8.2 Other Sources of Assistance and/or Technical Data

8.2.1 Overview

Other sources of assistance in the development and maintenance of a stormwater utility program include a wide variety of state and federal public agencies, and professional organizations, as described in this section. Unlike FSA, these agencies and organizations were not created specifically to meet the needs of stormwater utility programs; however, they can provide information and assistance relating to various aspects of a stormwater management and utility programs. For instance, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the five water management districts can provide information relating to current State of Florida stormwater regulations, as well as a wide variety of hydrologic, hydraulic and water quality data. Professional organizations (e.g., ASCE and WEF) conduct stormwater management workshops and seminars that provide training and public speaking opportunities for city and county staff members. These organizations also publish reference documents related to a wide variety of stormwater management topics and methods of practice.

Recognizing the existence of these agencies and organizations, and knowing how and when to contact them, will promote the wise and efficient use of stormwater utility funds; provide training and other professional opportunities to city and county staff members; and enhance the services and responsiveness offered to utility customers. The information provided below certainly does not fully document the ability of these agencies and organizations to meet the needs of a stormwater management or utility program. Based on research via the World Wide Web, we have provided a brief description of the agency or organization, as well as contact references, on how additional information can be acquired.

As described previously, it is the intent of FSA to monitor the activities of these governmental and professional organizations, as related to their involvement with stormwater management issues. Since individual contacts, committee activities, and seminar topics and schedules vary continuously, it is not practical to provide current information herein. Interested parties can contact FSA for the most current information.

8.2.2 Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)

FDEP is Florida's lead agency in state government for environmental management and stewardship. FDEP was created in 1993 with the merger of the Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Regulation. With an emphasis on ecosystem management, FDEP applies research, regulation, resource management, enforcement, and education to protect and manage Florida's environment. FDEP has six district offices that ensure statewide compliance with department rules, as related to the Districts' Air, Waste Management, Water Facilities, and Submerged Lands programs. District staff is available to answer environmental questions, and assist the public and local governments. The department also offers local assistance to citizens from its Law Enforcement Districts, Florida Parks Districts, and Aquatic Plant Management Permitting Offices.

FDEP's mission is to "protect, conserve and manage Florida's environment and natural resources." FDEP accomplishes its mission in a manner that:

• "Provides stewardship of Florida's ecosystems so that the state's unique quality of life may be preserved for present and future generations;
• Protects the public health and safety;
• Provides for the responsible and wise use of the state's mineral, cultural and living resources;
• Provides efficient and equitable service to the public; and
• Provides consistent and impartial implementation of the law."

The state's stormwater management program is outlined in three sections of Chapter 403, F.S.:

• Section 403.0891, "State, regional, and local stormwater management plans and programs," establishes the institutional roles of the FDEP, WMDs, and local governments in implementing the stormwater program. This section also requires the Florida Department of Transportation to inventory and map primary stormwater management systems that it builds, operates, or maintains. The FDEP, in coordination and cooperation with the WMDs and local governments, is to conduct a continuing review of the costs of stormwater management systems and the effects on water quality and quantity, and fish and wildlife values.
• Section 403.0893 - "Stormwater funding, dedicated funds for stormwater management," authorizes local governments to create stormwater utilities and stormwater management system benefit areas.
• Section 403.0896 - "Training and assistance for stormwater management system personnel," requires the development of training and assistance programs for persons responsible for designing, building, inspecting, or operating and maintaining stormwater management systems.
  

