Newsletter

Spring 2003

Inside This Issue

ISCA Keynote Address

Farm Progress Show

Burt Ray Scholarship Winner

Loading Rate Chart (We need Comments)

President’s Column

Greetings from your new ISCA President! I’m looking forward to working with everybody in the upcoming year. We’ve got a lot of things going on in the organization, so it’s important that we get as many members involved as possible. Here are some areas that each of you can contribute:

¨ Join a committee – this is an excellent way to play an active role in our organization. I would especially like to encourage our newer members to seriously consider this. The committee names and chairs are as follows:

1. Constitution, By-laws, & Legislative: Bob Darmody (217.333.9489)

2. Ethics, Certification, & Membership: Bruce Houghtby (815.344.4020)

3. Finance: Don Fehrenbacher (815.577.3599 x3)

4. Nominations: Lester Bushue (888.528.7483)

5. Public Relations and Education/State Soil: Todd Soukup (815.439.6774)

6. Program: Sam Indorante (618.453.5577)

7. Historic (Ad hoc): Roger Windhorn (217.433.5293)

8. Technical Criteria (Ad hoc): Bruce Putman (815.815.338.6218)

Please feel free to contact our committee chairs to see if you can participate.

¨ Pass along material for our newsletter – our newsletter editor, Matt McCauley, is constantly looking for good material to share in the ISCA newsletter. Please relay any information you think might be of interest to our soil scientist colleagues. Matt can be reached by phone at (618.438.4021 ext 110) or by e-mail at mattmc@midamer.net.

¨ Attend the summer meeting – our Program Chair, Sam Indorante, is working on an educational, fun-filled summer meeting for us. Sam is putting together a program that emphasizes how soil information is used in the turf industry. Look for more details in the next newsletter!

¨ Participate at the “ISCA Booth” during the Farm Progress Show. Illinois is the Host State for the fall classic this year (Vermillion County). Ken Gotsch has assembled three or four other people to coordinate ISCA’s contribution. Look for more details from Ken in our next newsletter.

Remember, it’s your organization – there’s a lot to be gained by being an active participant of ISCA!

Feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions or questions/concerns.

Regards,

Mark Stelford

815.761.0220

mark.stelford@EarthAgConsulting.com

ISCA ANNUAL MEETING KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Professor Don Franzmeier from Purdue University was the keynote speaker of the 2003 ISCA Annual Meeting in Springfield.

Don spoke about the history of establishing professional registration of soil scientists/classifiers in the state of Indiana (Code 25-31.5). The professional registration is handled through the Office of the Indiana State Chemist. The following description of the Indiana Registry is from their website (http://www.isco.purdue.edu/irss/):

The Indiana Registry of Soil Scientists is a program that establishes ethical standards and education, examination, and work experience criteria for Indiana Registered Soil Scientists. Its purpose is to help protect the health and welfare of the people of Indiana and to protect its soil and water resources. Consulting soil scientists do soil and landscape evaluations that have environmental implications. Now, many evaluations are for onsite wastewater disposal (septic) systems. Soil evaluations are used to decide if a soil is suitable for an onsite system, determine the best design of a system, and inform system installers of soil problems they might encounter. If disposal systems are not suited to the soil or are improperly designed and installed, they may fail and cause pollution of surface or ground water. Thus, it is important to have soil and landscape investigations conducted by a competent soil scientist.

Education of the elected officials was a challenge in passing Indiana Code 25-31.5. There was a major need to educate State Senators and Congressmen on what the Registry of Soil Scientists would accomplish. This was done in part by giving presentations to the State Legislature Summer Study Group on Natural Resources for two successive years. The education hurdle was also overcome by hiring a lobbyist. The first time the bill was introduced it was scrutinized by professional engineers, geologists, and wetlands specialists who testified against it. Their concerns were considered when revising the original document.

After a lot of work the bill was finally passed in 2001! There are several aspects of this professional registration that go beyond what is required by ARCPACS. There is a Code of Professional Conduct each soil scientist must sign, which states that the applicant holds paramount the health and welfare of the public and the protection of soil and water quality. A field portion is added to the exam process. The written exam includes a component that tests on the soils of Indiana as well as general fieldwork. The education requirement stipulates at least 15 hours of soils coursework, although specialization in another science area is also allowed.

