December is right around the corner, so this is the perfect time to remind everyone about FSA's upcoming
Winter Conference in Orlando on December 6th - 8th. Be sure to register by November 3rd to take advantage of the
discounted Early-Bird rates!
Options on December 6th include a tour of local stormwater projects hosted by the City of Orlando or an extended workshop session on the Use of Reasonable Assurance Plans as an Alternative to Total Maximum Daily Loads.
The December 7th Opening Session features presentations from FDEP Secretary Noah Valenstein, Dr. Kendra Goff of FDOH's Bureau of Environmental Health and Brett Cyphers, Executive Director of the Northwest Florida WMD. Plan to attend and hear their insights on water quality restoration initiatives and likely legislation and regulatory programs to watch for in 2018. The balance of the
Conference Agenda includes topics that range from water farming, to strategies for OSTDS replacement, to the impacts of sea level rise, and many more!
FSA conferences provide a valuable opportunity for stormwater professionals to come together, exchange information, share "war stories", see old friends and make new ones. I think it is safe to say that most Floridians were impacted by the 2017 Hurricane season, so this is a great opportunity for us all to come together. As the Chair of the Conference Committee, we continuously strive to make the FSA conferences the premiere stormwater event in Florida by bringing you a great mix of presentations on emerging regulatory issues, technical presentations given by seasoned stormwater professionals and an exhibit hall featuring vendors with the latest in cutting-edge stormwater technologies!
I look forward to seeing everyone in December at the Orlando Hilton!
Be sure to register by November 3rd to take advantage of the discounted Early-Bird rates!
Call for Presentations - Annual Conference
Have an innovative project, solution to a water quality problem or case study that you wish to share with other stormwater professionals in Florida? Have you recently seen presentations or speakers that would be of interest to your colleagues in FSA? Be sure to
submit a presentation for a workshop session during next year's Annual Conference by December 15, 2017! Remember that the 2018 Annual Conference will be a special one in that FSA will be
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary! In addition to the great educational experience with Sanibel Island as a backdrop, there will be many exciting additions planned to celebrate this significant milestone of the Association!
Membership Deadline - November 1st!
FSA's 2017-18 fiscal year begins Wednesday, November 1st and membership dues are payable at that time. Don't let your membership lapse! Keep all of the
member services and benefits current for ALL of the employees in your organization. Remember that FSA membership is organizational, so all staff/employees are included in one membership fee! QUESTIONS? Call (888) 221-3124.
Legislative Session Cranking Up
Although Hurricane Irma has put the schedule somewhat behind, Interim Legislative Committee Meetings have begun and will continue through the first week of December. For more information see the
Legislative Calendar. Legislation of interest to FSA's membership will be posted to the
Legislative (members only) Page of the Association's website. The website is a great tool for members interested in where key stormwater legislation is in "the process" and includes information on the impacts of a bill, contact information on the bill's sponsor, the membership of its next committee of reference, etc. The 2018 Legislative Session begins January 9th and is scheduled to conclude on March 9, 2018.
WOTUS Teleconferences Scheduled
EPA has scheduled
10 outreach teleconferences to hear recommendations from stakeholders on future revisions to the WOTUS definitions, which the agency plans to undertake in 2018. The comment period on a
proposed rule repealing the 2015 revisions to the definitions of Waters of the United States or WOTUS closed late September. See
FSA's Comments. Until the 2015 rule is formally repealed or a court rules on the current litigation, enforcement of the existing rule has been "stayed" by the courts and most matters in the current WOTUS litigation are on hold.
Fogarty Training Center
FSA's Fogarty Training Center holds over 25 classes throughout Florida each year. A current list of classes may be found on the
Training Centers webpage. Both
Level 1 and
Level 2 Certified Stormwater Operator classes 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
Jurisdictions that host Training Center Classes receive discounts on registration fees! Interested in hosting a class or being placed on a list to receive notices when a class is scheduled in your area? Contact
FSA's Fogarty Training Center.
FSA Career Center
Did you know that FSA members can post position vacancies on the FSA Career Center
at no cost (i.e. FREE!) for 30 days? Visit the
Career Center to post a job announcement or to search for open positions.
We appreciate your feedback! Please don't hesitate to contact us if have any questions about FSA.
FSA
