are subject to irrigation induced water erosion from this type of sprinkler irrigation system if the indicator is above .98 and practice design should include water erosion control measures.  Soil features considered are the soil horizon K factor and the soil slope.

	Property used: WMS - SURFACE LAYER WATER EROSION IDICATOR (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting		=> 3.0
			Somewhat limiting	  > 1.0 and < 3.0
			Not limiting		=< 1.0
	Null K factor is assigned Not rated.

17.  Subsidence: The presence of gypsum or soluble salts in the soil, parent material, or bedrock may lead to the formation of subsidence features if the amount of irrigation water applied grossly exceeds evapotranspiration.  In humid climates, excessive irrigation on soils occuring over limestone bedrock can also experience sinkhole formation.  Soil features considered are the gypsum content of the soil and bedrock as well as the presence of limestone bedrock.


	Property used: ""LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
	
		 Restrictive Limits:
		    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
		  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
		  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
		  
		  
	Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		  
		  
	Property used:  ""SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM, REV""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=> 30cm
			Somewhat limiting	10-30cm
			Not limiting		<= 10cm

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reference Information:
The Original Sprinkler Irrigation interpretation was developed by the Davis, California interpretation staff. The original interpretation rules and criteria developed by Davis, California interpretation staff for Sprinkler Irrigation had been modified to meet states needs for this application in other part of the United States. 

Criteria were adjusted as requested 9/19/2006 by NRCS Central States, NSSC, and CNTSC staff working on Irrigation Applications. The following individuals were consulted on the criteria:
Bob Nielson, Consultant, Soil Scientist, Lincoln, NE
Troy Collier, NRCS, Resource Soil Scientist, Woodward, OK
Wayne Gabriel, NRCS, Soil Data Quality Specialist, Temple, TX
Allen Gehring, NRCS, Assistant State Engineer, Ames, IA
Edward Griffin, NRCS, National Resource Soil Scientist, Fort Worth, TX
Cleon Namken, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Lubbock, TX
Mike Risinger, NRCS, State Soil Scientist/Leader M09, Temple, TX
Chuck Sample, NRCS, Assistant State Soil Scientist, Stillwater, OK
Rick Schegel, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Woodward, OK
Marty Soffran, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Salina, KS
Chris Stoner, NRCS, Civil Engineer, Stillwater, OK
Jerry Walker, NRCS, National Water Management Engineer, Fort Worth, TX
Jon Whan, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Hondo, TX
Susan Southard, NRCS, Soil Data Quality, Davis, CA
Karl Hipple, NRCS, National Leader, Interpretation, Lincoln, NE
All NRCS State Soil Scientists and State Engineers were consulted on the criteria.
California Irrigation Guide. USDA-SCS. 1982. Developed in cooperation with the Pond-Shafter-Wasco Resource Conservation District.
Hanson, Blaine and Grattan, Stephen R. 1993. Agricultural Salinity and Drainage. University of California Irrigation Program. University. Of California, Davis.
National Engineering Handbook. USDA-NRCS.  Aug. 1996. Part 652.
National Soil Survey Handbook. 1993. United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Service. Part 620 - Soil Interpretations Rating Guides 620, Table 620-32.

Flooding (frequent or very frequent) that occurs during the growing season where the crop growing seasons is defined by the taxonomic temperature
regime:


taxonomic temperature
regime				corresponding months
----------------------------	---------------------
cryic, isofrigid or pergelic	July and August

frigid or mesic			June, July, 
				August and September

thermic 			March, April, May, 
				June, July, August,
				September and October
				
isothermic,			Jan., Feb., March, April,
isohyperthermic,		May, June, July, August,
				September, October, 
				November and December

isomesic, hyperthermic		February, March, April,
				May, June, July, August,
				September, October, 
				November and December"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"23578"|"90078"|"8632157"
"WMS - Irrigation, Sprinkler (general)"|"limitation"|"WMS - Water Management Systems

WMS-Sprinkler Irrigation								 Date: 7/2/07	

Summary: Soil interpretations for ""WMS-Sprinkler Irrigation"" evaluate a soil's limitation(s) for installation and use of sprinkler irrigation systems excluding those equipped with close spaced outlets on drops which are covered in a different interpretation report.  The ratings are for soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use. 

The degree of limitation is expressed as a numeric index between 0 (non-limiting condition) and 1.0 (limiting condition). If a soil's property within 100 cm (40 inches) of the soil surface has a degree of limitation greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified. 

The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule. Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less then the maximum and are identified to provide the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support the interpretation. These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and application modifications.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation. These are not limited (degree of limitation = 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation > 0 and <1.0), or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0).

This Irrigation Application is NOT DESIGNED OR INTENDED TO BE USED IN A REGULATORY MANNER.

Scope: Sprinkler irrigation systems apply irrigation water to a field through a series of pipes and nozzles and can be either solid set or mobile.  Generally, this type of irrigation system is suitable for small grains, row crops, vegetables, and orchards. 

Description: The soil properties and qualities important in the design and management of sprinkler irrigation systems are depth, available water holding capacity, sodium adsorption ratio, surface coarse fragments, permeability, salinity, slope, wetness, and flooding. The features that affect performance of the system and plant growth are surface texture and rocks, salinity, sodium adsorption ratio, wetness, erosion potential, and available water holding capacity.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1. Too clayey: Soil with clayey surface layer has slow intake rates with associated increased potential for translocation of applied irrigation water.  The soil becomes extremely sticky when wet and causes deep rutting, which concentrates and conveys irrigation runoff.  These soils can increase operation and maintenance requirements due to stuck and slipping wheels and resulting improper sprinkler lateral alignment on mobile systems. These soils also reduce plant growth and prevent the sprinkler irrigation system from producing expected benefits. Soil feature considered is the clay percentage of the surface layer.

	Property used: WMS - CLAY PERCENT SURFACE LAYER (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=> 60%
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 40 % and <= 60%
Not limiting 		  < 40 %
	Null clay percentage is assigned to the Not rated class.

2. Depth to cemented pan: Shallow depth to cemented pan limits the soil's water holding capacity and the thickness of the root zone. Soil features considered are the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restriction kind = ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=< 50 cm
			Somewhat limiting	=> 50 cm and < 100 cm
			Not limiting 		=> 100cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 	= ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic""
			Not limiting 	not =""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting	 not =""Noncemented""
			Not limiting	 = ""Noncemented""
	Null hardness is assigned to the limiting class.

3. Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, reduces rooting depth and available water capacity, and restricts installation of underground irrigation practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO BEDROCK (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=< 50 cm
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 50 cm and <100 cm
			Not limiting 		=> 100 cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		= ""bedrock (lithic)""
			Not limiting not 	= ""bedrock (lithic)""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

4. Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, reduces rooting depth and available water capacity, and restricts installation of underground irrigation practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO BEDROCK (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=< 50cm
			Somewhat limiting	  > 50cm and < 100cm
			Not limiting 		=> 100cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		= ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
			Not limiting not 	= ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

5. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table A shallow depth to water table will hamper installation of irrigation pipelines, appurtenances, and earth forming that might be necessary to install and maintain an irrigation system.  A shallow depth to water table will also complicate the irrigation water management requirements for the site, and often increases probability of salinity problems developing.  A shallow water table will also make the soil difficult to work, restrict rooting zone, and increase risk of ground water contamination through leaching of nitrates, pesticides or other contaminants.  Soil feature considered is, for any month, the top depth where soil moisture status is wet or saturated any month in the growing season. Used greater than or equal to 90 cm as not limiting based on NEH, Part 652, Irrigation Guide, and Exhibit 2.1.


	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM IN GROWING SEASON (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		< 60cm
			Somewhat limiting	  => 60 and < 90 cm
			Not limiting 		= > 90 cm
Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

6.  Low Available Water Capacity:  Soils with low available water capacities have limited potential to hold irrigation water.  Irrigation management is critical on soil with low AWC to insure adequate soil water for maximum plant growth and production.  Soil feature considered is the (available water capacity x layer thickness) summed through a depth of 100cm or to a restrictive layer.  Used 0.05 cm/cm as limiting based on NEH, Part 652, Irrigation Guide, and Exhibit 2.1.

	Property used: WMS - AVAILABLE WATER CAPACITY IN DEPTH 0-100cm (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=< 5 cm
			Somewhat limiting	  > 5 and < 12 cm
			Not limiting		=> 12 cm
	Null AWC is assigned to the Not rated class. 

7. Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio are prone to develop irrigation water and rainfall infiltration restriction/reductions due to soil dispersion caused by sodium in the soil and/or soil water.  Soils with elevated SARs will require monitoring of SAR in soil and irrigation water being applied, very careful irrigation water management, possible chemical treatment.  An elevated SAR may impact expected crop response to irrigation by suppressing plant growth and will require a high degree of management. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 100 cm.

	Property used: WMS - SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-100cm (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting 		=> 20
			Somewhat limiting	  > 6 to < 20
			Not limiting 		<= 6
	Null SAR is assigned not rated.

8.  Flooding: Flooding frequency greater then rare has the potential to damage irrigation infrastructure, and impact expected crop response to irrigation by causing frequent crop damage.  Most irrigation systems involve a relatively high investment in money or labor or both. Most producers will need to be fairly certain the investment necessary to install an irrigation system will pay.  A frequently flooded area would not likely provide a very stable investment.  Frequently flooded areas are more likely to transport nutrients and agricultural chemicals, which are typically applied at a higher rate on irrigated land off site to receiving surface waters. Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: WMS - FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest, ANY MONTH (PAN) (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
	Restrictive limits:
		Very limiting		= Very frequent""
		Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional"" or "" frequent"" 
		Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.

9. Content of large stones: Large stones may impede installation of underground supply pipelines and to supply sprinkler systems trafficability and tillage, planting and harvesting of crops.  Large stones may also impact operation and management requirements of the irrigation system by damaging mobile system components and complicating pipeline and irrigation system repairs, and will impact expected crop response to irrigation by effecting tillage, planting, harvesting and plant growth through reduced soil AWC.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep. The degree of limitation is reduced by subtraction. Given this constraint; a somewhat limiting 0.5 is the highest degree of limitation given. 

	Property used: WMS - FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		=> 35%
			Somewhat limiting	  > 25% and <= 35%
			Not limiting 		=< 25%
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.

10. Ponding: Ponding restricts or effects tillage, rooting depth, and plant growth. Soil feature considered is ponding duration.  Ponding may damage irrigation infrastructure, and will likely impact expected crop response to irrigation by causing frequent crop damage.  Most sprinkler irrigation systems involve a relatively high capital investment.   Most producers will need to be fairly certain the investment necessary to install a Sprinkler close spaced outlets on drops  will pay.  Significant ponding areas would not likely provide a very stable investment.  Soil feature considered is ponding duration any month during the growing season. Soil feature considered is ponding duration.  This limitation can sometimes be overcome with installation of a properly designed drainage system.  


	Property used: WMS - PONDING DURATION GROWING SEASON (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		 = ""long"" or ""very long""
			Somewhat limiting	 = ""very brief"" or brief
			Not limiting		 = ""none""
	Null ponding duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.

11. Excess salt: Soils with high electrical conductivity may suppress plant growth and will tend to increase corrosion of metal irrigation system components.  Soils with elevated salinity levels will require EC monitoring of soil and irrigation water being applied.  Matching irrigated crop selection to expected salinity levels, proper leaching, and careful irrigation water management, will be required on soils with elevated salinity.  Leaching applications can be very difficult to apply without producing runoff due to high application rates associated with this type of sprinkler irrigation system. A properly designed drainage system may be required to properly irrigate some soils with elevated salinity levels.  Irrigation runoff and potential subsurface drainage during leaching applications from these soils has potential to increase salinity levels in groundwater, downstream surface waters, and wetlands.  Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest electrical conductivity 0-100 cm.

	Property used: WMS - SALINITY MAXIMUM (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Somewhat limiting 	=> 4 
			Not limiting 		  < 4
	Null EC is assigned not rated.

12. Slope: Steep slopes impede operation of sprinkler irrigation systems degrade system application uniformity, increase operation and management requirements on mobile sprinkler irrigation systems, and are subject to severe irrigation induced erosion.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: WMS - SLOPE (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting		=> 15%
			Somewhat limiting	   > 6 and < 15%
			Not limiting		=< 6%			
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.


13. Percs slowly: Soils with low surface hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) and smectitic mineralogy have slow percolation causing excess runoff and erosion during high precipitation or irrigation events. Agri-chemical and fertilizers applied to soil's with this limitation may be removed from the site by runoff and can impacting adjacent surface waters. Timing, application rates, and application methods are management tools that can be used when applying these products to soil susceptible to slow percolation. Soil feature considered is the horizon with the lowest Ksat that has any portion in the depth range 0 to 100cm or to a restrictive layer if less then 100cm and the surface horizon's Ksat and soil mineralogy. 

	Property used: WMS - KSAT MINIMUM, 0-100CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting		=< 0.14 micrometers/second
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 0.14 to < 1.4micrometers/second
			Not limiting 		=> 1.4 um/sec

	Null Ksat is assigned not rated.

14. Soil Reaction (too acid or alkaline): Low or high soil pH can result in corrosion of irrigation infrastructure, significantly increase in irrigation system operation and maintenance requirements, and impact expected crop response to irrigation by restricting plant growth.  Soil feature considered is the (pH) in 0-100 cm. 
	
	Property used: WMS - SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MINIMUM, 0 TO 100CM (PAN) AND SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MAXIMUM, 0 TO 100CM (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restriction limits:  Too acid
			Very limiting		=< 3.5
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 3.5 and <5.0
			Not limiting		=> 5.0
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.

		Restriction limits:  Too alkaline
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 9.0 
			Not limiting		=< 9.0
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.

15. Calcium Carbonate: Soils with free carbonates below the surface layer may reduce irrigation efficiency and effectiveness by increasing irrigation intake rate from what would have been estimated based on texture alone. Calcium Carbonate may restrict intake if compacted or equipment blockages from precipitation of calcium.  Free carbonates can also restrict available root zone of irrigated crops.  Soil feature considered is the maximum CaCO3 equivalent (pct in thickest layer) between 25 and 100cm (10 to 40 inches) or a restrictive layer.

	Property used: WMS - CaCO3 MAXIMUM 25-100CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
			
		Restrictive limits:
			Somewhat limiting 	=> 50%
			Not limiting		   < 50%
	Null CaCO3 is assigned to the Not limiting class.

16.  Subsidence: The presence of gypsum or soluble salts in the soil, parent material, or bedrock may lead to the formation of subsidence features if the amount of irrigation water applied grossly exceeds evapotranspiration.  In humid climates, excessive irrigation on soils occuring over limestone bedrock can also experience sinkhole formation.  Soil features considered are the gypsum content of the soil and bedrock as well as the presence of limestone bedrock.


	Property used: ""LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
	
		 Restrictive Limits:
		    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
		  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
		  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
		  
		  
	Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		  
		  
	Property used:  ""SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM, REV""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=> 30cm
			Somewhat limiting	10-30cm
			Not limiting		<= 10cm


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reference Information:
The Original Sprinkler Irrigation interpretation was developed by the Davis, California interpretation staff. The original interpretation rules and criteria developed by Davis, California interpretation staff for Sprinkler Irrigation had been modified to meet states needs for this application in other part of the United States. 

Criteria were adjusted as requested 9/19/2006 by NRCS Central States, NSSC, and CNTSC staff working on Irrigation Applications. The following individuals were consulted on the criteria:
Bob Nielson, Consultant, Soil Scientist, Lincoln, NE
Troy Collier, NRCS, Resource Soil Scientist, Woodward, OK
Wayne Gabriel, NRCS, Soil Data Quality Specialist, Temple, TX
Allen Gehring, NRCS, Assistant State Engineer, Ames, IA
Edward Griffin, NRCS, National Resource Soil Scientist, Fort Worth, TX
Cleon Namken, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Lubbock, TX
Mike Risinger, NRCS, State Soil Scientist/Leader M09, Temple, TX
Chuck Sample, NRCS, Assistant State Soil Scientist, Stillwater, OK
Rick Schegel, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Woodward, OK
Marty Soffran, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Salina, KS
Chris Stoner, NRCS, Civil Engineer, Stillwater, OK
Jerry Walker, NRCS, National Water Management Engineer, Fort Worth, TX
Jon Whan, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Hondo, TX
Susan Southard, NRCS, Soil Data Quality, Davis, CA
Karl Hipple, NRCS, National Leader, Interpretation, Lincoln, NE
All NRCS State Soil Scientists and State Engineers were consulted on the criteria.
California Irrigation Guide. USDA-SCS. 1982. Developed in cooperation with the Pond-Shafter-Wasco Resource Conservation District.
Hanson, Blaine and Grattan, Stephen R. 1993. Agricultural Salinity and Drainage. University of California Irrigation Program. University. Of California, Davis.
National Engineering Handbook. USDA-NRCS.  Aug. 1996. Part 652.
National Soil Survey Handbook. 1993. United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Service. Part 620 - Soil Interpretations Rating Guides 620, Table 620-32.

Flooding (frequent or very frequent) that occurs during the growing season where the crop growing seasons is defined by the taxonomic temperature
regime:


taxonomic temperature
regime				corresponding months
----------------------------	---------------------
cryic, isofrigid or pergelic	July and August

frigid or mesic			June, July, 
				August and September

thermic 			March, April, May, 
				June, July, August,
				September and October
				
isothermic,			Jan., Feb., March, April,
isohyperthermic,		May, June, July, August,
				September, October, 
				November and December

isomesic, hyperthermic		February, March, April,
				May, June, July, August,
				September, October, 
				November and December"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"23579"|"90078"|"8632158"
"WMS - Irrigation, Surface (graded)"|"limitation"|"WMS - Water Management Systems

WMS-Surface Irrigation (Graded)					Date: 7/2/07

Summary: Soil interpretations for WMS-Surface Irrigation (Graded)"" evaluate a soil's limitation(s) for installation and use of graded flood or furrow irrigation systems. The ratings are for soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use. 

The degree of limitation is express as a numeric index between 0 (non-limiting condition) and 1.0 (limiting condition). If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a degree of limitation greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified. The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule. Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less then the maximum and are identified to provide the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support the interpretation. These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and application modifications. 

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation. These are not limited (degree of limitation = 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0). 

This Irrigation Application is NOT DESIGNED OR INTENDED TO BE USED IN A REGULATORY MANNER.

Scope: Graded surface irrigation systems include graded border and graded furrow irrigation systems.  Graded border irrigation systems allow irrigation water to flow across the soil surface while being confined by borders.  Graded furrow irrigation systems are systems that allow irrigation water to flow down furrow valleys while the crop being irrigated is planted on the furrow ridge. Generally graded border systems are suitable for small grains while graded furrow systems are suitable for row crops.


Description: The soil properties and qualities important in the design and management of graded surface irrigation systems are depth, available water holding capacity, sodium adsorption ratio, surface coarse fragments, permeability, salinity, slope, wetness, and flooding. Features that affect system performance and plant growth are salinity, sodium adsorption ratio, wetness, calcium carbonate content, and available water holding capacity. 

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features. 

1. Depth to cemented pan: Shallow depth to cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, reduces rooting depth and available water capacity, and restricts installation of underground irrigation practice components.  Soil features considered are the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restriction kind = ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"".  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		  < 50 cm
			Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 cm and < 150cm
			Not limiting 		=> 150cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
Property used: WMS - KIND OF RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		= ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic""
			Not limiting not 	= ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		not = ""Noncemented""
			Not limiting 		      = ""Noncemented""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

2. Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, reduces rooting depth and available water capacity, and restricts installation of underground irrigation practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO BEDROCK (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		   < 50 cm
			Somewhat limiting	 => 50cm and < 150cm
			Not limiting 		=> 150cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		= ""bedrock (lithic)""
			Not limiting not 	= ""bedrock (lithic)""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

3. Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, reduces rooting depth and available water capacity, and restricts installation of underground irrigation practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO BEDROCK (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		   < 50cm
			Somewhat limiting 	=> 50cm and < 150cm
			Not limiting 		=> 150cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 	     = ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
			Not limiting not   = ""bedrock (paralithic)"" or ""bedrock (densic)""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

4. Depth to saturated zone: A shallow depth to water table will hamper installation of irrigation pipelines, appurtenances, water control structures, and earth forming that might be needed install and maintain graded surface irrigation systems.  A shallow depth to water table will also complicate the irrigation water management requirements for the site, and often increases probability of salinity problems developing.  A shallow water table will also make the soil difficult to work and restrict the rooting zone. These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month in the growing season. See reference for growing season definition. This limitation can sometimes be overcome with installation of a properly designed drainage system.  Used greater than or equal to 90 cm as not limiting based on NEH, Part 652, Irrigation Guide, and Exhibit 2.1.


	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM DURING THE GROWING SEASON (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value).Restrictive limits:
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		 < 60cm
			Somewhat Limiting 	=>60 cm and <90 cm
			Not limiting 		 = > 90cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

5. Low Available Water Capacity:  Soils with low available water capacities have limited potential to hold irrigation water.  Irrigation management is critical on soil with low AWC to insure adequate soil water for maximum plant growth and production.  Soil feature considered is the (available water capacity x layer thickness) summed through a depth of 150cm or to a restrictive layer.

	Property used: WMS - AVAILABLE WATER CAPACITY IN DEPTH 0-150cm (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=< 7.5 cm
			Somewhat limiting	  > 7.5 cm and < 18 cm
			Not limiting		=> 18 cm
	Null AWC is assigned to the Not rated class.

6. Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio are prone to develop irrigation water and rainfall infiltration restriction/reductions due to soil dispersion caused by sodium in the soil and/or soil water.  Soils with elevated SARs will require monitoring of SAR in soil and irrigation water being applied, very careful irrigation water management, possible chemical treatment.  An elevated SAR may impact expected crop response to irrigation by suppressing plant growth and will require a high degree of management. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 150cm.

	Property used: WMS - SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-150cm (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting 		=> 20
			Somewhat limiting	  > 6 to < 20
			Not limiting 		<= 6
	Null SAR is assigned not rated.

7. Flooding:  Flooding frequency greater then rare has the potential to damage irrigation infrastructure, and impact expected crop response to irrigation by causing frequent crop damage.  Most irrigation systems involve a relatively high investment in money or labor or both. Most producers will need to be fairly certain the investment necessary to install an irrigation system will pay.  A frequently flooded area would not likely provide a very stable investment.  Frequently flooded areas are more likely to transport nutrients and agricultural chemicals, which are typically applied at a higher rate on irrigated land, Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: WMS - FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest ANY MONTH (PAN) (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		= Very frequent""
			Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional"" or "" frequent""
			Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.

8. Content of large stones: Large stones impede installation of pipelines and water control structures, irrigation land leveling and/or shaping, and construction of earthen canals, ditches, or ridges.  Large stones may also impact operation and management requirements of graded surface irrigation system and will impact expected crop response to irrigation by effecting tillage, planting, and harvesting and plant growth through reduced soil AWC. Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep.

	Property used: WMS - FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		 > 35 %
			Somewhat limiting	 > 25% to =<35 %
			Not limiting		=< 25 %
	Null fragment data are assigned Not rated.

9. Seepage: Soils with high hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) and low content of fine particles may have a seepage limitation that allows applied irrigation water to percolate rapidly below the root zone during and following irrigation.  High permeability is undesirable in graded surface irrigation systems and can significantly increase irrigation expense and labor requirements to overcome the limitation.  Timing, application rates, and application methods are management tools that can be used when applying these products to soil susceptible to SEEPAGE. Soil feature considered is the Ksat or to a restrictive layer if less then 150cm. 
 