Thanks again to Dr. Franzmeier for a great talk on Indiana’s experiences with getting a Registry of Soil Scientists. Perhaps some food for thought in Illinois?

Respectfully submitted.

Mark Stelford

815.761.0220

mark.stelford@EarthAgConsulting.com

FARM PROGRESS SHOW 2003

Plans are already heating up for the 2003 Farm Progress Show. This year happens to be the 50^th Anniversary of such an event, which will be held on the Clark-Gernand Farms near Henning, Illinois in Vermillion County. Dates are September 23^rd through 25^th. As usual, one of the displays will feature "Soils". The Soils Display Core Planning Group (SDCPG), pronounced any way you like, are busy making display plans. This year's approach to the soils display will be a bit different than in the past. Our theme will be "A - MAZE - ING SOILS", which will feature 32 Illinois soils including our State soil, Drummer Silty Clay Loam. A straw maze will bring show participants into contact with soils collected and displayed in the maze from around the state. (you were thinking "world"?. Now that wouldn't that be interesting!!) In addition, a soils pit will be located in the maze for those interested in a good old fashion soil morphology lesson. Remember that we are in the early preliminary planing stages and as things usually go, don't be surprised if they go a bit atypical from what is reported here! The very most important thing we will need is volunteers and other assistance from ISCA's members. Ken Gotsch, Mark Bramstedt, Roger Windhorn and Steve Zwicker make up the soils planning group. Make every effort to contact one of these gentlemen with your support. We are always appreciative when strong organizations like NRCS/ISCA sponsors exhibits for public events, especially the Farm Progress Show.

Submitted by Ken Gotsch

Congratulations

The following members were elected as

Officers at the annual meeting held March 29^th, 2003:

Mark Bramstedt, President Elect

Don Fehrenbacher, Vice President

Chris Cochran, Secretary

Burton W. Ray Scholarship –

The award this year goes to Catherine Ruesken, a student at the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign. The award will be presented to Catherine at a later date.

Key For Determining Loading Rates

The Ad Hoc Committee for determining Loading rates needs your comments. Please, review the loading rates on the following table and contact:

Bruce Putman

1200 Portage Lane,

Woodstock, IL 60098

or at putman@mc.net.

Bruce will be taking comments until June 6^th, 2003. This is your last chance for input before the loading rates become final. Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Y FOR

DETERMINING SEWAGE SUBSURFACE LOADING RATES ZJd/s . ft. FOR ILLINOIS SOILS I

Single

Granular, Angular and Subangular Blocky; Prismatic

Structureless or massive

Grain,

weak

Loess, Outwash, Alluvium Lacustrine(8)

TILL (3)

Loess, Outwash, Alluvium,

Till (3)

Platy (2)

Weak

Moderate, Strong

Weak

Moderate, Strong

Lacustrine(8)

Moist

lo,vfr,

vfr,

vfi

vfr

vfr, fr

fi, vfi

Consistence

Texture

Fragmental; Ext. or

> 1.00

N/A

vgrs

(4)

s, lcs, Is, grs, cs, grls

1.00

N/A

1.00

N/A

N/A ~i

I's, Ifs, csl

.84

.91

N/A

.91

.84

N/A

sl, fsl, grsl, grl, grsil,

.75

.84

N/A

.75

N/A

.69

N/A

.75

N/A

.84

.75

.69

.62

.52

1, sit, vfsl, scl, si, vfs,

.62

.69

.62

.75

.62

.45

.40

.62

.52

.45

.62

.45

.27

N/R j

lvfs, grcl

(6)

sicl, cl

.52

.45

.62

.52

.40

.27

.52

.40

.27

.52

.45

.27

N/R

(< 35 % clay)

(6)

(⁶)

Sid. cl

.45

N/A

.40

.52

.40

.27

.20

.40

.27

.20

N/A

.20

N/R

(>35% clay)

(6)

sc,sic,clay(9)

N/A

.20

N/A

.20

N/R

N/A

N/R

N/A

N/R

Organics, Fragic, Lithic, Paralithic

SOIL PROPERTIES HAVE VERY SEVERE LIMITATATIONS: SUBSURFACE DISPOSAL NOT RECOMMENDED

FOOTNOTES:

1) Disturbed soils are highly variable and require special on-site investigations.

