1.0 PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT 



The purpose of this interim report is to introduce study 

 participants and the public to the kinds of soils information that is avail- 

 able to them for the Long Island Sound (LIS) region. The material will be 

 used by participants according to how it relates to their particular subject 

 areas. 



To accomplish its purpose this report -- 



- Suggests ways in which soils information can be useful 

 to participants in the comprehensive study. 



- Provides a general description of the geology and soil 

 patterns in the region and in each subregion. 



- Explains how more specific information can be obtained 

 through the use of soil maps and related interpretative 

 data on "soil associations" ■'• and on soil properties. 



- Identifies significant usage problems related to each 

 major soil and to each subregion. 



- Suggests what the Long Island Sound Regional Study should 

 do next. 



2.0 HOW SIGNIFICANT IS SOILS INFORMATION IN COMPREHENSIVE PIANNING? 



As will be explained later in this report, existing and available 

 soil maps can be used to show the kinds and distribution of soils within the 

 IIS region. Based upon the major soils, a procedure will be explained for 

 using existing information to make an assessment of the soils in terms of 

 soil properties and use interpretations. To illustrate. Table 1 lists the 

 subject areas (Interim reports) into which this comprehensive LIS study has 

 been divided during its initial phase. Entries in the table suggest 

 significant soil property and use relationships. For example, the table 

 suggests that for the purposes of water quality planning, the following 

 available, systematically portrayed soils information should be of particular 

 interest: 



- Water table 



- Biochemical renovation potential 



- Limitations for septic tank absorption fields 



- Limitations for sanitary land fills 



- Limitations for wastewater renovation 



1 - An explanation of technical terms is given in Appendix B, Glossary. 



