I'm writing to express my support of the continued regulation of Certified Professional Wetland Delineators (PWD) by the Commonwealth of Virginia. As a licensed professional engineer in Virginia, I rely heavily upon accurate wetland identification and mapping to perform ecological restoration design and/or to avoid unnecessary environmental impacts. The PWD designation requires technical competency in areas of botany, soil science, hydrology, and regulation. No other national certification requires this comprehensive list of competencies, thus no national certification can effectively replace the PWD with regards to ensuring proper qualifications and rigorous professional standards. The PWD is necessary, and I recommend the continued regulation through the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Thank you for considering of these comments. 

Travis Spangler, PE