I am a practicing Licensed Professional Geologist in Virginia having worked in the Environmental Geology and Industrial Hygeine industries for the past 36 years as a regulator in the VADEQ and as a private consultant.  I now operate my own business.  I assisted in the research and authoring of Former Governor Bob McDonnell's "Uraninum Minning in Virgina" report which included PG's from eight states and the NRC.  I strongly support continuing PG certification in Virginia.  I also recommend making licensure mandatory for providing certain professional geological services.  Geologists provide essential services protecting public safety and health including:

Professional Geologists licensure in in Virginia is difficult and demanding, requiring extensive education, experience under the supervision of a licensed geologist, and successful passage of two challenging exams.  Virginia originally instituted these requirements as an acknowledgement of the importance of Geologist's role in protecting Health & Safety & the Environment.  Allowing this licensure to lapse would result in an inevitable hazard to the public and to industry in general.

Virginia requires licensure for asbestos, radon & lead sampling and the Board wants to remove requirements for drinking water/groundwater safety, characterization of toxins in the groundwater, dam and bridge safety, mining safety and many other issues our vibrant economy have posed.

Respectively yours, James Bernard