Wednesday, November 7, 2007 - 3:15 PM
234-5
Hurricane Disaster Response Maps of NRCS and the Role of Soil Science in the Politics of Natural Resources Conservation.
William Puckett1, Christopher Smith1, and Karl Hipple2. (1) Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Dept. of Agriculture, 14th and Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250, (2) National Soil Survey Center, USDA-NRCS, 9310 Benziger Dr, Lincoln, NE 68526
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita had devastating effects on humans, animals, and natural resources along the Gulf Coast in 2005. Environmental challenges were overwhelming and information about resources was limited. A critical lesson learned was that responding agencies were unaware of available existing soil information and that critical custom products could be generated with relative ease. USDA-NRCS also realized the importance and value of a fully populated National Cooperative Soil Survey database in designing and delivering consistent products in emergency response situations. USDA-NRCS generated multiple interpretative maps showing soil suitability ratings for livestock disposal, landfills, septic systems, roads, and campgrounds for all states within the affected area. These products are invaluable for pre-event emergency planning. Critical resource information, like soils, must be incorporated into emergency response processes before a natural or man-made disaster occurs. Response agency personnel must have a working knowledge on how to properly use soils information relative to the disaster. High quality, digital soils data are critical to response issues associated with Homeland Security. The Soil Science Community has an opportunity to make soils data a key component in emergency response. NRCS is working closely with Federal response agencies to incorporate soils data into pre-disaster planning. The Web Soil Survey and Soil Data Mart provide opportunities for this transfer of knowledge.