FDEP's Watershed Management Program is responsible for the implementation of a wide variety of programs that help protect, manage, or restore Florida's surface and ground waters. Major initiatives within the Program include:

• Coordinating Statewide monitoring of ground and surface waters
• Coordinating and promoting entry of water resource data into STORET
• Preparing the biennial 305(b) report that summarizes the health of Florida's waters
• Preparing the 303(d) list of impaired waters
• Developing Water Quality Based Effluent limitations and Total Maximum Daily Loads
• Administering the state's Nonpoint Source Management Program and the Section 319 grant program
• Coordinating implementation of the rotating basin approach
• Revising water quality standards and water body classifications including the designation of a water bodies as an Outstanding Florida Water
• Partnering with Water Management Districts, local governments, citizens, and the private sector to develop and implement watershed based Management Action Plans that will achieve watershed protection, management or restoration goals
• Conducting public education programs
• Implementing ground water protection and management programs, including the Source Water Assessment Program
• Providing technical assistance
  

Successful implementation of these programs depends on close coordination and cooperation with other state agencies, the water management districts, local governments, citizens, and the private sector.

8.2.3 Water Management Districts (WMDs)

In 1972, with the Florida Water Resources Act (Chapter 373), the state created five water management districts (WMD) with expanded responsibilities for regional water resource management and environmental protection. In that sense, the preservation and management of Florida's water resources is, to a large extent, the responsibility of the state's five WMDs, including the Northwest Florida, St. Johns River, South Florida, Southwest Florida, and Suwannee River WMDs (NWFWMD, SJRWMD, SFWMD, SWFWMD and SRWMD, respectively). The activities of each of these WMDs address a defined region that approximates a major watershed within the state. The duties of these districts include the issuance of permits for various water use activities and/or activities that have the potential to adversely impact ground or surface water resources and adjacent lands; the purchase of land to preserve or restore wetlands and water resources; the conduct of research pertaining to the quality and quantity of ground and surface water resources; the mapping of ground and surface water resources; and the conduct of outreach and public education programs.

Three of the five WMDs (SJRWMD, SWFWMD, and SFWMD) have a significantly larger population base and operating budget than the remaining two (NWFWMD and SRWMD). As a result, the services provided and activities completed by the SJRWMD, SWFWMD, and SFWMD are much more extensive than those provided by the NWFWMD and SRWMD. Specific activities of Florida's WMDs are described below.

St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD)

The SJRWMD is responsible for managing ground and surface water supplies in all or part of 19 counties in northeast and east-central Florida. This is accomplished through more than 700 staff members located in the Palatka, Jacksonville, Altamonte Springs, and Palm Bay offices. The main SJRWMD office is located in Palatka. The mission of the SJRWMD "is to ensure the sustainable use and protection of water resources for the benefit of the people of the District and the state of Florida."

Core missions of the SJRWMD are:

• Water Supply: To implement a regional strategy to provide sufficient water for users and the environment.
• Surface water resource protection: To protect surface water resources of the District and improve those resources within SWIM basins and the Upper St. Johns River Basin within established deadlines.
• Flood protection: To prevent increases in flooding and operate and maintain the District's regional flood control projects.
• Organizational effectiveness: To provide for organizational structure and tools that result in and reward continuous improvement and enhanced service delivery.

Duties of the District include:

• Issuing permits for various water use activities and/or activities that have the potential to adversely impact ground or surface water resources and adjacent lands
• Buying land to preserve or restore vital wetlands and water resources
• Conducting research about the quality and quantity of ground and surface water resources
• Mapping ground and surface water resources
• Conducting outreach and public education programs
  

South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)

The Mission of the South Florida Water Management District is to manage and protect water resources of the region by balancing and improving water quality, flood control, natural systems, and water supply. The District is working to restore and manage ecosystems and protect water quality -- from central Florida's Kissimmee River to Lake Okeechobee, and from coast to coast, spanning the peninsula from Fort Myers to Fort Pierce, south through the sprawling Everglades to Florida Bay. The District is also working to improve and plan for long-term water supply and flood control needs through a number of District programs, and through the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).

The District spans 16 counties with a total population of about six million residents. This geographic region covers 17,930 square miles and includes vast areas of agricultural lands, water conservation areas, and areas of enormous urban growth and development. Water facilities in the SFWMD include 1,800 miles of canals and levees, 25 major pumping stations and about 200 larger and 2,000 smaller water control structures.