	Property used: WMS - KSAT, THICKEST LAYER, 0 TO 150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting 		 > 44.0 um/sec
			Somewhat limiting 	=> 14.1 um/sec and <= 44.0 um/sec
			Not limiting 		<= 14.1 um/sec
	Null Ksat is assigned not limiting.

10. Ponding: Ponding restricts or effects tillage, rooting depth, and plant growth. Ponding may damage irrigation infrastructure, and will likely impact expected crop response to irrigation by causing frequent crop damage.  Many irrigation systems involve a relatively high investment in money or labor or both. Most producers will need to be fairly certain the investment necessary to install an irrigation system will pay.  A ponding area would not likely provide a very stable investment. Soil feature considered is ponding duration during the growing season. This limitation can sometimes be overcome with installation of a properly designed drainage system.  

	Property used: WMS - PONDING DURATION DURING GROWING SEASON (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		= ""long"" or ""very long""
			Somewhat Limiting 	= brief or ""very brief""
			Not limiting	 	= ""none""
	Null ponding duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.

11. Excess salt: Soils with high electrical conductivity may suppress plant growth and will require a high degree of management. Soils with elevated salinity levels will require EC monitoring of soil and irrigation water being applied.  Matching irrigated crop selection to expected salinity levels, proper leaching, and careful irrigation water management, will be required on soils with elevated salinity. A properly designed drainage system may be required to properly irrigate some soils with elevated salinity levels.  Irrigation runoff and associated subsurface drainage from these soils has potential to increase salinity levels in groundwater, downstream surface waters, and wetlands.  Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest electrical conductivity. 

	Property used: WMS - SALINITY MAXIMUM (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Somewhat limiting	=> 4
			Not limiting		  < 4
	Null EC is assigned not rated.

12. Slope: Excessive slope impedes site preparation such as shaping and leveling, reduces irrigation efficiency, and contributes to irrigation induced erosion.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.

	Property used: WMS - SLOPE (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very Limiting		=> 3%
			Somewhat limiting	  > 1 and < 3%
			Not limiting		=< 1%			
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

13. Percs slowly: Soils with low surface hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) and smectitic mineralogy have slow percolation causing excess runoff and erosion during high precipitation or irrigation events. Agri-chemical and fertilizers applied to soil's with this limitation may be removed from the site by runoff and can impacting adjacent surface waters. Timing, application rates, and application methods are management tools that can be used when applying these products to soil susceptible to slow percolation. Soil feature considered is the horizon with the lowest Ksat that has any portion in the depth range 0 to 150cm or to a restrictive layer if less then 150cm. 

	Property used: WMS - KSAT MINIMUM, 0-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits: 
			Very limiting 		< 0.14 micrometers/second
			Somewhat limiting 	=> 0 .14 to < 1.4 micrometers/second
			Not limiting 		=> 1.4 um/sec
	Null Ksat is assigned not rated.

14. Soil Reaction:  (too acid or too alkaline) Low or High soil pH can result in corrosion of irrigation infrastructure, significantly increase in irrigation system operation and maintenance requirements, and impact expected crop response to irrigation by restricting plant growth. Soil feature considered is the (pH) from 0 to 150cm.
	
	Property used: WMS - SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MINIMUM, 0 TO 100CM (PAN) AND SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MAXIMUM, 0 TO 150CM (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
                        	Restriction limits:  Too acid
			Very limiting		=< 3.5
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 3.5 and <5.0
			Not limiting		=> 5.0
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.

		Restriction limits:  Too alkaline
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 9.0 
			Not limiting		=< 9.0
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.

			

15.  Calcium Carbonate: Soils with free carbonates below the surface layer will reduces irrigation efficiency and effectiveness by increasing irrigation intake rate from what would have been estimated based on texture alone  may restrict intake if compacted or equipment blockages from precipitation of calcium.  Free carbonates can also restrict available root zone of irrigated crops.   Soil feature considered is the maximum CaCO3 equivalent (pct in thickest layer) between 25 and 150cm (10 to 60 inches) or a restrictive layer.

	Property used: WMS - CaCO3 MAXIMUM 25-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Somewhat Limiting	=> 50%
			Not limiting		  < 50 %
	Null CaCO3 is assigned to the Not limiting class.

16. Erodes Easily: Surface soil water erodibility indicator is the product of the surface K factor multiplied by the soil slope. Soils are subject to water erosion if the indicator is above .98 and practice design should include water erosion control measures.  Soil features considered are the soil horizon K factor and the soil slope.

	Property used: WMS - SURFACE LAYER WATER EROSION IDICATOR (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very Limiting		=> 3.0
			Somewhat limiting	  > 1.0 and < 3.0
			Not limiting		=< 1.0
	Null K factor is assigned Not rated.

17.  Subsidence:  The presence of gypsum or soluble salts in the soil, parent material, or bedrock may lead to the formation of subsidence features if the amount of irrigation water applied grossly exceeds evapotranspiration.  In humid climates, excessive irrigation on soils occuring over limestone bedrock can also experience sinkhole formation.  Soil features considered are the gypsum content of the soil and bedrock as well as the presence of limestone bedrock.


	Property used: ""LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TEST, NULL SENDS NO""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
	
		 Restrictive Limits:
		    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
		  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
		  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
		  
		  
	Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		  
		  
	Property used:  ""SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM, REV""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting	=> 30cm
			Somewhat limiting	10-30cm
			Not limiting	<= 10cm

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reference:
The Original Graded Border Irrigation interpretation was developed by the Davis, California interpretation staff. The original interpretation rules and criteria developed by Davis, California interpretation staff for Graded Border Irrigation had been modified to meet states needs for this application in other part of the United States. 

Criteria were adjusted as requested 9/19/2006 by NRCS Central States, NSSC, and CNTSC staff working on Irrigation Applications. The following individuals were consulted on the criteria:
Bob Nielson, Consultant, Soil Scientist, Lincoln, NE
Troy Collier, NRCS, Resource Soil Scientist, Woodward, OK
Wayne Gabriel, NRCS, Soil Data Quality Specialist, Temple, TX
Allen Gehring, NRCS, Assistant State Engineer, Ames, IA
Edward Griffin, NRCS, National Resource Soil Scientist, Fort Worth, TX
Cleon Namken, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Lubbock, TX
Mike Risinger, NRCS, State Soil Scientist/Leader M09, Temple, TX
Chuck Sample, NRCS, Assistant State Soil Scientist, Stillwater, OK
Rick Schegel, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Woodward, OK
Marty Soffran, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Salina, KS
Chris Stoner, NRCS, Civil Engineer, Stillwater, OK
Jerry Walker, NRCS, National Water Management Engineer, Fort Worth, TX
Jon Whan, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Hondo, TX
Susan Southard, NRCS, Soil Data Quality, Davis, CA
Karl Hipple, NRCS, National Leader, Interpretation, Lincoln, NE
All NRCS State Soil Scientists and State Engineers were consulted on the criteria.
California Irrigation Guide. USDA-SCS. 1982. Developed in cooperation with the Pond-Shafter-Wasco Resource Conservation District.
Hanson, Blaine and Grattan, Stephen R. 1993. Agricultural Salinity and Drainage. University of California Irrigation Program. University. Of California, Davis.
National Engineering Handbook. USDA-NRCS.  Aug. 1996. Part 652.
National Soil Survey Handbook. 1993. United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Service. Part 620 - Soil Interpretations Rating Guides 620, Table 620-32.


Flooding (frequent or very frequent) that occurs during the growing season where the crop growing seasons is defined by the taxonomic temperature regime:


taxonomic temperature
regime				corresponding months
----------------------------	---------------------
cryic, isofrigid or pergelic	July and August

frigid or mesic			June, July, 
				August and September

thermic 			March, April, May, 
				June, July, August,
				September and October
				
isothermic,			Jan., Feb., March, April,
isohyperthermic,		May, June, July, August,
				September, October, 
				November and December

isomesic, hyperthermic		February, March, April,
				May, June, July, August,
				September, October, 
				November and December"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"23575"|"90078"|"8632159"
"WMS - Irrigation, Surface (level)"|"limitation"|"WMS - Water Management Systems

WMS- Surface Irrigation (Level)								Date: 7/2/07

Summary: Soil interpretations for ""Surface Irrigation (Level)"" evaluate a soil's limitation(s) for basin, paddy, level furrow, or level border irrigation systems.  The ratings are for soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use.

The degree of limitation is express as a numeric index between 0 (non-limiting condition) and 1.0 (limiting condition).  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a degree of limitation greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule.  Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less then the maximum and are identified to provide the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support the interpretation.  These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and application modifications.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation.  These are not limited (degree of limitation = 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0).  

This Irrigation Application is NOT DESIGNED OR INTENDED TO BE USED IN A REGULATORY MANNER.


Scope: Surface Irrigation Systems (Level) include basin, paddy, level furrow, or level border irrigation systems. Level surface irrigation systems are irrigation systems that use flood irrigation techniques to spread irrigation water at a specified depth across the application area.  Basin, paddy, and borders generally use external ridges or borders to confine the irrigation application while level furrow systems use furrow valleys and end blocks or border ridges to confine the irrigation application during irrigation.  With furrow irrigation the crop is usually planted on the furrow ridge. Generally, basin, paddy and level border irrigation systems are suitable for rice, small grain, pasture and forage production.  Level furrow systems are generally suited for row crops. 

Description: The soil properties and qualities important in the design and management of level surface irrigation systems are depth, available water holding capacity, sodium adsorption ratio, permeability, salinity, slope, and flooding.  The soil properties and qualities that influence installation are depth, flooding and ponding.  The features that affect performance of the system and plant growth are salinity, sodium adsorption ratio, and available water holding capacity.

CRITERIA: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

1.  Depth to cemented pan: Shallow depth to cemented pan limits the soil's water holding capacity and the thickness of the root zone.  Soil features considered are the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restriction kind = ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"".  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:	
			Very limiting	< 50 cm
			Somewhat limiting => 50cm and < 150cm
			Not limiting	=> 150cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
Property used: WMS - KIND OF RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting	     = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic"" 
			Not limiting	not  = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic"" 
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
Property used: WMS - FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		not = ""Noncemented""
			Not limiting		      = ""Noncemented""
	Null hardness is assigned to the limiting class.
	
2.  Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, reduces rooting depth and available water capacity, and restricts installation of underground irrigation practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock, lithic"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO BEDROCK (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		< 50cm
			Somewhat limiting	= > 50cm and < 150cm
			Not limiting		=> 150cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
	Restrictive limits:
		Very Limiting	     = ""bedrock, lithic""
		Not limiting	not  = ""bedrock, lithic"" 
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

3.  Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling, reduces rooting depth and available water capacity, and restricts installation of underground practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock, paralithic"" or ""bedrock, densic"". Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: WMS - (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		< 50cm
			Somewhat limiting	=> 50 cm and < 150 cm
			Not limiting		=> 150 cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
AND
	Property used: WMS - KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very Limiting	     = ""bedrock, paralithic"" or ""bedrock, densic""
			Not limiting	not = ""bedrock, paralithic"" or ""bedrock, densic""
	Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the Not limiting class.

4.  Content of large stones: Large stones may impede installation of pipelines and water control structures, irrigation land leveling and/or shaping, and construction of earthen canals, ditches, or ridges.  Stones will increase operation and management requirements, complicate repair of damaged irrigation system components, and impact expected crop response to irrigation by effecting tillage, planting, harvesting and plant growth through reduced soil AWC.  Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 100 cm deep.


	Property used: WMS - FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-100CM (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		 > 35 %
			Somewhat limiting	 > 25 % and <=35 %
			Not limiting		=< 25 %
	Null 3 to 10 inch rock fragment data are assigned to the Not rated class.

5. Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to water will hamper installation of irrigation pipelines, appurtenances, water control structures, and earth forming that might be needed to install and maintain graded surface irrigation systems.  A shallow depth to water table will also complicate the irrigation water management requirements for the site, and often increases probability of salinity problems developing.  A shallow water table will also make the soil difficult to work and produce a restricted root zone. These areas are slow to drain and can become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy precipitation. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any month in the growing season. See reference for growing season definition. This limitation can sometimes be overcome with installation of a properly designed drainage system.  Used greater than or equal to 90 cm as not limiting based on NEH, Part 652, Irrigation Guide, and Exhibit 2.1.

	Property used: WMS - DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM DURING GROWING SEASON (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		  < 60cm
			Somewhat limiting	=> 60 and <90 cm
			Not limiting 		=> 90cm
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.

6.  Low Available Water Capacity:  Soils with low available water capacities have limited potential to hold irrigation water.  Irrigation management is critical on soil with low AWC to insure adequate soil water for maximum plant growth and production.  Soil feature considered is the (available water capacity x layer thickness) summed through a depth of 150 cm or to a restrictive layer.  Used 0.05 cm/cm as limiting based on NEH, Part 652, Irrigation Guide, and Exhibit 2.1.

	Property used: WMS - AVAILABLE WATER CAPACITY IN DEPTH 0-150cm (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very Limiting		=< 7.5 cm
			Somewhat limiting	  > 7.5 to < 18cm
			Not limiting		=> 18cm
	Null AWC is assigned to the Not rated class. 

7.  Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio are prone to develop irrigation water and rainfall infiltration restriction/reductions due to soil dispersion caused by sodium in the soil and/or soil water.  Soils with elevated SARs will require monitoring of SAR in soil and irrigation water being applied, very careful irrigation water management, possible chemical treatment.  An elevated SAR may impact expected crop response to irrigation by suppressing plant growth and will require a high degree of management. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 150cm.

	Property used: WMS - SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-150cm (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting 		=> 20
			Somewhat limiting	  > 6 to < 20
			Not limiting 		<= 6
	Null SAR is assigned not rated.

8.  Flooding: Flooding frequency greater then rare has the potential to damage irrigation infrastructure and impact expected crop response to irrigation by causing frequent crop damage.  Most irrigation systems involve a relatively high investment in money or labor or both. Most producers will need to be fairly certain the investment necessary to install an irrigation system will pay.  A frequently flooded area would not likely provide a very stable investment.  Frequently flooded areas are more likely to transport nutrients and agricultural chemicals, which are typically applied at a higher rate on irrigated land, off site to receiving surface waters. Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months.

	Property used: WMS - FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest, ANY MONTH (PAN) (Maximum Duration) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		= ""Very frequent""
			Somewhat limiting	= ""occasional"" or ""frequent"" 
			Not limiting		= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare""
	Null frequency is assigned to the Not limiting class.

9.  Excess salt: Soils with high electrical conductivity may suppress plant growth and will require a high degree of management. Soils with elevated salinity levels will require EC monitoring of soil and irrigation water being applied.  Matching irrigated crop selection to expected salinity levels, proper leaching, and careful irrigation water management, will be required on soils with elevated salinity. A properly designed drainage system may be required to properly irrigate some soils with elevated salinity levels.  Irrigation runoff and associated subsurface drainage from these soils has potential to increase salinity levels in groundwater, downstream surface waters, and wetlands.  Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest electrical conductivity.

	Property used: WMS - SALINITY MAXIMUM (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Somewhat limiting	=> 4 
			Not limiting		  < 4
	Null EC is assigned not rated.

10.  Seepage: Rapid permeability that allows irrigation water to percolate out of the root zone is undesirable and increase irrigation management expenses.  Permeability that maintains irrigation water within the root zone during the consumptive use period is desirable to maintain the growth and vigor of the irrigated crop. Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest Ksat that has any portion in the depth range 0 to 150 cm or to a restrictive layer if less then 150 cm. 

	Property used: WMS - KSAT MAXIMUM, 0-150 CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting 		  > 44.0 um/sec
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 14.1 um/sec and <= 44.0 um/sec
			Not limiting 		<= 14.1 um/sec 
	Null Ksat is assigned not rated.

11. Percs slowly: Soils with low hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) have slow percolation causing excess ponding during high precipitation or irrigation events.  Soil feature considered is the horizon with the lowest Ksat that has any portion in the depth range 0 to 150cm or to a restrictive layer if less then 150cm.  NOTE: RULE 13. PERCS SLOWLY, DOESNT APPLY IF PLANNED CROP IS RICE.  

	Property used: WMS - KSAT MINIMUM, 0-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting 		  < 0.14 micrometers/second
			Somewhat limiting 	=> 0.14 to < 1.4 micrometers/second
			Not limiting 		=> 1.4 um/sec
	Null Ksat is assigned not rated.

12. Ponding: Ponding may damage irrigation infrastructure, and will likely impact expected crop response to irrigation by causing frequent crop damage.  Most level surface irrigation systems involve a relatively high investment in money or labor or both. Most producers will need to be fairly certain the investment necessary to install an irrigation system will pay.  Leaving a ponding area would not likely provide a very stable investment.  Soil feature considered is ponding duration any month during the growing season. Soil feature considered is ponding duration.  This limitation can sometimes be overcome with irrigation land leveling or installation of a properly designed drainage system.  Soil feature considered is ponding duration. 
	
	Property used: WMS - PONDING DURATION DURING GROWING SEASON (PAN) (Modality - representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting 		= ""long"" or ""very long""
			Somewhat Limiting	= ""very brief or ""brief"" 						Not limiting		= ""none""
	Null ponding duration is assigned to the Not limiting class.

13. Soil Reaction:  (too acid or too alkaline) Low or High soil pH can result in corrosion of irrigation infrastructure, significantly increase irrigation system operation and maintenance requirements, and impact expected crop response to irrigation by restricting plant growth. Soil feature considered is the (pH) from 0 to 150cm.
	
	Property used: WMS - SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MINIMUM, 0 TO 1500CM (PAN) AND SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MAXIMUM, 0 TO 150CM (PAN) (Modality - high, low, representative value)
		
			Restriction limits:  Too acid
			Very limiting		=< 3.5
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 3.5 and <5.0
			Not limiting		=> 5.0
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.

		Restriction limits:  Too alkaline
			Somewhat limiting 	  > 9.0 
			Not limiting		=< 9.0
	Null pH values are assigned to the Not rated class.


14.  Calcium Carbonate: Soils with free carbonates below the surface layer may reduce irrigation efficiency and effectiveness by increasing irrigation intake rate from what would have been estimated based on texture alone. Calcium Carbonate may restrict intake if compacted or equipment blockages from precipitation of calcium.  Free carbonates can also restrict available root zone of irrigated crops. Soil feature considered is the maximum CaCO3 equivalent (pct in thickest layer) between 25 and 150cm (10 to 60 inches) or a restrictive layer.

	Property used: WMS - CaCO3 MAXIMUM 25-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION (PAN) (Modality - high, low, and representative value)
		Restrictive limits:
			Somewhat limiting	=> 50%
			Not limiting 		  < 50 %
	Null CaCO3 is assigned to the Not limiting class.

15. Slope: Excessive slope impedes site preparation and adds significantly to costs associated with land grading, shaping, and leveling, and construction of required confining borders.  If not removed through reshaping excessive slope will reduce irrigation efficiency.  Soil feature considered is component slope.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: WMS - SLOPE (PAN) (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		Restriction limits:
			Very limiting		  > 2 %
			Not limiting		=< 2 %			
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

16.  Subsidence:  The presence of gypsum or soluble salts in the soil, parent material, or bedrock may lead to the formation of subsidence features if the amount of irrigation water applied grossly exceeds evapotranspiration.  In humid climates, excessive irrigation on soils occuring over limestone bedrock can also experience sinkhole formation.  Soil features considered are the gypsum content of the soil and bedrock as well as the presence of limestone bedrock.

	Property used: ""LIMESTONE RESIDUUM TES""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
		 Restrictive Limits:
		    Limiting		If the bedrock is limestone, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    Not limiting	If the bedrock is not limestone, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		    
		  NOTE!!!  As the property is now written, if bedrock is not populated, a N0 is returned.
		  NOTE!!!  This base rule will be expanded to evaluate more types of bedrock.
		  
		  
	Property used: ""PARENT MATERIAL ORIGIN IS SOLUBLE SALT""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
			Limiting	If the bedrock is soluble salt, the site is limited by the bedrock type.
		    	Not limiting	If the bedrock is not soluble salt, the site is not limited by the bedrock type.
		    
		  
		  
	Property used:  ""SUBSIDENCE DUE TO GYPSUM, REV""  (Modality - and representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
			Very limiting		=> 30cm
			Somewhat limiting	                10-30cm
			Not limiting		<= 10cm

---------------------------------------------------------------
References: 
The Furrow, Basin or Paddy Irrigation interpretation was developed by the Davis, California interpretation staff in cooperation with the University of California. The original interpretation rules and criteria developed by Davis, California interpretation staff for Furrow, Basin or Paddy Irrigation had been modified to meet states needs for this application in other part of the United States.  

Criteria were adjusted as requested 9/19/2006 by NRCS Central States, NSSC, and CNTSC staff working on Irrigation Applications. The following individuals were consulted on the criteria:

Bob Nielson, Consultant, Soil Scientist, Lincoln, NE
Troy Collier, NRCS, Resource Soil Scientist, Woodward, OK
Wayne Gabriel, NRCS, Soil Data Quality Specialist, Temple, TX
Allen Gehring, NRCS, Assistant State Engineer, Ames, IA
Edward Griffin, NRCS, National Resource Soil Scientist, Fort Worth, TX
Cleon Namken, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Lubbock, TX
Mike Risinger, NRCS, State Soil Scientist/Leader M09, Temple, TX
Chuck Sample, NRCS, Assistant State Soil Scientist, Stillwater, OK
Rick Schegel, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Woodward, OK
Marty Soffran, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Salina, KS
Chris Stoner, NRCS, Civil Engineer, Stillwater, OK
Jerry Walker, NRCS, National Water Management Engineer, Fort Worth, TX
Jon Whan, NRCS, Water Management Engineer, Hondo, TX
Susan Southard, NRCS, Soil Data Quality, Davis, CA
Karl Hipple, NRCS, National Leader, Interpretation, Lincoln, NE
All NRCS State Soil Scientists and State Engineers were consulted on the criteria.
California Irrigation Guide. USDA-SCS. 1982. Developed in cooperation with the Pond-Shafter-Wasco Resource Conservation District.
Hanson, Blaine and Grattan, Stephen R. 1993. Agricultural Salinity and Drainage. University of California Irrigation Program. University. Of California, Davis.
National Engineering Handbook. USDA-NRCS.  Aug. 1996. Part 652.
National Soil Survey Handbook. 1993. United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Service. Part 620 - Soil Interpretations Rating Guides 620, Table 620-32.

Flooding (frequent or very frequent) that occurs during the growing season where the crop growing seasons is defined by the taxonomic temperature regime:

taxonomic temperature
regime				corresponding months
----------------------------	---------------------
cryic, isofrigid or pergelic	July and August

frigid or mesic			June, July, 
				August and September

thermic 			March, April, May, 
				June, July, August,
				September and October
				
isothermic,			Jan., Feb., March, April,
isohyperthermic,		May, June, July, August,
				September, October, 
				November and December

isomesic, hyperthermic		February, March, April,
				May, June, July, August,
				September, October, 
				November and December"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"23574"|"90078"|"8632160"
"WMS - Pond Reservoir Area"|"limitation"|"WMS - Water Management Systems

WMS - Pond Reservoir Area

Summary:

Soil interpretations for various water management practices are developed for use in evaluating the potential of the soil for various water management practices.  These practices may involve the movement of water to or from a site, holding water on a site, or securing a water source.  The soil survey interpretation rating guides are applicable to both heavily and sparsely populated areas, depending upon the objectives of the user.  The ratings are for soils in their present condition and do not consider present land use.  Soil limitation ratings and associated restrictive features are given for ponds and reservoir areas; embankments, dikes, and levees; and excavated ponds.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils can be a non-member, partial member or complete members of the set of soils that are limited for ""WMS - Pond Reservoir Area"".  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a membership indices greater then zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified.  The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum membership indices of each soil interpretive property that comprise the ""Off-Road Motorcycle Trails"" interpretive rule.  Minor restrictive soil features are identified but not considered as part of the overall rating process.  These restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through design application.

