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May 2025, Volume 27, Issue 5

Thank you to our Newsletter Sponsors!

 Table of Contents

FSA 2025 Annual Conference - A Final Gathering in Sanibel

The Florida Stormwater Association is excited to host its 2025 Annual Conference from June 11-13, 2025, at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort in beautiful Ft. Myers. This year’s theme, Navigating Stormwater: Past Insights, Future Solutions, will bring together leading industry experts and thought leaders for dynamic sessions covering regulatory, technical, and management topics critical to your work. Pre-Conference events on Wednesday will include a Volunteer Service Project and a Pre-Conference “Resilience and Recovery” Workshop, while Thursday and Friday will feature multiple educational tracks designed to provide valuable insights for all attendees. View the full agenda here.

This will be the final conference at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott, and we’re grateful for many years of memories at this beautiful location. A heartfelt thank you everyone who registered, your continued support is appreciated. For those who weren’t able to secure a spot, we truly appreciate your interest.

We’re also excited to announce that the 2026 Annual Conference will be held at the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor, offering more space to accommodate our growing demand. We look forward to seeing you in June, and are excited to welcome more participants in 2026.

Help Shape the Future: Serve on FSA's Board or a Committee

Are you passionate about advancing stormwater management and improving water quality in Florida? Now is your chance to make a meaningful impact. The Florida Stormwater Association (FSA) and the Florida Stormwater Association Educational Foundation (FSAEF) are looking for dynamic, committed leaders to help guide the Association’s future. Whether you're seeking a seat at the board table or looking to contribute your time and talents on a committee, FSA offers meaningful ways to get involved. Visit our leadership structure page for details.

Board of Directors Elections
FSA and the FSAEF will hold elections to fill open seats on their respective Boards during the Friday, June 13th, Membership Meeting at the Annual Conference in Ft. Myers. Serving on the Board is a unique opportunity to play a leadership role in shaping the policies and programs that support Florida’s stormwater professionals. If you’re interested in running for a Board position, please complete the Leadership Nomination Form by June 2, 2025. Nominations received after this date will only be accepted from the floor during the in-person membership meeting. View current nominations here.

Join an FSA Committee
Prefer to get involved at the committee level? FSA Committees are vital to the work we do, from policy development to education. Committee service offers valuable networking, leadership experience, and a chance to support FSA’s mission more closely. Visit the FSA Committees page to see current committee rosters and submit your Committee Request Form by June 20, 2025. Appointments will be made in July.

Please note: Committee reappointments are not automatic—if you currently serve on a committee and wish to continue, be sure to submit a request form.

Scheduled Conclusion of the 2025 Legislative Session

The 2025 Legislative Session was originally slated to conclude on May 2nd, and while it did officially wrap up on that date, the process extended late into the evening as legislators worked to finalize negotiations and pass bills. Ultimately, the Session was declared complete, albeit with one important caveat – lawmakers must reconvene to finalize the state budget, which is due to the Governor in July. There is still a significant divide between the Executive and Legislative branches in terms of budget approaches. Disagreements range from proposed spending cuts and sweeping tax package revisions to more controversial spending initiatives. This rift underscores the complexity of the budget discussions ahead. FSA will continue to monitor the budget process as it unfolds. Given that legislators have previously included provisions in spending bills that significantly impacted local government programs, we are committed to keeping our members informed throughout the June budget session. Additionally, FSA will engage in discussions with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which is now tasked with developing guidance on synthetic turf and preparing a Flood Inventory and Restoration Report based on initiatives mandated by legislation (Construction Regulations - SB 712/HB 683) passed this Session. For a complete list of bills FSA was tracking visit the FSA Legislative Page.

Did You Miss FSA’s 2025 Legislative Session Recap?
Did you miss FSA’s Florida 2025 Legislative Session Recap Webinar? FSA members can view the webinar presentation and recording online at no cost! The webinar examined the impact of this year’s Special Sessions that jumpstarted the fast-paced 2025 Legislative session, analyzed the stormwater and environmental policy bills that were introduced (both successfully and unsuccessfully), and provided insights into what to expect for the remainder of 2025 and 2026 Session. It’s not too late to take advantage of this free member benefit. The webinar was brought to FSA members free of charge thanks to the sponsorship of Applied Sciences.

