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Volume 21, Issue 4
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April 2019 |
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A Change in Climate -
FSA: the Next 25 Years
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Chauncey Goss |
With a new Governor setting the tone, the Legislature, FDEP and other agencies have brought water policy to the forefront! All levels of government have initiated major changes in one or more areas of water policy and programs.
The Opening Session of this year's
Annual Conference will review the water quality and supply issues confronting Florida, and how state and local governments can partner to better structure water protection programs and implement water quality goals. We will also review our successes over the past year by recognizing the work of stormwater programs across the state.
The Keynote Address will be given by
Chauncey Goss, Chair of the SFWMD Governing Board.
Mr. Goss was Governor Ron DeSantis' first appointment to the Board in January. Prior to serving on the SFWMD Governing Board, Goss was a Sanibel City Council member and a Florida water advocate for years. Governor DeSantis has been invited to participate but cannot confirm until June. The Conference is almost sold out.
Register Today!
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| Board Elections Coming in June |
FSA is looking for dynamic leaders dedicated to ensuring the continued success of the Association. There will be elections to fill vacancies on the Boards of Directors of the
Florida Stormwater Association and the
FSA Educational Foundation during the Friday business meeting at the Annual Conference. 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?
- A significant role in advancing your profession
- An opportunity to enhance the value and set the direction of FSA and FSAEF
- 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 in serving or if you know of a member that you would like to recommend, please send your recommendation to
info@florida-stormwater.org or complete a
Leadership Recommendation Form today!
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| Final Week of Legislative Session |
The inordinately large number of bills concerning water policy has been trimmed down to just a few that might pass by the May 3rd end of the Regular Session. FSA members will find a current list of Priority Issues, Bill Tracking Reports, news articles and information on individual bills on the Member's Only
Legislative Page. Current Priority Issues include:
- Biosolids Disposal
- Preemption of Tree Regulations
- Preemption of Local Licensing Authority
- Transfer of OSTDS Program to FDEP
- Preemption of Plastic Straw Regulations
- Water Quality Improvements
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FSA Webinar on Legislative Session
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Registration for FSA's May 9th webinar Overview of the 2019 Legislative Session is almost full! The webinar will examine what was introduced, what passed and failed in 2019, and what might be returning for 2020. The webinar is brought to FSA members free of charge thanks to the sponsorship of Applied Sciences. If you are not able to register for the online event, all members will have access to a recording of the presentation after its completion. Visit FSA's webinar page for details.
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On March 15, 2019 FSA and its partner local government associations filed a Motion for Summary Judgement in the US District Court for the Northern District of Florida in Tallahassee, seeking to invalidate the 2015 WOTUS rules. US EPA and the Intervenor environmental groups filed their Reply Briefs on April 5, 2019 (EPA Brief, Intervenor Brief). FSA's Reply in Support of Summary Judgement was filed on April 19, 2019. FSA reactivated the case in Tallahassee federal court as a precautionary measure in the event that the 2015 WOTUS rule is eventually upheld by another court or the Trump Administration's efforts to replace the rule are unsuccessful.
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The FSA Educational Foundation's
Scholarship Program awards financial assistance to qualified graduate students attending Florida colleges and universities. Applications are accepted annually from graduate-level students in colleges or schools of engineering, natural science, public administration (or closely related fields) that have an interest in stormwater quality, management or finance. Qualified applicants should submit an
Application Form along with supporting materials by August 2, 2019.
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| Comments Submitted on WOTUS Replacement |
FSA's comments on
EPA's proposed rule to replace the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) definitions were submitted on April 12, 2019. Consistent with previously-submitted comments and while very supportive of replacing the 2015 rule, FSA urged EPA to recognize the need to ensure a baseline level of environmental protection in addition to improving regulatory clarity and lessening burdens on MS4 permit holders.
FSA's Comments may be viewed on the Advocacy Page.
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| 2019 Phase 2 Permit Renewals |
Members whose Phase 2 permits are up for renewal in 2019 and have received a request from FDEP to include new BMPs for waters which are NOT covered by a BMAP are urged to
contact FSA. FSA's position is that the Department must go through further rulemaking before such requests may be required.
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| FSA's Fogarty Training Center |
FSA's Fogarty Training Center holds over 25 classes throughout Florida each year. A current list of classes may be found on the
Training Center's webpage. Both
Level 1 and
Level 2 Certified Stormwater Operator classes meet the requirements of your MS4 permit for initial or "refresher" training of stormwater staff in:
- Erosion and Sedimentation Control
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Spill Prevention and Remediation
- Good Housekeeping Practices
- High Risk Facilities
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| Water Quality Triennial Review Public Workshops |
FDEP will be initiating the Triennial Review of state surface water quality standards as required by the Federal Clean Water Act. As part of the initial review, three workshops/hearings will be held next month to discuss process and solicit public input. All surface water quality standards in Chapter 62-4, Chapter 62-302 Chapter 62-303, and Chapter 62-304, Florida Administrative Code, are under review and may be revised as part of the Triennial Review. The workshops/hearings are designed to provide a forum for the public to recommend revisions to Florida's water quality standards, but the Department will also present information about potential revisions to Florida's water quality standards, including consideration of U.S. EPA 304(a) criteria recommendations. The Notices of Rule Development for Chapters 62-4, 62-302, 62-303, and 62-304, F.A.C., that have been published in the Florida Administrative Register are linked below for your convenience.
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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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