Northern Virginia localities including Fairfax, Arlington. Loudoun, Fauquier, Prince William, Stafford & Spotsylvania Counties and the Cities of Fredericksburg, Vienna and Alexandria require substantial investigations, interpretations and design for onsite storm-water management, onsite wastewater systems, drainage, seasonal high water table, expansive and other soil related issues. Many of these locations are presently either experiencing problems or are requiring costly design requirements due the lack of professional interpretations by licensed soil scientists. Many more rural counties lacking rigorous geotechnical requirements for site development rely on the NRCS website or published soil surveys for guidance. Review the geotechnical requirements for construction in any county of the Commonwealth and it will indicate the need for either a soil map interpretation or a licensed soil scientist to perform or review the required work. Often the soil map is interpreted improperly or without knowledge of their limitations for specific onsite issues. A licensed soil scientist is the only professional that can provide the proper interpretations. With expanding development in these areas, the need will be increasing. The negative consequences of unqualified professionals practicing soil science include costly remediation and repairs.

Virginia Soil scientists do critical work involving stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, Resource Protection Areas delineation, Shrink/Swell soil testing for building foundations, soil map interpretation, support for onsite wastewater systems, cooperative efforts with the geotechnical engineering and homeowner communities for soil and drainage interpretations, providing land planning services to local communities and nutrient management services to farmers and landowners.

Our work must be regulated otherwise potential damages both monetarily and environmentally will be costly to the Commonwealth and its citizens. Our work is also critical in preserving and protecting one of Virginia's most valuable resource; WATER. If we allow non-licensed individuals to do this work, then we are putting our waterways and citizens at risk. This will eventually  undo everything our profession and the Commonwealth has worked towards. Please do not allow the deregulation or elimination of the Licensed Soil Scientist in the Commonwealth. Thank you.