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Volume 22, Issue 2
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February 2020 |
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2020 Legislative Session - Stay Informed!
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Visit FSA's
Legislative Page each day during the 2020 Session! The page is frequently updated with a list of FSA's Priority Issues, Bill Tracking Reports, current news articles and information on individual bills. It's a resource that is available for FSA members only; you will need your username and password to login.
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Overview of the 2020 Legislative Session Webinar
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The only "post Session" webinar focused on Florida stormwater legislation! The webinar will examine what was introduced, what passed and failed in 2020, and what might be returning for 2021. FSA's President and Lobbyist will review legislative actions on biosolids, septic tanks, permitting requirements, measures to preempt the regulatory authority of local governments, and many other bills. The webinar will be held on March 19, 2020 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time and is brought to FSA members free of charge thanks to the sponsorship of Applied Sciences. Register today!
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2020 Annual Conference -
Registration Opens in March!
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Join us for FSA's
2020 Annual Conference at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott on June 17-19, 2020. In keeping with the 2020 year, we will be
Building a Clear Vision in Stormwater Management. This year's event will provide sessions from industry-leading experts and thought leaders on regulatory and management topics that matter to you. If you only attend one event in 2020, set your sights on FSA's Annual Conference in June! Registration opens in March however FSA members can
register today!
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One of the stated reasons for considering revisions to the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule is to resolve confusion over what is or is not included as a water subject to Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction. Part of that confusion stems from the numerous rules in various stages of adoption and lawsuits challenging the rules. Here is a short summary of the WOTUS regulations:
- In May 2015 EPA adopted new WOTUS regulations intended to clarify confusion over federal jurisdiction but did so by greatly expanding coverage of the CWA and related regulatory programs. Numerous entities (including FSA) filed lawsuits throughout the country. Because of conflicting decisions made by different courts, the 2015 rule is effective in about half of the states and not effective in the rest (including Florida).
- EPA announced plans to repeal and replace the 2015 rule in early 2017. A rule to repeal the 2015 rule has been adopted but is being challenged by at least four plaintiffs. A rule to replace the pre-2015 rule is pending but will likely be challenged in court as well.
- FSA has maintained its challenge of the 2015 rule in the Northern District Court of Florida in Tallahassee in the event that the rules to repeal and/or replace the 2015 rule are not sustained in court. FSA's case should be resolved later this year.
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All surface water quality standards may be revised as part of the
Triennial Review process, such as waterbody classifications, criteria, site specific criteria, anti-degradation policy and policy on Outstanding Florida Waters. States are required by the Clean Water Act to review their surface water quality standards every three years. FDEP initiated its 2019 Triennial Review last summer, published proposed revisions in late October and held four workshops on the proposed revisions. The process will be completed later this year. See
FSA's Comments on FDEP's proposed revisions to water quality standards.
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On October 29, 2019 FDEP published a Notice of Proposed Rule updating Biosolids permitting policies and an associated Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs. In part, the proposed rule is the result of the work of the Biosolids Technical Advisory Committee. Due to its economic impacts, the rule will require legislative ratification before it will become effective. However, the rule was not finalized in time for ratification during the 2020 Session. Biosolids policy is being considered in both houses of the Florida Legislature this Session. Additionally, FDEP has announced a
public hearing and
agenda on the rule that will be held
March 19, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. at the Bob Martinez Center, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee. Need more information? Visit the Department's
Biosolids webpage.
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| Next Blue-Green Algae Task Force Meeting |
FDEP's Blue-Green Algae Task Force meeting was rescheduled to provide more time to consider additional scientific information, synthesize existing research and gather public comment. The rescheduled meeting will be held at Florida Atlantic University in Ft. Pierce Monday, March 16, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. If you wish to submit comments for consideration in advance of the March meeting, email comments to BlueGreenAlgaeTaskForce@floridadep.gov. The meeting will have time allotted for public comment.
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| On January 13, 2020 FDEP released an updated proposal of revisions to the Phase 2 MS4 Generic Permit. Please contact FSA immediately if you have any concerns with the proposal. |
| Fogarty Training Center - Does your Certification Expire in 2020? |
Don't let your certifications expire! FSA Stormwater Operator Certifications must be renewed every five years. The Fogarty Training Center offers Online Recertification Webinars that provide a convenient, cost-effective way to renew your certification. Don't know when your certification expires? To find out you can login to your personal FSA profile, scroll down to find your Level 1 and/or Level 2 expiration year or you can view the Stormwater Operator Certification Renewal Date List. The next opportunity to renew will be through online webinars held on April 14, 2020. Register for Level 1 and/or Level 2 by Friday, March 6th to receive a copy of the Stormwater Operators Manual prior to the class. For more information, visit the Fogarty Training Center's recertification webpage.
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| Board Elections Coming in June |
There will be elections to fill vacancies on the Boards of Directors of the Florida Stormwater Association and the FSA Educational Foundation during the June Annual Conference. FSA is looking for dynamic leaders dedicated to ensuring the continued success of the Association. This is your chance to help lead the primary organization dedicated to furthering the stormwater management profession and water quality improvement programs in Florida. What's in it for you?
- An opportunity to enhance the value and set the direction of FSA and FSAEF
- A significant role in advancing your profession and water quality programs
- Access to up-to-date information about the challenges facing your profession
- The chance to exchange ideas and perspectives with other volunteer leaders
We want to hear from you! If you're interested or if you know of a member that you would like to recommend to serve on the Board, please complete a Leadership Recommendation Form today!
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The FSA Educational Foundation's Scholarship Program awards financial assistance to qualified students attending Florida colleges and universities whose educational interest is in stormwater research, management or finance. In 2020 the FSAEF will be offering three $2,000 scholarships. Applications are accepted annually from graduate students in colleges or schools of engineering, natural science, public administration (or closely related fields). Qualified applicants should submit an Application Form along with supporting materials by August 7, 2020.
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We appreciate your feedback! Please don't hesitate to contact us if have any questions about FSA.
Sincerely,
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