Volume 23, Issue 6
July 2021
Newsletter
Sponsors  
Fall Seminar – September 17, 2021 – Lake Buena Vista
“Addressing the Resiliency Challenge”

Resilience is not just a water quantity or quality issue; it is the scientific and societal challenge of our time. This full-day seminar will provide an overview of climate change, outline the scope of the journey to resilience, discuss funding solutions, review action plans, and highlight lessons learned. Join us as we explore this complex, time consuming, expensive, interdisciplinary, and political issue from a statewide perspective, with a special emphasis on issues relevant to stormwater professionals. Visit the FSA Seminar webpage for more information, including the agenda, registration fees and to register online.
Showcase Your Work = Discounted Conference Rates!

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 submit a presentation for the conference. All presenters receive a 10% discount off their full conference registration. The 2021 Winter Conference Call for Presentations deadline has been extended to August 14th. Submit a presentation today!

FSA's 2021 Winter Conference is set for December 1-3, 2021, at the Caribe Royale Orlando. Save the Date! Registration opens in September.
FSA & FSAEF Leadership Elected

The FSA and FSA Educational Foundation's Annual Membership Meeting concluded on July 2, 2021, and the results are in…

Your new FSA Officers are:
Elliot Shoberg has named the following Committee Chairs for 2021-22:
  • Melanie Weed (Pinellas County) – Conference
  • Melissa Long (City of Jacksonville) – Education
  • Larry Teich (City of Ft. Lauderdale) – Membership
  • Mark Thomasson (WSource Group) – Legislative and Agency Relations

Visit the 2021-22 FSA Board of Directors and FSAEF Board of Directors pages for a complete listing.
20-Year Stormwater Needs Assessment Required

An amendment added to HB 53 late in the 2021 Session requires local governments with wastewater or stormwater management systems to create a 20-year needs analysis. The analysis must include a description of the system, the number of future residents served, revenues and expenditures, maintenance costs, etc. The compiled information will be filed with FDEP and the Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR). The first analysis is due on June 20, 2022, and every five years thereafter. EDR is refining the survey instrument that will be used to gather information. A workshop on implementing HB 53 is scheduled for FSA’s Winter Conference. Email EDR. with comments or questions.
Statewide Stormwater Design Criteria TAC

The ninth meeting of FDEP’s Stormwater Rulemaking Technical Advisory Committee was held on July 19, 2021. The TAC was formed to assist FDEP and the Water Management Districts in updating the state’s design criteria for the construction of stormwater systems, as directed by Senate Bill 712 which passed during the 2020 Legislative Session. More information may be found on FSA’s Advocacy page. The next meeting of the TAC is scheduled for August 11, 2021.
Revisions to GP for Discharges from Construction Activities

EPA is proposing revisions to the NPDES general permit for stormwater discharges from construction activities, sometimes referred to as the Construction General Permit (CGP). The current permit will expire on February 16, 2022. The deadline for comments on the proposed rule closed on July 12th but a recording of a June webinar on the proposed revisions is posted on EPA’s website. For more information, contact Michael Mitchell at EPA Region IV or Greg Schaner at the Office of Water at EPA Headquarters.
Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards

The CWA requires that state governments review and possibly revise their water quality standards every three years. FDEP began the current Triennial Review process two years ago. The window to make comments on FDEP’s proposed revisions to water quality standards closed in May but policy on cyanotoxins was not included in FDEP’s recommendations and new turbidity criteria were limited to areas near coral reefs and hardbottom communities. For more information, visit FDEP’s Triennial Review webpage or contact Daryll Joyner.
EPA Initiates Action on PFAS

In April, EPA Administrator Michael Regan formed a council of senior agency staff to jumpstart strategies for tackling per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), seeking “pragmatic approaches” to protecting the public from the chemicals, such as reviewing ongoing PFAS actions and assisting states on PFAS challenges. EPA is acting to limit PFAS exposures and aims to reduce regulatory exemptions for approvals of certain PFAS. EPA had already reissued the previous Administration’s final Safe Drinking Water Act regulatory determinations for certain PFAS, triggering a 24-month timeline for EPA to propose national primary drinking water regulations with typically enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), for the chemicals. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances do not degrade in the environment, are common contaminants in water supplies and pose hazards to human health even in very small amounts.
EPA Announces RainWorks Challenge

We all know that stormwater pollution is a problem that impacts public health and water quality in communities across the country. EPA is pleased to launch its 10th annual Campus RainWorks Challenge, a green infrastructure design competition for colleges and universities that seeks to engage with the next generation of environmental professionals and showcase the environmental, economic, and social benefits of green infrastructure practices. The Campus RainWorks Challenge invites today’s students to become part of the solution. Please share this announcement with college students and faculty in your networks. For questions about the Campus RainWorks Challenge, visit RainWorks@epa.gov or view the official 2021 Campus RainWorks Challenge Competition Brief
Early Membership Renewal Begins Soon!

FSA’s fiscal year begins November 1, 2021. First renewal notices for Fiscal Year 2021-22 will be sent in August to the primary FSA contact for your organization, allowing local government members to pay next year’s dues with remaining funds from the current fiscal year. Questions? Call (888) 221-3124.
Fogarty Training Center – Does your Certification Expire in 2021?

Don’t let your FSA Stormwater Operator certification expire! The last opportunity to renew in 2021 will be through online webinars held on November 9, 2021. FSA 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. Register for Level 1 and/or Level 2 by Friday, October 8th to receive a copy of the Stormwater Operators Manual prior to the class.  

Not sure when your certification expires? Log in 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
Take Advantage of Online Training

FSA’s Fogarty Training Center holds both Level 1 and Level 2 Certified Stormwater Operator classes that 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

FSA is continuing to host online classes while adding in-person options as requested. Registration is now open for the following classes:

Level 1 Classes designed for stormwater management field personnel 

Level 2 Classes designed for stormwater management field supervisors

Interested in Hosting an in-person class? If your organization is interested in hosting a Level 1 or Level 2 Stormwater Operator Certification class call 888-221-3124 or email FSA today!
FSAEF Scholarship Award – Application Deadline Approaching 
Applications for the FSA Educational Foundation’s 2021 Scholarship Award are due Friday, August 6, 2021. Two $2,000 scholarships will be awarded at this year’s Winter Conference in Orlando. The $2,000 scholarship is available to graduate students attending a Florida college or university whose areas of study include stormwater science, engineering, management, or finance. Please help us spread the word!
We appreciate your feedback! Please don't hesitate to contact us if have any questions about FSA. 

Sincerely,

Florida Stormwater Association
Toll-Free Phone: 888-221-3124