MLRA REGION 10 NEWSLETTER--OCTOBER 1, 1999 WELCOME TO THE UNDERGROUND The Field Museum in Chicago unveiled "The Underground" soils exhibit on Tuesday, March 25, 1999. Nearly 38,000 visitors attended over the first four days. The display, which cost more than 10 million dollars, will be used as a permanent exhibit focusing on educating visitors about prairie soils. Horace Smith, National Soil Survey Director, NRCS, provided his perspective on soils and where we need to go in the next millennium during the ceremony. The Illinois NRCS played a significant role in collaborating with the Field Museum to develop the exhibit. Bob McLeese, Don Fehrenbacher, Mark Bramstedt, and others provided soils information as well as pictures that were utilized in displays. Illinois Soil Scientists Mack Hodges and Don Fehrenbacher both have their pictures prominently displayed as part of the exhibit. The exhibit will enlighten residents of the Chicago area and visitors from around the world to the importance of soils and what we must do to conserve this valuable resource. The display will certainly acquaint nontraditional clients with NRCS and what we do as an agency. If you visit the Chicago area, you will not regret a trip to view the exhibit. From: Outreach Insider newsletter, NRCS, Illinois Submitted by: Steve Elmer ######################################################################### SOIL PROPERTY REPORTS FROM NASIS Bob Nielsen wrote two new reports in NASIS while working with the MO-10 staff that displays values for a given soil property from a selected set. The two reports are the same except one runs just the RV (relative value) and the other one runs low, high and RV. The advantage to these reports over some that are already written for specific soil properties is that in these two reports you can select the property you want from a list of all 850 properties that are in NASIS. These reports create a list that gives Map Symbol, DMU, Component Name and the values for the selected soil property by low, high and RV or just RV. These reports appear to be very useful in editing data by property, such as organic matter, AWC, etc., etc. The following are instructions on running these two reports: After you have a selected set, choose Options/Standard Reports/Local/1UTIL - Output from a property (L-RV-H) or 1UTIL Output from a property (RV only)/Preview/in the NASIS Report Parameters under National select one of the 850 properties/give the report a name if you want in Report Title/Apply From there you can print, save to a file or just view the report. You may want to give the report a name because otherwise it just has "Output from a Property" as a title and you don't know what area it is from or might even forget (like me) what property it is. It looks good! Try it and see what you think. Let me know if you have any questions on the instructions. If you have a chance give Bob a thank you for helping us out! Contributed by: Gary Struben ######################################################################### DATA SECURITY AND PROTECTION IN NASIS NASIS has a comprehensive internal security system that provides protection to its data Objects against unauthorized edits. Much of the management of this system is done by the two data set managers (myself and Lynn Deslauriers). However, every NASIS user has an additional role to play in the protection of his/her own data. To protect your Legends, Data Mapunits, Pedons, and your other data objects from editing by other users that are not members of your data editing Group, you need to be sure that you yourself are in the correct Group before you start your work. To do this is simple: 1)enter NASIS 2)immediately click on Options - Change Default Group. A list of the Groups to which you belong appears. 3)Select the correct group by clicking on it. Now any new objects you create will belong to that group and subsequently protected from other editors that are not part of that group. Without exiting NASIS, you may change your group to another at any time by repeating steps 2 and 3. However, NASIS does not remember your default group from your previous NASIS session, so you will need to repeat steps 2 and 3 the next time you enter NASIS. As a matter of fact, changing your default group should become your first step for all your NASIS sessions. Contributed by: John Handler ######################################################################### LANDSCAPE AND CLIMATE DATA REPORT FROM NASIS A Landscape and Climate data report from NASIS can be used as a cross listing of a Soil Survey Correlation Activities. I think this