The geotechnical group has been asked to develop a position on the proposed “Soil Scientist” legislation. General information about this proposed legislation is provided below, the bill and a report on the proposed legislation has been posted on the Geotechnical Group Website www.seattlegeotech.org

The bill provides for the State to license the practice of soil science in the same way that engineers and geologists are currently licensed. The law covers activities that include "collection of soil science data, consultation, investigation, evaluation, interpretation, planning, mapping or inspection relating to a service or work that applies to soil science".

There is some impetus for regulating the practice of "soil science" under existing laws that refer to opinions of soil scientists as being appropriate for local government to rely on under various circumstances, such as decisions on wetlands mitigation or land application of waste water. While the pending bill does not reduce the ability of geotechnical engineers to practice our profession, it could mean that certain types of activity now handled by engineers would in the future be accomplished by licensed soil scientists, without an engineer having to be involved.

AELC is monitoring the bill and has requested the Geotech Section to provide comments in the event the bill makes it out of committee. Anyone interested in helping to develop a position for the Geotechnical Group and Section can contact Mike Bailey at Mike.Bailey@hartcrowser.com. Mike will organize a conference call or meeting (or some combination of the two) to work out a draft position. Please review the proposed bill and the dept. You could also refer interested persons to the web site if they want to look over the bill before they decided whether or not to call me.

Thank you,

Mark Rohrbach, P.E.
Past President