The report prepared by JLARC determined the Virginia regulatory program for wetland delineators is unnecessary since there is a national certification (Professional Wetland Scientist) issued by the Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS).  I have the PWS certification issued by this organization as well as the Professional Wetland Delineator (PWD) certification issued by the Commonwealth.  The two certifications are not comparable.

The PWS certification is a very broad umbrella certificate that encompasses a multitude of professions whose work could be, at some point, related to wetlands.  The PWS certification issued by SWS can be obtained by academic studies, writing articles/papers, attending conferences in addition to work experience that is in some capacity related to wetlands.  It is an application process in which you can become certified by never having had to perform a wetland delineation.  A basic example:  Someone's profession involves just the wetland permitting aspect.  This person could obtain a PWS certification even though they have zero field experience and have never performed a wetland delineation.  A basic example: Someone's profession involves just the wetland permitting aspect.  This person could obtain a PWS certification even though they have zero knowledge on the parameters of what makes a wetland a wetland and have never performed a wetland delineation.  The PWS certification does not require proficiency or experience in the parameters used to delineation wetlands (soils, plants, and hydrology).

The PWD certification requires this proficiency, which can ONLY be obtained by extensive field experience.   The work performed by a certified PWD ensures that wetland delineations are being performed correctly within ethical and professional standards and protects the client from potential wetlands permitting issues.  

What is regulated by the Federal Government vs what is regulated by the Commonwealth of Virginia in terms of wetlands and waters can be different.  There is no national level certification program that covers the specifics of what is regulated federally or at a state level.  It is imperative that DPOR keep the PWD certification to cover this need for the citizens of our Commonwealth.   I strongly support the continued regulation by the Commonwealth of Virginia of Professional Wetland Delineator.

Thank You, Jennifer Van Houten, PWS, PWD