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Emerald Coast RC Developing
Regional Stormwater Resilience Pilot Plan
Stormwater runoff is one of the most impactful environmental issues affecting northwest Florida. The Emerald Coast RC under the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) is excited to be developing a Regional Stormwater Resilience Pilot Plan using Transportation Management Area (TMA) funds.

Traditionally, stormwater management is done site-by-site, resulting in numerous fenced-off ponds, often on prime real estate. Many communities have shifted towards a regional stormwater approach that includes public amenities such as paths, disc golf courses, and amphitheaters. These ponds may also provide additional stormwater treatment capacity for future developments.

The Stormwater Resilience Pilot Plan will identify local stormwater needs and assets, focusing on impacts of projects currently included in the TPO's 20-year Long-Range Transportation Plan. The goal is to develop a process by which local governments can work with FDOT during the early planning stage to develop projects with multiple community-based benefits.

This stormwater pilot project will result in three primary goals: Development of a process for identifying and aligning TPO, FDOT, and community stormwater priorities/needs, identification of up to three sites where regional stormwater parks can be designed to meet both FDOT and community stormwater needs, and the development of conceptual layout/plans for the regional stormwater parks identified, including proposed project estimates.

To support the planning process, a Stormwater Implementation Team will be established to guide the project. An Advocacy Working Group, public meetings, and direct outreach will provide additional feedback and comments for the final plan. Emerald Coast RC looks forward to working on this innovative project and the benefit it will have in FL-AL TPO region.
Southeast Florida Clean Cities and South Florida LEPC Host
First Responder Training
The Southeast Florida Clean Cities Coalition (Coalition) and the South Florida Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) identified alternative fuel first responder training needs for Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties. According to vehicle registration data, Florida is second in the nation for electric vehicle consumers. This trend is expected to continue along with acceleration of other alternative fuel vehicles such as propane, hydrogen, and renewable natural gas. Today’s alternative fuel vehicles are vastly different than traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles. First responders must receive training to understand the new mechanical features of alternative fuel vehicles to ensure public safety in the event of an incident. To help meet this need, the Coalition and the LEPC hosted an alternative fuel training for electric and propane school buses on May 18, 2023.
 
Alternative fuel training for school buses was selected to coincide with Broward County Public School’s contract with Blue Bird to supply 60 new electric school buses. The order replaced part of BCPS diesel fleet with zero-emission vehicles through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Volkswagen Mitigation Settlement Trust fund. This deal marks the largest electric school bus fleet purchase in Blue Bird’s history. Broward County also operates the largest propane school bus fleet in the state.
 
The training was held in partnership with the Southeast Florida Clean Cities Coalition, Florida Transportation Systems, Inc.; the provider of the school buses; Roush, Blue Bird, the South Florida LEPC, and the City of Hollywood Fire Rescue and Beach Safety. The training was hosted at the City of Hollywood Fire Rescue Training Facility, the EV school bus training was provided by Blue Bird and the propane training was provided by Roush. The electric vehicle and propane training helps to ensure public safety continues to be a priority.
 
Approximately 50 first responders from Miami-Dade and Broward counties participated in this standing-room only training opportunity. The responders rotated between a classroom and outside, hands-on training. The classroom training provided an overview of the propane system and the electric vehicle battery. During the hands-on component of the training, responders were able to climb on board and underneath the propane and EV school buses to thoroughly examine engine mechanics and structural components and to field questions directly to the manufacturers. The program was well-received and plans are in the works to provide additional alternative fuel vehicles training later in 2023. 
 
To learn more about the Southeast Florida Clean Cities Coalition visit the Coalitions website at www.sefloridacleancities.org. To learn more about the South Florida LEPC visit the Committees website at www.soflalepc.org.
Treasure Coast RPC Partners to Host Housing Summit
Affordable housing is a challenge for many communities including Martin County. To assist in addressing the issue the Treasure Coast RPC worked with the non-profit Housing Solutions Council of Martin County to host a Housing Solutions Summit in June 2023. The Summit was the 2nd large event hosted by the Councils related to affordable and workforce housing. The first event, held in October of 2022, focused on building consensus through sharing of data and personal experiences from those on the frontline of the issue. The more recent event was focused on bringing forth information and points to consider for potential solutions to the problem – with a desire to ensure that the solutions fit local conditions. Some takeaway points from the summit:
 
  • Good small places are built like good big places
  • Location of housing matters – proximity to jobs and transportation
  • Local government’s role in affordable housing revolves around: finances, public land, zoning, and partnerships
  • Affordable housing is not just for “them”, it is for all of “us”
  • There are successful projects being built
  • Follow the intent of the Live Local Act
  • Haphazard Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are the problem, not ADUs themselves. There are good regulation examples available.
 
The Summit was well attended by the public, non-profit organizations, local elected officials, Florida Senator Gayle Harrell, and staff for other state and federal elected officials. The Treasure Coast RPC looks forward to continuing to work with local affordable housing partners to provide information, policy guidance, and support towards resolving this critical economic and social concern.