I was recently involved in a sewer planning project for a small town in rural Virginia. In lieu of (the cost of) renewing a failing community wastewater collection and treatment system, we were considering installing individual septic systems for each property. This option was slightly less expensive and would have been the preferred option prior to consulting with a Licensed Professional Soil Scientist, who was educated, trained, and had experience with the local soils, terrain, and geology. His expertise was invaluable in showing that individual septic systems, although less expensive, were not appropriate for the local conditions. If I had relied upon the judgement of an unlicensed septic system installer (who would have benefited financially from the installation of multiple septic systems instead of a community system), the community would have had multiple septic system failures within a few years, the local waterways and properties would have suffered in quality and worth, and they would have incurred further financial burdens for a new replacement community system anyway. LPSS are also routinely relied upon for technical judgements related to erosion and sediment control, construction suitability, land application of treated wastewater, and land application of biosolids.  The current licensure program ensures that properly educated and trained persons can be identified and engaged to conduct this work.  Consultants and homeowners cannot know if a person is truly a professional, skilled individual without a licensure program. Please do not put our groundwater, surface water, and waste disposal systems and land at risk by allowing non-qualified individuals to do this work.  I strongly support the continued licensure of soil scientist.