SFWMD staff monitors and controls water levels in waterways from central Florida to south Dade County. Land acquisition and management professionals help maintain and protect pristine natural areas, and lands where the public can camp, hike, ride horseback or canoe. Also included are planners, engineers and environmental scientists involved with regional Water Supply Planning, Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) or Everglades Restoration research, monitoring, or construction projects.

District headquarters are located in West Palm Beach. Service Centers have been established to offer District services and expertise at local levels; providing more direct and more responsive access to permitting and other agency functions. Service Center staff can answer questions about local water resource issues. They can also assist those wishing to obtain permits (surface water, stormwater, right-of-way, Surface Water Improvement and Management "works of the District", well drilling or groundwater withdrawals, etc). Service Centers exist in Orlando, Okeechobee, Martin/St. Lucie, Lower West Coast, Fort Myers, Miami-Dade County, Broward, Florida Keys, and Naples.

"DBHYDRO" is the SFWMD hydrometeorologic and water quality data retrieval system. This corporate database is the source of historical and up-to-date data for the region. The system allows users to access over 30,000 station-years of data collected over 60000 stations. In addition to hydrologic and water quality data, DBHYDRO stores information about sites, structures, and stations where data are collected. Data can be retrieved in a variety of ways.

Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)

The mission of the Southwest Florida Water Management District is to manage the water and water-related resources within its boundaries. Central to the mission is maintaining the balance between the water needs of current and future users while protecting and maintaining the natural systems that provide the District with its existing and future water supply.

The SWFWMD is responsible for managing ground and surface water supplies in all or part of 16 counties located in central and western Florida. The District functions through the following units: Basin Boards, office of the Executive Director, division of resource regulation, division of resource management and development, and division of management services.

One way the SWFWMD is distinguished from the other four WMDs in Florida is by its basin boards. These boards provide guidance for local programs that are specific to the watershed basins they protect. The district has nine hydrologic basins. Eight of them have basin boards: Alafia River, Coastal Rivers, Hillsborough River, Manasota Basin, NW Hillsborough Basin, Peace River, Pinellas-Anclote River, and Withlacoochee River. The ninth basin is the Green Swamp, headwaters for four major rivers. Because of its hydrologic significance for a large portion of the district, the Green Swamp Basin is administered directly by the Governing Board.

The basin boards offer a local perspective to water management projects and programs. Basin Board members are appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate, and serve staggered three-year terms. Basin Boards are responsible for identifying water resource concerns and problems within their respective areas and adopting budgets to address and fund the resolution of such concerns.

One way the basin boards fulfill their responsibilities is through their role in the District's Cooperative Funding Program. Through this program, one of the district's most important, basin boards work with local governments and other entities on water resource projects that have an impact in local communities. Half the money for these projects comes from the basin boards. The other half comes from the local government or local cooperator.

The SWFWMD maintains offices in Brooksville, Bartow, Lecanto, Tampa, and Sarasota.

Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD)

The SRWMD is the smallest in total area and population of the five water management districts in Florida. Established in 1972, the district has jurisdiction over all or part of 15 north Florida counties, including several acres in Putnam County. The major population center is Lake City in Columbia County. As with Florida's four other water management districts, a governing board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate directs water management policy throughout the district. The board has the authority to levy ad-valorem taxes and to implement rules and regulations for the management of ground and surface water.

The District's activities are grouped into six major program and budget areas defined by the Executive Office of the Governor: Water Resources Planning and Monitoring; Acquisition, Restoration, and Public Works; Operation and Maintenance of Lands and Works; Regulations; Communications and Outreach; District Management and Administration.

Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD)

The NWFWMD stretches from the St. Marks River Basin in Jefferson County to the Perdido River in Escambia County. Sixteen counties lie within the district. Within the district's 11,305-square-mile area, there are several major hydrologic (or drainage) basins: Perdido River and Bay System, Pensacola Bay System (Escambia, Blackwater and Yellow rivers), Choctawhatchee River and Bay System, St. Andrew Bay System, Apalachicola River and Bay System, Ochlockonee River and Bay System, and St. Marks River Basin (Wakulla River). With approximately 1.1 million residents, the northwest region represents about 8% of the state's population and 21% of its land area.

The goals of the NWFWMD are:

• To ensure an adequate supply of water for all reasonable and beneficial purposes through the promotion of conservation, resource protection and development of alternative supplies.
• To minimize harm from flooding and otherwise protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the region.
• To protect, maintain and improve the quality of the water resource.
• To enhance public awareness, understanding and participation in comprehensive water resource management.
• To develop the District's overall water management capabilities, expertise and abilities to provide technical assistance for local needs
  

A nine-member Governing Board, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate, guides district activities. Board members serve four-year terms without compensation and may be reappointed. An Executive Director oversees a staff of approximately 90 that includes hydrologists, geologists, biologists, engineers, planners, foresters, land managers, and various administrative personnel. The NWFWMD maintains field offices in Pensacola, Marianna, and Econfina.

8.2.4 Agencies

United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)

The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is "to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment - air, water, and land - upon which life depends."

EPA provides leadership in the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts. EPA works closely with other federal agencies, state and local governments, and Indian tribes to develop and enforce regulations under existing environmental laws. EPA is responsible for researching and setting national standards for a variety of environmental programs and delegates to states and tribes responsibility for issuing permits, and monitoring and enforcing compliance. Where national standards are not met, EPA can issue sanctions and take other steps to assist the states and tribes in reaching the desired levels of environmental quality. The Agency also works with industries and all levels of government in a wide variety of voluntary pollution prevention programs and energy conservation efforts.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, and Region share this mission: To maintain, enhance, protect, and restore the quality and quantity of all water resources for the furtherance of healthy, sustainable ecosystems and the human environment. We agree to pursue this mission in partnership with each other, the States, Tribal governments, local governments, other federal agencies, and stakeholders.

EPA operates 10 Regional Offices. Each Regional Office is responsible within selected states for the execution of the Agency's programs, considering regional needs and the implementation of federal environmental laws. Region 4 is responsible within the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The Region 4 Office is located in Atlanta, Georgia.

Numerous cities and counties in the State of Florida are participating in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program for stormwater discharges. In addition, all Florida communities will be part of the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program, which is underway. The State of Florida administers directly these two programs, but the state efforts are coordinated with the USEPA Region 4 office.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a former independent agency that became part of the new Department of Homeland Security in March 2003. Since it's founding in 1979, FEMA's mission has been "To reduce loss of life and property and protect our nation's critical infrastructure from all types of hazards through a comprehensive, risk-based, emergency management program of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery."

FEMA is the governmental leader with responsibility for the nation's emergency management system. Local and state programs are the heart of the emergency management system, and most disasters are handled by local or state governments. FEMA supports state and local emergency management programs by funding emergency planning, training emergency managers and local officials, conducting large-scale tests, called "exercises," and sponsoring programs that teach the public how to prepare for disasters. FEMA provides technical assistance to communities that promote safe and wise land-use planning in designated floodplains as a condition for making federal flood insurance available to residents in participating communities.

The Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA), a component of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), manages the National Flood Insurance Program. The three components of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are Flood Insurance, Floodplain Management, and Flood Hazard Mapping

Nearly 20,000 communities across the United States and its territories participate in the NFIP by adopting and enforcing floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage. In exchange, the NFIP makes Federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters, and business owners in these communities. Community participation in the NFIP is voluntary.

