2025 Winter Conference Agenda

[Pre-Conference Tour] Guided Tour of Green Infrastructure 
(Additional Registration Required)
Join us for an engaging tour of Green Stormwater Infrastructure projects in the Orlando area, organized in collaboration with our local partners. Register early as a limited number of seats are available and we anticipate the tour filling up quickly.  Transportation will depart from the hotel lobby promptly at 12:45 p.m. and will return no later than 3:00 p.m. We recommend dressing comfortably and wearing suitable walking shoes to enjoy the experience.  Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about innovative stormwater management solutions and their impact on our community.

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
(2 PDHs)

[Pre-Conference Workshop] Managing Stormwater Infrastructure: Asset Management and Utility Rate Strategies
(Additional Registration Required)
Join us to explore how local governments are managing green infrastructure through strategic asset management and utility rate restructuring. Participants will gain insight into innovative approaches for funding infrastructure upgrades and improvements by revising utility fees. The session will highlight real-world examples, lessons learned, and key considerations for agencies interested in implementing similar initiatives.

Mark VanAuken, , PE, CPMSM, ENV SP, Stormwater and GI Practice Leader
Arcadis

Jason Kaufman, PE, Engineering Division Manager
City of Delray Beach

Brittany Baporis, Senior Consultant (Invited)
Raftelis

8:45 AM - 10:00 AM
(1.25 PDHs)

Welcome, Opening Remarks & FSA Educational Foundation Scholarship Awards

Melanie Weed, President
Florida Stormwater Association

Eddy Bouza, Chief Resilience Officer
State of Florida

Tiffany Busby, Chair
Florida Stormwater Association Educational Foundation 

Session 1 – Has Tavares Ecological Park Improved the Water Quality of Lake Dora?
We often hear about stormwater management projects in the making, but how do these projects perform once implemented? This presentation will examine stormwater best management practices that have been incorporated into the Tavares Ecological Park. We will evaluate the extent to which these initiatives have influenced the water quality of the impaired Lake Dora and the broader Chain of Lakes. Join us as we delve into the outcomes of these efforts and their implications for environmental sustainability.  

Bradley Hayes, Senior Consultant
Woodard & Curran

Amanda Boone, PE, Senior Project Manager
Woodard & Curran

Session 2 – A Resilient Stormwater Management Plan for Hollywood, Florida
The City of Hollywood faces challenges with dense development, low land elevation, and aging infrastructure, all of which are increasingly impacted by sea level rise, tidal surges, and varying precipitation patterns. This session will provide an in-depth overview of the stormwater master plan designed for this fully developed coastal city, which is particularly vulnerable to heavy rainfall events, King Tides, and Sea Level Rise. Attendees will explore innovative and resilient solutions outlined in the master plan, including the integration of green infrastructure and the implementation of large-scale Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs).  Additionally, a comparative analysis of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) modeling approaches will be revealed that address specific coastal problem areas.

Tom Nye, PE, PhD, Water Resource Engineer
CDM Smith

Jon Goldman, PE, Project Manager
CDM Smith

Session 3 – Streamline the Storm: Achieving Effortless NPDES Compliance
Faced with the ecomplexities of NPDES compliance for Florida’s largest Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), the City of Jacksonville implemented a geospatial enterprise platform equipped with custom scripts, comprehensive reports, and mobile data collection tools. This strategic initiative has transformed a previously cumbersome process into a streamlined, data-driven asset management solution. In this presentation, we will explore the evolution of NPDES compliance and operational management within the City of Jacksonville, highlighting the significant improvements achieved over the years. Join us to discover how innovative technology can enhance compliance efforts and operational efficiency in municipal stormwater management.

