FSA Fogarty
Training Center
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New Sponsor Opportunities Available!
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Mark your Calendars!
25th Anniversary
Conference
June 13-15, 2018
Sanibel
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December 6-8, 2017
Hilton Orlando
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A Message From Your Membership Chair
FSA Members -
As stormwater experts, we dread the extreme scenarios that we plan for. Not just in the general sense, but for many of us the numbers and maps we carry around in our heads has an emotional impact on us when we learn of an approaching storm. Not just in our community, but anywhere in the world. We know through direct experience, training and education what extreme flooding and storms can do to communities. We work tirelessly to prevent it. We plan for these scenarios continually - but that doesn't make it any easier when we see it occurring anywhere.
Unfortunately, stormwater and flooding has been a daily thought for too many communities over the past couple of months. As stormwater managers, we work at the foundation of the issue and ironically, we are happiest when the public is not thinking about what we do!
As Membership Chair for FSA, I continually think about the value that FSA offers to our members and how we can improve our services. How can we best serve our colleagues working on these foundational issues right now? I have a simple answer to this question this year. Community is everything. Now, more than ever, it is an excellent time to come together with your FSA colleagues. Now is the time to huddle as stormwater managers, engineers and scientists - and most of all as Floridians. Planning for the next storm starts immediately after the last one passes - and FSA is pleased to provide a platform where we can all come together and start this process together. With this said, I hope to see you all at the upcoming Fall Seminar (rescheduled due to the hurricane) and the Winter Conference.
We know it will take many months - possibly longer - for communities to recover from this year's hurricane season. Many of us will continue to work tirelessly as stormwater managers to assist with the many needs generated by these storms. In that regard, FSA continues to work to provide stormwater managers with top-notch education and networking opportunities to help you perform your daily responsibilities. Please let us know how we can further assist.
Elizabeth Perez, Collective Water Resources
Membership Committee Chair
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Fall Seminar - Rescheduled to Oct. 20th
"Achieving Progress in Reducing Pollutant Loads"
Hurricane Irma forced FSA to reschedule its Fall Seminar to October 20, 2017! The Seminar will present a comprehensive overview of the Phase 1 MS4 permit's requirements to document progress in reducing pollutant loads discharging to priority TMDL waterbodies. The Seminar will help permit managers identify approaches to comply with permit requirements and demonstrate progress in reducing loadings.
All Seminar registrations made for the original September 8th date have been moved to October 20th. FSA has contracted with the hotel to set aside a new block of sleeping rooms for all seminar attendees at a discounted rate of $155/night (Parking included, a $22 value!). The small block of rooms is being held until October 4, 2017 or until the block fills up, whichever comes first. Make your reservation by going online to our dedicated reservations page. Be sure to mention you are with the "Florida Stormwater Association" to receive the discounted rate. Go to the Seminar's webpage for more information.
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2017 Winter Conference - Register Now!
FSA will return to the Hilton Orlando for its Winter Conference on December 6-8, 2017. The Conference features a
great agenda, including Keynotes FDEP Secretary Noah Valenstein, Dr. Kendra Goff of FDOH's Bureau of Environmental Health and Brett Cyphers, Executive Director of the Northwest Florida WMD. There's a great line-up of workshops and exhibits, a tour of local stormwater projects and an extended Pre-Conference Workshop option on Reasonable Assurance Plans.
Registration is open now - visit the
Winter Conference webpage for all the details!
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Legislative Committee Meetings Begin
Legislative Sessions during even-numbered years always begin early and the 2018 Session begins on January 9th. Interim Committee Meetings were set to begin in September and continue through the first week of December, although Hurricane Irma has put the schedule somewhat behind. See the
Legislative Calendar for more information. 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.
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Membership Renewal Open Now!
FSA's 2017-18 fiscal year begins November 1st. Don't let your membership lapse! Keep all of the
member services and benefits current for ALL of the employees of your organization. First renewal notices were sent in mid-August. Moving forward, watch your inbox for renewal emails from FSA.
QUESTIONS? Call (888) 221-3124.
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FSA Submits WOTUS Comments
FSA submitted comments to EPA concerning the proposed revisions to the 2015 WOTUS rule on September 26, 2017. In July, EPA published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to repeal the 2015 revisions to the definitions of Waters of the United States or WOTUS. Moving forward, EPA has scheduled a series of 10 outreach teleconferences to hear recommendations from stakeholders on future revisions to the WOTUS definitions, which the agency states will occur in 2018. Until the 2015 rule is 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.
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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
Need to recertify in 2017? FSA certifications are valid for five years. The last
online class for recertification will be held on November 7, 2017. Save your seat now!
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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.
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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
Website: www.florida-stormwater.org
Toll-Free Phone: 888-221-3124
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