data will be ideal for field review, OSD update, and special studies activities, and database and manuscript edits. This report makes a table of the landscape and climate properties for the selected set. This includes the slopes range, elevation range, MAAT range, MAP range, frost free season range, landform entries from the component geomorphic description table and parent material for each component of mapunit, arranged by mapunit. The report's name is "Landscape and climate - MO-11 from CA", found in nasisclient under Options - Standard Reports; then click on Local; then click the NASIS Site MLRA11_Office. From: Charles Love ######################################################################### NASIS CELL COPY AND PASTE FUNCTIONALITY In NASIS you can copy data from a single cell and paste it into another cell in the same table or a different table. Use the following technique to copy and paste cell or text data from one table to another. Note: At this time there is a problem doing this with dxpc(nasis_ppp). It will cause an Xt/Motif error and kick you out of NASIS. 1. Highlight the cell you want to copy, by clicking the mouse in the cell. 2. Hit "control key" and "insert key" at the same time. This copies the data to a buffer. 3. Move to the table and cell you want to paste the data, and highlight the cell by clicking the mouse in the cell. 4. Hit "shift key" and "insert key" at the same time. This pastes the data from the buffer into the edit window for the current active cell. 5. Hit "enter key" to insert the data into the cell. Using the tab key or the mouse will not currently insert the data into the cell, only the "enter key" will. A variation of this technique can be used to copy text from a text editor into a table cell or another text editor. 1. While in a text editor, highlight the text you want to copy, by clicking and draging the mouse to highlight the text. 2. Hit "control key" and "insert key" at the same time. This copies the text to a buffer. 3. Close the text editor by clicking cancel. Open the text editor in the table you want to paste the data. 4. Move mouse to the point in the text editor you want to paste the data (can be used to insert between existing text). 5. Hit "shift key" and "insert key" at the same time to paste data from buffer. 6. Apply modifications by clicking apply button in text editor. The data in the buffer can be pasted into multiple cells or text editors, by moving to the next cell and hit "shift key" and "insert key" at the same time. This can be repeated as often as needed. The buffer retains the data until you exit NASIS or copy other data into the buffer (control key+insert key). Contributed by: Tammy Cheever ######################################################################### THINK SAFE - BE SAFE by Ken Matzdorf Over the years, I spent in the field, mapping and investigating soils, I witnessed several unsafe acts. Most commonly, they involved someone in a hurry. 1. Speeding to get back to the office by quitting time. We all know speed can kill, so next time your tempted to break the posted speed limits, think about your family. I'm sure they would prefer you get home a little late, to having to visit you in the hospital, or worse. 2. Not taking the time to maintain your equipment. Getting your vehicles serviced, cleaning and maintaining your field equipment, oiling and greasing your power probes all takes time. But I've seen a hydraulic hose burst and I heard of bull probe chains snapping due to several links bonding together with rust or dirt and therefore unable to bend properly around the rollers. These cases did not result in personal injury but easily could have if someone could have been standing in slightly different spot when the break occurred. The points I would like to make are: "Think about safe ways of doing your job", "Do not hurry or cut corners where safety is involved", and "Remind others about safety when you see them committing an unsafe act". ######################################################################### PEDON NOTES 1. The Windows version of Pedon is almost complete at the NSSC. Tom Reinsch is working on it. It will then need to be reviewed by ITC and accepted as agency software in order to implement it. 2. A program is currently being written that will load the current pedon data into NASIS. This capability will also be needed for the Windows version. When this conversion program will be ready has not yet been announced. 