Flood insurance is designed to provide an alternative to disaster assistance to reduce the escalating costs of repairing damage to buildings and their contents caused by floods. Flood damage is reduced by nearly $1 billion a year through communities implementing sound floodplain management requirements and property owners purchasing of flood insurance. Additionally, buildings constructed in compliance with NFIP building standards suffer approximately 80 percent less damage annually than those not built in compliance. And, every $3 paid in flood insurance claims saves $1 in disaster assistance payments.

In addition to providing flood insurance and reducing flood damages through floodplain management regulations, the NFIP identifies and maps the nation's floodplains by creating the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM). Mapping flood hazards creates broad-based awareness of the flood hazards and provides the data needed for floodplain management programs and to actuarially rate new construction for flood insurance.

FEMA has ten regional offices, and two area offices. Each region serves several states, and regional staff works directly with the states to help plan for disasters, develop mitigation programs, and meet needs when major disasters occur. Florida is included in Region 4. The Regional Office is in Atlanta, Georgia. Region IV is FEMA's largest geographic region. During a Presidential Disaster Declaration, in addition to its 115 full-time employees, the Region can draw from a cadre of over 550 Disaster Assistance Employees or "reservists" experienced in areas ranging from the delivery of disaster assistance to public information and more.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

The mission of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is to "provide the Nation with reliable, impartial information to describe and understand the Earth.

This information is used to:

• Minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters
• Manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources
• Enhance and protect the quality of life
• Contribute to wise economic and physical development."

In addition, the USGS Water Resources Division provides the hydrologic information and understanding needed by others to achieve the best use and management of the nation's water resources. To accomplish this, the Water Resources Division, in cooperation with state, local, and other federal agencies:

• Systematically collects and analyzes data to evaluate the quantity, quality, and use of the nation's water resources, and provides results of these investigations to the public.
• Conducts water resources appraisals describing the occurrence, availability, and physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of surface and groundwater.
• Conducts basic and problem-oriented hydrologic and related research that aids in alleviating water resources problems, and provides an understanding of hydrologic systems sufficient to predict their response to natural or human-caused stress.
• Coordinates the activities of federal agencies in the acquisition of water resources data for streams, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and groundwater.
• Provides scientific and technical assistance in hydrologic fields to other federal, state, and local agencies, to licensees of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and to international agencies on behalf of the Department of State.
• Administers the State Water Resources Research Institutes Program and the National Water Resources Research Grants Program.

The USGS maintains 17 offices in Florida. The main state office is located in Tallahassee.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE)

The mission of the Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program is to protect the Nation's aquatic resources, while allowing reasonable development through fair, flexible and balanced permit decisions. The Corps of Engineers serves by providing comprehensive engineering, management, and technical support to the Department of Defense, other agencies, and state and local governments. ACOE helps defend America's security -- militarily, economically, and environmentally. Specifically, the ACOE:

• Manages the design and construction of living, working, and training areas for the Army and Air Force
• Plans, designs, builds, and often operates and maintains projects that provide river and harbor navigation, flood control, water supply, hydroelectric power, environmental restoration, wildlife protection, and recreation
• Protects the nation's waterways and wetlands
• Undertakes disaster relief and recovery work
• Operates the nation's largest real estate program, with holdings the size of Kentucky at its military installations and civil projects
• Searches for new technologies through research and development
• Puts to work engineering, contracting, and construction management skills for other federal agencies on missions ranging from toxic waste clean-up for the Environmental Protection Agency's "Superfund" to construction of space facilities for NASA

The Corps evaluates permit applications for essentially all construction activities that occur in the Nation's waters, including wetlands. Corps permits are also necessary for any work, including construction and dredging, in the Nation's navigable waters. The Corps balances the reasonably foreseeable benefits and detriments of proposed projects, and makes permit decisions that recognize the essential values of the Nation's aquatic ecosystems to the general public, as well as the property rights of private citizens who want to use their land. During the permit process, the Corps considers the views of other Federal, state and local agencies, interest groups, and the general public. The results of this careful public interest review are fair and equitable decisions that allow reasonable use of private property, infrastructure development, and growth of the economy, while offsetting the authorized impacts to the waters of the US. The adverse impacts to the aquatic environment are offset by mitigation requirements, which may include restoring, enhancing, creating and preserving aquatic functions and values

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has 8 divisions (also called Regional Business Centers) throughout the US with 41 district offices in the US, Asia and Europe, and field offices throughout the world. The USACE divisions and districts follow watershed boundaries, not state boundaries, so a state could be divided into several divisions/districts.