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their rating indices.  These are not limited (rating index = 0), somewhat limited (rating index > 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (rating index = 1.0).

Description:

A pond reservoir area is an area that holds water behind a dam or embankment.  Livestock or wildlife watering facilities are examples of the potential application of pond reservoir areas.

Soil properties influence development of pond reservoir areas including site selection, structure design, construction, performance, and after construction maintenance.  The soil interpretations for pond reservoir areas are used as a tool in evaluating soil suitability and identifying soil limitations for the practice.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.

Scope: National

The soils best suited to this use have a low seepage potential, which is determined by permeability and depth to fractured or permeable bedrock, to a cemented pan, or to other permeable material.

Ratings are based on soil properties and qualities to act as a natural barrier against seepage into deeper layers, without regard to cutoff trenches or other features that may be installed under the pond embankment.  Excessive slope in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the pond embankment seriously reduces the storage capacity of the reservoir area.  Suitable sites may be difficult to find on slopes steeper than about 10 percent.

Criteria:

The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.

	1.  Seepage:  The soil horizon with the maximum Ksat governs the seepage potential of the soil.   When this rate is high, transmission of fluids into and through the soil is unimpeded and seepage may become a performance concern.  Soil feature considered is the layer with the maximum Ksat between a depth of 50 to 180 cm.
	
	Property used: PERMEABILITY MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 50-180cm 
	(Modality - high, low, representative value)
			
	Restriction limits: (in micrometers/sec)
		Limiting 	 	 > 14.0
		Somewhat Limiting 	=> 1.0 and <= 14.0
		Not limiting		 < 1.0
		
	Null Ksat values are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	2.  Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock limits site preparation, reservoir depth, and pond maintenance. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock (lithic)"" or ""bedrock (paralithic)."" Paralithic bedrock has less limitation then lithic and the rating is reduced by a power of 3.  Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

DEPTH TO BEDROCK SOFT


	
	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK HARD 
	(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
	OR
	Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK SOFT 
	(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=  0cm
		Somewhat limiting 	 > 0 to < 150cm
		Not limiting		=> 150cm
		
	Null depths are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	3.  Depth to cemented pan: Depth to cemented pan limits site preparation, reservoir depth, and pond maintenance.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive kind is ""fragipan"", ""duripan"", ""petrocalcic"", ""ortstein"", or ""petrogypsic"" and restrictive feature hardness is not noncemented. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table.

	Property used: DEPTH TO CEMENTED PAN 
	(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting	=> 50 to =< 150cm
		Not limiting		 > 150cm
		
	Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
		
	AND NOT
	
	Property used: RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS 
	(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		not = noncemented
		Not limiting		    = noncemented
				
	Null hardness is assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	4.  Slope: Steep slopes impede site preparation and construction and restrict reservoir size and shape.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
	Property used: SLOPE 
	(Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		=> 8%
		Somewhat limiting	 > 3 and < 8%
		Not limiting		=< 3%			
		
	Null Slope is assigned Not rated.
	
	5.  Excess Lime: Soil containing significant amounts of marly materials are prone to seepage as these materials are dissolved and leached out of the system.  Soil feature considered is USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is.
	
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER 
	(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""mr""
		Not limiting	not = ""mr""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifiers are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	6.  Excess Gypsum: Soil containing significant amounts of gypsiferious materials are prone to seepage as these materials are dissolved and leached out of the system.  Soil feature considered is USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is.
	
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER 
	(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	    = ""gyp""
		Not limiting	not = ""gyp""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifiers are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	
	7.  Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST 
	(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		 < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	=> 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
	OR
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) 
	(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
	OR
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER 
	(Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"978"|"90078"|"8632161"
"WMS - Subsurface Water Management, Outflow Quality"|"limitation"|"WMS - Water Management Systems

WMS - Water Management System, Outflow Quality

Summary: Soil interpretations for ""WMS - Water Management System, Outflow Quality"" evaluate a soil's limitations for outflow quality from conservation systems that involve the movement or conveyance of surface water across the landscape and excess subsurface water from the soil. Such conveyances are graded ditches, grassed waterways, terraces, diversions, tile drains and underground outlets etc. The ratings are for soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use. 

The degree of limitation is express as a numeric index between 0 (non-limited condition) and 1.0 (limited condition). If a soil property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a degree of limitation greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified. The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule. Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less than the maximum and are identified to provide the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support the interpretation. These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and application modifications.  Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation. These are not limited (degree of limitation= 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation > 0 and < 1.0). or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0). 

Scope: The soil interpretation for WMS-Water Management System, Outflow Quality is designed to be used as a tool in evaluating and identifying soil limitations for the outflow quality of water being removed by drainage systems.

Description: Soil properties and qualities that affect Water Management Systems, Outflow Quality are salinity, pesticides, soil reaction, sodium, gypsum, sulfur, and susceptibility to water erosion. 
 
Criteria: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features. 

1. Salinity: Excess water-soluble salts may dissolve into water flowing to and through the subsurface drain. Subsurface drainage from these soils has the potential to increase salinity levels in groundwater, downstream surface waters, and wetlands. The soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest electrical conductivity in depth range 0 to 150 cm.

Property used: SALINITY MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-150CM,   Modality: Representative Value
Restrictive limits:
          Very Limited              >= 16 mmhos/cm
          Somewhat limited      > 4 to < 16 mmhos/cm
          Not limited                 <= 4 mmhos/cm
     NULL data are ""Not rated"".

OR

2. Pesticides and Nutrient Movement: Pesticides and nutrients (nitrates, etc.) may leach with water flowing to and through the subsurface drain. Surface and subsurface drainage from these soils has the potential to increase pesticide and nutrient levels in groundwater, downstream surface waters, and wetlands. Soil feature considered is the horizon with the lowest saturated hydraulic conductivity in depth range 0 to 150 cm, depth to high water table, and the presence of cracks in the soil.

Property used: KSAT MINIMUM, 0-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION,  Modality: Representative Value
    Restrictive limits:
          Very Limited              >= 10 um/sec
          Somewhat limited     > 1.0 and < 10 um/sec
          Not limited                <= 1.0 um/sec
     NULL data are ""Not rated"".

     AND

     Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM,    Modality: Representative Value
     Restrictive limits:
          Very Limited             <= 60 cm
          Somewhat limited     < 150 and > 60 cm
          Not limited                >= 150 cm
     NULL data are assigned to the ""Not limited"" class.

     OR

     Property used: LINEAR EXTENSIBILITY THICKEST LAYER, 0-125CM,   Modality: Representative Value
     Restrictive limits:
          Very limited              >= 9%
          Somewhat limited     > 6 and < 9%
          Not limited                <= 6%
     NULL data areassigned to the ""Not rated"" class.
 
3. Extremely Acid pH: Low soil pH can result in corrosion of infrastructure which can significantly increase system operation and maintenance requirements. Subsurface drainage from limited soils has potential to impact downstream surface waters and wetlands. Soil features considered is the (pH) from 0 to 150 cm.

Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MINIMUM, 0 TO 150 CM,    Modality: Representative Value

Restriction limits: Too acid
   Very limited                 = < 3.5
   Somewhat limited       > 3.5 and <5.0
   Not limited	     => 5.0
Null pH values are assigned to the ""not rated"" class


OR

4. Extremely Alkaline pH:  High soil pH increases alkaline metallic ion availability but decreases micronutrient availability which restricts plant growth.  Infrastructure corrosion potential increases as pH increases. Soil feature considered is soil reaction (pH) from 0 to 150 cm.

    Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MAXIMUM, 0-150CM,   Modality: Representative Value
       Multiplier: 0.5 is used to force all evaluation values greater than 1 into the ""Somewhat limited"" class
          Restrictive limits:
          Somewhat Limited     > 9.0
          Not limited                 <= 9.0
    	 NULL data are ""Not rated"".

OR

5. Excess Sodium: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio may disperse, limiting the flow of water to the tile, and suppress plant growth and will require a high degree of management. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 150 cm.

     Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-150CM,    Modality: Representative Value
       Restrictive limits:
          Very limited              >= 13 
          Somewhat limited     > 4.5 to < 13
          Not limited                <= 4. 5
       NULL data are ""Not rated"".
 
6. EXCESS GYPSUM: Excess gypsum may dissolve into water flowing through the subsurface drain and cause subsidence or piping of the drain. It may also contaminate subsurface water at the discharge of the drain. Soil feature considered is the maximum gypsum percent between 0 and 150 cm or a restrictive layer.

    Property used: GYPSUM MAXIMUM 0-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION,   Modality: Representative Value
    Restrictive limits:
          Very limited              >= 40%
          Somewhat limited     > 5 to < 40%
          Not limited               <= 5%
     	NULL data are assigned to the ""Not limited"" class.

OR

7.  Excess sulfur content: Soil in taxonomic Great Group ""sulfaquents"" or ""sulfihemists"" are high in sulfidic materials that restrict plant growth and re-vegetation of disturbed areas.  Soil feature considered is taxonomic Great Group.

Property used: TAXONOMIC GREAT GROUP,    Modality - representative value
    Restrictive limits:
         Very Limiting       Matches ""*sulf*""
         Not limiting          ""sulf"" string not part of the taxonomic Great Group
         Null taxonomic great group classes are assigned to the ""Not limiting"" class.

      OR

8. Erodes Easily: Surface soil water erodibility indicator is the product of the surface K factor multiplied by the soil slope. Channel banks and bottoms are subject to water erosion if the indicator is above 0.98 and practice design should include water erosion control measures. Soil features considered are the soil horizon K factor and the soil slope.
 
Property used: SURFACE LAYER WATER EROSION INDICATOR,   Modality - representative value 
Restriction limits: 
         Very Limited              => 3.0
         Somewhat limited     > 1.0 and < 3.0 
         Not limited                =< 1.0 
          Null K factor is assigned to the ""not rated"" class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"37173"|"90078"|"8632162"
"WMS - Subsurface Water Management, System Installation"|"limitation"|"WMS - Water Management Systems

WMS - Subsurface Water Management, System Installation 

Summary: Soil interpretations for ""WMS  Subsurface Water Management, System Installation"" evaluate a soil's limitation(s) for systems that involve installation of underground drainage systems. These systems are designed to remove excess subsurface water from the soil and reduce soil saturation. The ratings are for soils in their natural condition. and do not consider present land use.
 
The degree of limitation is express as a numeric index between 0 (non-limiting condition) and 1.0 (1imiting condition). If a soil's property within 125 cm (49 inches) of the soil surface has a degree of limitation greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified. The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule. Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less than the maximum and are identified to provide the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support the interpretation. These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and 
application modifications.
  
Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation. These are not limited (degree of limitation = 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation> 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0). 



Scope: The soil interpretation for ""WMS - Subsurface Water Management, System Installation"" is designed to be used as a tool in evaluating and identifying soil limitations for installation of subsurface drainage systems that involve installation of underground drainage pipe, tile, or tubing. As part of the interpretation process, the rating applies to each soil in its undisturbed condition and does not consider present land use. The limitation rating provided is based on the influence of existing soil properties on installation of Subsurface Water Management structures. 
 


Description: Subsurface drainage is the process of removing excess subsurface water from agricultural land. How easily and effectively a subsurface water management structure can be installed depends on the depth to bedrock or to a cemented pan, soil texture, stability of excavations, coarse fragments and slope. 

Criteria: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features. 

A. A water table must be present. Monthly recorded water table within 125 cm (4 ft) from the surface must occur in one or more months or else ""drainage normally not required. 

AND 

B. INSTALLATION 
1. Depth to hard bedrock: Shallow depth to hard bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts installation of underground practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock, lithic. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

Property used: ""DEPTH TO BEDROCK"" (Modality - representative value) 
Restrictive limits: 
	Very limited < = 90 cm 
	Somewhat limited > 90cm and <= 125cm 
	Not limited > 125 cm 
Null depth is assigned to the ""not limited"" class. 

AND 
Property used: ""KIND OF BEDROCK RESIRICTION"" (Modality - representative value) 
Restrictive limits: 
	Very limited   	= bedrock, lithic"" 
	Not limited 	not =bedrock, lithic 

Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the ""not limited"" class. 

OR 

2. Depth to soft bedrock: Shallow depth to soft bedrock limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts installation of underground practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restrictive type is ""bedrock, paralithic"" or ""bedrock, densic."" Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 
 

Property used: ""DEPTH TO BEDROCK. (Modality - representative value) 
Restrictive limits: 
	Very limited = < 90 cm 
	Somewhat limited > 90cm and < =125cm 
	Not limited > 125 cm 
Null depth is assigned to the ""not limited"" class. 

AND 

Property used: ""KIND OF BEDROCK RESTRICTION"" (Modality - representative value) 
Restrictive limits: 
	Very limited              = ""bedrock, paralithic"" or ""bedrock, densic'' 
	Not limited 	not = ""bedrock, paralithic"" or ""bedrock, densic"" 
Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the ""not limited"" class. 

OR 

3. Depth to thick cemented pan: Shallow depth to thick cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts installation of underground practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restriction thickness is > 46cm. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

Property used: ""FIRST RESTRICTVE FEATURE THICK,   (Modality- representative value) 
 Restrictive limits: 
	Very limited                =< 90cm, 
	Somewhat limited      > 90 and < = 125cm 
	Not limited                 > 125cm 
Null depth is assigned to the ""not limited"" class. 

AND 

Property used: ""KIND OF FIRST RESTRICTION (Modality - representative value) 

        Restrictive limits: 
 	Very limited 	= ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic"" 
	Not limited 	not = ""fragipan'' or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic"" 
Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the ""not limited"" class. 

AND 

Property used: ""FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS  (Modality - representative value) 
Restrictive limits: 
                Very limited              not = ""Noncemented"" 
	Not limited 	 = ""Noncemented"" 
Null hardness is assigned to the""very limited"" class. 

OR 

4. Depth to thin cemented pan: Shallow depth to thin cemented pan limits site preparation such as shaping and leveling and restricts installation of underground practice components. Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first restrictive layer where restriction thickness is =< 46cm. Depth to restrictive feature must be synchronized with the depth to the restrictive feature horizon shown in the horizon table. 

Property used: ""FIRST RESTRICTVE FEATURE THIN,  (Modality- representative value) 
Restrictive limits: 
	Very limited < = 90cm 
	Somewhat limited > 90 and <= 125cm 
	Not limited > 125 cm 
Null depth is assigned to the ""not limited"" class. 

AND 
 
 
Property used: ""KIND OF FIRST RESTRICTION  (Modality - representative value) 

Restrictive limits: 
	Very limited = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic"" 
	Not limited  not =; ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic' 
Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the ""not limited"" class.
 
AND 

Property used: ""FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS  (Modality - representative value) 
Restrictive limits: 
	Limited 	               not = ""Noncemented"" 
	Not limited 	= ""Noncemented"" 
Null hardness is assigned to the ""limited"" class. 

OR 
  
5. Too clayey:  This rule evaluates textures from the thickest layers between 0 and 125 cm.  Soils having content of clay in excess of 45 percent are rated as too clayey.  If clay minerology is kaolinitic or the soil is in an aridic moisture regime the clay content is not a restrictive feature.  Clayey soils may become sticky when wet and are difficult to spread and compact.  This condition is not restrictive for soil in Aridic moisture regimes and is only partially restrictive when clay mineralogy is kaolinitic. Soil feature considered is the weighted average of clay content between 0 and 125cm or above a restrictive layer and taxonomic family mineralogy.
		
	Property used: CLAY PERCENT IN DEPTH 0-125CM (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		Limiting		>45 percent
		Somewhat limiting	27-45 percent
		Not limiting	<27 percent
			
	Null clay contents are assigned to the ""not rated"" class.
 
	AND

	Property used: TAXONOMIC MINERALOGY CLASS (Modality - representative value)
		
	Restriction limits:
		If taxonomic family mineralogy is kaolinitic then
		the soil clayey rating is reduced by multiplying by 0.5.
			
	Null taxonomic mineralogy classes are assigned to the ""not rated"" class.

6. Unstable excavation walls:  Under certain circumstances, the sides of an excavation may collapse.  This can be hazardous to anyone in the trench or near the edge at the time of failure.  The sloughed material may need to be removed from the trench, increasing the time needed to excavate.  The sides of the trench may need to be made to reflect the angle of repose of the material or be shored.
	
	
		A. Instability of the cutbank can be caused by the coarseness of the soil material.
		
		Property used: FRAGMENT PERCENT IN DEPTH 30-200CM (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
		Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		Above 80 percent by volume
		     Somewhat limiting	60-80 percent by volume
		     Not limiting	Less than 60 percent by volume
		     
		 Property used: SAND PERCENT LESS CLAY IN DEPTH 30-180CM
		 
		 Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		Above 185
		     Somewhat limiting	170-185
		     Not limiting	Less than 170
		     
		  (The clay content is subtracted from the sand content.  100 is added to the difference to keep the numbers positive.  This number is a sort of effective sand content, adjusting for the adhesiveness of clay.)
		     
		     
		 B.  High shrink-swell can cause instability of cutbanks.
		 
		 Property used: LEP 25-200cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTIVE LAYER WTD_AVE
		 
		 Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		LEP above 9
		     Somwewhat limiting	LEP 6 to 9
		     Not limiting	                LEP less than 6
		     
		     
		  C. Silty material that is not loess can be unstable.
		  
		  Property used: PARENT MATERIAL KIND IS LOESS
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		     Limiting		High silt and not loess
		     Not limiting	High silt and is loess
		     
		  Property used: SILT PERCENT IN DEPTH 30-200CM
		  
		  Restrictive limits:
		     Somewhat limiting	Greater than 75 percent silt
		     Not limiting	                 Less than 75 percent silt
		     
		  Silt content is not considered to ever be a severe limitation.

OR

7. Slope: Steep slopes impede the operation of installation equipment and may require special system design and construction to overcome the slope limitations. Soil 
feature considered is the component slope. 

Property used: ""SLOPE"" , (Modality -low, high, representative value) 
	Restriction limits: 		
	Very limited 	=> 9% 
	Somewhat limited 	> 3 and < 9 % 
	Not limited 	<= 3 % 

Null slope is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.
 
OR 

8. Content of large stones: Large stone impede the workability of the soil and restrict Trafficability of heavy machinery and site reclamation, Soil feature considered is the weighted average percentage of rock fragments of size greater than 75mm in the horizons above a restrictive feature or from 0 to 125 cm deep. 

Property used: ""FRAGMENTS> 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0- 125 CM "" (Modality - high, low, representative value) 

Restrictive limits: 
	Very limited 	=> 25% 
	Somewhat limited 	> 15% and < 25% 
	Not limited 	=< 15% 
Null fragment data are assigned to the ""not rated"" class. 

AND

9. DEPTH TO SEASONAL HIGH WATER TABLE: Subsurface water management is typically not needed for soils with a seasonal high water table at depths greater than 125 cm.

     	Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM WITHIN 125CM,   Modality: Representative Value
Restrictive limits:
          Rated                              <= 125 cm
          Drainage not needed      > 125 cm

     NULL data are assigned ""Drainage not needed"".


---------------------------------------------------------------

Note

The original national ""Tile Drains and Underground Outlet"" interpretation was published in Part 
620, Soil Interpretation Rating Guides, of the National Soil Survey Handbook (1993 version). The 
national interpretation was dropped in the late 1990s. The original interpretation rules and 
criteria were modified and adapted to reflect Texas needs and converted to a state soil 
interpretation, ""WMS Tile Drains and Underground Outlets."" This interpretation was subjected to 
national review and is proposed for reestablishment as a National Soil Interpretation, ""WMS  
Subsurface Water Management, System Installation"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"37167"|"90078"|"8632163"
"WMS - Subsurface Water Management, System Performance"|"limitation"|"WMS - Water Management Systems

WMS - Subsurface Water Management, System Performance  

Summary: Soil interpretations for ""WMS  Subsurface Water Management, System Performance"" evaluate a soil's limitation(s) for systems that involve performance and functionality of underground drainage systems. These systems are designed to remove excess subsurface water from the soil and reduce soil saturation. The ratings are for soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use.
 
The degree of limitation is express as a numeric index between 0 (non-limiting condition) and 1.0 (limiting condition). If a soil's property within 150 cm (59 inches) of the soil surface has a degree of limitation greater than zero, then that soil property is limiting and the soil restrictive feature is identified. The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule. Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less than the maximum and are identified to provide the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support 
the interpretation. These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and application modifications. 

Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation. These are not limited (degree of limitation = 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation> 0 and < 1.0), or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0).
 

 
Scope: The soil interpretation for ""WMS - Subsurface Water Management, System Performance"" is designed to be used as a tool in evaluating and identifying soil limitations for performance of subsurface drainage systems that involve functionality of underground drainage pipe, tile, or tubing. As part of the interpretation process, the rating applies to each soil in its undisturbed condition and does not consider present land use. The limitation rating provided is based on the influence of existing soil properties on performance of Subsurface Water Management structures. 
 
Description: Subsurface drainage is the process of removing excess subsurface water from agricultural land. How easily and effectively a subsurface water management structure can performed depend on the depth to dense layer, slow percolation, soil reaction, excess salts, excess sodium, subsidence, excess gypsum, sedimentation, water table depth, and flooding. 

         Criteria: The interpretive rating is the most limiting of the following restrictive features.
  A. A water table must be present. Monthly recorded water table within 125 cm (4 ft) from surface must occur in one or more months or else ""drainage normally not required. 

          AND

B. Performance and Functionality 

1. Dense layer:  This subrule deals with the relationship between soil bulk density and water movement.  As bulk density increases, water movement is incrementally limited and percolatio reduced.  At some point, water can no longer penetrate the soil and the bulk density becomes not just a limitor, but a restriction.  Bulk density is related to the texture of the soil, with sandy textured soils typically being denser than silty or clayey soils.  Silty soils are non-limiting over a wider range of bulk density than sandy or clayey soils.  Bulk density, therefore, is expressed as a ratio of the difference of the existing bulk density minus an optimal bulk density for each sand, silt, and clay combination divided by the theoretical difference between the water restricting bulk density minus the optimal bulk density at each combination of sand silt and clay.

Property used:  BULK DENSITY RATIO MAXIMUM 150CM OR RESTRICTION, Modality representative value


Restrictive Limits:
                                     Not limiting                < 0.8
                                     Somewhat limiting           >=0.8 to < 1.2
                                     Very limiting               >=1.2

Null bulk density is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.

     OR 

2. PERCS SLOWLY: Soils with low hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) have slow percolation causing excess runoff   and erosion during high precipitation or irrigation events. Tile drains installed in soils with this limitation may not perform as water percolate too slowly to the tile depth. Soil feature considered is the Ksat in the depth range 0 to 150 cm.

     Property used: KSAT MINIMUM, 0-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION,   Modality: Representative Value
     Restrictive limits:
          Very limited              <= 0.1 um/s
          Somewhat limited     > 0.1 and < 1.0 um/s
          Not limited                >= 1.0 um/s
     NULL data are assigned to the ""not rated"" class.

OR
	
3. Flooding: Flooding frequency greater than rare has the potential to damage drainage infrastructure and impact expected crop response to drainage by causing frequent crop damaged. Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months. 

Property used: ""FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest ANY MONTH 
        (Maximum Duration)"" (Modality - representative value) 
             Restrictive limits: 
	Very limited 	= Very frequent"" 
	Somewhat limited 	= ""occasional"" or"" frequent"" 
	Not limited 	= ""none"" or ""very rare"" or ""rare"" 
Null frequency is assigned to the ""not limited"" class. 

