09/02/24 - 146 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/yck6vkb4
| Share this: | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senate Bill Would Require Soil Scientists To Be Licensed
|
|
To better protect public health and safety, Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-Lancaster) introduced legislation Thursday to require soil scientists to be licensed and registered in Pennsylvania.
Soil scientists help identify, characterize and map soil types to identify and protect against potential public health hazards. The practice is particularly important for land use planning to protect water quality, reduce pollution, ensure safe sewage and waste disposal and treatment, control erosion and preserve land for agricultural use.
“Soil science helps protect against serious threats to local communities, including water contamination, structural instability of buildings and the loss of prime farmland,” said Sen. Brubaker, who worked as an agronomist prior to his election to the Senate. “Proper land use planning is vital to build strong, sustainable communities, and that effort starts with ensuring soil scientists meet the highest standards of professional training and education.”
Many local, state and federal ordinances require input from qualified soil scientists for a variety of land uses, such as farming, mining and drilling operations, home construction and waste management. However, Pennsylvania currently lacks a clear definition regarding the qualifications of a soil scientist.
Senate Bill 1506 would require soil scientists to be licensed and meet necessary education and training guidelines to properly recognize soil types.
Sen. Brubaker’s bill would add soil scientists to the list of professions that must be licensed and registered under the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law. Since the measure would only add members to the existing State Registration Board, the bill would not create any new governmental entity.
If the bill becomes law, Pennsylvania would join 16 other states that require soil scientists to be licensed.
|
|
4/23/2012 |
| Go To Preceding Article Go To Next Article |
