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Volume 22, Issue 9
| October 2020 |
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2020 Winter Conference
FDEP Day, Laws and Ethics for
Professional Engineers, and More
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Melanie Weed,
Conference Chair
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The Florida Stormwater Association Winter Conference will be an exciting online event! Join us December 1st through December 4th for our second online conference. The Florida Stormwater Association is committed to bringing you relevant and timely stormwater topics and despite the challenges, this year is no different! The pre-conference events will kick-off December 1st with a two hour Laws, Rules and Ethics for Professional Engineers workshop, followed on December 2nd with FSA's biennial "DEP Day" which will cover an array of regulatory topics from ERP permitting to BMAPs and updates on Water Quality Standards. The Winter Conference will start on December 3rd, with opening remarks from FDEP Secretary John Truitt and our Association President, Kelli Hammer Levy. They will be discussing recent water quality initiatives and upcoming legislation and programs for 2021. The remainder of the Conference will be packed full of interesting and timely topics for engineers, scientists, and policy professionals, presented by Florida stormwater experts. Look for talks on water quality, public outreach, stormwater operations, design/modeling, and regulatory topics. The online format will allow you to Live Chat with other attendees and submit questions for presenters to answer live. As an attendee, you will receive access to over 20 presentations and recordings for an entire year, and you can earn up to 16.25 continuing education credits. All of this for a deeply discounted rate. Don't miss it! Early-Bird discounts have been extended to November 6th. We hope to see you there!
Melanie Weed,
Conference Committee Chair
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| It's Time to Renew Your Membership |
FSA's 2020-21 fiscal year begins November 1st. Don't let your member benefits end, renew today! After November 1st, your organization's membership will enter a temporary 90-day "Grace Period." Your membership will expire on January 31st and all benefits discontinued. The primary contact for each organization received an email reminder this week. Please contact us if you need a copy of your organization's invoice.
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Support FSA Education - Sponsorships Now Available
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 Are you looking for a way to show your commitment to the stormwater community? Seeking an opportunity to get your message to Florida's stormwater professionals? If so, share your message, show your commitment and interact with stormwater professionals as a Winter Conference sponsor! The Winter Conference will be held online December 1-4, 2020 and is a great opportunity to promote your organization. Learn more by visiting the Winter Conference or Sponsor pages.
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After a slowdown in rulemaking efforts during the 2020 Legislative Session and in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FDEP has now initiated several rulemaking efforts, including:
Permitting of Biosolids Disposal sites. A September 18th workshop was held on an updated proposal that was consistent with the provisions of SB 712. FDEP received comments on the draft revisions to Chapter 62-640, FAC, through October 19, 2020. Need more information? Visit the Department's Biosolids Rulemaking Page or contact Maurice Barker. Reuse of Reclaimed Water. Two efforts on reclaimed water are being initiated. One involves primarily housekeeping amendments to Chapter 62-610, FAC, regulating the treatment, management, and use of treated reclaimed water. The second is to consider revisions to Chapter 62-600, FAC, concerning potable reuse, as required by SB 712. An online workshop on reuse of reclaimed water was held on October 23, 2020. For more information, contact Alexandra Spencer.
Phase II MS4 Permits. The Department is proposing amendments to revise and update forms for the Generic Permit for Discharge of Stormwater from Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems. Comments on the proposed rule revisions are being accepted through November 12, 2020. For more information, contact Borja Crane-Amores.
Triennial Review of WQ Standards. FDEP continues to move ahead with its Triennial Review of Water Quality Standards, which began in May of 2019. States are required to conduct a comprehensive review of water quality standards every three years by the Clean Water Act. Contact Daryll Joyner at FDEP for further information. The Triennial Review process will be discussed during the FSA Winter Conference.
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| Statewide Stormwater Design Criteria |
FDEP is forming a Technical Advisory Committee to assist in the development of updated stormwater design criteria. FDEP was directed by SB 712 to update the statewide design criteria for stormwater systems and evaluate permits issued under the "10/2" General Permit. The Department received initial comments on the rulemaking effort through October 10, 2020. Visit the FSA Advocacy Page and the Environmental Resource Permitting Stormwater Rulemaking subsection of the Department's webpage on Rules in Development. FSA has encouraged FDEP to form a TAC composed of content experts and expects to be represented on the Committee.
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| Transfer of Dredge and Fill Permitting to FDEP |
FDEP, EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers have been in discussions on the delegation of authority to issue dredge and fill permits from EPA/Corps to FDEP for the past three years. As a part of the final steps in the process, EPA is soliciting public comments on Florida's application through October 31, 2020. Additionally, two online public hearings were held in October. More information can be found at EPA-HQ-OW-2018-0640 or FDEP's webpage.
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| Legislative Organizational Session |
Florida's Constitution provides that on the fourteenth day following each general election, the Legislature shall convene for the purpose of organization and selection of officers for the upcoming two years. Beyond those specifically required tasks, new members are sworn in and assignments to committees may be announced. The Organizational Session for the 2021 Session will be held on November 17, 2020.
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FSA's challenge to the 2015 WOTUS rules has been placed on hold unless and until litigation on the 2020 WOTUS "Replacement Rule" is resolved. The 2020 Replacement Rule supplants the 2015 rule. However, there are over 11 lawsuits challenging the 2020 rule and there has yet to be a discernable change in permitting policy in Florida due to the new regulations.
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| FSA 2021 Education - Save the Date! |
With 2020 coming to an end it's time to start planning for 2021. Mark your calendars now to join us next year for FSA's preeminent stormwater education:
- Annual Conference - June 23-25, 2021
- Fall Seminar - September 17, 2021
- Winter Conference - December 1-3, 2021
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Stay tuned for more details including the release of the Annual Conference Call for Presentations in November. |
FSA's Career Center is the perfect place to post your latest position vacancies! FSA members can post on the Career Center for free for 30 days and reach qualified stormwater professionals across the state of Florida. Job seekers can easily find new jobs within their profession in their area. Visit the Career Center to post a job announcement or to search for open positions.
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| Fogarty Training Center - 2021 Class Registration Open |
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 scheduling 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
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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 these 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.
Individuals can give - Organizations can give - 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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