September 1997
Stormwater Loan Rulemaking to Begin

The first step in beginning the rule-making process for low-interest loans for stormwater management facilities has occurred at DEP. Staff of the Bureau of Water Facilities Funding have received approval from the Department's Policy Coordinating Committee to proceed with the adoption of rules to implement the changes made by the Legislature during the last Session.

The Policy Coordinating Council is an internal committee composed of senior DEP staff. Among other things, it reviews requests to initiate rule-making by the Department's many divisions and bureaus.

A Technical Advisory Committee composed of eight to 10 people will be appointed by DEP to assist in the rule-making process. Suggestions for people to serve on the TAC will be solicited from FASU and the Florida League of Cities, Association of Counties and Florida Engineering Society. DEP hopes to have the TAC appointed before December 1, 1997.

Revisions were passed to the Florida Statutes during the 1997 Session that authorized the use of a portion of the Wastewater Revolving Loan Fund for stormwater purposes beginning with the 1998-99 state fiscal year. The state fiscal year starts July 1st. Staff of the Bureau of Water Facilities Funding hope to have the stormwater loan rule adopted by May