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Advanced
Training Workshop for
Soil Evaluators
Reading Different New
England Landscapes #T508-0045
Presented
by:
Peter C. Fletcher, Certified Professional Soil Scientist 02703
and Soil Evaluator 3027
Workshop Description
An important and essential skill for Soil Evaluators is to
be able to interpret the landscape and assess the underlying
soil/geologic conditions before digging the deep holes. Identifying
the different landforms and understanding the geologic processes
(glaciers, rivers, marine, wind, etc.) that formed the underlying
sediments is key. With this knowledge one can visualize the
landscape in a three dimensional perspective, alerting the
evaluator to underling restrictive layers, presence of silt
and clay, potential for a high water table, altered/disturbed
soil conditions, etc.
This course is designed for professionals who are seasoned Soil
Evaluators. Instruction will include lecture and hands on exercises
followed by field exercises. Participants will be given instruction
during the Lecture Session on how to research reference materials
on the Internet. Two or more landscapes with diverse geologic
sediments will be studied for this workshop.
Workshop
Outline
First Day – Lecture
and Hands on exercises
Topics
Covered (lecture,
hands on exercises
using soil
samples, and small
group activities):
- Know the geologic past
- Identify
the different landforms and understand the geologic processes
that formed them
- Learn the characteristics of the
different geologic sediments (soil parent materials)
- Interpret
the underlying groundwater system and predicting depth to seasonal
high water table
- Use field method to determine soil
textural classes
- Study reference materials: USGS topographic
maps, surficial geology reports, published soil surveys, aerial
photographs, flood insurance maps, DEP wetland maps, etc.
- Assess
the underlying soil conditions, interpret these for on-site
sewage disposal, and determine where to best locate deep hole
testing.
Second
Day – Field
Exercises
Field Exercises:
- Review Reference Materials
- Hand
dig soil test pits using shovels and soil augers
- Traverse
the landscape and identify the different landforms
- Assess
the underlying geologic sediments
- Evaluate the landscape
for siting on-site sewage disposal systems
Course
Materials
Each
participant
will receive
handouts and a field
guide.
Field Investigations
This workshop will be conducted using hand shovels and soil augers.
Participants are to bring their own field equipment (soil color
book, trowel, water bottle, etc.). Soil shovels and augers
will be provided by the instructor. Because this workshop focuses
on “keeping your head out of the deep hole” and
interpreting the landscape, there will be no excavated deep
observation holes and only limited field testing using hand
tools
Field
Conditions
Participants should come properly dressed for the
field and wear appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.
Field Session: If the weather conditions are extreme (driving
rain and lightning), participants will be notified via the
Internet and the second day of the workshop will be rescheduled
Weather
Conditions
Participants
should
come properly
dressed for
the field and
wear
appropriate
clothing for the weather
conditions.
If
the weather
conditions are extreme
(driving
rain
and lightning),
participants
will be notified
via the Internet
and the
second
day of the workshop
will be rescheduled
for to
be announced.
Refreshments
and Lunch
Snacks
and drinks
will be provided.
Participants
are to bring
their
own lunches
for the field
exercises on
the
second day.
Driving
Because
challenging
field sites
are essential
for the success
of
this workshop,
participants
may
be required
to drive
considerable
distances
between sites.
Attendance
All participants
are
required to
be present
during the times stated
for the workshop.
Attendance
will
be taken at
the
start
and close
of each day.
Limited
Enrollment
To
allow for
small group
instruction/discussion,
enrolment
for this
workshop is limited
to 20 participants.
Certificate
of Completion
A
Certificate
will be
awarded
to
each
participant
who successfully
completes
the workshop
specifying
the completion
of
10 Training
Credit
Hours. The New
England
Interstate
Water
Pollution Control
Commission,
the approving
authority,
will
be notified
in
writing.
Keep the Certificate
of Completion
A list of participants and their SE or SI number is sent to NEIWPCC
when the participant completes the 10 credit hour workshop. HOWEVER in order to receive Soil Evaluator (SE) or System Inspector (SI)
credit from NEIWPCC, you may be requested to send them a photocopy
of the Certificate of Completion
Policy
There will be a $35 fee for researching attendance records and the reissue of a Certificate of Completion. the request and the fee must be received by mail addressed to: Peter Fletcher, PO Box 141, Bridgewater, MA 02324
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