Regulation

EPA’s rule on controlling stormwater runoff on construction sites went into effect this month. The rule marks the first time the EPA has imposed national monitoring requirements and enforceable numeric limitations on stormwater discharge from jobsites.

Most livestock producers, soil scientists favor index that considers phosphorus likelihood that it would leave the land.

The prospect of losing water rights is a disincentive to water conservation.

(via Randall Fowler, President, Soil Science Society of South Carolina)

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is proposing to transfer the SC Soil Classifier’s Program to the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Agency (LRR). This is a good fit as most of the professional organizations in SC are regulated by LLR. However, this presents potential significant impacts to our profession.

A rare opportunity for California soil scientists is at hand. “Soil Scientist Certification” under the Board for Geology and Geophysicists could come about by regulation, rather than by legislation, a more onerous process. For context, in addition to technical qualifications, experience and examination passage, a licensed California Professional Geologist (PG), may have a specialty certification as an engineering geologist or as a hydrogeologist. Ostensibly, therefore, qualified soil scientists who pass the national basic examination for geologists (see “ASBOG”) could well become Certified Soil Scientists under regulations of the existing Geology Board.

Thanks to a matching gift from the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) for the addition of the CSSE examination requirement to the current bill, a lobbyist was employed.

In committee: an Act to prevent potential conflicts of interest by persons employed by the State or Acting as agents of the State within local Health Departments: HB 617: Limit Outside Work for DENR/Local Staff:

Well, several rumors have been going around about Florida Senate Bill 1318 that are not correct. As I see it, this will attempt to explain how this transpired.

The Soil Scientists Association of Tennessee have been involved for several years in writing legislation to invoke licensing of Soil Scientists in Tennessee. SSAT reports great success this month: a bill has been introduced, and it has be been sent into the committee process. Follow it here.

The Geology Board of California has requested to address the NSCSS Annual Conference. The agenda has been revised accordingly, with time added to discuss possible registration for soil scientists in CA. This will be at the Delta King, Old Town Sacramento, March 5-6 (geomorphology field trip March 7). PSSAC members will receive the same registration rate as NSCSS members. Time is of the essence.

Washington State will have a Senate Labor, Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee hearing next Thursday Feb 12th at 3:30 in a continuing effort to attain a state-level certification program for both soil scientists and wetland scientists (soilscientistlicensing.com).

Minnesota is completing a revision of its septic system manual.

VAPSS is joining forces with the VA Authorized Onsite Soil Evaluators (VDH) to amend legislation to require that either CPSS or AOSE be the only licensed people to evaluate soils for septic drainfields.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army are issuing revised guidance to ensure America's wetlands, streams and other waters are better protected under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The guidance clarifies the geographic scope of jurisdiction under the CWA. [EPA News Release – December 3, 2008]