OR

4. Acid pH: Low soil pH can result in corrosion of infrastructure; significantly increase system operation and maintenance requirements. Subsurface drainage from limited soils has potential to impact downstream surface waters and wetlands. Soil features considered is the (pH) from 0 to 150 cm.

      Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MINIMUM, 0 TO 150 CM, Modality: Representative Value

	Restriction limits: Too acid
		Very limited   = < 3.5
		Somewhat limited > 3.5 and <5.0
		Not limited	=> 5.0
Null pH values are assigned to the ""not rated"" class


OR

5. Alkaline pH: High soil pH increases metallic ion and nutrient availability and restricts plant growth. Infrastructure corrosion potential increases as pH increases. Soil feature considered is soil reaction (pH) from 0 to 180 cm.

     Property used: SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER; MAXIMUM, 0-150CM, Modality: Representative Value
     Multiplier: 0.5 is used to force all evaluation values greater than 0 into the ""Somewhat limited"" class

     Restrictive limits:
          Somewhat Limited     > 9.0
          Not limited          <= 9.0

     NULL data are assigned to the  ""not rated"" class.

OR
6. Excess Salt: Excess water-soluble salts may dissolve into water flowing to and through the subsurface drain. Subsurface drainage from these soils has potential to increase salinity levels in groundwater, downstream surface waters, and wetlands. Soil feature considered is the horizon with the highest electrical conductivity. 

Property used: ""SALINITY MAXIMUM"" (Modality - low, high, representative value) 
Restriction limits: 
	Very Limited 	        =>16 
	Somewhat limited 	> 4 to < 16 
	Not limited 	       =< 4 
Null EC is assigned to the ""not rated"" class. 

OR 

7. Excess Sodium: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio may disperse, limiting the flow of water to the tile, and suppress plant growth and will require a high degree of management. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 150 cm.

Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-150CM,  Modality: Representative Value

     Restrictive limits:
          Very limited              >= 13 
          Somewhat limited     > 4.5 to < 13
          Not limited               <= 4. 5

 Null SAR is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.

OR

8. SUBSIDENCE: NSSH 618.59, B, 1-3. The susceptibility of soils to subsidence is an important consideration for organic soils that are drained. If these soils are drained for community development, special foundations are needed for buildings. Utility lines, sidewalks, and roads that lack special foundations may settle at different rates, thus causing breakage, high maintenance costs, and inconvenience. If the soils are drained for farming, the long-term effects of subsidence, the possible destruction of land if it subsides below the water table must be considered. Subsidence as a result of drainage is attributed to the following factors. The first three factors are responsible for the initial subsidence that occurs rapidly, specifically within about 3 years after the water table is lowered.
     	-Shrinkage from drying,
     	-Consolidation due to loss of ground-water buoyancy,
     	-Compaction from tillage or manipulation,
    	 -Wind erosion,
     	-Burning,
     	-Biochemical oxidation.
After the initial subsidence, a degree of stability is reached and the loss of elevation declines to a steady rate, primarily because of oxidation. The oxidation and subsidence continue at this slower rate until stopped by the water table or underlying mineral material. The rate of subsidence depends on
     	-Ground-water depth,
    	 -Amount of organic matter,
     	-Kind of organic matter,
     	-Soil temperature,
     	-pH,
     	-Biochemical activity.
Soil feature considered is total subsidence.

Property used: SUBSIDENCE TOTAL,  Modality: Representative Value
Restrictive limits:
          Very limited    >= 30 cm
          Not limited     < 30 cm
     	NULL data are assigned to the ""not limited"" class.

OR

9. EXCESS GYPSUM: Excess gypsum may dissolve into water flowing through the subsurface drain and cause subsidence or piping of the drain. It may also contaminate subsurface water at the discharge of the drain. Soil feature considered is the maximum gypsum percent between 0 and 150 cm or a restrictive layer.

Property used: GYPSUM MAXIMUM 0-150CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION,   Modality: Representative Value
    	 Restrictive limits:
          Very limited               >= 40%
          Somewhat limited     > 5 to < 40%
          Not limited          <= 5%
     	NULL data are assigned to the ""not limited"" class.

OR

10. SEDIMENTATION: Sedimentation is the tendency for particles in suspension to settle out of the fluid in which they are entrained, and come to rest against a barrier. This is due to their motion through the fluid in response to the forces acting on them: these forces can be due to gravity, centrifugal acceleration or electromagnetism. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedimentation) There is typically not enough energy in the system to transport particles larger than fine sand in suspension. As energy (flow) rates vary the fine sand and very fine sand fractions settle out first when energy is reduced while the smaller particle fractions tend to stay in suspension longer and be transported further. The accumulation of the fine sand and very fine sand fraction may reduce tile drain capacity and potentially compromise the performance of tile drains. The soil feature considered is the maximum amount of fine sand plus very fine sand in horizons that have less than 12 percent total clay in the depth range 60 to 125 cm.

Property used: USDA TEXTURE FS+VFS WHEN <12% C, MAX IN DEPTH 60-125CM,   Modality: Representative Value
Restrictive limits:
          Very limited                >= 50%
          Somewhat limited      > 20 and < 50%
          Not limited                 <=20%
     NULL fine and very fine sand data are assigned to the ""not rated"" class.

 AND

11. DEPTH TO SEASONAL HIGH WATER TABLE: Subsurface water management is typically not needed for soils with a seasonal high water table at depths greater than 125 cm.

Property used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM WITHIN 125CM,  Modality: Representative Value
Restrictive limits:

          Rated                              <= 125 cm
          Drainage not needed      > 125 cm
     NULL data are assigned ""Drainage not needed"" class.




___________________________________________________

The original national ""Tile Drains and Underground Outlet"" interpretation was published in Part 620, Soil 
Interpretation Rating Guides, of the National Soil Survey Handbook (1993 version). The national interpretation was dropped in the late 1990s. The original interpretation rules and criteria were modified and adapted to reflect Texas needs and converted to a state soil interpretation, ""WMS Tile Drains and Underground Outlets (TX)."" This 
interpretation was subjected to national review and is proposed for reestablishment as a National Soil 
Interpretation, ""WMS  Subsurface Water Management, System Performance (TX)."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"37161"|"90078"|"8632164"
"WMS - Surface Water Management, System"|"limitation"|"WMS - Water Management Systems

WMS - Surface Water Management, System 
	 
Summary: Soil interpretations for ""WMS - Surface Water Management, System"" evaluate a soil's limitations for conservation systems that involve the movement or conveyance of surface water across the landscape. Such conveyances are graded ditches, grassed waterways, terraces, diversions, etc. The ratings are for soils in their natural condition and do not consider present land use.
 
The degree of limitation is express as a numeric index between 0 (non-limited condition) and 1.0 (limited condition).  If a soil's property within 150 cm (60 inches) of the soil surface has a degree of limitation greater than zero, then that soil property is limited and the soil restrictive feature is identified. The overall interpretive rating assigned is the maximum degree of limitation of each soil interpretive property that comprises the interpretive rule. Lesser restrictive soil features are those that have a degree of limitation less than the maximum and are identified to provide the user with additional information about the soil's capability to support the interpretation. These lesser restrictive features could be important factors where the major restrictive features are overcome through practice design and application modifications.
 
Soils are placed into interpretive rating classes per their degree of limitation. These are not limited (degree of limitation= 0), somewhat limited (degree of limitation > 0 and < 1.0). or very limited (degree of limitation = 1.0).
 
Scope: The soil interpretation for WMS- Surface Water Management, System is designed to be used as a tool in evaluating and identifying soil limitations for the installation and performance of surface drainage systems involving construction of earthen drainage ditches, channels, diversions, terraces, etc that involve <60cm of cut. As part of the interpretation process the rating applies to each soil in its undisturbed condition and does not consider present land use. The limitation rating provided is based on the influence of existing soil properties on installation and function of these systems. Where there is concern about construction of drainage structures that involve> 60cm of cut, soil should be checked for bedrock or other restriction to planned excavation depth.
 
Description: Soil properties and qualities that affect construction and performance of Surface Water Management Structures (Ditch, Channel, or Ridge) are slope, flooding, ponding, surface and subsurface permeability, surface coarse fragments, depth to restrictive feature (bedrock, pan, or dense layer), sodium, salinity, gypsum, and susceptibility to water erosion. 
 
Criteria: The interpretive rating is the most limited of the following restrictive features. 

1. Depth to bedrock: Shallow depth to bedrock impedes workability of the soil and restricts proper shaping of drainage structures.

Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK, (Modality - representative value)

Restrictive limits: 
                Somewhat limited    < 60 cm 
	Not limited 	=> 60 cm
Null depth is assigned to the ""not limited"" class. 

2. Depth to cemented pan: Shallow depth to cemented pan limits percolation of surface water into the subsoil and supports the performance and function of the surface drain. 

Property used: FIRST RESTRICTVE FEATURE,  (Modality- representative value) 

Restrictive limits: 
	Somewhat limited 	         < 60cm 
	Not limited 	         => 60cm 
Null depth is assigned to the ""not limited"" class. 

AND 

Property used: KIND OF FIRST RESTRICTION, (Modality - representative value)

Restrictive limits: 
                Very Limited   = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic' or ""ortstein' or ""petrogypsic"" 
                Not limited    not = ""fragipan"" or ""duripan"" or ""petrocalcic"" or ""ortstein"" or ""petrogypsic'' 
Null restrictive feature kind is assigned to the ""not limited"" class. 

AND
 
Property used: FIRST RESTRICTIVE FEATURE HARDNESS,  (Modality - representative value) 
Restrictive limits: 
                 Very Limited         not = ""Noncemented"" 
                 Not limited           = ""Noncemented"" 
Null hardness is assigned to the ""not limited"" class. 

3. Content of large rock fragments. Large rock fragments impede the workability of the soil and restrict proper shaping of the drainage structure.
 
Property used: FRAGMENTS > 75MM WEIGHTED AVE. IN DEPTH 0-60 CM, (Modality - high, low, representative value) 

Restrictive limits: 
	Very Limited           => 15% 
	Somewhat limited  > 5% and < 15% 
	Not limited             =< 5% 
Null fragment data are assigned to the ""not rated"" class. 

4. Slope: Slopes more than gently sloping impede the performance of a surface drain and remove water at a velocity that may exceed soil resistance to erosion.
 
Property used: SLOPE,  (Modality -low, high, representative value)
Restriction limits: 
	Very limited             => 6% 
	Somewhat limited    > 3 and < 6% 
	Not limited               =< 3% 

Null Slope is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.
 
5. Flooding: Flooding frequency greater then occasional restricts installation of drainage structures and inhibits free flow of surface water from the drainage area. Soil feature considered is maximum flooding frequency classes over 12 months. 

Property used: FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest (Maximum Duration), (Modality - representative value)

	Restrictive limits: 
	Very Limited            = ""very frequent""  
	Somewhat limited    = ""frequent"" 
	Not limited               = ""none"" or ""very rare, rare, or occasional

Null frequency is assigned to the ""not limited"" class.

	

6. Ponding: Ponding frequency greater than ""occasional"" restricts installation of drainage structures and inhibits free flow of surface water from the drainage area. Soil feature considered is maximum ponding frequency classes over 12 months.
 
Property used: Ponding FREQUENCY CLASS, Greatest (Maximum Duration),   (Modality - representative value) 
	Restrictive limits:
                           Very limited             = very frequent
	           Somewhat limited    = frequent
	           Not limited               = ""none"" or ""rare"" or ""occasional""
	 	 
Null frequency is assigned to the ""not limited"" class.


 
7. Rapid percolation: The slow movement of water through the surface layers of the soil limits percolation of surface water into the subsoil and supports the performance and function of the surface drain.
 
Property used: KSAT MINIMUM IN DEPTH O-50 CM,  (Modality - low, high, representative value) 
Restriction limits: 
	Very limited             => 14 micrometers/second 
	Somewhat limited   > 1.4 and < 14 micrometers/second 
	Not limited               =< 1.4 micrometers/second
 
Null Ksat is assigned to the ""not limited"" class. 
 
 
8. Excess salt: Excess water-soluble salts may dissolve into water flowing through the surfaces drain and contaminate surface water at the discharge of the drain.
 
Property used: SALINITY MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0-50CM, (Modality -Low, high, representative value) 
Restriction limits: 
	Very limited            => 16 mmhos/cm
	Somewhat limited   > 4 to < 16 mmhos/cm
	Not limited              =< 4 mmhos/cm
Null EC is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.
 
9. Sodium content: Soils with high sodium adsorption ratio are prone to develop dispersive soil conditions in channel banks causing significant maintenance issues, as well as, infiltration restriction/reductions due to soil dispersion caused by sodium in the soil and/or soil water. Surface drainage from these soils has potential to increase sodium levels in groundwater, downstream surface waters, and wetlands. Soil feature considered is the highest sodium adsorption ratio for horizons that have any portion in the depth range 0 to 60 cm.
 
Property used: SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 0- 60 cm, (Modality - low, high, representative value) 
	Restriction limits: 		 
	Very limited                => 20  
	Somewhat limited      > 6 to < 20 	 
	Not limited                 <= 6  
Null SAR is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.
 
10. Excess gypsum: Excess gypsum may dissolve into water flowing through the surface drain and cause subsidence or piping of the drain. It may also contaminate surface water at the discharge of the drain. Soil feature considered is the maximum. gypsum percent between 0 and 50cm (0 to 20 inches) or a restrictive layer. 


Property used: GYPSUM MAXIMUM 0-50CM OR FIRST RESTRICTION, (Modality - low, high, representative value)  
	Restriction limits:  
	Very limited             => 40% 
	Somewhat limited   > 1 to < 40%  
	Not limited               =< 1% 	

Null gypsum is assigned to the ""not limited"" class. 



11. Erodes Easily: Surface soil water erodibility indicator is the product of the surface K factor multiplied by the soil slope. Channel banks and bottoms are subject to water erosion if the indicator is above 0.98 and practice design should include water erosion control measures. Soil features considered are the soil horizon K factor and the soil slope. 

 
Property used: SURFACE LAYER WATER EROSION INDICATOR, (Modality - representative value) 
Restriction limits: 
	Very Limited             => 3.0
	Somewhat limited    > 1.0 and < 3.0 
	Not limited               =< 1.0 
Null K factor is assigned to the ""not rated"" class."|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"37179"|"90078"|"8632165"
"AGR - Pesticide Loss Potential-Leaching"|"limitation"|"AGR - Agronomy

AGR - Pesticide Loss Potential-Leaching

Soil Survey interpretations are developed for use in evaluating and determining the potential of the soil to transmit pesticides through the profile and the likelihood of the contamination of ground-water supplies.  Evaluations also consider potential surface runoff and the contamination of surface water.

 Pesticide loss potential - leaching

		(1)  ""Pesticide loss potential - leaching"" is the potential for pesticides to be transported by percolating water below the plant root zone.  Pesticides in ground-water solution are leached from the soil surface layer and transported vertically or horizontally through the soil and vadose zone by percolating water.  Leaching pesticides have the potential to contaminate shallow and deep aquifers, springs, and local water tables.

		(2)  The pesticides considered available in leaching are those applied to or incorporated into the surface layer of the soil.  The Soil Leaching Loss Rating (SLLR) is a value derived from the soil algorithm which was developed by using the GLEAMS model to rank various soil and pesticide properties (Goss et al., 1988).  The SLLR  algorithm is defined as:
		SLLR =  (Surface Layer Depth)*(Organic Matter Content).

		(3)  Precipitation, either as rain, sleet, or snow, and irrigation are considered the major sources of soil moisture available for leaching pesticides through the soil and vadose zone.  The Aridic and Ustic moisture regimes are given one lower Surface Leaching Loss Rating because the drier climate conditions are associated with these regimes if they are not irrigated.

		(4)  The soil properties and qualities considered are those that affect soil attenuation capacity, water infiltration, and soil permeability.  As shown in Table 620-35, these soil properties are soil texture, surface layer thickness, organic matter content, structure, bulk density, permeability of soil or bedrock, shrink-swell potential, depth to rock, depth to water table, and slope.

		(5)  Soil attenuation capacity is represented by the SLLR (Soil Leaching Loss Rating).  Infiltration rate is interpreted from slope and the soil hydrologic group which considers soil texture, permeability, restrictive layers, depth, and shrink-swell potential.  Soil permeability is a function of soil structure, particle-size distribution, and bulk density; presence of a restricting layer; and depth to that restricting layer.  Bedrock permeability is related to the type, size, extent, and interconnection of fractures and bedding planes.  Bedrock permeability should be evaluated on a State or regional level for those soils that have bedrock at a depth of less than 60 inches.

		(6)  The soil rating guide is based on the potential for soils to retain pesticides within the boundaries of the root zone and is not directed toward any particular pesticide or family of pesticides.  For the purpose of this guide, pesticides are considered to be applied to bare soil by either surface or aerial methods.

Reference

Goss, M.J., Howse, K.R., Colbourn, P. & Harris, G.L. (1988) Cultivation systems and the leaching
of nitrates. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference, ISTRO 2:679-684, Edinburgh.

Criteria:

1.  Soil Leaching Loss Rating HYDGRP A:  The Soil Leaching Loss Rating  (SLLR) is a value derived from the soil algorithm which was developed by using the GLEAMS model to rank various soil and pesticide properties (Goss et al., 1988).  The SLLR  algorithm is defined as: 
		SLLR =  (Surface Layer Depth)*(Organic Matter Content).
This quantity is examined for various slopes and various hydrologic soils groups.  HSG indicates the rate of water movement throught the soil, with higher rates indicating a more serious leaching potential.  This is partially balance by the SLRR, which considers the ability of the soil to attenuate pesticides.  Also a factor is the slope, since less infiltration occurs on steeper slopes.

Property used: SOIL LEACHING GROUP A (0-15%)

Restrictive Limits:

Soil Leaching Loss Rating from Hydrologic Group A
	1/ Soil Leaching Loss Rating (SLLR) = (Surface Layer Depth) * (Organic Matter Content).
	2/ Reduce rating limitation one class for Aridic moisture regime unless irrigated.
	

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

SLLR of HSG A at	                  >65		   30-65		   <30		LOW ADSORPTION
Slope 0-15%


Property used: SOIL LEACHING GROUP A (>15%)

Soil Leaching Loss Rating from Hydrologic Group A
	1/ Soil Leaching Loss Rating (SLLR) = (Surface Layer Depth) * (Organic Matter Content).
	2/ Reduce rating limitation one class for Aridic moisture regime unless irrigated.
	

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

SLLR of HSG A at		  >30		      <30		    ---		LOW ADSORPTION
Slope >15%

2.  Soil Leaching Loss Rating HYDGRP B:  The Soil Leaching Loss Rating  (SLLR) is a value derived from the soil algorithm which was developed by using the GLEAMS model to rank various soil and pesticide properties (Goss et al., 1988).  The SLLR  algorithm is defined as: 
		SLLR =  (Surface Layer Depth)*(Organic Matter Content).
This quantity is examined for various slopes and various hydrologic soils groups.  HSG indicates the rate of water movement throught the soil, with higher rates indicating a more serious leaching potential.  This is partially balance by the SLRR, which considers the ability of the soil to attenuate pesticides.  Also a factor is the slope, since less infiltration occurs on steeper slopes.

Property used: SOIL LEACHING GROUP B (0-15%)

Restrictive Limits:

Soil Leaching Loss Rating from Hydrologic Group B
	1/ Soil Leaching Loss Rating (SLLR) = (Surface Layer Depth) * (Organic Matter Content).
	2/ Reduce rating limitation one class for Aridic moisture regime unless irrigated.
	

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

SLLR of HSG B at	                  >45		   5-45		   <5		LOW ADSORPTION
Slope 0-15%


Property used: SOIL LEACHING GROUP B (>15%)

Soil Leaching Loss Rating from Hydrologic Group B
	1/ Soil Leaching Loss Rating (SLLR) = (Surface Layer Depth) * (Organic Matter Content).
	2/ Reduce rating limitation one class for Aridic moisture regime unless irrigated.
	

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

SLLR of HSG B at		  >5		      <5		    ---		LOW ADSORPTION
Slope >15%

3.  Soil Leaching Loss Rating HYDGRP C and D:  The Soil Leaching Loss Rating  (SLLR) is a value derived from the soil algorithm which was developed by using the GLEAMS model to rank various soil and pesticide properties (Goss et al., 1988).  The SLLR  algorithm is defined as: 
		SLLR =  (Surface Layer Depth)*(Organic Matter Content).
This quantity is examined for various slopes and various hydrologic soils groups.  HSG indicates the rate of water movement throught the soil, with higher rates indicating a more serious leaching potential.  This is partially balance by the SLRR, which considers the ability of the soil to attenuate pesticides.  Also a factor is the slope, since less infiltration occurs on steeper slopes.

Property used: SOIL LEACHING GROUP C

Restrictive Limits:

Soil Leaching Loss Rating from Hydrologic Group C
	1/ Soil Leaching Loss Rating (SLLR) = (Surface Layer Depth) * (Organic Matter Content).
	2/ Reduce rating limitation one class for Aridic moisture regime unless irrigated.
	

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

SLLR of HSG C 	                  >=0		   ---		   ---		LOW ADSORPTION
Any Slope

Property used: SOIL LEACHING GROUP D

Soil Leaching Loss Rating from Hydrologic Group D
	1/ Soil Leaching Loss Rating (SLLR) = (Surface Layer Depth) * (Organic Matter Content).
	2/ Reduce rating limitation one class for Aridic moisture regime unless irrigated.
	

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

SLLR of HSG  D at		  >=0		      ---		    ---		LOW ADSORPTION
Any slope


4. Depth to High Water Table (Leaching):  Pesticides dissolved in shallow ground water can move rapidly and contaminate shallow wells.  This water can also contaminate streams into which it is discharged.

Property Used: DEPTH TO HIGH WATER TABLE MINIMUM

Restrictive Limits:


PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

Depth to High	                 >122		   61-122		    <61		WETNESS
Water Table (cm)

5. Depth to Layer Having Ksat >42 um/sec:  Soil layers that are highly transmissive can allow rapid movement and no attenuation of pesticides.

Property used: DEPTH TO KSAT >42 UM/SEC

Restrictive limits:

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

Depth to Layer	                >152		  61-152		  <61		SEEPAGE
with Permeability
(>42 um/sec)(cm)


6. Depth to Bedrock with Ksat (Leaching):  A transmissive bedrock can move pesticides rapidly and allow little possibility of attenuation.  This subrule examines the saturated hydraulic conductivity of any bedrock layers and the depth at which they may occur, as tempered by the Hydrologic Soils Group for the soil.

6a. Depth to Bedrock with Ksat >14um/sec (HYDGRP A): Soils that are members of HSG A are quite permeable.  Bedrock must be deep to avoid contamination by pesticides.  Bedrock permeability is related to the type of bedrock and the size, extent, and interconnection of fractures and bedding planes.

Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK PERM >14 UM/SEC HYDGRP A
	
Restrictive Limits:

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

6a. Hydrologic Group A	>152		---		<152		POOR FILTER

6b. Depth to Bedrock having Ksat > 14 um/sec (HYDGRP B):  Soils that are members of HSG B are fairly permeable.  Bedrock must be deep to avoid contamination by pesticides.  Bedrock permeability is related to the type of bedrock and the size, extent, and interconnection of fractures and bedding planes.

Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK PERM >14 UM/SEC HYDGRP B

Restrictive limits:

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

6b. Hydrologic Group B	>152		---		<152		POOR FILTER


6c. Depth to Bedrock having Ksat >14 um/sec (HYDGRP C): Soils that are members of HSG C are only moderately permeable.  Bedrock does not need to be so deep to avoid contamination by pesticides.  Bedrock permeability is related to the type of bedrock and the size, extent, and interconnection of fractures and bedding planes.

