According to the bill, a licensee must provide proof of "having earned a four-year college degree in one of the environmental managment sciences", "having completed a minimum of 5 accumulative years of experience" and "having met the continuing education requirements." A "grandfather clause" is included in the bill, which allows some applicants to substitute experience for a degree in environmental management.
Licensure is a good idea, according to Dr. Tom Cuba, because the general public needs more assurance that reliable ecological decisions are made and that environmental professionals are more liable for their actions; and because there is "too much tax money wasted" on and environmental damage caused by bad environmental management advice and activities. Cuba is the Executive Director of the Environmental ProfessionalsAction Coalition, a lobbying organization that has been shepherding the bill.
As of now, according to Cuba, only British Columbia requires licensing of itsenvironmental professionals. However, five states are monitoring the progress ofFlorida's bill. "I am very optimistic that it will pass this spring," says Cuba. He isinterested in comments and suggestions: Dr Tom Cuba, Delta Seven, Box 54697,St. Petersburg, FL 33739 (813/532-0709). V.R.