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Volume 21, Issue 10
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November 2019 |
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A Message from Your Legislative Committee Chair
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Mark Thomasson |
Following up on his
Executive Order 19-12 -
Achieving More Now For Florida's Environment - Governor Ron DeSantis appointed a Chief Science Officer, Dr. Thomas Fraser, and a Chief Resiliency Officer, Dr. Julia Nesheiwat, and created a five-member Blue Green Algae Task Force. The Task Force met six times and published its recommendations in
Consensus Document #1 which concerned six areas: basin management action plans, agriculture and best management practices, onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, sanitary sewer overflows, stormwater treatment systems, and innovative technologies and applications. Consistent with the Task Force recommendations and his commitment expressed in the Executive Order, Governor DeSantis announced that he will propose legislation to "expedite water quality improvements." As of this writing, legislation is being drafted to move forward with the Task Force recommendations. In the meantime, we've seen some legislation proposed to address SSO's, stormwater criteria and agricultural practices (see
SB 686 and
SB 712). This year promises to be an active year on the environmental front. To help members, the Legislative Committee and FSA continue to monitor and engage in priority issues that affect stormwater management. You can follow our efforts on the
FSA Legislative Page. When the Session begins, FSA will post updated Priority Issue summaries on a weekly basis. The
FSA Advocacy Page also provides a summary of current state and national issues important to our members. If there is a water resource issue that is important to you and not being tracked,
please let FSA know.
Mark Thomasson, PE, WSource Group
Legislative Committee Chair
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FSA Membership Renewals
"Grace Period" ends December 1st
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This could be your last newsletter!
FSA's fiscal year began November 1, 2019. The 30-day "grace period" allowing FY 2018-19 member organizations and their staff to continue receiving member benefits ends December 1, 2019.
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| Winter Conference - SOLD OUT! |
FSA's 2019 Winter Conference is just around the corner and we have a full house! This year's Conference is a great mix of technical sessions, case studies and policy updates, including the Opening Session focusing on issues to watch in 2020. This year's Pre-Conference will feature two concurrent events, a Tour of Local Stormwater Projects and a LID/Green Infrastructure Workshop. There will also be a "Tampa Mafia Tour" of the infamous hangouts of Ybor City's Mafia past. The Mafia tour will be held Thursday, December 5th at 7:30 p.m.; contact
Scott Deitche to register. Visit the
FSA Conference website for all the details. Registration has closed. Sorry! If you haven't already registered,
there is no additional space available.
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FSA Legislative Tracking Now Available
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FSA's 2020
Legislative Page is now active and tracking legislation of interest to the membership. Members will find a list of Priority Issus, Bill Tracking Reports, current news articles and information on individual bills on the site. The Legislative Page is a resource available for FSA members only; you will need your username and password to login. The Legislative Session is set to begin on January 14th.
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2020 Call for Presentations Open!
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The Call for Presentations for FSA's Annual Conference is now open! FSA will be accepting presentations through January 10th. This year's theme is
FSA 2020 - Building a Clear Vision in Stormwater Management. Join us at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott on June 17-19, 2020 as we
focus on cutting-edge policy, research and case studies that take an integrated approach to helping stormwater professionals tackle complex challenges. There will be three tracks of concurrent workshop sessions. Stormwater leaders throughout Florida are invited to
submit presentation proposals online.
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On October 22, 2019 EPA published a Final Rule in the Federal Register that repeals the 2015 WOTUS rule in its entirety. The repeal rule would normally have become effective 60 days after publication but the first two challenges to it were filed less than 24 hours after publication: One by a group of New Mexico ranchers and another by a coalition of environmental groups. Visit FSA's Advocacy Page for more information.
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On September 22, 2019 the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida issued an
Order holding the litigation over the 2015 WOTUS rule in abeyance for 75 days. There have been no new developments in FSA's challenge to the 2015 WOTUS regulations since that time. Stay tuned!
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The CWA requires states to review their surface water quality standards every three years. 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. FDEP initiated its 2019 Triennial Review earlier this summer, published proposed revisions in late October and held four workshops on the proposed revisions. Special Note: A session on the status of the Triennial Review process will be held during the FSA
Winter Conference next week.
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| Blue-Green Algae Task Force |
Governor DeSantis' Blue-Green Algae Task Force was created by Executive Order this past January and their initial consensus recommendations were adopted in October. The recommendations covered a wide-range of topics affecting water quality and water quality programs, including BMAPs, Septic Tanks, Agricultural BMPs and Stormwater Treatment Systems. Most recommendations will require implementing legislation, while others may be addressed through regulatory means.
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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. For more information, visit the Department's Biosolids webpage. |
FDEP has released a preliminary
draft proposal updating the 2003 General Permit for Phase 2 MS4s. FDEP is in the process of drafting the authorization package necessary to begin formal rulemaking, which is expected to be released at any time. Please
contact FSA immediately if you have any suggestions on the proposal.
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Innovative Technology Grant Solicitation
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The Blue-Green Algae Task Force was charged with identifying solutions to the harmful algal blooms that are known to impact the State of Florida. Among other recommendations, the Task Force encouraged investment in a diverse portfolio of technologies that are cost-efficient, environmentally safe and scalable. FDEP is now seeking proposals from government entities for the implementation of innovative technology projects intended to prevent, detect, clean-up, or otherwise address harmful algal blooms. All proposal requests must be submitted electronically to Grant Coordinator, William "Chad" Kennedy by Friday, December 6, 2019.
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| Excellence Awards Nominations Opening Soon |
FSA's Awards Program recognizes outstanding stormwater Programs or Projects and the benefit that they provide to the environment and local citizenry. Awards are presented annually to those public-sector members of FSA who have demonstrated a high level of distinction in a project or program. Start thinking about who you might like to nominate, as nominations for the 2020 Excellence Awards will open in January.
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| Fogarty Training Center - New Classes for 2020! |
FSA's Fogarty Training Center holds up to 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
Interested in Hosting a Class? If your organization is interested in hosting a Level 1 or Level 2 Stormwater Operator Certification class next year contact FSA today!
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Invest in the Future of Stormwater Management!
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Did you know that FSA's Educational Foundation sponsors scholarships every year? By providing scholarships, students are encouraged and inspired to pursue careers in stormwater management.
The Foundation needs your help. These scholarships are only made possible by you, with your generous contributions. The best part is, your contribution is a WIN! WIN! By donating, you not only help to further the stormwater management profession, your donation is also tax-deductible! It's getting close to the end of the year so this contribution can be used as a deduction on this year's tax return. Individuals can give, organizations can give and it's tax deductible!
Donate today!
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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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