Property Used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK PERM >14 UM/SEC HYDGRP C

Restrictive Limits:

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

6c. Hydrologic Group C	>102		51-102		<51		POOR FILTER

6d. Depth to Bedrock having Ksat <14 um/sec (HYDGRP D): Soils that are members of HSG D are slowly permeable.  Bedrock does not need to be so deep to avoid contamination by pesticides.  Bedrock permeability is related to the type of bedrock and the size, extent, and interconnection of fractures and bedding planes.

Property Used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK PERM >14 UM/SEC HYDGRP D

Restrictive Limits:

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

6d. Hydrologic Group D	>102		51-102		<51		POOR FILTER

6e.  Depth to Bedrock with Ksat >14um/sec (All HYDGRP):  A thin soil layer of any HSG is prone to leaching.    Bedrock permeability is related to the type of bedrock and the size, extent, and interconnection of fractures and bedding planes.


Property used: DEPTH TO BEDROCK PERM >14 UM/SEC HYDGRP ALL


Restrictive Limits:

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

6e. All Hydrologic       	>51	     	   <51		   ---		POOR FILTER
    Soil Groups"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"34008"|"90078"|"8632166"
"AGR - Pesticide Loss Potential-Soil Surface Runoff"|"limitation"|"AGR - Agronomy

AGR - Pesticide Loss Potential-Soil Surface Runoff

Background:


Soil Survey interpretations are developed for use in evaluating and determining the potential of the soil to transmit pesticides through the profile and the likelihood of the contamination of ground-water supplies.  Evaluations also consider potential surface runoff and the contamination of surface water.

Pesticide loss potential - soil surface runoff

		(1)  ""Pesticide loss potential - soil surface runoff"" is the potential for pesticides to be transported by surface runoff beyond the field boundary where the pesticide was applied.  Pesticides are transported by surface runoff as either pesticides in solution or pesticides adsorbed to sediments suspended in runoff.  Pesticides that are surface transported have a potential to contaminate surface waters, such as lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers.

		(2)  The pesticides considered available to surface loss are those applied to the surface of the soil.  Loss occurs from either pesticides moving in runoff solutions or pesticides attached to sediments moving with surface runoff.  The Surface Loss Rating (SLR) is a value derived from the soil algorithm which was developed by applying the GLEAMS model to rank various soil and pesticide properties (Goss et al., 1988).  The SLR is a function of hydrologic groups and K values and is determined using the following criteria:
		--	For all soils in Hydrologic Group A, the SLR is < 0.
		--	For soils in Hydrologic Group B with a K factor <.17, the SLR is 0 to < 1.0.
		--	For soils in Hydrologic Group B with a K factor >.17, for all soils in Hydrologic Group C, and for soils in Hydrologic Group D with a K factor                                                      <.20, the SLR is 1.0 to 2.8. and 
		--	For soils in Hydrologic Group D with a K factor >.20, the SLR is >2.8.

		(3)  The soil properties and qualities considered in the pesticide surface loss guide, as given in Table 620-36, are those that affect rates of runoff and erosion.  These soil properties and qualities are soil texture, organic matter content, structure, particle-size distribution, permeability, restricting layers, depth, drainage, depth to a water table, slope, and shrink-swell potential.  Runoff is represented by slope and the soil hydrologic group, which considers soil texture, permeability, restrictive layers, depth, drainage, and shrink-swell potential.  Soil erodibility is represented by the K factor, which is estimated from soil particle-size distribution, organic matter content, structure, and permeability.  Flooding has the potential of catastrophic surface pesticide loss.  It may remove large quantities of pesticides, either those in solution or those adsorbed to sediments, in a single event.  Ponding can concentrate pesticides that are surface transported, and draining ponded areas adversely affects the receiving surface waters.

		(4)  The soil rating guideline is based on the potential for soils to retain pesticides within the boundaries of the field where they are applied and is not directed toward any particular pesticide or family of pesticides.  For the purpose of this guide, pesticides are considered to be applied to bare soil by either surface or aerial methods.

Reference:

Goss, M.J., Howse, K.R., Colbourn, P. & Harris, G.L. (1988) Cultivation systems and the leaching
of nitrates. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference, ISTRO 2:679-684, Edinburgh.


Criteria:

1. Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		                < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	                 => 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	                      = ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	                      = ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.


2. Installed artificial drainage:  This subrule considers the hydrologic soil group, which indicates a need for drainage, and the component local phase (and the obsolete component other phase) as an indicator of whether or not the soil component is indeed drained.  The pesticide carrying ability of the water moving through the drainage system is considered the same as runoff from the surface.

               Property used:  PONDING AND DRAINED CLASS (DUAL HSG, LOCAL PHASE)

               Restictive Limits:
	

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

 Ponding		              Undrained	                        ---		Drained		Drained Artificial


3. Flooding (Soil Surface Runoff) - Moving water can remove pesticides from the soil surface.

               Property used:  FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS (GOSS)

               Restrictive limits:
	

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

 Flooding		            None, Rare	                      Occas		  Freq		Flooding


4.  Soil Loss Rating:  The pesticides considered available to surface loss are those applied to the surface of the soil.  Loss occurs from either pesticides moving in runoff solutions or pesticides attached to sediments moving with surface runoff.  The Surface Loss Rating (SLR) is a value derived from the soil algorithm which was developed by applying the GLEAMS model to rank various soil and pesticide properties (Goss et al., 1988).  


A. Soil Loss Rating (0-2% slopes)

Property used: SOIL LOSS RATING (0-2%)

Restrictive Limits:

PROPERTY	SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

Soil Loss Rating    	0		---                             ---                            Excess Runoff
at 0 to 2% slopes

B. Soil Loss Rating (2-6% slopes)

Property used: SOIL LOSS RATING (2-6%)

Restrictive Limits:

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

Soil Loss Rating (SLR)	<1.0		1.0-2.8		>2.8		Excess Runoff
at 2 to 6% slopes


C. Soil Loss Rating (6 to 15% slopes)

Property used:  SOIL LOSS RATING (6-15%)

Restrictive Limits:

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

Soil Loss Rating		---		<2.8		>2.8		Excess Runoff
at 6-15% slopes

D. Soil Loss Rating (>15% slopes)

Property used:  SOIL LOSS RATING (>15%)

Restrictive Limits:

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

Soil Loss Rating		   ---		    <0		   >0		Excess Runoff
at >15% slopes"|Yes|07/19/2018 19:46:25|"34027"|"90078"|"8632167"
"BLM - Chaining Suitability"|"suitability"|"BLM - Bureau of Land Management

BLM - Chaining Suitability

Chaining

Chaining is commonly practiced, sometimes in combination with seeding, for rangeland restoration.  Chaining is implemented to reduce the composition of pinyon and juniper trees, mesquite, or sagebrush.  Chaining also helps bury seed broadcast prior to chaining or between double-chainings.

Chaining is often performed with an ""Ely"" chain or other similarly modified heavy chain dragged in a loose U-shaped or J-shaped pattern between two crawler-type tractors.

The chaining suitability ratings represent the relative physical limitations of soil factors upon use of implements suitable for chaining rangeland sites.  This rating should be used in conjunction with the rangeland seeding rating or the opportunity for restoration rating depending upon whether seeding or natural regeneration will be utilized on the site.

Steep slopes limit the ability to safely perform the chaining operation along the contour.  Stones and rock outcrop potentially hinder the operation of the equipment.  High water table affects the timing of tillage by limiting access to the site.  On-site investigation is recommended before implementing any chaining projects.

Property	Well		Suited		Poorly

Slope (%)	0-12		13-30		>30

Surface         0-3		3-15		>15
Fragments
>25cm (%)

Depth to High   >60             30-60           <30
Water Table
(cm)"|Yes|12/17/2020 21:26:45|"21313"|"90078"|"8632168"
"BLM - Fencing"|"suitability"|"BLM - Bureau of Land Management

BLM - Fencing

Fencing

Livestock fencing is the construction and maintenance of barriers for the management of livestock.  Fences are constructed using metal or wooden posts that are either treated or untreated to prevent rotting.  The posts are buried at least two feet into the soil with strands of barbed or smooth wire or mesh wire suspended between the posts.  It is desirable for livestock fence design to provide for wildlife movement.
 
This guide is used to rate the ease of setting posts, maintaining the wire tension, and estimating the replacement and maintenance cost.  Excavations for wooden posts are made by power auger or hand dug; metal posts are driven into the soil.
 
Bedrock, cemented pan, and large and small stones influence the excavation of post holes and the driving of posts.  Flooding and depth to a seasonal high water table may restrict the season of construction.  Flooding also affects maintenance and replacement cost.  High water tables raise the maintenance cost and require deeper post settings.  High shrink-swell soils require deep post settings or rock jacks to maintain vertical post alignment.  Setting posts in permanently frozen soil may cause loss of the insulation qualities of the soil and result in thermokarst topography.  Post alignment and maintaining the desired wire tension are often difficult on sandy soils due to their low strength.  Soil blowing causes maintenance problems.  Frost action results in frost-heaving of the posts.  Steep slopes affect the use power augers and the delivery of supplies.  During the wet seasons surface creep on steep slopes increases maintenance.  Soil reaction and salinity affect the type of post selected and maintenance costs.

Soil map units that contain more than 10 percent rock outcrop should be rated POORLY SUITED.
 
Property	Well Suited	Suited		Poorly Suited

% Clay (0-60cm)	<35		35-40		>40

% Sand (0-60cm)	<85		85-90		>90

Flooding	N, VR, R	O		F, VF

Soil Depth (cm)	>60		25-60		<25

% Fragments	<25		25-50		>50
7.5-25cm
(0-60cm)

% Fragments	<5		5-15		>15
>25cm
(0-60cm)

Water Table	>60		30-60		<30
(cm)

Slope (%)	<15		15-30		>30

Salinity	<4		4-12		>12
0-60cm
(mmhos/cm)"|Yes|08/29/2017 15:40:05|"22130"|"90078"|"8632169"
"BLM - Fire Damage Susceptibility"|"limitation"|"BLM - Bureau of Land Management

BLM - Fire Damage Susceptibility

Fire Damage Vulnerability

Wildfire is a naturally occurring event that has helped maintain ecosystem function in wildlands.  Wildfire can be caused by natural ignition, such as lightning strike, or by man-caused ignition.  Buildup of excess fuel loads can result in high severity fires that damage the soils in the burn area.  Prescribed burning is a restoration practice that is primarily designed to help return the natural fire cycle to the landscape.  Properly carried out on suitable sites, burning can be a very effective and cost efficient treatment method to help restore the desired composition of plant species in an ecological site, improve livestock access on heavy brush or slash sites, rejuvenate sprouting browse species and stagnant grass plants, release nutrients into the soil, improve palatability and nutrient content of forage, reduce fuel loading, and prepare an ash seedbed for artificial or natural seeding.  Burning may be combined with mechanical or chemical rangeland treatments.

Fuel ignition for prescribed burning can be natural or artificial using hand-held drip torches, aerial ignition, and other methods.  Fire lines can be natural fuel breaks, wetline techniques, hand constructed, or machinery constructed.

The vulnerability to fire damage ratings represent the relative risk of creating a water repellant layer, volatilization of essential soil nutrients, destruction of soil biological activity, and vulnerability to water and wind erosion prior to reestablishing adequate watershed cover on the burned site.  The vulnerability to fire damage ratings are directly related to burn severity (e.g. a low-moderate severity burn will not result in water repellant layer formation).  This rating should be used in conjunction with the rangeland seeding rating or the opportunity for restoration rating depending upon whether seeding or natural regeneration will be utilized on the site.

Sandy soils are more susceptible to formation of a water repellant layer.  High rock fragment content increases the rate of heat transfer into the soil.  Steep slopes increase the vulnerability to water erosion.  Vulnerability to formation of hydrophobic or water repellant layers varies by vegetation type.  As an example, pinyon-juniper, Arizona chaparral, and California chaparral vegetation types are more susceptible to hydrophobicity than other shrubland or grassland vegetation types.

The impacts of wildfire to soils of the burn area need to be assessed to prioritize burned area emergency rehabilitation and revegetation efforts.

Prescribed burning should be carefully planned and executed.  It should be carried out following a well designed prescription and burn plan under the supervision of a qualified prescribed burning team.  Burning objectives should be clearly defined and should be evaluated during post-burn assessments.  Minimizing risks to human health, safety, and property damage and containment of the burn are of paramount importance.

Hot, dry south slopes are more susceptible to fire damage than cooler slopes.  Fire mortality of desirable plants needs to be taken into consideration during wildfire restoration and prescribed burning planning.  On-site investigation is recommended before implementing any wildfire restoration or prescribed burning projects.

Property		Low		Moderate	High

Sand (%)		<43		43-90		>90
Surface Layer

Fragments >2mm (%)	<35		35-60		>60

Slope (%)
Kw <.20			<20		20-40			>40
Kw .20-.32		<15		15-35			>35
Kw >.32			<10		10-25			>25

WEG			5,6,7,8		3,4,4L			1,2"|Yes|09/27/2012 19:58:21|"22118"|"90078"|"8632170"
"BLM - Fugitive Dust Resistance"|"suitability"|"BLM - Bureau of Land Management

BLM - Fugitive Dust Resistance

Fugitive Dust

Fugitive dust resistance rates the vulnerability of a site for eroded soil particles to go into suspension during a windstorm.  Fugitive dust can create extreme visibility reductions during severe wind storms creating traffic hazards and closing airports.  Power outages, expensive cleanup costs, damage to computers and communications equipment from dust, transport of potentially harmful chemicals adhering to the soil particles, and loss of soil nutrients are some of the potential effects of fugitive dust.  A positive impact is that nutrient enrichment can occur where fugitive dust is deposited.

Fugitive dust is a source of PM10 which is one of the seven air pollutants the Environmental Protection Agency regulates under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).  To a lesser extent, fugitive dust is a source of PM2.5 which has proposed regulations pending under NAAQS.  PM10 and PM2.5 are defined as particulate matter with a mean diameter less than 10 microns and 2.5 microns respectively.  These soil particles are very small, can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time, and are easily inhaled into the deep lungs.  Increased risk of death and disease have been linked to periods of high outdoor PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations.  These fine particles can potentially be lifted thousands of feet into the atmosphere and transported across continents and oceans creating global health, ecological, and climate change impacts.

The soil properties and qualities that affect fugitive dust are size of surface soil particles, rock fragment content, organic matter content, calcium carbonate equivalent, aggregate stability and presence of a stable soil crust.  Clay particles have a strong propensity to form relatively large, durable soil aggregates and not contribute appreciably to fugitive dust unless these aggregates are broken down by intensive surface disturbance.  Soil moisture and the presence of frozen soil also influence fugitive dust.  Activities which break down soil aggregates and crusts increase wind erosion and production of fugitive dust.

Property	Resistant	Moderately	Vulnerable
				Resistant
				
(vfs + si	<5		5-10		>10
+ clay) /
.5(clay) [surface
layer]

Surface fragments in the surface layer act as a modifier.  The evaluation is a sigmoid curve with a value of 0 at 0% and a value of 1 at 70%.  This modifier is added to the surface texture rule.

Calcium carbonate equivalent in the surface layer acts as a modifier.  The evaluation produces a value of 1 at 0% and a value of 0 at 25%."|Yes|09/27/2012 20:16:33|"26036"|"90078"|"8632171"
"BLM - Mechanical Treatment, Rolling Drum"|"suitability"|"BLM - Bureau of Land Management

BLM - Mechanical Treatment, Rolling Drum

Rolling Drum Mechanical Treatment

Rolling drum mechanical treatment is commonly practiced, sometimes in combination with seeding, for rangeland restoration.  Rolling drum mechanical treatment is implemented to reduce the size and composition of brush and young, smaller-sized trees, increase infiltration, and reduce runoff and erosion.  The equipment may also help bury seed broadcast prior to or during treatment.  The drums are often filled with water, or a slurry of water and soil, to increase drum weight and improve treatment effectiveness.

Rolling drum mechanical treatment is usually performed with a roller chopper, spiral-blade chopper, or land imprinter.  Roller choppers utilize a cylindrical drum, equipped with several full-length cutting blades, that is towed behind a crawler-type tractor.  Spiral-blade choppers use small blades welded to heavy drums in a staggered, spiral pattern around the drum.  Land imprinters use a heavy drum with wedges to imprint small depressions into the soil and are mainly used for seedbed preparation.

The rolling drum mechanical treatment suitability ratings represent the relative physical limitations of soil factors upon use of rolling drum implements suitable for treatment of rangeland sites.  This rating should be used in conjunction with the rangeland seeding rating or the opportunity for restoration rating depending upon whether seeding or natural regeneration will be utilized on the site.

Steep slopes increase the power requirements for the equipment and limit the ability to safely perform the roller chopping operation.  Stones and rock outcrop damage the blades of the roller chopper and make towing more difficult.  High clay content reduces effectiveness of the treatment.  High water table affects the timing of tillage by limiting access to the site.  On-site investigation is recommended before implementing any rolling drum mechanical treatment projects.

Property		Well		Suited		Poorly
			Suited				Suited
			
Slope (%)		<16		16-30		>30

Surface Fragments	<0.1		0.1-3.0		>3.0
>25cm (% cover)

Clay (%)		<20		20-40		>40
Surface Layer

Depth to		>60		30-60		<30
Water Table (cm)"|Yes|04/10/2023 14:25:51|"21849"|"90078"|"8632172"
"BLM - Mechanical Treatment, Shredder"|"suitability"|"BLM - Bureau of Land Management

BLM - Mechanical Treatment, Shredder

Shredder Mechanical Treatment

Shredder mechanical treatment is commonly practiced, sometimes in combination with seeding, for rangeland restoration.  This type of treatment is often implemented in sagebrush, mountain shrub, and pinyon-juniper vegetation types to reduce the size and composition of dense brush and trees up to 15-18 inches diameter, depending upon the equipment used.  The treatment objectives can include reducing hazardous fuel loads, increasing forage for livestock and wildlife, increased infiltration, and reduced runoff and erosion.  The equipment may also help bury seed broadcast prior to or during treatment.

There are several types of shredder equipment used for these treatments.  One of the most commonly used is a large, articulated tractor with a front-mounted, 6-8 foot wide, hydraulically controlled mower/mulcher head.  The machine has rubber, flotation-type tires which are designed for minimal ground disturbance.  The mower/mulcher head is lifted above the tree or shrub top and lowered quickly, usually completely chopping the plant in less than 15 seconds.  The rubber tired machine can also be equipped with flail shredders which use blades attached to a long, rotating horizontal shaft.  The rotating drum can be 3 to 6 feet wide by 2 feet in diameter and is often mounted on the end of a boom.  The most common type of rubber-tired shredder can safely operate on slopes up to about 20%.  Tracked vehicles are also used which can be crawler tractors or excavators equipped with a flail type or mower/shredder type attachment to shred the shrubs or trees.  Escavators have the shredder attachment mounted on a boom that can extend in any direction.  The tracked shredders can operate on slopes up to around 30-35%.  Large pieces of debris can be thrown 200-300 feet during shredder operation, so safety to bystanders is an issue.

The shredder mechanical treatment suitability ratings represent the relative physical limitations of soil factors upon use of shredder implements suitable for treatment of rangeland sites.  This rating should be used in conjunction with the rangeland seeding rating or the opportunity for restoration rating depending upon whether seeding or natural regeneration will be utilized on the site.

Steep slopes increase the power requirements for the equipment and limit the ability to safely perform the shredder opeeration.  Stones and rock outcrop make equipment operation more difficult.  High water table affects the timing of tillage by limiting access to the site.  On-site investigation is recommended before implementing any shredder mechanical treatment projects.

Property		Well		Suited		Poorly
			Suited				Suited
			
Slope (%)		<20		20-35		>35

Surface Fragments	<3		3-15		>15
>25cm (% cover)

Depth to		>60		30-60		<30
Water Table (cm)"|Yes|12/17/2020 21:26:45|"21852"|"90078"|"8632173"
"BLM - Medusahead Invasion Susceptibility"|"limitation"|"BLM - Bureau of Land Management

BLM - Medusahead Invasion Susceptibility

Great Basin Ecoregion
Medusahead Invasion Vulnerability

Medusahead or medusahead wildrye (Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski) is an introduced, cool-season annual grass that is a major concern to range ecologists, wildlife biologists, and the livestock industry.  It is an aggressive invader of disturbed or poor condition sagebrush sites that can suppress desirable, native vegetation.  Medusahead is unpalatable to livestock and most wildlife species, the seeds are not digestible by upland game birds and other bird species, the long barbed awns can cause injury to the eyes, noses, and mouths of grazing animals, and it can increase wildfire incidence in some dwarf sagebrush communities.  It is listed as a noxious weed in California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah.

The medusahead invasion vulnerability ratings guide is general in nature.  It is designed to be used in the planning process to identify areas with a low resistance to invasion by medusahead.  This allows the user to plan and develop management practices that will reduce the probability of medusahead invasion.

The interpretation provides invasion vulnerability ratings and identifies the dominant soil and site characteristics that influence the susceptibility of the site to medusahead invasion.  Soils that are classified as HIGHLY VULNERABLE have a high susceptibility to medusahead invasion.  A VULNERABLE rating indicates that the site is moderately susceptible to medusahead invasion.  A LESS VULNERABLE rating indicates that the soil characteristics may limit establishment of medusahead invasions.

Property	Less		Vulnerable	Highly
		Vulnerable			Vulnerable

MAP ""		<2		2-10		10-20
		>40		20-40

Clay %, 0-12""	<23		23-35		>35

Temp Regime	Thermic,	Frigid		Mesic
		Hyperthermic,
		Cryic,
		Pergelic
		
Drainage Class	Poorly,		Somewhat	Well,
		Very Poorly,	Poorly		Moderately Well
		Excessively,
		Somewhat Excessively"|Yes|09/27/2012 19:58:21|"22128"|"90078"|"8632174"
"BLM - Pygmy Rabbit Habitat Potential"|"suitability"|"BLM - Bureau of Land Management

BLM - Pygmy Rabbit Habitat Potential

Pygmy Rabbit Habitat

Pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) are found in SE Washington, E Oregon, S Idaho, SW Montana, SW Wyoming, NE California, N Nevada, and W Utah.  Though the historical population and range of the pygmy rabbit is unclear, evidence suggests it was significantly larger than at present.  Habitat loss and fragmentation, agricultural conversion, sagebrush burning, and hunting are the primary causes of this decline.  The pygmy rabbit is a candidate species for listing by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  The Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit is currently on the Federal endangered species list.

Pygmy rabbits spend the majority of their lives within 30 meters of their burrows.  They depend upon sagebrush for 98% of their winter diet, and a high portion of their spring and summer diet.  Their habitat is closely associated with dense, tall sagebrush stands.  Unlike other rabbits, pygmy rabbits dig their own burrows so they require deep, loose soils with low rock content.

This interpretation guide is of a general nature.  It provides suitability ratings and identifies the soil and dominant plant composition characteristics that influence the potential of the site for providing habitat for pygmy rabbits.  This information allows the user to plan and develop restoration efforts for pygmy rabbits.

Soils and the associated vegetation that are rated well suited have no restrictions and provide favorable potential habitat for pygmy rabbits.  A suited rating implies that the site provides less favorable potential habitat for pygmy rabbits.  There are some restrictive soil or plant compostion features that limit the suitability of the site.  A poorly suited rating indicates that the site characteristics are such that they do not provide potential habitat for pygmy rabbits without considerable effort to artificially create sagebrush habitat outside its natural range of occurence.  Existing plant composition whould be used in combination with the ratings to help determine current habitat conditions and restoration needs based on the requirements of the wildlife species for food and cover.

