Who is the appropriate contact for obtaining soil survey information?

The appropriate contact for obtaining soil survey information is the USDA NRCS (United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service). This agency is specifically tasked with providing soils information and resources, which include detailed soil surveys that are essential for land management and agricultural planning. The USDA NRCS conducts comprehensive soil surveys and maintains databases that are critical for various stakeholders, including farmers, land use planners, and environmental researchers.

Soil surveys provided by the USDA NRCS include data on soil types, characteristics, and classifications, which are essential for understanding how soils interact with water, vegetation, and land use practices. This information is vital for making informed decisions regarding land development, agricultural practices, and environmental conservation.

Other organizations, such as the EPA, may deal with broader environmental regulations and public health but do not specialize in soil surveying specifically. The State Department of Agriculture may overlap in some areas of land and agricultural resources but typically does not conduct soil surveys at the level that the NRCS does. Local Environmental Agencies may manage land and water resources but may not have comprehensive soil survey data readily available. Hence, for expert guidance and detailed soil information, the USDA NRCS is the most reliable and appropriate source.