2) Moderate or strong platy structures for the soil textures in Groups 4, 5 and 6 have a loading rate of 0.40 g/d/sq. ft. Platy structure having firm or very firm consistence and/ or caused by mechanical compaction has a loading rate of 0.0 g/d/sq. ft.

3) Basal glacial tills structured by geogenic processes have the same loading rates as structureless glacial till.

4) This soil group is estimated to have very rapid permeability and exceeds the maximum established rate in Section 905. Illustration H, Exhibit A of this part.

5) N/A means not applicable.

6) These soil groups are estimated to have moderately slow to very slow permeability and is less than the minimum established rate in Section 905. Illustration H, Exhibit A of this part.

7) N/R means not recommended. These soils have loading rates considered too low for conventional subsurface disposal.

8) In some areas, lacustrine material may have physical properties similar to glacial till and should be placed in the glacial till columns.

9) Non-swelling (1:1 lattice clays) formed in bedrock residuum have a loading rate of .27 g/d/sq. ft. Swelling (2:1 lattice) clays are not recommended for subsurface disposal

Proposed changes to the text of the State of Illinois Private Sewage Disposal Code:

Section 905.55 Subsurface Seepage System Design Requirements.

a) Soil Investigation.

2) The following persons are qualified.....

C) Delete paragraph regarding local health department employees. D) Delete paragraph regarding local health department employees.

3) Delete sentence and replace with: "If conflicting soils investigation information is provided about a given site, a NRCS soil scientist that is a Certified Professional Soil Classifier may be requested to provide an additional opinion. "

Section 905.60 Subsurface Seepage System Construction Requirements.

a) Seepage Field Requirements.

1) Delete the second sentence: " The least permeable soil profile between the top of the gravel or gravelless pipe and the limiting layer shall be used to determine the size of the subsurface seepage system."

8)A) Delete the paragraph and insert the following.

"The least permeable soil profile layer between the top of the gravel or gravelless pipe to a depth of ]foot below the bottom of the seepage trench shall be used to determine the size of the subsurface system. For mound or at-grade systems, the upper two feet of the soil shall be used to determine system size. "

MINUTES

ISCA COUNCIL MEETING

January 24, 2003

NRCS Field Office, Normal, IL

Present:

Lester Bushue, President

Mark Stelford, President-Elect

Karla Hanson, Past-President

Dale Calsyn, Vice-President

Bob Tegeler, Secretary

Jim Hornickel, Secretary/Treasurer, Certification Board

Mark Bramstedt, Chairperson, Ethics, Certification and Membership Committee

The Council Meeting was called to order by President Lester Bushue at 10:15 AM.

Secretary's Report - Bob Tegeler. The minutes of the August Council Meeting were approved as written by the council. Bob mentioned that dues notices were sent to 57 non-certified members in November, 38 have paid their 2003 dues. A dues reminder will be sent on February 1.

Treasurer's Report - Bob Tegeler handed out copies of the treasurer's report for the period since the last council meeting, showing a balance of $10,835.27 as of January 23, 2002. He also handed out the treasurer's report for the year 2002, showing a balance of $9579.52, as of December 31, 2002 The Treasurer's reports were approved as written by the council.

Certification Board - Jim Hornickel. No new applications for certification have been received. Currently there are 44 Certified ISCA Members, 40 have paid their 2003 dues. One member had to renew his/her certification, and has done so. A discussion ensued concerning the listing of both ISCA Certified and ARCPACS Certified Soil Classifiers, on the ISCA web page and the hard copy list provided to county health departments. A motion was made to add a brief definition of ARCPACS and the ARCPACS web address to the list of ISCA Certified Soil Classifiers that is sent to county health departments; the actual names of ARCPACS Certified Soil Classifiers will not appear on the list. The motion was approved by the council. The names of the ARCPACS Certified Soil Classifiers can be obtained by accessing the ARCPACS web site. It is not known if individuals who are strictly ARCPACS Certified Soil Classifiers can be identified as such on the ISCA web site.

