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January 2025, Volume 27, Issue 1

Thank you to our Newsletter Sponsors!

 Table of Contents

The FSA Education Committee is Ready for 2025
Lee Mullon, PE, CFM, BC.WRE, PMP, Education Committee Chair, Drummond Carpenter

Lee Mullon, PE, CFM, BC.WRE, PMPAs we step into 2025, the Education Committee is excited to share our plans and achievements with you. With the FDEP Statewide Stormwater Rule’s effective date for new water quality performance standards to take place this year, our committee is focused on developing new education opportunities to help guide our members, and the Florida stormwater community, through these new requirements that will significantly impact how we manage and protect our water resources.

Now, as ever, it is vital for MS4 members to continue training their stormwater operators at FSA's Fogarty Training Center. Our recently updated training programs are designed to equip operators with the knowledge and skills needed to comply with the latest regulations and best practices. We are committed to providing high-quality, relevant training to support our members.

In 2024, we witnessed record-setting attendance and enthusiasm at our technical webinar on the importance of developing stormwater master plans and the modern tools to do so efficiently. The overwhelming response highlights the growing interest and commitment to advancing stormwater management practices through new and innovative approaches.

Our 2024 September Seminar on the Statewide Stormwater Rule was a sold-out event. The high level of participation underscores the importance of staying informed about regulatory changes and their impact on local communities. We are grateful for the active engagement of our members.

Mark your calendars for two upcoming FSA Webinars. Join us March 14, 2025, for FSA’s AI in Action for Stormwater Webinar (registration open now) to hear how Artificial Intelligence can improve your current stormwater management systems’ resilience and water quality performance. And be sure to save the date for FSA’s Florida Legislative Session Recap Webinar on May 15, 2025, where our guest speakers will summarize the important outcomes of the 2025 State Legislative Session, providing valuable insights and updates. You won't want to miss either event!

We look forward to another year of learning, growth, and collaboration. Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to engage with the FSA Education Committee.

Best wishes to all our FSA members for a successful 2025.

FSA 2025 Annual Conference - Save the Date

Save the date for FSA’s 2025 Annual Conference!  The conference will be held June 11-13, 2025, at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott in Ft. Myers. The Conference will focus on Navigating Stormwater: Past Insights, Future Solutions. Join with stormwater professionals from across the state to network and learn as we reflect on past experiences and discover better solutions for the future.  The conference will feature a volunteer service project, networking opportunities and multiple days of stormwater focused education. There will also be exhibitor and sponsor opportunities allowing companies the opportunity to showcase innovative stormwater solutions.  Mark your calendars now – registration will open in March. We hope you will join us!

A New Year, A New Legislative Session

2025 is here and Tallahassee is busy with preparations for the 2025 Legislative Session scheduled to begin in early March.  Interim Committee Meetings are being held, bills are being filled, and things started even earlier with the Special Session kicking off January 27, 2025. The Special Session, requested by the Governor, focused squarely on illegal immigration and how the state would work with and match similar Federal policy efforts under development. This year will be marked by change as legislative members switch parties and a new federal administration takes office causing a shift in focus to topics like immigration.  On January 14, 2025, FDEP provided a general overview of water quality restoration efforts and project funding to the Senate Environment and Natural Resource Committee. Committee members commented on the progress of Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) and had numerous questions on funding opportunities and programs. While no bills of significant concern have been filed as of late January, we do believe many questions concerning state funded projects and impacts to restoration efforts will be a major topic. As BMAP efforts face a major milestone this year, from required updates based on past legislative mandates to meeting reduction requirements, the Legislature will be requesting more information on project success and how to best prioritize funding resources. The FSA Legislative Page (available to FSA members) will have bills of interest along with a weekly FSA Legislative Priorities document once session begins.

2025 Statewide Stormwater Rule Deadlines

After years of work and a roller coaster ride to ratification, the Statewide Stormwater Rule was finalized and became effective in 2024. Some items, like dam criteria and operation and maintenance plan submittal, were in place once the Stormwater Rule was effective June 28, 2024, while some key items were given an extension an effective date. One of those delayed key items, performance criteria, will be effective December 28, 2025, and we highly recommend all stormwater permittees start preparing to address this requirement. Meeting new nutrient reductions will be challenging and take time and planning to achieve these new standards. FSA will continue to share information on this important topic in future workshops, seminars, and conferences. FDEP has a website (ERP Stormwater Resource Center) that contains all stormwater related information, including the new Rule language, an outline on deadlines, links to permitting forms, and an interactive map showing the status of waterbodies.

