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2021 Legislative Session Ends Today!
Florida’s 2021 Legislative Session is set to end today, April 30th! More than half of the legislation that passes each year does so during the last week of the Session and it’s been a busy week! The primary bills that FSA watched during 2021 were those that sought to limit local government’s ability to protect water quality through city or county regulatory programs. Given the timing of this edition of the newsletter, members may find the up-to-date information on FSA’s Legislative Page. The Legislative Page will be further updated this coming week. It’s a resource that is available for FSA members only, so you’ll need your username and password to login. |
Join Us for Premier Stormwater Education
Join us online for the Florida Stormwater Association's 2021 Annual Conference on June 23rd – 25th. 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 20 presentations, up to 9.5 continuing education credits, access to all recorded sessions for up to a year, information on emerging stormwater technologies, interactive breaks with your colleagues, live Q&A, and more! All of this at discounted rates 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 agenda, rates, and all the details.
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Mark Thomasson
Legis. Committee Chair
FSA
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2021 Legislative Session Overview Webinar
Join FSA on May 6th for the only "post Session" webinar focused on Florida stormwater legislation! The webinar will examine what was introduced, what passed and failed in 2021, and what might be returning for 2022. FSA's Legislative and Agency Relations Committee Chair and Lobbyist will review legislative actions on biosolids, septic tanks, permitting requirements, measures to preempt the regulatory authority of local governments, and many other bills. Hurry, registration closes May 5th!
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Kurt Spitzer
Lobbyist
FSA
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The webinar is brought to FSA members free of charge thanks to the sponsorship of Applied Sciences. |
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FSA’s Annual Membership Meeting
Mark your calendars for Florida Stormwater Association’s Annual Membership Meeting this June. The meeting will include an election of the Florida Stormwater Association’s (FSA) and the Florida Stormwater Association Educational Foundation’s (FSAEF) Boards of Directors and FSA Officers. For the first time, the Meetings and Elections will be held online beginning with a Zoom Meeting on Friday, June 25, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern during the Annual Conference. The meetings will continue with electronic voting concluding one week later on July 2, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Watch your email for additional details.
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Statewide SW Design Criteria TAC
FDEP’s Stormwater Rulemaking Technical Advisory Committee held their fifth meeting earlier this month. 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. |
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Blue-Green Algae Task Force
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Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards
FDEP will hold an online public workshop on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 beginning at 9:00 a.m. and concluding at 3:00 p.m. or when public testimony ends. The purpose of the workshop is to solicit public input on the Department’s proposed revisions to Florida’s water quality standards under the Triennial Review process. You may register online to attend the workshop. The CWA requires states to review and possibly revise their water quality standards every three years. FDEP began the current process two years ago. Written comments will be received by the Department through May 19, 2021. For more information, visit FDEP’s Triennial Review webpage or contact Daryll Joyner at 850-245-8431. |
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WOTUS Update
There have been no developments in WOTUS policy over the past few months. The 2020 WOTUS Replacement Rule became effective in June 2020 and significantly narrowed the number of waterbodies subject to CWA jurisdiction. The policies reflected in the 2020 definitions differed from those contained in the 2015 regulations, with the latter embracing a very broad definition. EPA observers expect yet another set of regulations to be drafted by the current Administration, likely reflecting a more middle-ground approach to what is or is not a “ Water of the United States.” |
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EPA’s Trash Free Waters Program
EPA recently released its new Trash Stormwater Permit Compendium. The Compendium is the latest in a series of technical resources for stormwater permit writers, although it also provides stormwater managers and watershed planners with useful information on effective trash control measures. For more information, contact Romell Nandi, Trash Free Waters program lead. |
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Action Postponed on Discharges to Groundwater and PFAS Limits
EPA has postponed potential rulemaking on polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface waters and industrial discharges to groundwater that reach surface waters (implementing the Maui decision of the US Supreme Court). The Agency is waiting until its senior leadership is confirmed by the Senate before initiating further rulemaking. |
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LID+GSI Technical Needs Survey
UF|IFAS, in partnership with the FDEP Non-Point Source section, is developing technical design resources for Low-Impact Development and Green Stormwater Infrastructure (LID+GSI) in Florida. To guide this effort, they are seeking input via an online survey here from stormwater management professionals with any amount of experience with LID+GSI, from both the public and private sector. Survey results will be presented at the FSA Annual Conference in June and used to guide development of technical manuals, training workshops, design specifications, and other LID+GSI resources tailored to Florida’s needs. Please take a few minutes (about 15 minutes) to share your perspective to help guide development of these resources. For questions contact Eban Bean. |
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Fogarty Training Center – Take Advantage of Online Training through July 2021!
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 currently hosting online classes for 2021. Online participants will require computer access with internet and audio capabilities. 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 email FSA or call 888-221-3124 today.
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FSA Educational Foundation is Providing Scholarships! |
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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 6, 2021.
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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
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