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NSCSS - SSSA Efforts To Strengthen Soils Profession 

http://www.nscss.org/content/nscss-%E2%80%93-sssa-efforts-strengthen-soils-profession 

Submitted by Larry Baldwin on Mon, 12/07/2009 - 21:32

• Activities
• Professional
• Soil Science
In a collaborative effort the National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists (NSCSS) and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) are working together to explore avenues to further strengthen the soils profession. Since 2007 the economy has not been compassionate to the soil or geoscience professions at the private, academic, or public levels. Nationally, certain geographic areas and sectors have been affected worse than others. This economy gives pause for our profession to contemplate and be critically introspective as to what is being done right or wrong.

One bright spot is the funding of scholarships to encourage highly qualified candidates to enter and pursue the soils profession. During the ASA-SSSA meetings in November - 2009, Pittsburgh, PA the initial NSCSS - SSSA scholarships were awarded to AnnaRose Adams of Oregon State University, and Priscilla Woolverton of Oregon State University. Scholarship funding is critical during these times, and both recipients have genuinely expressed their sincere gratitude and need for these scholarship awards.

Another positive during the ASA-SSSA Pittsburgh, PA convention was a productive meeting between the NSCSS and SSSA Executive Committees to discuss past and future issues confronting the soil science profession. We discovered our concerns and proactive suggestions were mutually quite similar. NSCSS and SSSA representatives will continually meet in the future to define, agree, and act upon commonly achievable goals. General goals involve academic structure, professional recognition, competition or respect from peer and non-peer professions, professional organization, and licensing / certification issues. During this meeting the NSCSS - SSSA also agreed to maintain our Chapter and MOU status with one another. There is definitely strength in numbers to effectively coordinate these efforts at the local, state, and national levels.

The viable practice of professional soil science has its' work cut out for us in the future. Starting at the academia level there is a need for graduates with a core basis in the geosciences (soils, agronomy, geology, forestry, etc), versus the very broad environmental educational degree programs. Internally and externally, soil science and the geosciences have a severe identity problem as to recognition by the public and in policy making. The various geoscience professions have much more in common than differences relative to competing non-geoscience professions. While there are bright spots, in most locations the application of soil science is quite narrow and needs diversity as to its' application and practice. A recognized national / international certification is needed for the professional and ethical business practice of soil science. The many local, State, National, soil / geoscience organizations, and their members, need to work in a collaborative effort for the health of the profession as a whole, rather than as splintered groups.

Like most businesses, the profession of soil science has been greatly impacted by the recent economy. This is an opportunity to learn from the past and build for the future. If you have further constructive ideas or recommendations please let us hear from you. I highly recommend all soil and geoscience professionals to attend the March 3 - 6, 2010 NSCSS Annual Meetings at Amelia Island, Florida where many of these issues will be discussed further.

LMG staff heads to Asheville, NC!

LMG is pleased to announce that Brent Manning, LMG Environmental Scientist and Professional Wetland Scientist, has relocated from Wilmington to Asheville this summer. Through our remote office capabilities, Mr. Manning is able to work from his new home and continue to serve our client's needs. The Asheville location also affords Mr. Manning the opportunity to meet face to face with our Western NC clients and to further promote LMG services in the mountains. Mr. Manning is actively promoting self sufficient and green communities and proudly offers his consulting services to engineers, land planners, and regulatory officials that are interested in building on this concept. Mr. Manning's presence will also allow LMG to be more competitive on smaller wetland delineation jobs that we previously did not bid on. It is re-assuring to know that Mr. Manning's expertise will be utilized in making the most appropriate land use decisions with respect to wetland identification in an area of our state where the preservation of so much ecological diversity is riding on the accurate field designation of wetlands, seeps, springs, and streams. Mr. Manning can be reached by phone at 910-471-0005 or at bmanning@LMGroup.net.

Christian Preziosi serves as the Wetland Section Manager for Land Management Group, Inc. Mr. Preziosi has fifteen years experience in applied wetland science with specific concentration in the hydrology and ecology of wetlands of the southeastern Coastal Plain.  He has designed and conducted numerous ecological sampling programs for both riverine and non-riverine wetlands including Carolina bays.  He routinely conducts wetland delineations and evaluates shallow groundwater hydrology for both jurisdictional determinations and wetland restoration feasibility. He specializes in assessing the suitability of sites for viable wetland restoration.  Over the last ten years, Mr. Preziosi has designed and overseen the restoration of over 1,000 acres of wetlands.

The NC Coastal Resource Commission (CRC) is considering a revised mapping of North Carolina's Inlet Hazard Areas as defined in the NC Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA). The CRC's designated Science Panel and NC Division of Coastal Management staff have been working together to revise inlet hazard area limits. Changes to the general use standards for development within inlet hazard areas will also be updated in conjunction with the revised mapping.

The NC General Assembly is also considering CRC-approved changes to oceanfront structure setbacks. If you have any questions regarding current regulations or possible changes to the NC Coastal Area Management Act, please contact Mr. Steve Morrison or Ms. Laura Stasavich at smorrison@lmgroup.net, lstasavich@lmgroup.net, or 910-452-0001.

Whether you are the owner of one or many parcels of raw land, now is a great time to secure the future value of your property. While no-one knows exactly when it will happen, development activity will pick up as the economy rebounds. As the real estate market thaws, those landowners who have done their homework during these slower times will reap rewards.

Obviously, the biggest expense already incurred by landowners is the purchase price of the property. Preparing the property for resale or development usually represents a small fraction of the original investment, but can have a huge impact on eventual returns. Without the need to begin physical development work, landowners can take advantage of the services provided by environmental consultants, land planners and civil engineers to obtain regulatory permits and local government approvals.

Environmental consultants provide information on the baseline physical and ecological attributes and limitations of the property relating to development potential. Wetland delineation, soil suitability mapping for on-site waste treatment and stormwater planning, endangered species surveys and a host of other site-specific services are available as necessary. Based on the accumulated data, the land planner can prepare a realistic layout that conforms with all environmental aspects, zoning requirements and the ultimate vision for the property by the owner.

Environmental consultants also handle permits concerning regulatory wetland impacts, coastal management permits (marinas, waterfront development), non-engineered on-site waste treatment permits and related tasks such as preparing environmental assessments and mitigation planning. The civil engineer uses information provided by the environmental consultant and prepares plans and obtains permits for sedimentation and erosion control, stormwater management, utility layouts, engineered on-site waste treatment systems and other development infrastructure. By obtaining actual permitting, there is a certain level of confidence provided for the life of those approvals. Regulatory and local government rules evolve through time and additional development limitations can befall un-permitted projects.

Landowners may either obtain complete development plans with all permitting in place for future commencement or obtain enough of the baseline information to allow a potential buyer of the property to have confidence in the development potential of his own plan. Either way, by taking action now, the savvy landowner will be best prepared to take advantage of the recovering market while others are still trying to get out of the starting gate.

On September 18-26, 2008 The NC DENR Division of Water Quality held a workshop regarding changes to the North Carolina coastal stormwater rules that will go into effect Oct 1, 2008. The following website links should be useful in interpreting the stormwater rule changes.

N.C. Stormwater Runoff and Nonpoint Source Pollution Website
N.C. Stormwater Permitting Unit Website
N.C. Coastal Rule Homepage
N.C. Session Law 2008-211 / Senate Bill 1967 (Complete text rule revisions.)
Website to sign up for DWQ's Stormwater Outreach and Education Listserv

Welcome to the new Land Management Group web site. In the near future, our blog will feature company highlights, press releases, and important information you need to know about the ground beneath your feet.

Please stay tuned for updates from the staff at LMG!