Florida is part of the South Atlantic Division South Atlantic Division. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the South Atlantic Division is one of eight Corps regional offices, responsible for all or part of eight southeastern states. The Division includes five district offices. The Florida Peninsula is within the Jacksonville District, whereas the Panhandle is included in the Mobile District.

8.2.5 Professional Organizations

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Founded in 1852, ASCE represents more than 120,000 civil engineers worldwide, and is America's oldest national engineering society.

As reported in ASCE's Internet homepage, the ASCE mission reads: "ASCE advances professional knowledge and improves the practice of civil engineering as:

• The lead professional organization serving civil engineers and those in related disciplines
• The focal point for development and transfer of research results, and technical, policy and managerial information
• The catalyst for effective and efficient service through cooperation with other engineering and related organizations."

American Water Resources Association (AWRA)

The mission of AWRA "is to promote understanding of water resources and related issues by providing a multidisciplinary forum for education, professional development and information exchange."

The Florida Section of AWRA meets six times each year in various cities throughout the state. Typically, meetings are held the third Friday of the months of January, March, May, July, September, and November. Five meetings are technical sessions, usually beginning about 4:00 p.m. The sixth meeting is the State Annual Meeting in July in Key West, beginning Thursday evening, followed by an all day Friday meeting.

A typical program includes a Board of Directors meeting, a technical session on a wide variety of topics, a reception, and a dinner banquet, which includes a keynote speaker discussing a timely water resource issue. Meeting attendance ranges from 50 to 150 people. Often, the following Saturday after each meeting offers a field trip to area resources. The section newsletter always includes upcoming program and registration information.

Over the years the section membership has grown to over 300 members. Approximately 40% of the section members are also national members. Florida Section members are employed by public and private organizations such as:

• Florida Department of Environmental Protection and other state agencies
• Florida's Water Management Districts and drainage districts
• State University System, private universities and colleges
• United States Geological Survey, the United States Army Corp of Engineers and other federal agencies
• Local government officials, utilities, and resource management departments
• Consulting firms -- environmental, engineering, economists, and planning, testing, survey, well drilling, and computer firms
• Law firms
• Agriculture and aqua-culture businesses
• Seminole Indian Tribe
• Professional trade associations

American Public Works Association (APWA)

The mission of the APWA is to improve the quality of life by providing a forum for the development and exchange of ideas, information and technology, which enhances the delivery of public services by promoting the personal and professional growth of its members, and by advancing public works issues on the public agenda.

Water Environment Federation (WEF)

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is an international not-for-profit educational and technical organization of over 40,000 water experts. WEF members include environmental, civil, and chemical engineers; biologists; chemists; government officials; treatment plant managers and operators; laboratory technicians; college professors, researchers, and students; and equipment manufacturers and distributors.

The federation was founded in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. in 1928, through a grant from the Chemical Foundation, as the Federation of Sewage Works Associations. The organization's original purpose was to publish the Sewage Works Journal for those in wastewater treatment. Today, WEF materials and services have expanded to meet a wide spectrum of water quality needs.

For nearly 70 years, WEF has guided technological developments in water quality and provided its members and the public with the latest information on wastewater treatment and water quality protection. Federation representatives testify before government bodies, and they review and comment on regulations and legislation. The federation also provides expertise on issues ranging from non-point source pollution and hazardous waste to biosolids recycling and groundwater contamination. No other group can match the depth of knowledge represented by WEF members.