I am a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) and a Professional Wetland Delineator (PWD) – and thus have intimate knowledge of these regulatory programs and the field skills necessary to perform wetland delineations. I currently serve on the Society of Wetland Scientists' Professional Certification Review Panel. I was appointed to the original Board of Wetland Professionals by then-Gov. Mark Warner, and subsequently re-appointed by then-Gov. Tim Kaine. I served on the first subject matter expert panel to develop DPOR's first exam for wetland delineators.
I strongly support the continued regulation by the Commonwealth of Virginia of Professional Wetland Delineators for four significant reasons:
The citizens of Virginia need, and will benefit from, the Commonwealth's assurances for qualified wetland delineators, and citizens are not protected from unqualified work by any other means. DPOR must retain the PWD certification at a minimum. DPOR should further consider the PWD a requirement for anyone practicing wetlands delineation in the Commonwealth of Virginia, just like it has for other professional certifications such as Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. The growing complexity of this professional practice, coupled with continual regulatory change, simply begs for a mandatory PWD program with continuing education requirements.