Updating Soil Survey Data - New Project Area Alignment.

In 2007 NRCS began implementation of a restructuring of the soil survey field staff and soil survey areas to better address needs for updating existing soil survey data. Soil Survey Areas are now based on MLRA boundaries where possible so that staff can focus on soils that are formed in similar materials and share many other soil forming factors. This will allow staff to develop a more in depth understanding of the soils that they work with. A better understanding of the soils for which they are responsible will enable staff to provide more accurate and consistent data on which interpretations and USDA program eligibility will be based. The restructuring also reduced the number of soil survey offices from over 250 to less than 150. Fewer offices results in larger staff sizes in remaining offices which in turn provides more opportunity for staff members to collaborate on updating projects.