Volume 22, Issue 5
May 2020
NEWSLETTER SPONSORS







 


In This Issue
Annual Conference is Going Online
Join us online for the Florida Stormwater Association's 2020 Annual Conference on July 15th-17th. FSA is committed to being a trusted resource for stormwater education and we are excited to offer the same content you've always counted on, in an innovative way. The online conference will feature three days of education, two concurrent tracks with more than 25 presentations, up to 13 continuing education credits, a virtual exhibit hall, sponsor interaction, live Q&A, and more! All of this at the same discounted "early bird" rate for all registrants! We hope you will join us for the preeminent event in stormwater education! Be sure to visit our Conference page to view the online agenda, registration rates, and all the details.

A big thanks to our generous exhibitors and sponsors
for their unwavering support!

FSA Annual Membership Meeting Postponed
As the uncertainty of COVID-19 continues and to ensure continuity during this time, FSA's Board of Directors has approved postponing the June 2020 FSA Annual Membership Meeting for one year. This postponement will mean that all members of the FSA and FSA Educational Foundation's Board of Directors and FSA Officers will have a year added to their term.  The next FSA Annual Meeting and Election process will be held in June of 2021.  A big thank you to all the FSA leaders for agreeing to continue their service to the association for another year, we appreciate you!
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 2020 Winter Conference. The Call for Presentations deadline is June 30th. Submit a presentation today!

FSA's 2020 Winter Conference is set for December 2-4, 2020 at the Caribe Royale Orlando. Save the Date!
404 Delegation 
FDEP continues to move ahead with the process needed to assume authority to administer the dredge and fill permitting program under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.   Section 404 and implementing rules require a dredge-and-fill permit from the Army Corps for any activity that results in the discharge of dredged or fill material into the waters of the United States.  Florida Statutes contain similar policies for activities that impact wetlands or other surface waters located within the jurisdictional boundaries of the state. Currently, when a project impacts state and federal jurisdictional wetlands or other surface waters, the applicant must obtain both a state environmental resource permit (ERP) and a Corps dredge-and-fill (404).  Assumption of the program by FDEP would alleviate the need to obtain 404 permits from the Corps in some situations.  If the concept is adopted, the Corps would retain authority to issue permits only for projects that impact major ("navigable") waterbodies and 404 authority for other types of waters would be delegated to FDEP/WMDs.  In either case, an ERP permit would still be required.  Further hearings are planned.  For more information, visit FDEP's webpage or contact Heather Mason.
Most Legislation not Delivered to Governor
Of the 210 bills that were passed during the 2020 Legislative Session, 191 have not yet been delivered to the Governor for his review and signature or veto. Once received, the Governor has 15 days to sign, veto or allow a bill to become law without his signature. With a focus on the Coronavirus shortly after the conclusion of the Session, the Governor's Office asked that bills not be transmitted so that he could focus on the State's response to the pandemic. However, it is expected that enrolled bills will be sent to the Governor soon, as many have July 1 effective dates, including SB 712, which is the signature water policy legislation for 2020. Watch the FSA website for more information.
EPA and FDEP COVID Response
In March, EPA announced a temporary relaxing of policy enforcement of environmental legal obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic.  For noncompliance that occurs during the time that this temporary policy is in effect and is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the policy will apply to such noncompliance in lieu of an otherwise applicable EPA enforcement response policy.  Visit EPA's website for more information.  In conjunction with Governor DeSantis' March Executive Orders 20-51 and 20-52, FDEP issued Emergency Rule OGC NO. 20-0239 on April 1, 2020 finding it appropriate to extend certain regulatory deadlines by 30 days to accommodate disruptions caused by the pandemic.
WOTUS Litigation Update
There have been no new developments in the litigation or rulemaking efforts concerning the Waters of the US regulations. FSA's challenge to the 2015 WOTUS regulations remains active in Tallahassee federal trial court, the 2019 repeal rule is being challenged by at least four plaintiffs and a rule to replace the pre-2015 rule has been published in the Federal Register but a formal Notice of Intent to sue over the Replacement Rule's alleged violations of the Endangered Species Act has already been filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and a coalition of environmental groups.
Most Rulemaking Efforts Delayed for Now 
The COVID-19 outbreak has caused many of the State's rulemaking efforts or work of various Task Force's to be delayed. But expect some to be reactivated shortly, such as the Blue-Green Algae Task Force, Biosolids Rulemaking, and Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards. FSA is tracking these and will keep you posted as activity resumes.
2021 Legislative Session Dates
Mark your calendars, 2021 will be here before you know it. The 2021 Session will start on March 2nd and conclude on April 30th. Dates for Interim Committee meetings will be set on or around the (late) November Organizational Session, after the 2020 General Elections.
FSA's Fogarty Training Center - Class Changes
Due to COVID-19 FSA is currently rescheduling in-person Stormwater Operator Certification classes through June 30th. The following classes have been impacted:

Level 1
- March 25-26 - Pinellas County Class has been rescheduled to October 1-2, 2020.
- March 31-April 1 - Ft. Lauderdale Class has been rescheduled to August 11-12, 2020.
- April 23-24 - Spring Lake Class has been rescheduled to August 26-27, 2020.
- June 2-3 - Jacksonville Class has been rescheduled to September 1-2, 2020.
- June 10-11 - Orange County Class has been rescheduled to September 15-16, 2020.

Level 2
- April 7-8 - Ft. Lauderdale Class has been rescheduled to August 18-19, 2020.
- April 29-30 - Pinellas County Class has been rescheduled to October 14-15, 2020.

If you or your staff are currently registered for these classes, you should have received information by email.

Regarding Stormwater Operator classes beyond June 30th, we will make a determination as more information is available. Updates to this list will be posted on the Fogarty Training Center's Level 1 and Level 2 webpages and those registered will be contacted via email.
Fogarty Training Center - Don't Let Your Certification 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 on the FSA Website. The last opportunity to renew a Level 1 or Level 2 certification this year will be through online webinars held on November 3, 2020. For more information, visit the Fogarty Training Center's recertification webpage.
FSA Career Center
FSA is here for you! We are extending our offer to the stormwater community (not just members) to post vacancies in the Career Center for FREE through the end of June. Please help spread the word! Each listing posts for 30 days and is accessible to job seekers across the state of Florida.

NEW FEATURE - Job seekers can now post their resume on the FSA Career Center! Post your resume for free for up to 30 days and reach the best stormwater employers. FSA members can view resumes with their username and password.
FSAEF Scholarship Applications due August 7th


The Florida Stormwater Association Educational Foundation's (FSAEF) 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. Qualified applicants should submit an Application along with supporting materials by August 7, 2020. 
We appreciate your feedback!  Please don't hesitate to contact us if have any questions about FSA. 
Sincerely,
Florida Stormwater Associati on
Website: www.florida-stormwater.org
Toll-Free Phone: 888-221-3124