Alexa Graf, PE, Project Manager
England Thims and Miller

Daniel Johns, GISP, Director of Geospatial Technologies
England Thims and Miller

Orange County has undertaken a comprehensive revision of overhauled its wetland and surface water protection regulations, incorporating advanced scientific research, enhanced buffer zones, and a tiered permitting system. This presentation explores how data-driven reforms are effectively protecting wetland functions and improving water quality, while also mitigating flood risks and reshaping development practices in Central Florida. Join us to discover the innovative strategies that are paving the way for a sustainable environmental stewardship.   

Tim Hull, Environmental Programs Administrator
Orange County

In response to new 2025 ERP stormwater inspection requirements, FDEP partnered with UF/IFAS to develop the Stormwater Qualified Inspector Training (SQuInT) program. This fully online training is designed to educate non-professionals on stormwater system function, performance indicators, and inspection protocols. The course continues to evolve based on feedback. This presentation will provide an overview of the training, UF/IFAS resources for inspectors, and ways for attendees to contribute to the program’s future development.

Eban Bean, PhD, PE, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
University of Florida

Session 6 – Controlling Sedimentation and Pollution with Nature-Based Systems
Get rooted in the science of sediment! This session plants the seeds of innovation for stormwater design. Uncover how Engineering with Nature (EWN) clears the way for cleaner, calmer waters and a collaborative STEM partnership that's engaging students in hands-on data collection that can reshape stormwater management through nature-based design. We will discuss how effective sediment control can significantly enhance water quality, as water clarity is directly related to turbidity and the presence of suspended particles. This presentation will also present an ongoing STEM partnership between Sea & Shoreline and Indian River State College which actively engages students in hands-on data collection. This presentation will also provide an update on the 2023 FSA Excellence Award winning Eelgrass Project, showcasing the successful integration of innovative practices in environmental stewardship.

Nicholas Muzia, PE, Principal Engineer
Sea & Shoreline

It’s time to relax!  So get comfortable and join us for snacks, drinks, and the chance to win a door prize.  This will be the final hour to visit FSA’s Exhibitors, be sure to stop by to learn more about Florida’s emerging stormwater technologies!

As Florida continues to face mounting challenges from flooding and water quality degradation, communities are re-evaluating development performance standards to better manage stormwater and flood risk. This session highlights applied research and practical tools, like the Code Audit Scorecard Tool (CAST) and the No Adverse Impact (NAI) approach, that support improved water quality, reduced liability, and stronger Community Rating System (CRS) scores. Learn how low impact development and green infrastructure are helping Florida lead the way in integrated floodplain and stormwater management.

Gerald Murphy, JD, AICP, CFM, State Specialized Program Agent - Flood Resilient Communities
UF/IFAS Extension Center for Land Use Efficiency

Eban Bean, PhD, Associate Professor and Ext Specialist of Urban Water Resources Engineering
UF/IFAS Extension Center for Land Use Efficiency

How can cities, counties, or special drainage districts effectively implement large-scale projects aimed at mitigating flooding and enhancing water quality, all while operating within a limited budget? This presentation will provide an overview of the ASCE Florida Sustainable Project of the Year, detailing the journey from initial project conception through grant funding acquisition, design challenges, and successful implementation. Join us to explore innovative strategies and best practices that can empower local governments to tackle these critical environmental issues.

Daniel Schroeder, PE, MSE, PMP, Vice President & Civil Engineering Manager
AIM Engineering & Surveying

Florida is confronting significant challenges to its resilience, prompting recent legislation aimed at addressing these threats. A key initiative resulting from this legislation is the establishment of the Florida Flood Hub, which has been entrusted with the critical task of assessing future challenges to the state’s resilience. The Flood Hub is responsible for the organization, development, and analysis of comprehensive statewide datasets and models that pertain to rising sea levels, increased rainfall, and the complexities of compound flooding. In this presentation we will explain the operational framework of the Flood Hub and demonstrate how it is committed to equipping all communities with a solid foundation for effectively managing the anticipated changes in our environment.

Natalia Yingling, PhD, Scientific Liaison
Florida Flood Hub

Brooke Longval, PhD, Scientific Liaison
Florida Flood Hub