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Volume 21, Issue 5
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May 2019 |
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A Change in Climate -
FSA: the Next 25 Years
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From political to environmental change, there is no doubt that we all are experiencing change! As we look ahead, FSA is positioned to be a valuable resource to all stormwater professionals by providing much needed resources through communications, research, training, education and advocacy. This year's
Annual Conference will offer three concurrent tracks of sessions from industry-leading experts and thought leaders on regulatory and management topics that matter to you. We've received a huge response this year resulting in a sold-out event. If you've saved your seat,
view the agenda now to plan the sessions you want attend. If you haven't registered and want to do so,
email FSA to join the wait list today.
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| Announcing FSA's New Conference App! |
Yes, FSA will be launching a Conference App at this year's Annual Conference! Watch for an App announcement coming soon with download instructions and list of all the exciting features so you'll "know before you go." FSA is proud to offer the App this year as a sustainable option for all attendees. Watch your email, all Conference attendees will receive more information soon!
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Want to get more involved with your Association? Help set the direction for its training and education programs? Grow membership and improve networking opportunities? Guide legislative policy? You have two opportunities - and both are coming up next month!
Elections - The membership will select new Officers and members of the
Board of Directors during the Annual Meeting set for the morning of Friday, June 21st during the Annual Conference. If you're willing to devote a little time to FSA or the
FSA Educational Foundation, complete a Leadership Recommendation Form today.
The deadline to submit was extended a week to May 31st
so
submit a form today
! Details of nominees that submit information in advance will be posted on the
Elections page of the FSA website. Be sure to attend the Annual Meeting and seek election for one of the vacant seats in the FSA leadership.
Committees - Not ready to run for an office? How about serving on one of
FSA's four committees? All committee members will be appointed by FSA's new President after the Annual Conference. Interested? Be sure to complete a
Committee Request Form by June 28th.
Re-appointments to committees are not automatic! Be sure to complete a form even if you currently serve on a committee.
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Legislative Session Wrap-Up
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The Session that began with a "bumper crop" of bills related to water policy ended with most dying on the vine. None passed that had a direct impact on water policy, water quality or water programs. Even legislation dealing with the disposal of Class B Biosolids failed to pass. But the discussion and debate that occurred during the 2019 Session did set the stage for further consideration of legislation on Biosolids disposal and several other initiatives in 2020, including:
- Transferring the Administration of the OSTDS program from FDOH to FDEP
- Revisions to the BMAP Program
- OSTDS Inspections and Septic to Sewer Programs
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The next Legislative Session begins Tuesday, January 14, 2020 and is scheduled to end on Friday, March 13, 2020.
Prior to the start of the Session, the following Interim Committee meeting weeks have been scheduled:
- September 16-20, 2019
- October 14-18, 2019
- October 21-25, 2019
- November 4-8, 2019
- November 12-15, 2019
- December 9-13, 2019
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With legislation providing direction on biosolids disposal policy failing to pass during the Session, FDEP will be moving to update its existing biosolids permitting rules to protect surface and groundwater. The effort will be based on the work of the FDEP Biosolids Technical Advisory Committee and will be initiated in June. FSA will be engaged in that process.
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| Triennial Review Underway |
FDEP has initiated its 2019
Triennial Review of state surface water quality standards. The CWA requires such reviews by each state every three years. All surface water quality standards are under review and may be revised as part of the Triennial Review, including waterbody classifications, criteria, site specific criteria, anti-degradation policy, and special protection of certain waters (Outstanding Florida Waters). Three initial workshops/hearings were held in May that were designed to provide a forum for the public to recommend revisions to standards and for FDEP to present initial information about potential revisions to the standards. Moving forward, suggested revisions to standards may be provided
to Kaitlyn Sutton at FDEP. Public workshops on recommendations are planned for late summer and it is hoped to have final recommendations presented to the Environmental Regulation Commission by the end of the year.
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| Attention Phase 2 Permit Holders! |
FDEP will be initiating rulemaking to update the 2003 General Permit for Phase 2 MS4 permits in July. 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 complete further rulemaking before such requests may be required.
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| FDEP-MS4 Quarterly Conference Calls |
Mark your calendars for FDEP's next NPDES quarterly teleconference calls for MS4 permit managers. The calls have been set for Wednesday, June 26, 2019:
10:30 a.m. ET (Phase 1 Permits)
Call-in # - 888-585-9008
Conference Room # - 163-104-989
1:30 p.m. ET (Phase 2 Permits)
Call-in # - 888-585-9008
Conference Room # - 163-104-989
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| MS4 Assessment Project Completed |
The second iteration of the FSA Educational Foundation's research project to quantify the nutrient load reduction value of common MS4 maintenance activities is now complete. The UF Environmental Engineering Sciences Department undertook the effort pursuant to a contract with FDEP. The project results are incorporated into the "FSA Load Reduction Tool" which calculates the nutrient content of sediment removed during maintenance activities like street sweeping. The amounts of nutrients removed are reported to FDEP and credits are given to the jurisdiction during the BMAP process. A workshop reviewing the project's results will be presented during the FSA Annual Conference. Visit the FSAEF webpage for more information on the research project.
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There have been no new developments in FSA's challenge to the 2015 WOTUS rules in the US District Court for the Northern District of Florida. It is expected that the Court will act within the next 30 days by either issuing a ruling or requesting that oral arguments be scheduled. On March 15, 2019 FSA and its partner local government associations filed a Motion for Summary Judgement seeking to invalidate the rules. 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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| FSAEF Scholarship Applications due August 2nd |
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 and related fields that have an interest in water quality, or stormwater management or finance. Qualified applicants should submit an Application Form along with supporting materials by August 2, 2019.
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| Have an Idea for a Great Presentation? |
Want to showcase your case study, research project or other valuable stormwater topic with your colleagues throughout the state? We won't know about it if you don't share! FSA invites you to present during the 2019 Winter Conference. The Call for Presentations deadline is June 28th. Submit a presentation today!
FSA's 2019 Winter Conference is set for December 4-6, 2019 at the Hilton Tampa Downtown. Save the Date!
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| Fogarty Training Center - Don't Let Your Certification Expire! |
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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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