Standing Committee reports

Constitution, By-Laws and Legislative - No report.

Ethics, Certification and Membership - Mark Bramstedt. There are no pending applications for membership at this time. He has mailed application information to interested individuals on request. Mark mentioned that the supply of ISCA Membership Handbooks is getting low. An order for new handbooks will need to be considered in the near future. The Constitution, By-Laws and Legislative Committee will need to be contacted to determine where updates are needed as a result of amendments etc.; before the handbook can be reprinted.

Finance/ Web page - Dale Calsyn. Dale received the information, from Charles Frazee, necessary to conduct the audit for calendar year 2002. He will also be preparing the proposed budget for 2003. The Farm Progress Show will be held in Illinois in 2003, Dale will budget funds for this event. Karla Hanson will determine the amount budgeted for the last show. Printing of new membership handbooks will also be included in the proposed budget. Dale also mentioned that details concerning the upcoming Annual Meeting will need to be posted on the ISCA web page.

Newsletter - No report. The next newsletter will need to printed prior to the Annual Meeting. It will need to include the ballot and date of the Annual Meeting.

Nominations - Karla Hanson. Thus far, two members have agreed to be on the ballot for the office of Vice President, and one member has agreed to be on the ballot for President.

Public Relations and Education Committee/Special Appointee to State Advisory Commission on Private Sewage Disposal - No report.

Program - Lester Bushue reported that Scott Wegman had contacted two facilities in Springfield for the Annual Meeting. Mark Bramstedt will determine if there are any possibilities in Decatur, and Bob Tegeler will contact additional facilities in Springfield. Information will be provided to Scott. The Annual Meeting will be held on March 29, 2003. Possible speakers include Dr. Franzmeier, Dan Rooney, or an individual to discuss small business organization. Lester Bushue will contact Dr. Franzmeier first. The speaker will be paid mileage, a $100.00 honorarium, lodging expense, and the noon meal expense. No motion was made concerning this matter.

Ad Hoc Committees

Historic - No report.

Technical Criteria (Key to Wastewater Loading Rates) - No report.

Old Business

Region 3 Soil Judging Contest - Mark Bramstedt mentioned that he, Ken Gotsch, Bob McLeese, and Roger Windhorn, described the soil pits for the contest. Roger Windhorn and Bob McLeese attended the contest. Lester Bushue will contact Bob McLeese for contest results.

New Business

Illinois Registration of Soil Scientists - A discussion ensued concerning registration. If registration is pursued, Lester suggested that the Constitution, By-Laws and Legislative Committee, or an Ad Hoc Committee oversee the process. The possibility of having the Annual Meeting speaker discuss registration was considered.

ISCA Web site - A motion was approved by the council to put the ISCA membership application form on the ISCA web page, as a pdf file that could be downloaded by prospective members. A discussion ensued concerning the inclusion of email addresses of non-certified members on the ISCA web page. No decision was made concerning this matter. Lester Bushue discussed correspondence he received concerning the possibility of using some of the 25 email addresses that are available on the ISCA web page. The possibility of using some of the addresses for members of the Executive Council was discussed. Mark Stelford suggested designing the addresses so that email received could be forwarded to the individual's own email address. For example, an email sent to the ISCA President's ISCA web address could be forwarded to that individual's personal email address. Bob Tegeler will check with Bill and Jake Teater on this matter.

The next ISCA Council Meeting will be held on March 29, 2003, at 10:30 AM, at the Heritage House Restaurant in Springfield, IL.

The meeting adjourned at 12:05 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert Tegeler, Secretary

The following Minutes have not yet been approved by the Council.

ISCA 28TH ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES

March 29, 2003

Heritage House Restaurant, Springfield, Illinois

Welcome, and opening remarks by Lester Bushue, ISCA President

Invocation was given by Gerald Berning.

Approximately 26 members and guests were in attendance.

A buffet style lunch was served.