Federal Groundwater NPDES Permit Guidance Review Halted

The federal government has stopped the review process of the Biden administration’s draft guidance document on applying the County of Maui vs. Hawaii Wildlife Fund Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling, which provided seven specific criteria for regulators to use when determining if a discharge to groundwater is “functionally equivalent” to a direct discharge (FEDD) and would require an NPDES permit.  The pause placed on the review process is likely to cause a halt on the guidance document from reaching its final phase. While the Trump administration has dropped this guidance, the EPA NPDES website still contains Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the ruling and includes the draft guidance document recommendations causing some confusion on what is to be used by the regulators reviewing permits.  Further efforts to revise (or even remove) the FAQ document may take place and we will continue to monitor this situation.  The dropping of this review effort mirrors what has been happening with the new Trump administration taking over EPA and we can assume numerous other efforts will follow this path.

Federal Leadership Changes May Impact EPA Actions in 2025

On January 20, 2025, a new administration took control of the federal government. It’s no surprise that that leadership staff have left their roles at federal agencies, including EPA. New appointees, which may include some individuals from Florida, are currently awaiting confirmation which is taking place now and could be finalized in the next few weeks. The inclusion of Florida representatives at EPA could greatly influence how some hot topics, like wetland permitting and water quality standards, move forward over the next four years.  FSA will be tracking the confirmation process and federal regulatory actions as efforts progress. EPA was not silent as 2024 ended, with numerous regulatory efforts posted for comment and review, including a new draft Multi Sector General Permit (MSGP), proposed revisions to the Water Quality Standards Handbook, and new materials on PFOA and PFAS in biosolids, which includes human health risk assessments associated with the pollutants. All of these efforts are considered draft and in the review process and accepting comments.  As a new federal administration starts, we will continue to monitor how these proposed efforts move forward, if at all.

AI in Action for Stormwater Management Webinar
Continuing Education Now Available

Join us March 14th from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EDT for FSA’s AI in Action for Stormwater Management Webinar. New Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning systems have the potential to enhance stormwater management. These systems can automate routine tasks, streamline data management, assist in design calculations, optimize stormwater controls, and improve communication and collaboration. Join us in exploring the practical applications of AI in daily activities such as communication, technical writing, and data analysis. We will also examine how AI can improve our current stormwater management systems' resilience and water quality performance through a combination of real-time controls and advanced machine learning algorithms. This event is brought to FSA members free of charge thanks to the sponsorship of Applied Sciences. Register today to save your seat!

Nominations Due for the 2025 Stormwater Excellence Awards

FSA’s Excellence Awards Program recognizes outstanding stormwater Programs, Projects, or Public Education Efforts and the benefits they provide to the environment and local community. Awards are presented annually to public sector and academic members who have demonstrated high quality distinctions in these areas.  Interested in having your program acknowledged for all your hard work? Submit a Nomination Form by February 17, 2025!

FSAEF Scholarship Awards

The FSA Educational Foundation’s (FSAEF) Scholarship Program awards financial assistance to qualified students attending Florida colleges and universities whose educational interest is in stormwater research, management, or finance. Applications are accepted annually from graduate students in Florida colleges or schools of engineering, natural science, public administration (or closely related fields) that have an interest in stormwater quality, management, or finance.

On December 5, 2024, the FSAEF awarded five $2,000 scholarships to deserving graduate students from throughout Florida. In addition to the scholarship, each student received a complimentary conference registration and hotel accommodations. To learn more and view each student’s research poster, Meet the 2024 Winners on the FSAEF Scholarship page.  


FSAEF Chair Tiffany Busby and the 2024 Scholarship Recipients

Do you know a qualified graduate student applicant?  Help us spread the word, application packets are due by August 8, 2025.

The Original Industry Standard for Florida Stormwater Practitioners!

The FSA Fogarty Training Center offers online and in-person Level 1 and Level 2 Stormwater Operator Certification Courses. FSA's Stormwater Operator Certification Training helps to fulfill FDEP's training requirements of your MS4 permit for appropriate stormwater management personnel in Illicit Discharge Inspections; Spill Prevention and Response; Good Housekeeping; Construction Site Plan Review; and Construction Site Inspections!

Visit the Level 1 Course page for more details and a full list of dates and locations.
Visit the Level 2 Course page for more details and a full list of dates and locations.
Don't forget to check for when you are up for recertification! Registration for the April Webinars is now open!
  • Level 1 - April 9, 2025 - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Eastern / Online
  • Level 2 - April 9, 2025 - 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Eastern / Online

 We appreciate your feedback! Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about FSA.