Soil surveys provide an orderly, on-the-ground, scientific inventory of soil resources that includes maps showing the locations and extent of soils, data about the physical and chemical properties of those soils, and information derived from that data about potentialities and problems of use on each kind of soil in sufficient detail to meet all reasonable needs for farmers, agricultural technicians, community planners, engineers, and scientists in planning and transferring the findings of research and experience to specific land areas.
Soil surveys provide the basic information needed to manage soil sustainably. They also provide information needed to protect water quality, wetlands, and wildlife habitat. Soil surveys are the basis for predicting the behavior of a soil under alternative uses, its potential erosion hazard, potential for ground water contamination, suitability and productivity for cultivated crops, trees, and grasses. Soil surveys are important to planners, engineers, zoning commissions, tax commissioners, homeowners, developers, as well as agricultural producers. Responsibility for conducting the soil survey operations in most of Maine rests with the Region 12 Soil Survey Office (Amherst, MA), and the Dover-Foxcroft Soil Survey Office for MLRAs 143, 144B, and 146.
Web Soil Survey
This web site allows online viewing of soil survey maps and reports. The new application greatly enhances access to information on soils.
Soil Surveys for Maine - Online (Web Soil Survey)
Soil Survey Cooperators
The Maine State Soil Scientist serves as the liaison for the State NRCS and cooperators to the National NRCS Soil Survey Division.
Soil Survey Program
Soil Survey Tools
History of Soil Survey in Maine
The following documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader. (.pdf)
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