About Instructor
Richard Chinn is a Senior Professional Wetland Scientist, ACOE Provisionally-Certified Wetland Delineator and Virginia Professional Wetland Delineator, and former Certified Environmental Trainer who has trained over 9,000 professionals in wetland and WOTUS delineation and permitting services since 1994. Richard Chinn holds BS and MS degrees in Zoology from the University of Florida and University of South Florida. He has 30 years of varied experience in wetlands management and environmental resource management in both the public and private sectors and 30+ years training and teaching experience in continuing education and academia.
Mr. Chinn is an Army Corps of Engineers Provisionally Certified Wetland Delineator
Mr. Chinn is a Senior Professional Wetland Scientist certified by the Society of Wetland Scientists #1365
MR. CHINN IS CERTIFIED BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL SOIL SCIENTISTS, WETLAND PROFESSIONALS, & GEOLOGISTS AS A PROFESSIONAL WETLAND DELINEATOR
Work History
1997 - present
President and Instructor, Richard Chinn Environmental Training, Inc. Provide Wetland Delineation and Permitting Training.
1995
Adjunct Instructor, University of Tampa. Taught undergraduate, non-majors Biology course.
1991 - 1997
Founder and President, Environmental Technology Center, Tampa, Florida. Founder and operator of technical school providing an Associate Degree in environmental technology. Led school through state licensure and national accreditation. Developed curricula in Wetland Delineation & Management Training, Train-the-Trainer Training, and HAZWOPER Training and implemented training. Supervised staff of 13.
1992 - 1993
Environmental Scientist, CCI Environmental Services, Palmetto, Florida. Provided wetland determinations, threatened and endangered species surveys, macrobiological assessments, permit negotiation and review, and oversaw staff of three.
1990 - 1992
Environmental Scientist, West Coast Regional Water Supply (now named Tampa Bay Water, tampabaywater.org), Clearwater, Florida. Assessed hydrologic and vegetation changes to wetlands from groundwater withdrawals and gave a presentation to the 1991 Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting on regression analyses of rainfall, pumpage rate and resultant water table level. Provided regulatory assistance in development of alternative sources with wetland impact minimization.
1989 - 1992
Part-time Instructor, Hillsborough Community College. Taught two major Biology courses and non-major courses in Biology, Environmental Science, and Nutrition.
1989 - 1990
Environmental Scientist, Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission, Tampa, Florida. Performed wetland determinations, assessed site plans for potential wetland impacts, and negotiated permit compliance with applicants.
1987 - 1989
Biological Scientist, Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (now named the Florida Department of Environmental Protection), Tampa, Florida. Evaluated streams for biological diversity and causal relationships of domestic and industrial wastewater discharges.
1984 - 1985
Co-op Environmental Scientist, Southwest Florida Water Management District, Brooksville, Florida. Assessed wetlands for impact from groundwater withdrawals and assessed streams for salinity impacts from decreased withdrawals.
1984 - 1987
Wetland Credentials
Mr. Chinn is a nationally-recognized wetland delineation trainer, having trained 9000+ wetland scientists during 800+ training sessions in Army Corps of Engineers wetland delineation protocol in 23 states plus Puerto Rico. Participants have included federal agencies (Environmental Protection Agency, Corps of Engineers, Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Coast Guard, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Energy, Agriculture, Forest Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Aviation Authority, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Federal Highway Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority, Western Area Power Administration), state agencies from nearly all 50 states plus Guam and Puerto Rico, local governments, environmental consultants from all 50 statues, utilities, developers, Departments of Transportation, et al.
Mr. Chinn provides wetland delineation and permitting services, both pro bono, and contract services on an ongoing basis.
Mr. Chinn also provides Expert Witness investigative services and testimony
- Florida: CAG INVESTMENTS LLC, PLAINTIFF, V. LAKE TALIA HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION, INC., DEFENDANT, CASE NO. 2019-CA-1908-ES. Expert for the defendant.
- Louisiana: J LAWTON COMPANY LLC., PLAINTIFF, VS. FIVE STAR INDUSTRIAL LLC ET AL. CASE 2018-001470. Expert for the defendant.
Training Credentials
Mr. Chinn has working experience in both the public and private sectors in both regulator and regulated roles.
Mr. Chinn has a unique background in that he has experience providing instruction and training at each of the following adult levels:
- Continuing Education. Mr. Chinn has instructed > 1500 participants in career training programs, including training trainers,
- Instructor at the University of Tampa,
- Community College,
- Technical School. As founder, director, owner, and instructor of the Environmental Technology Center, a state-licensed and accredited technical school, Mr. Chinn developed all curriculum, oversaw and evaluated instruction by faculty, and was fully accountable for the learning. Students ranged from college graduates to those who had not received a GED.
- Mr. Chinn has provided Train-the-Trainer Training to those persons seeking to become environmental trainers, particularly in hazardous waste operations and emergency response.
- Mr. Chinn exceeds OSHA's required credentials for Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response Training. Mr. Chinn has provided HAZWOPER training for 1000+ professionals, technicians and laborers.
