Soil and Wetland Scientist Certification ~ Definitions

The definitions provided below were copied from Section 2 of the Code Reviser's text for the soil and wetland scientist licensing bill, updated and last revised on August 14, 2008.
Advisory committee means the advisory committee created under section 4 of this act.
Department means the department of licensing.
Director means the director of the department of licensing.
Holder means a person who has been issued a certificate under this chapter.
Responsible charge means the exercise of fully independent control and direction of soil science or wetland science work, or both, or the supervision of such work, and being fully responsible, answerable, accountable, or liable for the results.
Soil means a living ecosystem that is composed of living and once-living organic materials combined with inorganic mineral materials derived from the break down and weathering of rocks at the earth’s surface. Soil develops as a result of weathering processes that reflect effects of climate, topography and biology acting on the original parent material over time. Soil extends from the surface of the earth down to undifferentiated or un-weathered parent material.
Soil science refers to the science that:
(a) Involves the study of various aspects of the living soil ecosystem and includes the following focused subject areas:
	Soil physics;
	Soil chemistry and mineralogy;
	Soil biochemistry;
	Soil fertility; and
	Soil genesis, morphology, and classification; and
(b) Can be used to provide information for projects including, but not limited to, the following:
	Management of water quantity by utilizing infiltration and percolation capabilities on a soil specific basis;
	Treatment of polluted water using soil microbial populations working in concert with natural soil chemistry and mineralogy;
	Treatment of polluted soils using soil biochemical and physical applications;
	Interpretation of soil morphology that indicates a wetland condition; and
	Preparation of detailed soil maps that can be used for site- specific soil management, such as erosion control plans.
Soil scientist means a person who, by reason of the person's knowledge of soil science, mathematics, the environment, and the supporting physical and life sciences, acquired by education and practical experience, has met the qualifications established under this chapter, and has been issued a certificate as a soil scientist by the director.


Wetland means an area that:

Wetland scientist means a person who, by reason of the person's knowledge of wetland science, mathematics, the environment, and the supporting physical and life sciences, acquired by education and practical experience, has met the qualifications established under this chapter, and has been issued a certificate as a wetland scientist by the director.