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FSA Conference Committee Update
The Florida Stormwater Association’s 2021 Winter Conference is just around the corner. The conference will be held online on December 1-3, 2021. The Conference Committee works hard every year to select the best and most relevant topics. The Pre-Conference Workshop will focus on floodplain mitigation topics. The Thursday morning Opening Session will kick off with remarks from FDEP Secretary John Truitt and our Association President Elliott Shoberg, and lead into two days of exciting presentations from local stormwater experts. One of the presentations will focus on HB 53 and the reporting of the 20-year stormwater needs analysis, which has been a burning topic in our community since the bill went into effect in July. There will also be an update on the Piney Point discharge and the community’s response.
Come network, hear about what other groups are working on, and stay up to date on the latest in stormwater! Register now - early bird prices are effective until November 5th. We hope to see you all there, at least virtually!
Melanie Weed, Pinellas County
Conference Committee Chair
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Support FSA Education – Conference Sponsorships Now Available
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 1-3, 2021 and is a great opportunity to promote your organization. Learn more by visiting the Conference or Sponsor pages. |
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It’s Time to Renew Your Membership
FSA’s 2021-22 fiscal year begins Monday, November 1, 2021. Don't let your member benefits end, renew today! After November 1st, your organization's membership will enter a temporary 30-day “Grace Period.” Your membership will expire on November 30th and all benefits discontinued for your organization. Questions? Call 888-221-3124 or email FSA. |
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Implementing HB 53’s 20-Year Needs Analysis – What You Need to Know
HB 53 (Chapter No. 2021-194, Laws of Florida) requires all local governments with wastewater or stormwater management systems to create a 20-year needs analysis, including a description of the system, the number of future residents served, revenues and expenditures, maintenance costs, etc. The intent of the measure is to have a better understanding of Florida’s financial needs for water quality improvement and flood protection programs. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Each city and special district are required to transmit its information to its county government by June 30, 2022.
2. Each county is to compile the information received, add its own data and file summarized information for all jurisdictions in its area with the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) by July 31, 2022 and every five years thereafter.
To assist in this effort FSA is hosting a workshop on the implementation of HB 53 with a review of EDR’s reporting toll and approach on gathering the information at the FSA Winter Conference in early December. |
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WOTUS Regulations – Version 3.0
Since assuming office earlier this year, the leadership at EPA and the Army Corps have stated their intent to develop a “durable” set of definitions of what constitutes waters subject to federal jurisdiction or are “Waters of the US.” An initial draft regulation has been transmitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review. If adopted, the new definitions would constitute the third version of WOTUS definitions and policy since 2015. The Agencies held a series of initial webinar meetings in August and September to receive comments on WOTUS policy and recently announced plans for regional Roundtable Discussions in November and December. FSA testified during the August webinars and submitted written comments on potential WOTUS rules. |
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WOTUS Litigation
Two federal courts have now vacated the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule. While several courts had already remanded the rule back to EPA and the Army Corps for review and revision, courts in Arizona and New Mexico also invalidated or “vacated” the rule. The Biden Administration is interpreting the decisions as having nationwide effect, and EPA and the Corps are no longer implementing policy based on the 2020 rule. A second question in front of the Arizona court was whether the 2019 Repeal rule should also be invalidated. The Court asked for more information on that question. It’s expected that a decision on the 2019 Repeal Rule will be rendered later this year.
Vacating the 2020 rule reverts WOTUS policy back to the pre-2015 regulations (which were originally developed in the 1980s) since the 2020 rule was developed after the 2019 “Repeal Rule” was already in effect. If the 2019 repeal rule is vacated, policy reverts to the 2015 Clean Water Rule, which FSA and others still have a lawsuit pending in Tallahassee federal court.
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Statewide SW Design Criteria TAC
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PFAS Roadmap Released
On October 18, 2021, EPA released the agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap which lays out an agency-wide approach and timeline for addressing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. EPA is beginning a national engagement effort on PFAS, including a series of webinars, listening sessions and engagements with affected communities. The next webinar will be held on November 2, 2021 at 2:00 PM. Visit EPA’s website for more information and to register. |
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Legislative Committee Meetings
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OSTDS Variance Committee Meetings
The Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems Variance Committee meetings will examine applications for variance from the requirements of Chapter 62-6, Florida Administrative Code ( Standards for Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems). The meetings are open to the public and are intended to fulfill the provisions of subsection 381.0065(3)(d), FS, which provides FDEP with the authority to grant variances in hardship cases that meet the criteria of rules and statues. Two meetings are set for the balance of 2021. You may register by clicking one of the following dates below:
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FSA 2022 Education – Save the Date!
With 2021 coming to an end, many of you are asking for information on FSA’s 2022 educational events. Mark your calendars now to join us next year for FSA’s preeminent stormwater education:
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• Webinars - March 17, 2022 and May 5, 2022
• Annual Conference - June 15-17, 2022
• Fall Seminar - September 16, 2022
• Winter Conference - December 2022 (Dates TBD)
Stay tuned for more details including the release of the Annual Conference Call for Presentations in November!
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FSA Career Center
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 – New Stormwater Operator Course Dates Announced!
FSA’s Fogarty Training Center holds both Level 1 and Level 2 Certified Stormwater Operator courses 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 courses while adding in-person options. Registration is now open for the following courses:
Level 1 (designed for stormwater management field personnel)
• December 15-16, 2021 - In-Person - Sarasota County - Register now
• January 12-13, 2022 - In-Person - City of Jacksonville - Register now
Level 2 (designed for stormwater management field supervisors)
• January 26-27, 2022 - In-Person - City of Jacksonville - Register now
Don’t see a course when or where you want it? Contact FSA today! |
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Last Chance to Register for the November 9th Recertification Courses is Monday!
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Invest in the Future of Stormwater Management! |
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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!
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We appreciate your feedback! Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about FSA.
Sincerely,
Florida Stormwater Association
Toll-Free Phone: 888-221-3124
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