Post on 27-Dec-2015
BACKGROUND
Decision memo signed by Chief on March 27, 2012 on regionalizing soil survey
Need to have agency directives reflect the new structure General Manual National Soil Survey Handbook National Ecological Site Handbook
GENERAL MANUAL
Updated as part of the recent agency-wide reorganization
Every part of the agency had to review and submit changes to GM-360-404 Subpart D – Role of State Soil Scientist Subpart G – Soil Survey Offices as an entity Subpart H – Regional Offices as a
subsection of the Soil Science Division GM-430 will be revised in the future
NATIONAL ECOLOGICAL SITE HANDBOOK Designed around the MLRA Soil Survey
Offices and Soil Survey Regional Offices Operating procedures will be similar to
those in NSSH First sections were recently open for
comment period Other sections for be released as
completed
SPECIFICS – DECISION MEMO
Each State has a State Soil Scientist Leads and coordinates technical soil
services Leads NCSS efforts and conducts state
work planning conferences Works closely with soil survey offices (and
regions) to coordinate state’s needs for: Soil survey Additional technical soil services Other support
SPECIFICS – DECISION MEMO
State Conservationists provide feedback to regional offices through regional advisory boards (under construction)
National level coordination through advisory teams (under construction)
Division renamed Soil Science Division
NSSH UPDATE – COMMON TO ALL SECTIONS
Terminology revised Soil Survey Regional Directors – PD
classification Team leader was not correct title, Director was MO Leader now Regional Director MO also changed to Soil Survey Region as a
result Board of Advisors – redefinition of role of
STC Feedback mechanism to SSRDs and NHQ
Ecological Site Specialists – to mirror NESH Other working titles remained same
NSSH PART 601 – NCSS ORGANIZATION Added ecological sites to NCSS
responsibilities of soil survey offices Reworded role of SSS (other specifics in
608) Soil Survey Regional Offices
references standard operating procedures vs. region-wide MOU
Added ecological site inventory
NSSH PART 601 – NCSS ORGANIZATION Added technical responsibility for
National Headquarters FOTG
science-related policies and procedures Implementation strategies
Technical expertise in use of soils information for:
Models including RUSLE2, WEPS, WinPST, WEPP, and EPIC
NSSH PART 601 – NCSS ORGANIZATION Added National Geospatial Center of
Excellence (NGCE) Formerly National Geospatial Management
Center Functions and responsibility very similar
National Soil Survey Center responsibilities Added ecological site inventory and
National Ecological Site Handbook
NSSH PART 608 – PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
NHQ New position of Associate Director for Soil
Operations SS Regional Offices
Communicate to STCs via Board of Advisors
Coordinate activities of the Management Team(s)
standard operating procedures spell out specifics on business steps, structure, and team member responsibilities
NSSH PART 608 – PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
SS Regional Offices (continued) Review and approve project plans Coordinate mapping goals and progress
reporting Supervise MLRA soil survey leaders Provide administrative support to soil
survey offices
NSSH PART 608 – PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Board of Advisors Made up of State Conservationists As applicable, representatives from
Federal, State, University and other NCSS partners
Provides broad management direction to Soil Survey Regional Director and management teams
Reviews progress and performance for both soil survey and ecological site activities
NSSH PART 608 – PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Board of Advisors (continued) Feedback to Associate Director for Soil
Operations used for performance reviews
Reviews management team recommendations on project priorities
local needs are in balance with State and National issues
provides alternate advice
NSSH PART 608 – MANAGEMENT TEAMS
Consist of: Soil Survey Regional Directors State Soil Scientists State Resource Conservationists Other appropriate state technical leaders Federal, State, University and other
partners as applicable
NSSH PART 608 – MANAGEMENT TEAMS Develop specific operating procedures
which outline structure, chairmanship, and roles
Review and concur with technical team recommendations on project priorities
Assist the Soil Survey Regional Director in administering technical soil services in soil survey offices
NSSH PART 608 – TECHNICAL TEAMS
Consist of: MLRA soil survey office staff Soil survey regional office staff State Soil Scientists Resource Soil Scientists NCSS partners Other applicable discipline specialists
MLRA Soil Survey Leader serves as chair
NSSH PART 608 – TECHNICAL TEAMS
Gathers and consolidates each State’s needs in long-range plan
Develops proposed priorities Assists MLRA SSL to draft plans for
management team review Formulates recommendations for
regional office approval
NSSH PART 608 – STATE OFFICES
Lead staff State Soil Scientist State Resource Conservationist
Provide technical and ecological site services and develop interpretations
Serve on management teams Specific role in management team
operating procedures
NSSH PART 608 – DIGITIZING UNITS
Responsibility moved to soil survey regional offices
See National Bulletin 430-13-7 on specifics and procedures (Issued May 7)
NSSH PART 608 – DIGITAL MAP FINISHING Function retained for initial and
approved extensive revision soil surveys where MOU requires specific deliverables
Staff located in various offices (soil survey offices and regional offices)
Work coordinated through regional offices
NSSH PART 610 – UPDATING SOIL SURVEYS
Many references to Part 608 and repeats roles and responsibilities
Series of “projects” to address priority needs
Update strategies MLRA – Recorrelation: Added reference to
National Instruction 430-305 Soil Data Join Recorrelation under update strategies
MLRA field projects