President Lester Bushue called the business meeting to order at 1:00 PM.

Secretary’s Report - Bob Tegeler reported that he prepared minutes for the six Executive Council Meetings held since the last annual meeting. The ISCA database was coordinated with Charles Frazee, ISCA Treasurer; and Jim Hornickel, Secretary/Treasurer of the Certification Board. Membership address updates were submitted to Matt McCauley, ISCA Newsletter Editor; and Jake Teater, ISCA Web Master. One member, Mark Matusiak, has decided to discontinue membership in ISCA. Currently there are 101 members of ISCA.

Treasurer’s Report - Charles Frazee reviewed income and expenses for the past year. He mentioned the inventory of shirts, caps, magnets, and ISCA cards. Charles also reminded ISCA Members to contact him if they have paid their Soil Survey Horizons subscription. ISCA will refund the subscription fee to those ISCA Members who have paid the fee.

Certification Board – Gerald Berning, Chairperson. Currently there are 43 ISCA Certified Members. Cliff Miles has decided to no longer remain certified, but will continue as a Full Member of ISCA. A discussion ensued concerning the list of ISCA Certified Soil Classifiers that is sent to County Health Departments. The list will contain the ISCA Certified Soil Classifiers, and a web site that can be accessed to determine the ARCPACS Certified Soil Classifiers who are consulting in Illinois.

Special Appointee to State Advisory Commission on Private Sewage Disposal – No report.

Illinois Conservation Congress – Pat Kelsey reported that the 5th Cycle of the congress is underway. Each cycle lasts approximately 3 years. ISCA will not have a statewide delegate in the congress this cycle. Pat Kelsey is a regional delegate, and Roger Windhorn is the alternate delegate. Pat also reported that Governor Blagojevich will decide if the Conservation Congress will continue, in light of the budget situation in Illinois. The Conservation Congress develops proposals that are brought before the Illinois Congress. Past items include the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, and the vehicle license plates highlighting wildlife. Participation in the congress increases public awareness of ISCA. The next Conservation Congress will be held during Labor Day weekend, 2004. ISCA will apply for the 6th Conservation Congress approximately one year from now.

Call for Ballots - A final call for ballots was made.

Committee and Ad Hoc Committee Reports

Constitution, By-Laws and Legislative – No report.

Ethics, Certification and Membership – Mark Bramstedt, Chairperson. The committee this year consisted of Gloria Westphall, Sam Werner, and Mark. The committee received two applications for membership. The committee approved one application for Full Membership and one application for Associate Membership. The committee also received and approved one request to upgrade membership status from Affiliate to Full Member. Mark mentioned that the committee received five inquiries for ISCA membership information, during the past year. These inquiries were a result of the ISCA web page. A membership handbook and an application for membership was mailed to each individual. The committee received no additional responses from these individuals.

Finance\ISCA Web page – Dale Calsyn, Chairperson. The Finance Committee this year consisted of John Doll, Bill Teater, and Dale. The committee audited the books of the Illinois Soil Classifiers Association for calendar year 2002, and found that the books were in order and accounts verified. The bank balance as of December 31, 2002 was $9579.52. The proposed budget for 2003 was reviewed, and included $4500.00 in estimated expenses. The 2003 budget was approved by the Executive Council, at the council meeting held prior to the annual meeting. Dale also reported that during the May 17, 2002 Council Meeting, the Executive Council approved a motion designating the ISCA Vice-President as the Chairperson of the Web Page Ad Hoc Committee.

Newsletter – No report.

Nominations – No report.

Public Relations and Education – No report.

Program – Scott Wegman, Chairperson. Lester Bushue expressed a word of thanks to Scott for his efforts this year in planning the summer/fall meeting and the annual meeting. The summer/fall meeting was held August 23 and 24, 2002 in Quincy, Illinois, and included a tour of three soil sites in Missouri.

Historic – No report.

State Soil – At the May 17, 2002 Council Meeting, a motion was approved by the Executive Council to merge the State Soil Committee into the Public Relations and Education Committee. This motion was based on a request by Robert McLeese, Chairperson of the State Soil Committee, to discontinue the committee since Drummer has been designated as the State Soil.

