I am writing in SUPPORT of continued regulation of Certified Professional Wetland Delineators (PWD) by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR).

I am currently a Professional Wetland Scientist, and am in the process of applying for my PWD certification.  The PWD is valuable for the field as it has specific competency and knowledge requirements specific for performing wetland delineations in Virginia. These competencies in botany, soil science, hydrology, and federal and Virginia regulations are not required by any other certification, and the two certifications are therefore NOT equivalent.

The PWS does not assure competency of wetland delineations, rather, it provides documentation of baseline academic completion and years of experience. PWD provides a much greater assurance of expertise, and allows greater opportunity for professional development for delineators, and added protection/assurance for clients that they will receive accurate delineations from experienced delineators. 

I hope that DPOR acknowledges the value of the PWD and I recommend the continued regulation of the Virginia Professional Wetland Delineator Certification.