Property	High		Moderate	Low
		Potential	Potential	Potential

Plant %		>10		5-10		<5
(ARTR2, ARTRT
ARTRW8, ARTRV
ARTRS2, ARTR4)

Depth to	>100		50-100		<50
Restrictive
Layer (cm)

Clay %		<12		12-27		>27
thickest layer
(0-100cm)

Texture		<=sl		lfs-cosl	>=ls
thickest layer
(0-100cm)

Fragments	<10		10-25		>25
>75mm thickest
layer (0-100cm)

Fragments	<15		15-35		>35
2-75mm thickest
layer (0-100cm)

Water Table	>90		45-90		<45
(cm)

Flooding	None		Rare, VR	>Rare

Ponding		None				>None

Slope %		<16		16-30		>30"|Yes|06/29/2023 21:46:28|"21519"|"90078"|"8632175"
"BLM - Rangeland Drill"|"suitability"|"BLM - Bureau of Land Management

BLM - Rangeland Drill

Rangeland Drill

Rangeland drill seeding is commonly practiced, often in combination with vegetation control techniques, to revegetate depleted rangeland.  The rangeland drill was designed for treating rangeland by the USDA Forest Service Equipment Development Center at San Dimas, California.  It is a very heavy-duty, side-wheel drill featuring large wheels, a high-clearance reinforced frame, and single-disk openers that are independently suspended on trailing arms.  The trailing arms have skid plates underneath to prevent breakage.

The rangeland drill suitability ratings represent the relative physical limitations of soil factors upon use of a rangeland drill.  This rating should be used in conjunction with the rangeland seeding rating to ensure that the potential treatment areas would respond favorably to seeding.  It is important to obtain the maximum benefit/cost ratio for expensive restoration/revegetation treatments.

Rock fragments and rock outcrop potentially damage the rangeland drill.  Steep slopes limit the ability to safely operate a rangeland drill along the contour.  High clay content reduces the effectiveness of the rangeland drill and ability to operate equipment during wet soil conditions.  Too sandy surface textures reduce the effectiveness of the rangeland drill.  Ponding, flooding, and high water table affect the timing of rangeland drill seeding by limiting access to the treatment area.  On-sight investigation is recommended before implementing any rangeland drill seeding projects.

Property	Well-Suited	Suited		Poorly Suited

Slope (%)	<15		15-20		>20

Sand (%)	<85		85-90		>90
Surface

Clay (%)	<35		35-40		>40
Surface

Surface		<15		15-35		>35
Fragments
2-250mm
(% volume)

Surface		<0.1		0.1-3		>3
Fragments
>25cm
(% cover)

Depth to	>60		30-60		<30
Water Table (cm)

Ponding						any

Flooding	n, vr, r	o		f, vf"|Yes|04/10/2023 14:25:51|"21527"|"90078"|"8632176"
"BLM - Rangeland Tillage"|"suitability"|"BLM - Bureau of Land Management

BLM - Rangeland Tillage

Rangeland Tillage

Tillage is the use of mechanized equipment to disturb and to mix the soil usually to a depth of 3 to 12 inches from the surface.  Rangeland tillage is commonly practiced in combination with seeding for rangeland restoration or revegetation.  Plowing or discing is used to reduce the competition of sagebrush, and to a lesser extent, rabbitbrush, greasewood, and annual or perennial herbaceous plants that are considered undesirable.  This treatment also helps remove compacted layers, improve soil tilth, and prepare a firm, friable seedbed for subsequent seeding operations.

Rangeland tillage is usually performed with a brushland plow; wheatland-type (one-way disc) plow; extra heavy-duty, offset discs; or chisel plow.  The brushland plow's rugged construction and independently spring-loaded discs allow it to be used on rough, moderately stony or rocky sites without undue breakage.  The wheatland-type plow is best suited to gentle slopes that are relatively free of stones and rock outcrop.  The extra heavy-duty, offset disc plow is well adapted to use on compact, heavy textured soils.  Chisel plows are used to control weeds, break up compacted soils, and increase water infiltration while leaving plant residue on the soil surface to reduce erosion.  A wide variety of chisel points, sweeps, and shovels are available to accomplish desired tillage.

The rangeland tillage suitability rating represents the relative physical limitations of soil factors upon use of implements suitable for tilling rangeland sites.  This rating should be used in conjunction with the rangeland seeding rating to ensure that the potential treatment areas would respond favorably to seeding.  It is important to obtain the maximum benefit/cost ratio for expensive restoration/revegetation treatments.

Steep slopes limit the ability to safely operate a brushland, wheatland-type, offset disc, or chisel plow along the contour.  Plowing up and down slope accelerates water erosion whereas plowing along the contour reduces water erosion.  However, sandy soils on gentle slopes susceptible to wind erosion should be plowed perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction.  Depth to bedrock or cemented pan restricts the capability to do deep plowing.  Stones and rock outcrop potentially damage and hinder the operation of the equipment.  Ponding, flooding, and high water table affect the timing of tillage by limiting access to the site.  High clay content reduces effectiveness of the tillage implements.  On-sight investigation is recommended before implementing any rangeland tillage projects.

Property		Well		Suited		Poorly
			Suited				Suited

Slope (%)		<11		11-15		>15

Depth (cm)		>50		25-50		<25

Surface Fragments	<0.1		0.1-3.0		>3.0
>25cm (% cover)

Surface Fragments	<15		15-35		>35
75-250mm (% weight)

Sand (%)		<70		70-85		>85
Surface Layer

Clay (%)		<27		27-55		>55
Surface Layer
							
Depth to		>60		30-60		<30
Water Table (cm)

Ponding							any

Flooding		n,vr,r		o		f,vf

WEG			5,6,7,8		3,4,4L		1,2"|Yes|04/10/2023 14:25:51|"21830"|"90078"|"8632177"
"BLM - Site Degradation Susceptibility"|"limitation"|"BLM - Bureau of Land Management

BLM - Site Degradation Susceptibility

Site Degradation Vulnerability

Vulnerability to degradation is a function of resistance to degradation.  Resistance to degradation of a rangeland or woodland site is a measure of its ability to function without change throughout a disturbance.  The magnitude of decline in the capacity to function determines the degree of resistance to change.  Resistance to degradation thus could be described as an area's buffering capacity.  This depends upon soil type, vegetation, climate, land use, disturbance regime, temporal and spatial scales.  The disturbance regime determines the type of stresses placed upon the soil, vegetation, and wildlife components of the site.  Thus, soil factors of vulnerability will vary based upon the disturbance regime for a particular site.

The vulnerability to site degradation suitability ratings represent the relative risk of water and wind erosion, salinization, sodification, organic matter and nutrient depletion and/or redistribution, and loss of adequate rooting depth to maintain desired plant communities.  Dynamic soil properties which vary with time, e.g. microbial biomass/diversity and carbon/nitrogen ratio, are not used since they are not contained within STATSGO or SSURGO databases.

Steep slopes increase the vulnerability to water erosion.  Shallow rooting depth, and excess salt or sodium can reduce plant diversity, resistance to stress, and seedling survival.

This rating should be used with the objective to protect vulnerable sites from the type of degradation that would result in accelerated erosion, reduction in water and air quality, invasion by annual grasses or noxious weeds, and other large scale potential natural plant community conversions.  When degradation of soil and natural plant community characteristics goes beyond the threshold for the ecological site, the ecological site characteristics cannot be restored without artificial restoration efforts.

There may be unique circumstances where accelerated soil processes that are normally considered contributing to site degradation are actually beneficial to some attribute of the site, such as Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides) being more competitive in shifting sands than most species.

Property		Low		Moderate		High

Slope (%)
Kw <.20			<20		20-40			>40
Kw .20-.32		<15		15-35			>35
Kw >.32			<10		10-25			>25

WEG			5,6,7,8		3,4,4L			1,2

Salinity (mmhos)	<8		8-16			>16
Surface Layer

SAR			<8		8-13			>13
Surface Layer

Depth (cm)		>50		25-50			<25
First Restriction"|Yes|04/10/2023 19:24:45|"22109"|"90078"|"8632178"
"BLM - Soil Compaction Resistance"|"suitability"|"BLM - Bureau of Land Management

BLM - Soil Compaction Resistance

This interpretation provides a suitability rating for resistance to compaction.  A rating of 1 indicates that the soil is resistant to compaction.  A rating of 0 indicates that the soil is susceptible to compaction.

The following values are used to determine the sub-ratings:

Property		Value			Sub-Rating

Depth to		30cm			1.0
Water Table		 0cm			0.0

Percent Clay		15			1.0
(0-30cm)		50			0.5
			80			1.0

Percent Sand		20			1.0
(0-30cm)		50			0.5
			80			1.0
		
Fragments >2mm		10%			1.0
(surface)		 0%			0.9

Surface Structure	Strong			1.0
Grade			Moderate		0.9
			Weak			0.8
			Structureless		0.8
			
Surface Structure	Coarse			1.0
Size			Very Coarse		1.0
			Thick			1.0
			Very Thick		1.0
			Extremely Thick		1.0
			Medium			0.9
			Very Fine		0.8
			Fine			0.8
			Very Thin		0.8
			Thin			0.8
			
Surface Structure	Angular Blocky		1.0
Type			Cloddy			1.0
			Columnar		1.0
			Massive			1.0
			Prismatic		1.0
			Subangular Blocky	1.0
			Wedge			1.0
			Granular		0.9
			Single Grain		0.9
			Lenticular Platy	0.8
			Platy			0.8
			
Range Production	500 lbs			1.0
			  0 lbs			0.9
			  
Organic Matter		6%			1.0
(surface)		0%			0.9"|Yes|02/16/2024 20:40:07|"24040"|"90078"|"8632179"
"BLM - Soil Restoration Potential"|"suitability"|"BLM - Bureau of Land Management

BLM - Soil Restoration Potential

Restoration Opportunity

Opportunity for restoration criteria are based upon the inherent ability of the soil to recover from degradation, often referred to as soil resilience.  The ability to recover from degradation means the ability to restore functional and structural integrity after a disturbance.  Both the rate and degree of recovery need to be considered.  Soil functions that are important include sustaining biological activity, diversity and productivity; capture, storage and release of water; storing and cycling nutrients and other elements; filtering, buffering, degrading, immobilizing and detoxifying contaminants; providing support for plant and animal life; and protection for archeological sites.  Restoration goals may include re-establishment of a preferred natural plant assemblage of the ecological site that occurred prior to decline to a degraded state.

Soil resilience is dependent upon adequate stores of organic matter, good soil structure, low salt and sodium levels, adequate nutrient levels, microbial biomass and diversity, adequate precipitation for recovery, and other soil properties.  Dynamic soil properties, such as microbial biomass and diversity or carbon nitrogen ratio, are not used for this rating since they are not contained within NASIS.

This rating should be used to help prioritize areas for restoration projects, such as prescribed burning, chaining, or herbicide application, that depend upon natural vegetation recovery.  On-site investigation is recommended before undertaking any restoration project.

Property	High		Moderate	Low

MAP (mm)	>300		225-300		<225

Depth to	>50		25-50		<25
Restrictive
Layer (cm)

Salinity,	<8		8-15.9		>=16
0-50cm
(mmhos/cm)

SAR, 0-50cm	<8		8-12.9		>=13"|Yes|04/11/2023 15:19:23|"22112"|"90078"|"8632180"
"BLM - Yellow Star-thistle Invasion Susceptibility"|"limitation"|"BLM - Bureau of Land Management

BLM - Yellow Star-thistle Invasion Susceptibility

Yellow Star-Thistle Invasion Vulnerability

Yellow star-thistle (Centaurea solstitialis L) is an introduced, winter annual forb that is a major concern to range ecologists, wildlife biologists, recreationists, and the livestock industry.  It is an aggressive invader of disturbed or poor condition rangeland sites that can suppress desirable, native vegetation.  Yellow star-thistle has low palatability and nutritional value for livestock and most wildlife species, is toxic to horses, and it can increase wildfire incidence in some dwarf sagebrush communities.  The seed is eaten by several species of birds and it is considered an important honey source plant in California and other western states.  Yellow star-thistle is listed as a noxious weed in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington.

The yellow star-thistle invasion vulnerability ratings guide is general in nature.  It is designed to be used in the planning process to identify areas with a high vulnerability to invasion by yellow star-thistle.  This allows the user to plan and develop management practices that will reduce the probability of yellow star-thistle invasion.

The interpretations provide invasion vulnerability ratings and identify the dominant soil and site characteristics that influence the susceptibility of the site to yellow star-thistle invasion.  Soils that are HIGHLY VULNERABLE have a high susceptibility to yellow star-thistle invasion.  A VULNERABLE rating indicates that the site is moderately susceptible to yellow star-thistle invasion.  A LESS VULNERABLE rating indicates that the soil characteristics may limit establishment of yellow star-thistle invasions.  Other factors, such as proximity to a seed source, also need to be considered in determining vulnerability to yellow star-thistle invasion.

Property		Highly		Vulnerable	Less
			Vulnerable			Vulnerable
			
Precipitation (mm)	250-760		760-1270	<250
							>1270
							
Depth (cm)		>100		50-100		<50

AWC (cm) in 150cm	>13		6-13		<6

Texture, Surface	vfsl-sil	cosl-fsl	cos-lvfs
					scl-sicl	sc-c
					
Fragments, Surface (%)	<35		35-60		>60
>2mm

Aspect, degrees		90-270		45-90		0-45
					270-315		315-360"|Yes|09/27/2012 20:16:31|"24044"|"90078"|"8632181"
"CPS - Brush Management (314)"|"limitation"|"CPS - Conservation Pratice Standard

Brush Management (Conservation Practice Standard 314)

Introduction: 

Brush management is the management or removal of woody (nonherbaceous or succulent) plants including those that are invasive and noxious.  Several objectives of this practice are recognized:  
1. Create the desired plant community consistent with the ecological site or a desired state within the site description.
2. Restore or release desired vegetative cover to protect soils, control erosion, reduce sediment, improve water quality, or enhance hydrology.
3. Maintain, modify, or enhance fish and wildlife habitat.
4. Improve forage accessibility, quality, and quantity for livestock and wildlife.
5. Manage fuel loads to achieve desired conditions.
6. Pervasive plant species are controlled to a desired level of treatment that will ultimately contribute to creation or maintenance of an ecological site description steady state addressing the need for forage, wildlife habitat, and/or water quality.

Brush management will be achieved by one or more methods, including mechanical, chemical, burning, or biological. Some feature of the soils at a site may indicate that one method may be less limited than another and so be preferable in order to avoid degrading the soil.  Mechanical methods may be preferred when the soils are not steeply sloping, have adequate bearing strength during the season when the practice is to be implemented, and are not overly covered with large surface fragments.  Chemical methods may be preferred when the soil will not allow leaching of the pesticides and where pesticide drift is not a problem or will not occur.  Burning may be a viable option if the soil is not vulnerable to fire damage. Use of a biological control method, such as prescribed grazing may necessitate provision of fencing, watering facilities, heavy use protection, and access control.

Criteria:

Several soil and site features limit most activites on a site, such as the rutting hazard, slope, and rock fragment cover. Pesticide loss and susceptibility to fire damage are also considered.

A) Soil rutting occurs when the soil cannot support the weight of the machinery being driven across it. The degree of rutting depends upon the interaction of the contact pressure of the machine, the strength of the soil (as inferred by the AASHTO Group Index), and soil wetness. The soil interpretation for soil rutting hazard is used as a tool in timing heavy equipment use, evaluating soil suitability for traffic, and in identifying soil limitations for operations.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.  Rutting involves the displacement and movement of soil which changes the structure of the soil and can adversely affect lateral flow of water through the landscape.  Near-surface roots can also be damaged.  Soil water content is a major factor in soil rutting because of the influence of water on the grain to grain cohesion of soil.  The effect is most strongly pronounced in clayey soils.  The deformation of soil under stress is a relatively complex topic which depends on the amount and type of clay and the shapes of the various soil size separates.  The process can be simplified by application of the Atterburg limits.  When the water content of a soil layer exceeds its plastic limit, application of a load will cause deformation.  The water content at the plastic limit is generally less than the 1/3 bar water holding capacity.  This has implications for timing of heavy equipment usage during a rainy season, even if the soil is not saturated.  

The AASHTO Group Index is a convenient way to rate the strength of soils.  The range of AASHTO GIN of interest is from 0 to 20, where soils with an index of 0 are not limited and soils with index 20 are very limited in terms of strength.  Rock fragment content and bulk density have an effect on bearing capacity but are not considered here.

Soil water content is quite dynamic and thus difficult to describe at a point in time, particularly in the context of the database.  The data available is the depth to saturation, clay content provides an estimate of capillarity, and mean annual air temperature gives an indication of how quickly a soil might be expected to dry below the plastic limit after having been saturated.

A cemented layer close to the surface will limit the depth to which a tire or track can sink into the the soil.  The rutting hazard is evaluated monthly based on the depth to saturation, as modified by the capillary rise expected, depending on the soil clay content.  A mean annual air temperature factor is used to adjust for evaporative effects.  The intent is to indicate a soil depth at which the water content may be high enough to allow liquid flow and deformation of the soil deeply enough to be considered rutting.

1.  Rutting hazard in January (February, ...) - looks at the soil wetness condition and rutting hazard in January (February, ...)
      1a - Depth to Wet layer in January - Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy 
precipitation and are slow to drain.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any January 
(February, ...).

	   Property used: DEPTH TO MINERAL WET LAYER IN JANUARY (FEBRUARY, ...) (Modality - representative value)
	
	   Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		=< 10cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 10 to < 50cm
		Not limiting	        => 50cm

              AND
		
	   Null depth is assigned to the Not limiting class.
       1b - Low Strength (AASHTO GIN in Depth 0-60cm) - Looks at the weighted average of AASHTO Group Index between 0 and 60 cm.
            Property used:  AASHTO GROUP INDEX, WEIGHTED AVERAGE IN DEPTH 0-60cm  (Modality - representative value)     

            Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 20
		Somewhat limiting	 > 5 to < 20
		Not limiting	        <= 5


              AND

       1c - Depth to Rutting Restriction 10 to 15cm - Looks at the depth to a restriction because the restrictive layer will halt rut formation.
            Property used:  DEPTH TO FIRST ROOT RESTRICTION BELOW ORGANIC LAYER, NOT HISTIC  (Modality - representative value)     

            Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 15
		Somewhat limiting	 > 10 to < 15
		Not limiting	        <= 10

This sequence repeats for each month.  The most limiting month determines the overall rating.

B) Slope - Steep slopes impede trafficability of machinery and can be a safety risk.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
Property used: SLOPE (Modality - low, high, representative value)
		
Restriction limits:
		Limiting		> 35%
		Somewhat limiting	>= 5 and <= 35%
		Not limiting	< 5%			
		
Null Slope is assigned Not rated.

C) Surface fragment cover - Large surface fragments can impede the use of equipment.

Property used: GRL-FRAGMENTS >250 MM ON SURFACE

Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		>= 15
		Somewhat limiting	 > 3 to < 15
		Not limiting	        <= 3

Null surface fragments is assigned to the Not limiting class.

D) Pesticide loss potential - soil surface runoff is the potential for pesticides to be transported by surface runoff beyond the field boundary where the pesticide was applied.  Pesticides are transported by surface runoff as either pesticides in solution or pesticides adsorbed to sediments suspended in runoff.  Pesticides that are surface transported have a potential to contaminate surface waters, such as lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers.

The pesticides considered available to surface loss are those applied to the surface of the soil.  Loss occurs from either pesticides moving in runoff solutions or pesticides attached to sediments moving with surface runoff.  The Surface Loss Rating (SLR) is a value derived from the soil algorithm which was developed by applying the GLEAMS model to rank various soil and pesticide properties (Goss et al., 1988).  The SLR is a function of hydrologic groups and K values and is determined using the following criteria:
		1. For all soils in Hydrologic Group A, the SLR is < 0.
		2. For soils in Hydrologic Group B with a K factor <.17, the SLR is 0 to < 1.0.
		3. For soils in Hydrologic Group B with a K factor >.17, for all soils in Hydrologic Group C, and for soils in Hydrologic Group D with a K factor <.20, the SLR is 1.0 to 2.8. and 
		4. For soils in Hydrologic Group D with a K factor >.20, the SLR is >2.8.

The soil properties and qualities considered in the pesticide surface loss guide, as given in Table 620-36, are those that affect rates of runoff and erosion.  These soil properties and qualities are soil texture, organic matter content, structure, particle-size distribution, permeability, restricting layers, depth, drainage, depth to a water table, slope, and shrink-swell potential.  Runoff is represented by slope and the soil hydrologic group, which considers soil texture, permeability, restrictive layers, depth, drainage, and shrink-swell potential.  Soil erodibility is represented by the K factor, which is estimated from soil particle-size distribution, organic matter content, structure, and permeability.  Flooding has the potential of catastrophic surface pesticide loss.  It may remove large quantities of pesticides, either those in solution or those adsorbed to sediments, in a single event.  Ponding can concentrate pesticides that are surface transported, and draining ponded areas adversely affects the receiving surface waters.

The soil rating guideline is based on the potential for soils to retain pesticides within the boundaries of the field where they are applied and is not directed toward any particular pesticide or family of pesticides.  For the purpose of this guide, pesticides are considered to be applied to bare soil by either surface or aerial methods.


Criteria:

1. Depth to permafrost: Permafrost (permanently frozen soil layer) restricts or effects excavation, manipulation, transport, stability, and workability of the soil material.  Soil features considered are restrictive feature depth and where kind is permafrost or USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) is ""cpf"" or USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER is ""pf"".
	
	Property used: DEPTH TO PERMAFROST (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting		                < 50cm
		Somewhat limiting 	                 => 50 to =< 100cm
		Not limiting		 > 100cm
		
	Null depths are assigned  to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE (IN-LIEU-OF) (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""cpf""
		Not limiting	not = ""cpf""
		
	Null USDA Texture (In-Lieu-Of) are assigned to the Not limiting class.
OR
		
	Property used: USDA TEXTURE MODIFIER (Modality - representative value)
	
	Restrictive limits:
		Limiting	= ""pf""
		Not limiting	not = ""pf""
		
	Null USDA Texture Modifier are assigned to the Not limiting class.


2. Installed artificial drainage:  This subrule considers the hydrologic soil group, which indicates a need for drainage, and the component local phase (and the obsolete component other phase) as an indicator of whether or not the soil component is indeed drained.  The pesticide carrying ability of the water moving through the drainage system is considered the same as runoff from the surface.

               Property used:  PONDING AND DRAINED CLASS (DUAL HSG, LOCAL PHASE)

               Restictive Limits:
	

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

 Ponding              Undrained	        ---		Drained		Drained Artificial


3. Flooding (Soil Surface Runoff) - Moving water can remove pesticides from the soil surface.

               Property used:  FLOODING FREQUENCY CLASS (GOSS)

               Restrictive limits:
	

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

 Flooding		None, Rare	Occas		 Freq		Flooding


4.  Soil Loss Rating:  The pesticides considered available to surface loss are those applied to the surface of the soil.  Loss occurs from either pesticides moving in runoff solutions or pesticides attached to sediments moving with surface runoff.  The Surface Loss Rating (SLR) is a value derived from the soil algorithm which was developed by applying the GLEAMS model to rank various soil and pesticide properties (Goss et al., 1988).  


