LAND USE PROJECT - FALL 2007
GENERAL DIRECTIONS: Choose a county for your project. All surveys are on a first come first served basis. See Soil Surveys for the Minnesota counties available. Your soil survey can be picked up from the TA in the Soils Learning Center with a filled out form.Go to Check out Form: To see a map of Minnesota go to Location of Minnesota Counties If you have access to a modern soil survey from another state (Wisconsin) you are welcome to use that as well. You also may use the Web Soil Survey program to do this report. Web Soil Survey will allow you to easily print your maps for the project. http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/
It is important that you return the paper copy or CD copy of the soil survey you have checked out from our library of soil surveys. If you obtain a copy of a soil survey from another source of course do not need to turn it in with your final LU Project. If you borrowed a survey from the basic soils library, please turn in the survey with your completed project.
. You should read over the entire directions for this project before choosing a county or section, since your decision on which land use plan to choose, may influence your choice of section or county. The section you choose must have at least FIVE different soil series. However, your project grade is not determined by which section you choose (there is no perfect section). Chose a county that you are interested in or that you have visited or would like to visit. Many of the new surveys are only on a CD. While this is a new procedure the CDs are not interactive and often cumbersome to use for the land use project. In the future all counties will be on the web and interactive for all of the USA.
All decisions about land use should be made according to the soil properties, landscape, and geographical features of this section. The project is divided into two parts. The first part will require that you write about the area you have selected to use for your project. The second part will be to describe in detail how the land use and soils fit together on your section (640 acres).
Part 1 ( 25%). Part one is a to inform the potential client about the area. They have asked you to investigate the purchase of a section in the county you have chosen. In your report you need to describe to the company the following: (each part is worth 5%)
1) Section Location (Include: legal land description, location in
the township, county, and state;
2) General description Describe the major soil series of your section.
(NOTE: The section you choose must have at least five different soil series.
For example: Isanti, Lino, Markey, Zimmerman, Spinks.) Describe the soils of
your section by including the following information: a) information about the
parent material for the soil, b) a general description of the topography of the
area; (flat, hills, etc..); c) the soil horizons for the various soil series on
your section; d) the Suborder of the series (i.e.. Udoll, Udalf, Udept, Aquoll
etc.)
3) Geographical information about the area such as distance to
interesting areas, cities, rivers, state parks, and other cultural features,
4) Maps: 1) soil map of your section including a scale, north arrow and
legend for the soil mapping units (the soil map must also be turned in with
part II); 2) soil suborder map for the section (note you will have to make this
map after you look up the Suborders for the soil series); 3) map showing
location of the section in the county. (all maps need: title, a north arrow,
scale, and legend). NOTE: I do not expect professionally made maps, but they
must be neat (no hand printing). It is OK to copy maps from the paper copy or
to transfer maps from the CD into your word processor for the project. You do
not need to use a GIS program, but it is OK if want to.
5) Prepare a general statement as to why this section is suitable for
their proposed plan. Sell the reader that you know that this section will work
for their project.
NOTE: This report should be about two pages in length (three pages maximum not
counting the maps, 12 pt. font single space). Part 1 is due on December
3. All reports are graded on grammar so be sure proof read your document.
Part 1 is worth 25%.
PART 2 (75%) - Assume that you have been selected by one of the following companies to prepare a report on the suitability of using your 640 acre section for the selected use. Address your report to the company.
Your report will be graded on the following:
1) An explanation of relationship between your soils and land use required by
the project. This should fully explain why each land use is suited for the soil
types involved or how mitigation of problems with the soil will be handled. (25
pts.);
2) Identification of wetlands (for purposes of this project potential wetlands
are all soils in the aquic Suborders (Aqualfs, Aquolls, Aquents, Aquepts) and
all Histosols). Explain your wetland protection plan. Without the proper
permits the conversion of wetlands to non-wetland uses is prohibited. If your
wet soils are currently used for agriculture you may leave them in agriculture.
(10 pts)
3) Protection of erosion prone areas. Indicate which areas are susceptible to
soil erosion from wind or water and explain your protection measures. Indicate
the erosion prone areas on a map. For this project, water erosion is considered
a problem when slopes are steeper than 4 % and wind erosion is a problem on all
soils that have loamy sand or sand surface textures. (10 pts).
4) Land Use Map. Prepare maps to identify and explain the location of items in
1, 2, & 3. You should have no more than 3 maps in your report. ON ALL MAPS
YOU MUST HAVE: 1) A NORTH ARROW, 2) SCALE of Map, and 3) LEGEND for whatever
you show on the map. Also turn in the Soil Map from Part I. (20 pts)
5) Neatness, originality, grammar, etc. (10 pts) The written portion of the
Part 2 will require from 2 to 5 pages (12 pt font, single space) .
Select one of the following five uses below. Assume the company has elected to purchase the entire section. Some uses will not need all 640 acres, but indicate in your plan how all 640 acres will be used. You can use any part of the section needed to complete the project. Note your 640 acres must all be in one contiguous square section, you can not use land from more than one section to make up the 640 acres. You may use a section that has water as part of the 640 acres if you don't need all 640 acres of land.
Possible Land Uses for Land Use Project.