3. After the conversion, it has been recommended that your UNIX or Windows version of PEDON be "decommissioned". This is a rather lengthly procedure, for which instructions will be provided later on. ######################################################################### NSSC CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO NASIS DATABASE Recent additions and changes to the NASIS database by the staff at the National Soil Survey Center (their NASIS site is named "Pangaea"): AREA TYPES AND AREAS Contact: Russ Kelsea 402-437-5878 rkelsea@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov The following areas were added or had name changes or acreage adjustments. Several areas in Indiana and Louisiana are not listed because the only change was from upper case to mixed case. Non-MLRA Soil Survey Area IL177 Stephenson County, Illinois IN605 Brown County and Part of Bartholomew County, Indiana LA093 St James Parish, Louisiana LA095 St John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana LA121 West Baton Rouge Parish MT603 ST. REGIS-NINEMILE AREA, MONTANA NC606 Haywood County Area, North Carolina TN009 BLOUNT COUNTY, TENNESSEE TN029 COCKE COUNTY, TENNESSEE TN035 CUMBERLAND COUNTY, TENNESSEE TN063 HAMBLEN COUNTY, TENNESSEE TN065 HAMILTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE TN115 MARION COUNTY, TENNESSEE TN125 MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TENNESSEE TN155 SEVIER COUNTY, TENNESSEE TN161 STEWART COUNTY, TENNESSEE TN640 Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina TN642 Fort Campbell Military Reservation, Kentucky and Tennessee REPORTS Contact: Russ Kelsea 402-437-5878 rkelsea@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov Jim Fortner 402-437-5755 jfortner@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov CORR - Conversion Type 1 CORR - Conversion Type 3 CORR - Correlation Type 3 SDQ - Local Plant Symbols Linked to "UNKNOWN" UTIL - Area Documentation UTIL - Property Values (L-RV-H) UTIL - Property Values (RV only) QUERIES Contact: Rick Bigler 402-437-5879 rbigler@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov Components by Ecological Site ID RULES Contact: Bob Nielsen 402-437-4149 bnielsen@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov John Patterson 402-437-4016 jpatterson@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov Arnold Mendenhall 402-437-4176 amendenhall@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov AGR-Depth to Water Table <36 inches AGR-Thickest Sand Layer 10 to 72 inches. FOR - Potential Erosion Hazard (Off-Road/Off-Trail) GRL-Coastal Plain Forage Suit. Groups, East Central, DRAFT Kw <.35 Percolation 60 - 150cm (24-60") Slope 0 to >15% Slope 0 to >25% Slope 0 to >40% Slope 0 to >50% Slope 0 to >8% Slope/Erodibility Limitation (1) Slope/Erodibility Limitation (2) Slope/Erodibility Limitation (3) Slope/Erodibility Limitation (4) Slope/Erodibility Limitation (5) Slope/Erodibility Limitation (6) Wetness Limitation (7) EVALUATIONS Contact: Bob Nielsen 402-437-4149 bnielsen@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov John Patterson 402-437-4016 jpatterson@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov Arnold Mendenhall 402-437-4176 amendenhall@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov AGR-Depth to Water Table <90cm AGR-Sandy USDA Textures - thickest layer in 25-180cm AGR-USDA textures-very sandy in thickest layer in 25-180cm Taxonomic Minerology Exclusion - Kaolinitic (nssc) USDA Texture Classs, Surface - Silty PROPERTIES Contact: Bob Nielsen 402-437-4149 bnielsen@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov John Patterson 402-437-4016 jpatterson@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov Arnold Mendenhall 402-437-4176 amendenhall@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov Russ Kelsea 402-437-5878 rkelsea@nssc.nrcs.usda.gov AWC, 0-50CM OR FIRST RESTRICTIVE LAYER PERMEABILITY MAXIMUM IN DEPTH 60-150cm PERMEABILITY MINIMUM IN DEPTH 60-150cm SOIL REACTION 1-1 WATER MINIMUM IN DEPTH 0-30CM SOIL SLIPPAGE POTENTIAL USDA TEXTURE IN-LIEU-OF IN DEPTH 0-40CM USDA TEXTURE SURFACE LAYER ######################################################################### Last month, the following x3780 files were sent to offices having SSSD: x3780.400frig on Sep 01 ( 6 updated OSDs) @ x3780.401mes on Sep 10 (21 updated OSDs) * @ Sent to offices using soils in the frigid soil temperature regime. * Sent to offices using soils in the mesic soil temperature regime. # Sent to all offices. The above x3780s contained the following updated Official Series Descriptions, which can also be obtained at: http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/cgi-bin/osd/osdname.cgi frigid kawbawgam...moranville...noseum...paavola...perote...tourtillot