A. Soil Loss Rating (0-2% slopes)

Property used: SOIL LOSS RATING (0-2%)

Restrictive Limits:

PROPERTY	SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

Soil Loss Rating    	0		---                             ---                            Excess Runoff
at 0 to 2% slopes

B. Soil Loss Rating (2-6% slopes)

Property used: SOIL LOSS RATING (2-6%)

Restrictive Limits:

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

Soil Loss Rating (SLR)	<1.0		1.0-2.8		>2.8		Excess Runoff
at 2 to 6% slopes


C. Soil Loss Rating (6 to 15% slopes)

Property used:  SOIL LOSS RATING (6-15%)

Restrictive Limits:

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

Soil Loss Rating		---		<2.8		>2.8		Excess Runoff
at 6-15% slopes

D. Soil Loss Rating (>15% slopes)

Property used:  SOIL LOSS RATING (>15%)

Restrictive Limits:

PROPERTY		SLIGHT		MODERATE	SEVERE		RESTRICTIVE FEATURE

Soil Loss Rating		   ---		    <0		   >0		Excess Runoff
at >15% slopes


E) Fire Damage Susceptibility -  Prescribed burning is a restoration practice that is primarily designed to help return the natural fire cycle to the landscape.  Properly carried out on suitable sites, burning can be a very effective and cost efficient treatment method to help restore the desired composition of plant species in an ecological site, improve livestock access on heavy brush or slash sites, rejuvenate sprouting browse species and stagnant grass plants, release nutrients into the soil, improve palatability and nutrient content of forage, reduce fuel loading, and prepare an ash seedbed for artificial or natural seeding.  Burning may be combined with mechanical or chemical rangeland treatments.

Fuel ignition for prescribed burning can be natural or artificial using hand-held drip torches, aerial ignition, and other methods.  Fire lines can be natural fuel breaks, wetline techniques, hand constructed, or machinery constructed.

The vulnerability to fire damage ratings represent the relative risk of creating a water repellant layer, volatilization of essential soil nutrients, destruction of soil biological activity, and vulnerability to water and wind erosion prior to reestablishing adequate watershed cover on the burned site.  The vulnerability to fire damage ratings are directly related to burn severity (e.g. a low-moderate severity burn will not result in water repellant layer formation).  This rating should be used in conjunction with the rangeland seeding rating or the opportunity for restoration rating depending upon whether seeding or natural regeneration will be utilized on the site.

Sandy soils are more susceptible to formation of a water repellant layer.  High rock fragment content increases the rate of heat transfer into the soil.  Steep slopes increase the vulnerability to water erosion.  Vulnerability to formation of hydrophobic or water repellant layers varies by vegetation type.  As an example, pinyon-juniper, Arizona chaparral, and California chaparral vegetation types are more susceptible to hydrophobicity than other shrubland or grassland vegetation types.

The impacts of wildfire to soils of the burn area need to be assessed to prioritize burned area emergency rehabilitation and revegetation efforts.

Prescribed burning should be carefully planned and executed.  It should be carried out following a well designed prescription and burn plan under the supervision of a qualified prescribed burning team.  Burning objectives should be clearly defined and should be evaluated during post-burn assessments.  Minimizing risks to human health, safety, and property damage and containment of the burn are of paramount importance.

Hot, dry south slopes are more susceptible to fire damage than cooler slopes.  Fire mortality of desirable plants needs to be taken into consideration during wildfire restoration and prescribed burning planning.  On-site investigation is recommended before implementing any wildfire restoration or prescribed burning projects.

Property		Low		Moderate	High

Sand (%)		<43		43-90		>90
Surface Layer

Fragments >2mm (%)	<35		35-60		>60

Slope (%)
Kw <.20			<20		20-40		>40
Kw .20-.32		<15		15-35		>35
Kw >.32			<10		10-25		>25

WEG			5,6,7,8		3,4,4L		1,2



References:

Goss, M.J., Howse, K.R., Colbourn, P. & Harris, G.L. (1988) Cultivation systems and the leaching
of nitrates. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference, ISTRO 2:679-684, Edinburgh.

Hambleton, J. P., A. Drescher. 2009. Modeling wheel-induced rutting in soils: rolling. Journal of Terramechanics, 46 (2), pp. 3547.

Raper, R. L. 2005. Agricultural traffic impacts on soil. Journal of Terramechanics 42:259280.

Sutherland, B. J. 2003. Preventing Soil Compaction and Rutting in the Boreal Forest of Western Canada: A Practical Guide to Operating Timber-Harvesting Equipment. Forest 
Engineering Research Institute of Canada. Advantage Vol. 4,  No. 7."|Yes|09/27/2023 16:53:11|"63711"|"90078"|"8632182"
"CPS - Cover Crop (340)"|"limitation"|"CPS - Conservation Practice Standard

Cover Crop (Code 340)

Introduction: 

Cover crops are grasses, legumes, and forbs planted for seasonal vegetative cover.  This practice supports many purposes, including:
* Reducing erosion from wind and water.
* Maintaining or increasing soil health and organic matter content.
* Reducing water quality degradation by utilizing excessive soil nutrients.
* Suppressing excessive weed pressures and breaking pest cycles.
* Improving soil moisture use efficiency.
* Minimizing soil compaction.

This practice can be applied to all lands that require seasonal vegetative cover in order to improve or maintain soil health and natural resources.  The local conditions of the soil, such as its available water storage, and site attributes, such as slope, rutting hazard precipitation and growing season length, must be considered when considering the feasibility of using cover crops and which species to use.

Criteria:

1) Growing Degree Days - The growing season must provide enough heat units to mature the production crop and allow the cover crop to be effective.  A related climatic parameter is the frost-free days, essentially the length of the growing season.

Property evaluated: GROWING DEGREE DAYS ESTIMATOR

Interpretive thresholds:

Limited                    <1300 GDD
Somewhat limited    1300 to 1800 GDD
Not limited                >1800 GDD

OR

Property evaluated: FROST-FREE DAYS

Interpretive thresholds:

Limited                    <70 FFD
Somewhat limited           70 to 120 to 1800 FFD
Not limited                >120 FFD

The lower of growing degree days or frost-free days is most limiting.

2) Precipitation - Non-irrigated crop production is dependent upon precipitation, or more specifically, the amount of water left after evaporation has been taken into account.  Mean annual precipitation (MAP) is the metric used for rainfall.  A simple algorithm is used to derive an estimate of mean annual potential evapotranspiration (PET).  The difference between the two (MAP-PET) is used an an estimate of the water available for the production crop and the cover crop.

Property evaluated: MAP MINUS POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION

Interpretive thresholds:

Limited                    <-2200 mm/yr
Somewhat limited           -2200 to 125 mm/yr
Not limited                >125 mm/yr

3) Water supplying capacity - The soil must be able to store water to sustain the production of an annual crop between rainfall events.  Thus, the amount of water retained in the soil (available water storage) at the beginning of the growing season, plus additional infiltration (precipitation recharge) during the growing season must satisfy production crop and cover crop requirements.  Within reason, a soil capable of storing 30cm of water has sufficient AWS.  Precipitation recharge, conceptually, is a metric of the rainfall that infiltrates during the growing season, accounting for evaporation, runoff, and throughflow.  A net addition of 30cm of water during the growing season is estimated to be sufficient to sustain crop production.  The sum of the membership values is the water supplying rating for a soil.

Property evaluated: AWC * Root Sufficiency (NCCPI)

Interpretive thresholds:

Limited                    <4 cm water
Somewhat limited           4 to 30 cm water
Not limited                >30 cm water

Property evaluated: PRECIPITATION RECHARGE

Interpretive thresholds:

Limited                    <0 cm/yr
Somewhat limited           0 to 30 cm/yr
Not limited                >30 cm/yr

4) Rutting hazard - A) Soil rutting occurs when the soil cannot support the weight of the machinery being driven across it. The degree of rutting depends upon the interaction of the contact pressure of the machine, the strength of the soil (as inferred by the AASHTO Group Index), and soil wetness. The soil interpretation for soil rutting hazard is used as a tool in timing heavy equipment use, evaluating soil suitability for traffic, and in identifying soil limitations for operations.  The rating is for soils in their present condition and does not consider present land use.  Rutting involves the displacement and movement of soil which changes the structure of the soil and can adversely affect lateral flow of water through the landscape.  Near-surface roots can also be damaged.  Soil water content is a major factor in soil rutting because of the influence of water on the grain to grain cohesion of soil.  The effect is most strongly pronounced in clayey soils.  The deformation of soil under stress is a relatively complex topic which depends on the amount and type of clay and the shapes of the various soil size separates.  The process can be simplified by application of the Atterburg limits.  When the water content of a soil layer exceeds its plastic limit, application of a load will cause deformation.  The water content at the plastic limit is generally less than the 1/3 bar water holding capacity.  This has implications for timing of heavy equipment usage during a rainy season, even if the soil is not saturated.  

The AASHTO Group Index is a convenient way to rate the strength of soils.  The range of AASHTO GIN of interest is from 0 to 20, where soils with an index of 0 are not limited and soils with index 20 are very limited in terms of strength.  Rock fragment content and bulk density have an effect on bearing capacity but are not considered here.

Soil water content is quite dynamic and thus difficult to describe at a point in time, particularly in the context of the database.  The data available is the depth to saturation, clay content provides an estimate of capillarity, and mean annual air temperature gives an indication of how quickly a soil might be expected to dry below the plastic limit after having been saturated.

A cemented layer close to the surface will limit the depth to which a tire or track can sink into the the soil.  The rutting hazard is evaluated monthly based on the depth to saturation, as modified by the capillary rise expected, depending on the soil clay content.  A mean annual air temperature factor is used to adjust for evaporative effects.  The intent is to indicate a soil depth at which the water content may be high enough to allow liquid flow and deformation of the soil deeply enough to be considered rutting.

1.  Rutting hazard in January (February, ...) - looks at the soil wetness condition and rutting hazard in January (February, ...)
      1a - Depth to Wet layer in January - Depth to saturated zone: Soils with shallow depth to a water table may become waterlogged and boggy during periods of heavy 
precipitation and are slow to drain.  Soil feature considered is the top depth of the first layer where soil moisture layer status is wet or saturated during any January 
(February, ...).

	   Property evaluated: DEPTH TO MINERAL WET LAYER IN JANUARY (FEBRUARY, ...)
	
	   Interpretive thresholds:
		Limiting		=< 10cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 10 to < 50cm
		Not limiting	        => 50cm

              AND
		
	   
       1b - Low Strength (AASHTO GIN in Depth 0-60cm) - Looks at the weighted average of AASHTO Group Index between 0 and 60 cm.
            Property evaluated:  AASHTO GROUP INDEX, WEIGHTED AVERAGE IN DEPTH 0-60cm    

            Interpretive thresholds:
		Limiting		>= 20
		Somewhat limiting	 > 5 to < 20
		Not limiting	        <= 5


              AND

       1c - Depth to Rutting Restriction 10 to 15cm - Looks at the depth to a restriction because the restrictive layer will halt rut formation.
            Property evaluated:  DEPTH TO FIRST ROOT RESTRICTION BELOW ORGANIC LAYER, NOT HISTIC    

            Interpretive thresholds:
		Limiting		>= 15 cm
		Somewhat limiting	 > 10 to < 15 cm
		Not limiting	        <= 10 cm

This sequence repeats for each month.  The most limiting month determines the overall rating.

5) Slope - Steep slopes impede trafficability of machinery, increase the risk of erosion by water, and can be a safety risk.  Soil feature considered is the component slope.
		
Property evaluated: SLOPE
		
Interpretive thresholds:
		Limiting                > 15% slope
		Somewhat limiting       >= 8 and <= 15% slope
		Not limiting            < 8% slope

6) Soil pH - Soil pH has an effect on the availability of micronutrients and the solubility of aluminum.  Soil pH can be related to salinity, but the effects are not direct.  Some cover crops, such as legumes, require that the soil pH be nearly neutral for nitrogen fixing bacteria to function.

Property evaluated: WTD_AVG PH 0-30cm OR ABOVE RESTRICTION

Interpretive thresholds:
		Limiting                       < 3.5 and >8.5
		Somewhat limiting       3.5 to 5.5 and 7.0 to 8.5
		Not limiting                  5.5 to 7.0	

References:

A. Clark (ed.). 2007. Managing cover crops profitably. 3PrdP ed. Sustainable Agriculture Network Handbook Series; bk 9.
Hargrove, W.L., ed. Cover crops for clean water. SWCS, 1991.

Magdoff, F. and H. van Es. Cover Crops. 2000. p. 87-96 In Building soils for better crops. 2nd ed. Sustainable Agriculture Network Handbook Series; bk 4. National Agriculture Library. Beltsville, MD.

Reeves, D.W. 1994. Cover crops and erosion. p. 125-172 In J.L. Hatfield and B.A. Stewart (eds.) Crops Residue Management. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines: 21TUhttp://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/climatechange/?cid=stelprdb1077238
Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation Version 2 (RUSLE2) website: 21TUhttp://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/technical/tools/rusle2/U21T

Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) website: 21Thttp://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/technical/tools/weps/21T
USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Agronomy Manual, 4PthP Edition, Feb. 2011. Website: 21Thttp://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/21T Under Manuals and Title 190."|Yes|07/01/2025 15:19:19|"63701"|"90078"|"8632183"
"FOR - Soil Compactibility Risk"|"limitation"|"FOR - Forestry

FOR - Soil Compactibility Risk

Soil Compactibility Risk

Soils can be a full member, partial member, or non-member of the set of soils that are susceptible to compaction.  Soils are rated based on their susceptibility to compaction from the operation of ground-based equipment for planting, harvesting, and site preparation activities when soils are moist.  Soil compaction is the process in which soil particles are pressed together more closely that in the original state.  Typically, the soil must be moist to be compacted because the mineral grains must slide together.  Compaction reduces the abundance mostly of large pores in the soil by damaging the structure of the soil.  This produces several effects that are unwanted in agricultural soils since large pores are most effective at transmitting water and air through the soil.  Compaction also increases the soil strength which can limit root penetration and growth.  The ability of soil to hold water is adversely affected by compaction since the large pores hold water.  The degree of compaction of a soil is measured by its bulk density, which is the mass per volume, generally expressed in grams per cubic centimeter.

Compacted soils are less favorable for good plant growth because of high soil bulk density and hardness, reduced pore space, and poor aeration and drainage. Root penetration and growth is decreased in compacted soils because the hardness or strength of these soils prevents the expansion of roots. Supplies of air, water, and nutrients that roots need are also less favorable when compaction decreases soil porosity and drainage.

Interpretation ratings are based on soil properties in the upper 12 inches of the profile.  Factors considered are soil texture, soil organic matter content, soil structure, rock fragment content, and the existing bulk density.  Each of these is thought to contribute to resisting the susceptibility of a soil to compaction when present.  Organic matter in the soil provides resistance to compaction and the resilience to ameliorate the effects with time.  Soil structure adds strength as discrete aggregates and it is the aggregates that are deformed or destroyed by compactive forces, thus strong soil structure lowers the susceptibility to compaction.  Similarly, rock fragments in the soil can bridge and provide a framework to resist compaction.  Finally, if a soil is already fairly dense causing further compaction is more difficult. 

Definitions of the ratings:

Low - The potential for compaction is insignificant.  This soil is able to support standard equipment with minimal compaction. The soil is moisture insensitive, exhibiting only small changes in density with changing moisture content.

Medium - The potential for compaction is significant.  The growth rate of seedlings may be reduced following compaction.  After the initial compaction (i.e., the first equipment pass), this soil is able to support standard equipment with only minimal increases in soil density.  The soil is intermediate between moisture insensitive and moisture sensitive.

High - The potential for compaction is significant.  The growth rate of seedlings will be reduced following compaction.  After initial compaction, this soil is still able to support standard equipment, but will continue to compact with each subsequent pass.  The soil is moisture sensitive, exhibiting large changes in density with changing moisture content.

References:

Adams, P.W.  1998. Soil Compaction on Woodland Properties.  Oregon State University Extension Publication EC 1109.

Adams, P.W.  1981. Compaction of Forest Soils.  Oregon State University Extension Publication PNW 217.

Boyer, Don. 1997. Guidelines for Soil Resource Protection and Restoration for Timber Harvest and Post-Harvest Activities.  U.S Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Watershed Management.

Geist, J.M.; Hazard, J.W.; Seidel, K.W. 1989. Assessing Physical Conditions of Some Pacific Northwest Volcanic Ash Soils After Forest Harvest.  Soil Science Society of America Journal 53:946-950.

Froehlich, Henry A and David H. McNab. 1983. Minimizing Soil Compaction in Pacific Northwest Forests.  Proceedings of Sixth North American Forest Soils Conference, University of Tennessee.

Page-Dumrose, Deborah S.  1993. Susceptibility of Volcanic Ash Influenced Soils in Northern Idaho to Mechanical Compaction. U.S. Forest Service Intermountain Research Station.  Research Note INT-409.


Criteria

1)  Compaction potential - texture and clay - Some combinations of USDA texture class and clay content are seen to be more susceptible to compaction than others.  Soils having well-graded particle size distributions are more prone to compaction than poorly graded soils because of the ability of smaller clay particles to fill the interstices between larger sand and silt particles.  This allows for a compact configuration of the particles.  Poorly graded soils, if sandy, lack the particles to fill the interstices or, if clayey, are strong enough to avoid compaction.  Soils high in organic matter are difficult to compact.  Stones and bedrock are also difficult to compact.

Property evaluated:  COMPACTION POTENTIAL RATING TEXTURE AND CLAY

Restrictive limits:
IF texclass imatches ""l"" or texclass imatches ""sil"" or texclass imatches ""sicl"" or texclass imatches ""cl"" or texclass imatches ""si"" or texclass imatches ""vfsl"" or (texclass imatches ""*sl"" and clay_wtavg_0_30cm >= 15)                                                    Severe 
IF texclass imatches ""sic"" or texclass imatches ""c"" or texclass imatches ""sc"" or texclass imatches ""scl"" or texclass imatches ""peat"" or texclass imatches ""muck"" or texclass imatches ""mpt"" or (texclass imatches ""*sl"" and clay_wtavg_0_30cm < 15)  Moderate
IF texclass imatches ""*s"" or texclass imatches ""br"" or texclass imatches ""uwb"" or texclass imatches ""wb"" or texclass imatches ""frag"" or texclass imatches ""gr"" or texclass imatches ""cb"" or texclass imatches ""st""                                                          Slight

2)  Compaction potential - rock fragment volume - Rock fragments are generally non-compactable.  When the rock fragment volume in a soil is high enough that the fragments interact, then the matrix becomes resistant to compaction.  This happens at rock fragment volumes over 60 percent.

Property evaluated:  ROCK FRAGMENT VOLUME IN DEPTH 0-30cm OR RESTRICTION WTAVG

Restrictive limits:
                                           Rock Fragment Volume > 60%                         Slight
                                           Rock Fragment Volume 35- 60%                      Moderate
                                           Rock Fragment Volume <35%                          Severe

3)  Compaction potential - structure rating, 0-30cm - The soil structure grade in the surface horizons of a soil can help to resist and mitigate compaction but is not enough to prevent compaction.

Property evaluated: STRUCTURE RATING FOR COMPACTION
Restrictive limits:
                                               Strong, moderate and strong                                   Somewhat limiting
                                               Weak, Weak and moderate, Moderate                    Severely limiting

4)  Compaction Risk - Bulk Density Difference - The difference between a maximum bulk density and the actual bulk density of a soil layer gives some indication of its vulnerability to further compaction.  Liquid limit, plastic limit, oxidizable organic matter, total carbon, particle size distribution, and iron and aluminum oxides are used to derive a maximum bulk density.  The populated bulk density is used as a reference point. The equation:
 MBD=2.02-(0.0135*ll_r) + (0.0005*claytotal_r) - (0.005* om_r) + (0.0005*sandvc_r)
where MBD is the maximum bulk density,  ll_r is the representative liquid limit, claytotal_r is the representative total clay,  om_r is the representative organic matter content, and sandvc_r is the representative very coarse sand content.  The difference between MBD and dbthirdbar_r provides the estimate of further compaction risk.

Property evaluated: MAXIMUM BULK DENSITY MINUS BD_R (ZHAO II ET AL)
Restrictive limits: 
                                   Slight                Difference < 0
                                   Moderate         Difference 0-0.33
                                   Severe             Difference >0.33

Null difference is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.

Zhao, Y, M. Krzic, C. E. Bulmer, M. G. Schmidt, S. W. Simard. 2010. Relative bulk density as a measure of compaction and its influence on tree height. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 40(9):1724-1735.

5)  Compaction Risk - Organic Matter Content - Organic Matter Content - Soils containing over 5 percent orbanic matter tend to have stronger structure and are more difficult to compact.

Property Evaluated: ORGANIC MATTER PERCENT 0-30 CM
Restrictive limits:
                                      Organic matter content <1.5 percent                  Severely limited
                                      Organic matter content 1.5 to 6 percent            Somewhat limited
                                      Organic matter content >6 percent                     Slightly limited

Null organic matter is assigned to the ""not rated"" class.

The square root of the product of the membership values of the subrules is reported as the overall membership value."|Yes|02/15/2019 17:39:53|"61472"|"90078"|"8632184"
"AGR - Barley Yield (MT)"|"limitation"||Yes|02/16/2024 20:33:51|"11539"|"90078"|"8632185"
"AGR - Hops Site Suitability (ID)"|"suitability"|"This interpretation is designed to evaluate the suitability of soil map unit components for irrigated hops production sites.  The ratings are based on inherent soil and climate properties and assume that adequate irrigation water is available.

The ratings for hops site suitability are based on the following soil and climate properties:

1.   Slope gradient - Slopes of 0 to 4 percent are ideal for equipment operations and trellis construction and maintenance.  Slopes of 15 percent or more are rated as very poorly suited.

2.  Number of frost-free days - 130 or more frost-free days are ideal.  If the number of frost-free days is 100 or less,  the soil is rated as very poorly suited.

3.  Elevation - An average elevation of 2500 feet (762 meters) or less is ideal.  Elevations of 4500 feet (1371 meters) or more are rated as very poorly suited.

4. Mean annual precipitation - high amounts of precipitation can result in increases in hops diseases such as powdery mildew.  Mean annual precipitation of 30 inches (762 mm) or less is ideal.  Mean annual precipitation of 90 inches (2286 mm) or more is rated very poorly suited

5. Depth to root-restricting layer - A soil depth of 40 inches (100 cm) or more is ideal.  Depths less than 10 inches (25 cm) are rated as very poorly suited.

6. Depth to water table - depths are evaluated for the months of March through October.  A water table depth of 60 inches (150 cm) or more is ideal.  Water table depths of 20 inches (50 cm) or less are rated as poorly suited.

7. Flooding and ponding frequency - flooding and ponding frequency ratings of ""none"" or ""rare"" are ideal.  Frequent or very frequent flooding and ponding frequencies during the months of March through October are rated as very poorly suited.

8. Soil pH - pH is evaluated for the 0 to 12-inch (0 - 30 cm)  depth.  Soil pH values of 7.0 are ideal.  Soil pH values of 4.0 or less, or 9.5 or greater are rated as very poorly suited.

9. Salinity - Soil salinity is evaluated for the 0 to 24-inch (0 - 60 cm)  depth, based on electrical conductivity of a saturation extract.  Electrical conductivity values of 2 decisiemens per meter or less are ideal.  Electrical conductivity values of 16 decisiemens per meter or more are rated as very poorly suited.  

10. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) - the SAR is evaluated for the 0 to 24-inch (0 - 60 cm)  depth.  It is based on the ratio of sodium to calcium and magnesium in a saturation extract.  SAR values of 12 or less are ideal.  SAR values of 25 or more are rated as very poorly suited.

11. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) - This factor is defined as the ease with which pores of a saturated soil transmit water.  The minimum saturated hydraulic conductivity rate is evaluated for the 0 to 24-inch (0 - 60 cm)  depth.  Ksat values of 1.0 micrometers per second (0.20 inches per hour) or greater are ideal.  Ksat values of 0.2 micrometers per second (0.03 inches per hour) or less are rated as very poorly suited

12. Stones on the surface or in the surface layer - Stones are defined as rock fragments that are 10 inches (25 cm) or more in diameter.  Stone content values of 2 percent or less are ideal.  Stone content values of greater than 4 percent receive a reduced rating.

13. Rock fragments - these are defined as fragments greater than 2 millimeters in diameter.  Rock fragments reduce the available water capacity for plants and interfere with installation of poles to support the trellis system.  Rock fragment content in the 0-12-inch (0-30 cm) depth are evaluated.  Rock fragment content of 15 percent or less is ideal.  Fragment content of 50 percent or more results in a very poor rating.

14. Latitude -  Location between the 42nd and 49th parallel in the Northern Hemisphere is ideal.  This takes in all of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and most of Germany too.  Hops are a daylight sensitive crop, at the 49th parallel they get 16 hours of sunlight at the maximum of summer and about 15 hours at the 42nd.  Direct sunlight and at least 15 hours of sunlight is ideal. 

References:

DeFrancesco, Joe; Murray, Katy.  Pest Management Strategic Plan for Hops in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho; 2008; Western Integrated Pest Management Center;  http://www.ipmcenters.org/pmsp/pdf/OR-WA-IDhopsPMSP.pdf .  Accessed January 2017

Gingrich C. , Hart J.; Christensen N.; Oregon State University.  Hops Fertilizer Guide. https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/fg79.pdf.   Accessed January 2017
  
Washington State University.  Working Together for Hops. https://hopmintstress.wsu.edu/hops.html .  Accessed January 2017.

Haunold, Alfred. ""Hops and hop growing."" Soils, plant growth and crop production 2 (2010): 192-207.

Biendl, Martin, et al. Hops: Their cultivation, composition and usage. Fachverlag Hans Carl, 2015."|Yes|02/16/2024 20:40:07|"72698"|"90078"|"8632186"
"AGR - Nitrate Leaching Potential, Nonirrigated (MT)"|"limitation"|"MT AGR - Nitrate Leaching Potential, Nonirrigated (WA)

This rule is adapted from AGR - Nitrate Leaching Potential, Nonirrigated (WA) from the Portland MO for use in Montana. Climate elements have been stripped. The original rule used MAAT and MAP from NASIS to calculate MAP minus mean annual evapotranspiration.  In semi-arid areas, with high summer ET, this underestimates the seasonal leaching risk during the fall through mid spring period. The rule was modified to only evaluate soil properties influencing nitrate leaching, while a GIS based seasonal precipitation minus evapotranspiration map will be used to assess the climate risk for nitrate leaching.

This interpretation is designed to evaluate the potential for nitrate-nitrogen to be transmitted through the soil profile below the root zone by percolating water under nonirrigated conditions. The ratings are based on inherent soil properties, and do not account for management practices such as nitrogen fertilizer application rates and timing, or crop rotation.

The following soil factors are used in interpretation criteria:

1.  Water travel time through entire soil profile - this factor uses the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) and thickness of each soil horizon, to estimate the number of hours that would be required for a given volume of water to move through the entire soil profile. One advantage of this method for accounting for the rate of water movement is that the properties and thickness of each soil horizon are accounted for, rather than using an overall hydraulic conductivity or permeability class for the entire profile.  This method will account for subtle differences between soils in texture, structure, horizon thickness, and depth to water-restricting layers.   

2.  Available water capacity - this factor accounts for the cumulative amount of water available to plants that the entire soil profile can hold at field capacity to a depth of 150 cm.  The more water the soil profile can hold, the less water is available for deep leaching.

4.  Depth and duration of water table - this factor uses a water table index based on the minimum average depth to a water table, and the number of months that the water table is present during the months of April through October.  It is used to account for the loss of nitrates to the atmosphere as nitrous oxide or nitrogen gas from denitrification under anaerobic conditions caused by water saturation.  The higher the water table and the longer its duration, the larger the quantity of nitrates that would potentially be lost to the atmosphere, and therefore not be available for deep leaching.

5.  Slope gradient adjusted for hydrologic soil group - the steeper the slope gradient, the higher the potential surface runoff, resulting in less water available to move through the soil profile.  The following adjustments are made to the slope gradient by hydrologic group to account for potential surface runoff differences:

Hydrologic group A - slope % x 0.75
Hydrologic group B - slope % x 0.85
Hydrologic group C - slope % x 0.95
Hydrologic group D - no adjustment


Nitrate Leaching Potential Rating Calculation:


1.  The Ksat travel time subrule is weighted by multiplying by 0.60.  
2.  The Available Water Capacity subrule is weighted by multiplying by 0.40.  
3   The sum of these three weighted subrules results in a value between 0.00 and 1.00
4.  Adjustments are then made for water table depth and duration, and slope gradient adjusted for hydrologic group.  The sum of the values from these subrules is subtracted from the sum in step 4 above.  The maximum reduction is 0.5 for the water table index subrule, and 0.3 for the slope gradient subrule.

The following Nitrate Leaching Potential rating classes are assigned based on the final calculation from the factors above:

Low:  0.00 - 0.25
Moderate: 0.26 - 0.50
Moderately High: 0.51 - 0.75
High: 0.76 - 1.00

References

Documented Nitrate Contamination in Washington. 1994. Washington State University Extension Publication EB1756.

Hamon, W. R., 1961, Estimating potential evapotranspiration: Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Journal of the Hydraulic Division, vol. 87, no. 3, p.107-120.

Huddleston, J.H. et al. 1998. Determination of Soil Sensitivity Ratings for the Oregon Water Quality Decision Aid.  Oregon State University Extension Publication EM 8708.

Englel, C.F and Tiffany, C.B. 1984. Rating Eastern Washington Soils for Potential Nitrogen Losses. Washington State University Extension Publication EB 1258.

Jones, Clain and Olson-Rutz, Kathrin 2011. Crop and Fertilizer Management Practices to Minimize Nitrate Leaching.  Montana State University Extension."|Yes|02/16/2024 20:40:07|"42641"|"90078"|"8632187"
"AGR - Oats Yield (MT)"|"limitation"||Yes|02/16/2024 20:33:51|"11537"|"90078"|"8632188"
"AGR - Spring Wheat Yield (MT)"|"limitation"||Yes|02/16/2024 20:33:51|"11536"|"90078"|"8632189"
"AGR - Winter Wheat Yield (MT)"|"limitation"||Yes|02/16/2024 20:33:51|"11538"|"90078"|"8632190"
"AGR-SHSI Soil Health Sustainability Index (MT)"|"class"|"Dryland Small Grain Soil Health Sustainability Index.

This component level value is intended to be applied in an map unit aggregated format (converted to raster) along with Adjusted REAP raster data and Wetness Index raster data to produce a spatial product for use in conservation planning and program application.

The resulting index will be classed to integers from 1 to 9, with 9 having the highest resistence and resilience to degredation and 1 having the lowest.

6/24/2008 - Mike Hansen"|Yes|02/16/2024 20:33:51|"25313"|"90078"|"8632191"
"BLM-Reclamation Suitability (MT)"|"limitation"|"Suitability for Reclamation
Powder River Basin

Vulnerability to degradation is a function of resistance to degradation.  Resistance to degradation of a rangeland or woodland site is a measure of its ability to function without change throughout a disturbance.  The magnitude of decline in the capacity to function determines the degree of resistance to change.  Resistance to degradation thus could be described as an areas buffering capacity.  This depends upon soil type, vegetation, climate, land use, disturbance regime, temporal and spatial scales.  The disturbance regime determines the type of stresses placed upon the soil, vegetation, and wildlife components of the site.  Thus, soil factors of vulnerability to degradation will vary based upon the disturbance regime for a particular site.

The Hazard to site degradation ratings represent the soil factors that dominate these processes.  Factors for vulnerability to site degradation include  relative risk of water and wind erosion, salinization, sodification, organic matter and nutrient depletion and/or redistribution, loss of adequate rooting depth to maintain desired plant communities.  Dynamic soil properties which vary with time, e.g. microbial biomass/diversity and carbon/nitrogen ratio, are not used since they are not contained within STATSGO or SSURGO databases.  

This rating should be used with the objective to protect vulnerable sites from the type of degradation that would result in accelerated erosion, reduction in water and air quality, invasion by annual grasses or noxious weeds, and other large scale potential natural plant community conversions.  When degradation of soil and natural plant community characteristics goes beyond the threshold for the ecological site, the ecological site characteristics cannot be restored without intensive inputs of energy."|Yes|06/28/2007 13:15:32|"23185"|"90078"|"8632192"
"FOR (USFS) - Inherent Erosion Hazard (ID)"|"limitation"|"This interpretation is designed to predict the inherent erosion hazard, based on the criteria described in a revision of the U.S. Forest Service Inherent Erosion Hazard Rating Handbook and the Soil - Hydrologic Reconnaissance of the Krassel Ranger District, Payette National Forest .  The complete citations for the source documents are at the end of this description (1, 2).

The interpretation ratings are based on bare soil conditions and reflect the ability of the soil to take in water, resistance of the soil surface to dispersion under the impact of rainfall and surface water movement, effect of rock fragments that reduce surface detachment, and effect of topography. 

The following factors are used to determine the inherent erosion hazard rating:

1.  Detachability Index (DI)  based on the ability of soil surface horizon aggregates to resist detachment or dispersion after wetting.    The index is based on the aggregate stability, which is predicted by the clay content, organic matter content, and sodium adsorption ratio of the upper 6 inches (15 cm) of the first mineral horizon, below any organic forest litter surface horizons (3).   Numerical ratings range from 0.01 to 1.00.   The higher the numerical rating, the higher is the detachability index.

2.  Profile Permeability Rating (PPR) -  based on the permeability (saturated hydraulic conductivity in inches per hour) of the surface mineral horizon and reduction and depth to reduction in permeability rates in horizons deeper in the soil profile.   The slower the surface horizon permeability and the larger the reduction in permeability rates in deeper horizons, the higher is the profile permeability rating.  Numerical ratings range from 0.01 to 1.00.   The higher the numerical rating, the higher is the profile permeability rating.

3.  Rock fragment content (RF_content)  based on the weighted average rock fragment content by volume in the upper 6 inches (15 cm) of the first mineral horizon, below any organic forest litter surface horizons  Rock fragment content is converted from percent to a decimal format (i.e.  30 percent rock fragments = 0.30).  Numerical ratings range from 0.00 to 1.00.

4.  Slope gradient  percent slope, converted to a decimal format (i.e. 45 percent slope = 0.45)

The first step in the Inherent Erosion Hazard (IEH) rating determination is to calculate a Soil Erodibility Index (SEI) with the equation below:

SEI = DI * (1.00 - (RF_content)   / 100))  * PPR  
 
Where DI = Detachability Index, RF_content = Rock fragment content (decimal format), and PPR = Profile Permeability Rating.

The final step is the equation below:

IEH = SEI + slope gradient (decimal format)

Inherent Erosion Numerical Rating and Class:

Less than or equal to 0.199 - Low
0.200 0.399 - Moderately low
0.400  0.586 -  Moderate
0.587  0.799 - Moderately high
Greater than or equal to 0.800 - High

Rating Class Definitions:

High - Unprotected bare soil will erode sufficiently to severely and permanently damage the production capacity of the soil or will yield excessively high volumes of sediment.

Moderately high - Unprotected bare soil will erode sufficiently to severely damage productive capacity or will yield high volumes of sediment.

Moderate - Sufficiently resistant to erosion to permit limited and temporary exposure of bare soil during development or use.

Moderately low -  Sufficiently resistant to erosion to permit exposure of bare soil under minimal precautionary restrictions.

Low - No appreciable hazard of erosion. 

References:

(1)  Arnold, John F. 1988.  Proposals for Making Natural Sedimentation Rate and Geologic Erosion Factor Estimates for the Boise and Payette National Forests and Land Type Associations and Zone Maps for the Payette National Forest.

(2)  USDA - Forest Service. 1970. Soil-Hydrologic Reconnaissance of the Krassel Ranger District, Payette National Forest. 

(3)  USDA-ARS. 1966. Aggregate stability of soils from western United States and Canada. Tech. Bull. No. 1355. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture in cooperation with Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington, D.C."|Yes|05/15/2025 21:14:48|"77882"|"90078"|"8632193"
"GRL - Fencing, 24 inch Post Depth (MT)"|"limitation"|"FENCING:
        1. Fencing is the construction and maintenance of barriers for the management of animals and people.  Fences are constructed using metal or wooden posts.  This rule was developed for conditions where the posts are set to a depth of 2 feet or less into the soil, typically with strands of wire or rails suspended between the posts.
 
        2. The guide, as shown in the Table below, is used to rate the ease of setting posts, maintaining the wire tension, and estimating the replacement and maintenance cost.  Excavations for wooden posts are made by power auger or hand dug, metal posts are driven into the soil.
 
        3. Bedrock, cemented pan, and large and small stones influence the excavation of post holes and the driving of posts.  Flooding and depth to a seasonal high water table may restrict the season of construction.  Flooding also affects maintenance and replacement cost.  High water tables raise the maintenance cost and require deeper post settings.  High shrink-swell soils require deep post settings or rock jacks to maintain vertical post alignment.  Setting posts in permanently frozen soil may cause lose of the insulation qualities of the soil and result in thermokarst topography.  Post alignment and maintaining the desired wire tension are often difficult on sandy soils due to their low strength.  Soil blowing causes maintenance problems.  Frost action results in frost-heaving of the posts.  Steep slopes affect the use power augers and the delivery of supplies.  During the wet seasons surface creep on steep slopes increases maintenance.  Soil reaction and salinity affect the type of post selected and maintenance costs.
 
         
 
Table of Criteria for Fencing:

                            		 LIMITS

RATING CRITERIA 		WELL            		POORLY  	RESTRICTIVE
	OR PROPERTY     	SUITED   	SUITED 		SUITED          FEATURE
 
1.      USDA TEXTURE     	---     	---    		ICE     	PERMAFROST 

1a.     TEXTURE (WEIGHT  	---     	---    		SC, SIC, C      TOO CLAYEY
        AVE. 0-24"")
 
1b.     TEXTURE (WEIGHT AV.      ---    	SC, SIC, C       ---    	TOO CLAYEY
        0-24"", KAOLINITIC
        MINERALOGY AND
        OXIC SUBGROUPS,
        AND OXISOLS AND
        UDIC MOISTURE
        REGIME)
 
1c.     TEXTURE (WEIGHT  	---    LS, LCOS, VFS,  COS, S, 			TOO SANDY
        AV. 0-24"")              	LFS, LVFS       FS
 
2.      FLOODING        	NONE, RARE      OCCAS   	FREQ    	FLOODING
 
3.      DEPTH TO BEDROCK         ---     	---    		<24""     	DEPTH TO ROCK
        (HARD OR SOFT, IN)
 
4.      DEPTH TO CEMENTED        ---     	---    		<24""     	CEMENTED PAN
        PAN (IN)
 

5.      WEIGHT PERCENT  	<25     	25-50   	>50     	TOO GRAVELLY
        2 mm-<3"" (0-24"")
 
5a.     WEIGHT PERCENT  	<25     	25-50   	>50     	TOO COBBLY
        3-10"" (0-24"")	
  
5b.     WEIGHT PERCENT  	<5      	5-15    	>15     	TOO STONY
        >10"" (0-24"")
 
6.      SHRINK-SWELL     	---     	---   		 >6      	SHRINK-SWELL
        THICKEST LAYER
        0-24"", LE (PCT)


7.      PONDING  		---     	---      	+     		PONDING
 
8.      DEPTH TO HIGH   	>2.0     	---    		<2.0    	WETNESS
        WATER TABLE (FT)
 
9.      SLOPE (PCT)     	<8      	8-15    	>15     	SLOPE
 
10.     POTENTIAL FROST
        ACTION   		---    		HIGH    	---    		FROST ACTION
 
11.     SALINITY (MMHOS/CM)      ---    	>8       	---    		EXCESS SALT
 
12.     SOIL REACTION (pH)       ---    	<3.5     	---    		TOO ACID"|Yes|09/23/2004 15:16:13|"11548"|"90078"|"8632194"
"GRL - Juniper Encroachment Potential (NM)"|"limitation"|"The purpose of this interpretation is to evaluate the potential for juniper trees (Juniperus spp.) to encroach into plant communities where they did not historically exist or to increase beyond their historic composition within the plant community.  

The intent of this interpretation is to identify areas that are susceptible to encroachment by juniper trees , and not to identify areas where juniper currently does or does not exist. In addition, it is important to recognize the difference between the rate of encroachment and the potential for encroachment. Some soil map unit components may be susceptible to encroachment, but the rate of encroachment may be very slow. This interpretation focuses only on the factors that influence juniper seedling establishment, not on the factors that influence the rate at which they establish (rate of expansion).

The ratings for juniper encroachment potential are based on the following soil and climate properties.  A rating of 1.00 indicates a ""very high"" juniper encroach potential.  A rating of 0.01 indicates a ""very low"" encroachment potential.  The values from each subrule are multiplied together to determine the overall rating class.

Taxonomic Temperature regime subrule

Cryic and Pergelic  0.01
Frigid - 0.70
Mesic  1.00
Thermic  0.01

Ecological Site subrule

Forest ecological site (ecological site ID starts with ""F"")  0.01
Range ecological site (ecological site ID starts with ""R"")  1.00

Drainage class and water table depth subrule

Very poorly  0.01
Poorly  0.20
Somewhat poorly  0.50
Moderately well  1.00
Well  1.00
Somewhat excessively  0.85
Excessively  0.70

Water table depth (minimum representative value for months of March through October)

< = 25 cm (10 inches)  0.01
26  50 cm (10  20 inches  0.20
51 - 100 cm (20  39 inches)  0.50
> 100 cm (39 inches) or null  1.00

The Drainage class and Water table depth ratings are compared.  The lowest value determined the final rating.

Mean annual precipitation subrule

<= 8 inches (203 mm) - 0.01
9 inches (229 mm) - 0.50
10 inches (254 mm - 0.70
11 inches (279 mm) to 15 inches (381 mm)  1.00
16 inches (406 mm)  0.70
17 inches (432 mm)  0.50
>= 18 inches (457 mm)  0.01

Depth to lithic and paralithic bedrock, strongly cemented to indurated duripans, petrocalcic horizon subrule

< 10 inches (25 cm)  0.25 

10-30 inches (25  76 cm) with CBV, CBX, STV, STX, FLV, FLX textural modifier within 30 inches -  0.60

>= 10 inches (25 cm)  - not CBV, CBX, STV, STX FLV, FLX textural modifier within 30 inches  1.00

Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Sodium Adsorption Ration (SAR) subrule

Based on maximum representative values in the 0-20 inch (0-50 cm) depth

Ecological site name contains ""alkali"", ""saline"", or ""sodic"" - 0.01
EC > 12 decisiemens per meter or SAR > 20  0.01
EC >=8 and <=12 or SAR >=13 and <=20  0.50
EC < 8 and SAR < 13  1.00

Overall rating class breaks

The final rating value is calculated by multiplying together the ratings from all the subrules described above.

Final Rating Value	Juniper Encroachment Potential Rating Class
0.00	                None
0.001  0.010	Very low
0.011  0.399	Low
0.400  0.699	Moderate
0.700  0.899	High
0.900 - 1.000  	Very high"|Yes|07/19/2016 17:21:22|"56191"|"90078"|"8632195"
"GRL-FSG-NP-W (MT)"|"class"|"FSG - FORAGE SUITABILITY GROUPS
-------------------------------------

A Forage Suitability Group (FSG) is a physiographic unit or area having similar climatic and edaphic characteristics that control the selection of forage plants because of the affect on plant growth.

Individual soil components are placed in a FSG using soil rating criteria."|Yes|02/09/2016 17:19:52|"15187"|"90078"|"8632196"
"GRL-SHSI Soil Health Sustainability Index (MT)"|"class"|"Range Soil Health Sustainability Index.

This component level value is intended to be applied in an map unit aggregated format (converted to raster) along with Adjusted REAP raster data and Wetness Index raster data to produce a spatial product for use in conservation planning and program application for rangeland.

The resulting index will be classed to integers from 1 to 9, with 9 having the highest resistence and resilience to degredation and 1 having the lowest.

1/26/2009 - Mike Hansen"|Yes|02/16/2024 20:33:51|"26048"|"90078"|"8632197"
"WMS - Sprinkler Irrigation (MT)"|"limitation"|"If soil properties within 150 cm (60 in) of the surface of the soil are limitations for surface or sprinkler irrigation systems or application of nutrients through irrigation systems, then irrigation has application, environmental or health limitations.

Part 620 - Soil Interpretations Rating Guides   620(430-VI-NSSH, 1993)

 
The soil properties and qualities that are listed in Table 620-32 need to be considered in the design, construction, management, and performance of irrigation systems.  The soil properties and qualities important in design and management are the sodium adsorption ratio, depth to a seasonal high water table, the available water capacity, permeability, wind erodibility, erosion factor, slope, and flooding.  The soil properties and qualities that influence construction are surface rock fragments, surface topography and slope.  The properties and qualities that affect performance of the irrigation system are depth to bedrock or to a cemented pan, bulk density, the sodium adsorption ratio, salinity, and soil reaction.  Permanently frozen soils are not suited to irrigation.
 
Table 620-24  Disposal of Wastewater By Irrigation.
 
                                    LIMITS
                                                               RESTRICTIVE
           PROPERTY        SLIGHT   MODERATE       SEVERE        FEATURE
 
1.      USDA TEXTURE        ---       ---           ICE        PERMAFROST 
2.      SODIUM ADSORPTION   <4        4-13          >13        EXCESS SODIUM
        RATIO 
3.      SALINITY (SURFACE   <4        4-8           >8         EXCESS SALT
        LAYER, MMHOS/CM) 
4.      SLOPE               <3        3-8           >8         SLOPE
        (SURFACE, PCT)  
4a.     SLOPE               <6        6-15          >15        SLOPE
        (SPRINKLER, PCT) 
5.      PONDING             ---        ---           +         PONDING 
6.      DEPTH TO HIGH       >4         2-4          <2         WETNESS
        WATER TABLE (FT) 
7.      DEPTH TO BEDROCK    >40       20-40         <20        DEPTH TO ROCK
        (IN)
8.      DEPTH TO CEMENTED   >40       20-40         <20        CEMENTED PAN
        PAN (IN) 
9.      PERMEABILITY        ---      2.0-6.0        >6.0       POOR FILTER
        (IN/H) 
9a.     PERMEABILITY      0.6-2.0    0.2-0.6        <0.2       PERCS SLOWLY
        (0-60"", IN/H) 
10.     AVAILABLE WATER     >6         3-6          <3         DROUGHTY
        (WEIGHTED AV. TO 60"", IN) 
11.     STONINESS CLASS      1          2         3, 4, 5      TOO STONY 
12.     WEIGHT PERCENT      <15       15-35         >35        TOO COBBLY
        3-10"" (SURFACE LAYER) 
12a.    WEIGHT PERCENT      <5         5-15         >15        TOO STONY
        >10"" (SURFACE LAYER)  
13.     FLOODING        NONE, RARE    OCCAS         FREQ       FLOODING 
14.     SOIL REACTION (pH)  >6.5     5.0-6.5        <5.0       TOO ACID"|Yes|04/27/2005 16:45:10|"19833"|"90078"|"8632198"
