To the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall, and to Kathleen R. Nosbisch, Executive Director, DPOR:

Although retired, I am and have been a Certified Professional Geologist with the Commonwealth of Virginia since the CPG designation was enacted.  Please consider my opinion about the importance of the professional services Geologists provide in support of public welfare and the safeguarding of life, health, property and natural resources, and the environment.  I feel the statue that created the voluntary Geologist certification should be amended to make licensure of Geologists a mandatory program and that the statutory language doing so should link our profession to public welfare and the safeguarding of life, health, property and natural resources, and the environment.

Thank you for your consideration.

John T. Popp

CPG No. 2801000190