Technical Criteria (Keys to Wastewater Loading Rates) – No report.

OLD BUSINESS

Region 3 Soil Judging Contest - The contest was held in Champaign County on October 19, 2002.

Soil Survey Planning Conference - Lester Bushue attended the conference and provided a report on ISCA activities during the past year. The conference was held on September 19, 2002.

NEW BUSINESS

United States Consortium of Soil Science Associations (USCSSA) - Soil Monolith Project - Lester Bushue reported that he participated in a teleconference of the consortium. The USCSSA is assisting with a fund raising effort to establish a Soils Exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution, the display would include soil monoliths from each state. Total cost of the display is estimated at 1 to 3 million dollars, with $10,000.00 requested from each state. This money would be needed within 2 to 5 years. Chris Cochran volunteered to serve on an Ad Hoc Committee, if one is needed for this effort. Mark Stelford will assist Chris. More information is located on the back page of the 2003 Soil Planner.

Burton W. Ray Scholarship – The award this year goes to Catherine Ruesken, a student at the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign. The award will be presented to Catherine at a later date.

Farm Progress Show - A committee has been established to prepare for the show. Ken Gotsch is the Chairperson.

Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (AISWCD) - Expo Booth - Lester Bushue was contacted by the AISWCD to determine if ISCA is interested in having a booth at the July Expo. A response is needed by April 15, 2003. A booth would cost $250.00, electricity would be an additional $30.00. No action was taken on this matter.

Election Results – Mark Bramstedt, President-Elect; Don Fehrenbacher, Vice-President; and Chris Cochran, Secretary.

The Keynote Address – The address was presented by Dr. Don Franzmeier, Professor, Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West LaFayette, Indiana. Dr. Franzmeier discussed the history of registration of Soil Scientists in Indiana. He also discussed ongoing research related to the detection of reducing conditions in the soil.

Bent Auger Award – No nominations were received, so the Bent Auger Award remains with the last recipients, Ron Collman and Sam Werner.

Passing of the Gavel – President Lester Bushue handed the gavel to incoming President Mark Stelford. Mark urged members to submit articles to the ISCA Newsletter.

2003 ISCA Officers and Committee Chairpersons

Executive Council

President – Mark Stelford

Vice-President – Don Fehrenbacher

Treasurer – Charles Frazee

Secretary – Chris Cochran

Past-President – Lester Bushue

President-Elect – Mark Bramstedt

Committees

Nominations – Lester Bushue

Finance – Don Fehrenbacher

Newsletter – Matt McCauley

Public Relations and Education – Pending, to be approved at upcoming council meeting

Constitution, By-Laws, and Legislative - Robert Darmody

Ethics, Certification and Membership – Bruce Houghtby, to be approved at upcoming council meeting

Program – Pending, to be approved at upcoming council meeting

Ad Hoc Committees

Historic – Roger Windhorn

Special Appointee to State Advisory Commission on Private Sewage Disposal – Don Fehrenbacher

Technical Criteria – Bruce Putman

Web Page - Don Fehrenbacher

Certification Board Members

Chairperson - Pending, to be approved at upcoming council meeting

Jim Hornickel, Secretary-Treasurer

Steve Elmer

Doug Gaines

Dana Grantham

Bill Kreznor

Pat Kelsey

Illinois Conservation Congress Delegate- Pat Kelsey; Alternate Delegate- Roger Windhorn.

The meeting adjourned at 2:30 PM.

A brief Executive Council Meeting followed.

Present:

President – Mark Stelford

President-Elect – Mark Bramstedt

Past-President – Lester Bushue

Treasurer – Charles Frazee

Secretary – Chris Cochran

Past-Secretary - Bob Tegeler

Mark Stelford will finalize the committee chairs. Mark Stelford will also provide Chris Cochran with

information pertaining to the Soil Monolith Project. Efforts in regard to the monolith project could possibly be handled by the Public Relations and Education Committee.

The next ISCA Council Meeting will be held May 23, 2003, at 10:00AM, at the NRCS State Office in Champaign, IL.

The meeting adjourned at 3:00PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert Tegeler Secretary