1) Sustainable Housing Environment Inc.. ( SHEI) is looking for an area to house professionals who are moving to the area. The planning of this nontraditional development evolved from community interaction and the design team's commitment to create a sustainable environment that respects the area's unique nature. Density transfer enabled the clustering of a greater number of houses on smaller than typical lots, thus maximizing the amount of preserved open land. The 75 (on one acre lots) custom built homes reflect the tradition of the homes built in the area at the turn of the century by using white exteriors, metal roofs, porches, and picket fences. This team is deeply committed to creating a new model for residential community that equally respects the heritage of a region and its environment. Geothermal heating and cooling and other sustainable technologies are being implemented. Communal constructed wetlands( 5 acres per 10 homes) , which remove up to 95 percent of pollutants from wastewater before it enters the infiltration area, are used in place of conventional individual septic systems. Stormwater runoff is reduced through narrower road widths, shorter driveways, and mown rather than paved pedestrian surfaces. In order to enhance the existing natural surroundings, the only plantings allowed at private residences are native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Without curbs and gutters along the streets, grass swales and the natural depressions of the development have been used to capture stormwater runoff and allow it to percolate slowly back into the soil. This method captures rainfall and keeps it on-site where it is filtered through natural vegetation before soaking back into the ground. Stormwater detention wetlands aid in the infiltration process and 5 acres per 10 homes are required. Also include a recreational facility to entice individuals to locate here. Indicate the location of the roads, walking paths, horse trails, running trails, a five acre parcel for organic garden plots, a soccer/softball field complex, and other items you think may be important to entice homeowners to this area.
2) SLOW Food Inc. (SLOWFI) is looking for a parcel to use for their organic produce production facility. Their philosophy of organic farming is "to grow the fertilizer," in the form of plant residues, animal manure, or compost. .They are a certified organic farm consisting of 320 tillable acres, some woodland, and pasture. They grow corn, soybeans, sunflowers, wheat, barley, & alfalfa. and vegetables for their local store. They raise beef cattle, sheep, & chickens. This land use will include a small retail store on 5 acres and a 80 to 100 acre plot for growing organic produce for the grocery store. The SLOWFI would also like a small day park for picnics. The complex will need a sewage treatment facility (sewage pond/treatment facility (5 acres) or a constructed wetlands waste water treatment facility (25 acres). Areas are also needed for annual flowers, a small greenhouse for some off season production, and processing sheds. Other items can be added as you deem necessary.
3) Young Peoples Sustainable Living Camp (YPSLC) wants your help in planning a sustainable living nature camp for elementary children. Conservation, outdoor awareness, safety, and the future of our young people are major concerns for YPSLC. The conservation of Minnesota's natural resources and traditions are in the hands of this generation. They have many interests to promote including Native American cultures. They need at least 320 acres that has a lake, wetland, native prairie and forest. They believe your parcel can be a very interesting place to teach students about nature and the importance of having a sustainable environment. This will require two camp grounds. The first campground will be a 10 acre modern group camp, headquarters building, (shower/restroom buildings) which requires a 10 acre septic tank field /toilet-shower building or 25 acre constructed wetland water treatment facility. The second campground will be four, five acre primitive camps, accessible by hiking. The main camp will require classrooms and a day park with some type of trail complex, and other interesting camp facilities for the children to use. Be sure to indicate the kind and diversity of vegetation, soils, wetlands, etc. that will be available for the students.
4) Hunters Club of Minnesota. (HCOM) want to purchase 640 acres for a skeet range, target range, bow hunting camp, and small game hunting camp. The HCOM encompasses 640 acres of private hunting land, including 100 acres of land in a set aside program like RIM or CRP, 40 acres of alfalfa, 40 acres of treed waterways, 80 acres of cropland and around 300 acres of grassland and or forest land. The birds and small game have natural sources for both water and food. They desire a quality hunting camp. To meet their needs they need 15 modern campsites, 15 primitive (tent) campsites and 5 winter lodges. They also want a camp headquarter/store and maintenance facility for trails that will be used summer and winter. Restroom facilities are needed for all campgrounds. The main campground will provide shower/restroom buildings (10 acre septic tank field per toilet-shower building or 25 acre constructed wetland), 1 main ORV trail, hiking trails, ski trails, and the ranges and hunting blinds for deer and small game. Other items can be added as you deem necessary.
5) Woods to Prairie Country Park (WTPCP) is looking for a 640 acre site. The park contains a wide variety of landscapes and wildlife habitats. These are managed to conserve wildlife and to let you enjoy quiet recreation with a quiet stroll along beautifully laid out woodland walks. About one third of Woods to Prairie Country Park is woodland and the remainder of the site consists of grassland, scrub and farmland. The park would require parking lots (10 acres), restroom facilities, (15 acre lagoon or 30 acre constructed wetland), picnic grounds, primitive group camping (40 acres), and walking trails. Also planned are Scandinavian self catering lodges for cross country skiing or summer hiking (10 acres for lodges, septic tank, etc.). These lodges are built of solid timber, are cool and airy in the summer and in the spring, autumn, or winter they are warm and cozy. Other facilities on the Park include an all weather tennis court, nine-hole mini golf and an exciting adventure playground for the children. Other needs can be added as anticipated by you and the developer.
Part 2 is to be turned in on or before Wednesday, December 12, at 4:00 P.M.. Late Reports are subject to a 10% penalty each day they are late.
Go to Check out Soil Survey Form:
Soil Surveys available in SOILS LAB
Evaluation form for Land Use Project