mesic absco...brice...brinkman...clearfield...clyde...dolbee...elvira...garwin ...greenridge...holly_spri...kickapoo...lambeau...lanyon...luton...merit ...rocksan...shandep...tilfer...toddville...toolesboro...tripoli ######################################################################## CHANGED ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS 1. Charlie Saari is now the MLRA Coordinator for the Minnesota part of MLRAs 104 and 105; his office is in Rochester, MN; his new phone number is 1-507-289-7454. He was the Soil Survey Project Leader for the southern part of St. Louis County, MN. 2. Tom Jackson is now the MLRA Coordinator for the Minnesota part of MLRA 103; his office is in St. Peter, MN; his new phone number is 1-507-931-2530. He was the Area Soil Specialist in Brooklyn Center, MN. 3. Ray Genrich is now the MLRA Coordinator for the Minnesota parts of MLRAs 102A and 107. His office and phone number did not change. He was the Area Soil Scientist in Marshall, MN 4. Dave Potts is now the MLRA Coordinator for the Minnesota parts of MLRAs 56A, 56B, and 88A; his office is in Thief River Falls, MN; his new phone number is 1-218-681-6600 X 108. He was the Soil Survey Project Leader for Roseau County, MN. 5. Kim Stefen is now the MLRA Coordinator for MLRAs 57, 91A, and 91B. His office and phone number did not change. He was the Area Resource Soil Scientist in Brooklyn Center, MN. 6. Marc Diers is now the MLRA Coordinator for the Minnesota parts of MLRAs 88B, 90, 92, and 93. His office and phone number did not change. He was the Area Resource Soil Scientist in Duluth, MN. 7. Steve Scheinost is now the Assistant State Soil Scientist for Nebraska. He is replacing Renee Gross. Phone: 402-437-4117. Email: ######################################################################### ACTIVITY SCHEDULE (through November 15--subject to change) MLRA DATE ACTIVITY LOCATION MO 10 STAFF ---- --------- ---------------------------- ----------------- ----------- 56 Oct 18-22 Final Field Review Red Lake Falls DesLauriers 90 Oct 12-15 Progress Review Milaca Giencke 92 Oct 18-22 Progress Field Review Ashland Jahnke 102A Oct 18-22 Final Field Review Marshall Giencke 103 Nov 01-05 Final Field Review Humboldt Giencke 104 Oct 04-08 Geo, Dense Till Tour (Various) Hempel Giencke 105 Nov 01-05 Project Leaders Meeting La Crosse Hempel Jahnke 107 Nov 15-19 Database Meeting with MO-4 Omaha Hempel 108 Oct 25-29 Steering Committee Meeting Quad Cities Hempel all Oct 04-08 GIS/LIS Annual Conference St. Cloud, MN Walker all Oct 25-29 Editorial/Training Assistnce Portland, OR West all Nov 10 Meeting with Sucik & Iowa Albert Lea DesLauriers Giencke Hempel Handler all Nov 15-19 Manuscript Training Indianapolis West ######################################################################### CONTRIBUTIONS, IDEAS, SUGGESTIONS, AND QUESTIONS ARE WELCOME This newsletter is intended to be a forum to distribute information of a general nature that will benefit soil scientists in soil survey project offices. It is hoped that it will foster communications and sharing of knowledge among those soil scientists in MLRA Region 10. * * * * * Articles from other newsletters are often included to distribute ideas and comments from other areas of the country; these ideas and comments are not necessarily identical to those used in MLRA Region 10. * * * * * The format of this newsletter is intentionally simple so that it can be received, read, and printed by the project office having the least sophisticated computer and printer setup. * * * * * Thanks to those individuals who participated this month. It is your efforts that have made this newsletter a success. * * * * * Please submit your articles at least five days before the end of the month for inclusion in the following month's newsletter. Otherwise it will appear the following month. Occasionally, due to other workload demands, it may be an additional month before the article appears. Generally, articles are inserted in the order they are received. Articles in an electronic format can be submitted to: jfh@mn.nrcs.usda.gov. It is best if electronic articles are prepared in a "text only" format. Articles in a paper format can be sent or faxed to: John Handler MLRA Region 10 Office USDA - NRCS 375 Jackson Street - Suite 600 St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1854 FAX: 1-651-602-7914 * * * * * Previous month's copies of this newsletter are available at: http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/mo10/mo10.html #########################################################################