Judge Upholds FDEP Springs Rule

On May 5th Administrative Law Judge E. Gary Early issued a ruling in favor of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in a legal challenge concerning the agency’s updated springs protection rule. The challenge, filed in January by the Florida Springs Council, questioned whether FDEP had followed the proper procedures as required by legislation and whether the proposed rule provided adequate protection against harmful water withdrawals affecting Florida’s springs. Judge Early concluded that FDEP met the minimum procedural requirements outlined in the legislation. However, he emphasized that his decision did not consider the substantive merits or effectiveness of the rule in protecting the springs, noting that such matters fell outside the scope of his review. With the ruling in hand, FDEP is expected to move forward with the rule’s approval process. However, the Springs Council may still file an appeal, which could further delay implementation.

Florida 404 Program Legal Proceedings Resume

Legal proceedings related to Florida’s 404 wetland permitting program resumed in May, gaining renewed momentum. Oral arguments began on May 5, as both sides presented their positions in the ongoing case challenging the state’s authority to administer the federal permitting program. Depending on the outcome, the court could issue additional rulings that may impact the program’s future and potentially pave the way for Florida to regain the authority that was previously revoked in an earlier decision. FSA will continue to closely monitor the case. We’ll keep members informed of any developments, decisions, or updates as they become available, and provide relevant information for review.

Upcoming Deadlines for Florida's Statewide Stormwater Rule

Important implementation deadlines under Florida’s Statewide Stormwater Rule are approaching and should be on the radar of all stormwater management professionals.

By June 28, 2025, two key requirements will take effect:

  • Inspection Requirements for non-MS4 entities
  • Qualified Inspector certification

Details for both can be found in Section 12.5 of the Applicant’s Handbook, and we strongly recommend reviewing these requirements prior to beginning any new projects or submitting reports this summer.

FDEP and UF/IFAS are working together to complete the inspection training program and are scheduled to have the program in place by the June deadline. The inspection program, created and managed by UF/IFAS, will be available via an online training platform, and will include a testing protocol that the trainee will have to pass to meet the inspector training qualification. FSA has provided comments to the training program developers and will work with FDEP to notify members when the program is available.

Additionally, a reminder that the nutrient performance criteria outlined in Section 8.3 of the Handbook will become effective on December 28, 2025. These criteria will apply to many stormwater projects unless they are exempted. For information, guidance documents, and a list of potential exemptions, visit the FDEP ERP Stormwater Resource Center.

Reminder: BMAP Deadlines Approaching

Attention all entities located within nutrient Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) - FDEP is finalizing updates to meet upcoming June regulatory deadlines. All revised nutrient BMAPs have been posted on the FDEP BMAP website, and several remain open for public comment. We strongly encourage stakeholders to review these documents carefully, especially for new or updated nutrient load allocations. Increases in allocations can result in significant regulatory obligations and high implementation costs, and once adopted, these allocations will be extremely difficult to revise. Many FSA members are already engaged in discussions with FDEP regarding BMAPs in their regions. If you haven’t done so yet, we recommend reaching out to FDEP staff with any questions or concerns about proposed allocations or new requirements as soon as possible.

EPA Reorganization and Budget Cuts Loom

With newly confirmed federal leadership in place, significant changes are expected across several federal programs, including those managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has signaled plans for a major reorganization of the agency that is expected to affect all divisions, including water-related programs. Early indications point to substantial shifts, such as the potential closure of EPA’s research divisions and an accelerated review process for new industrial chemicals. These proposed structural changes reflect a broader effort to streamline agency operations, but they also raise concerns about long-term program effectiveness and environmental protection. One area already experiencing impact is project funding. There have been noticeable delays in the allocation of funds tied to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and proposed congressional budget cuts could significantly reduce funding to the State Revolving Fund (SRF) program—a critical source of financing for stormwater infrastructure and local government projects.

New MS4 Permit Reviews - Reminder to Submit Comments

In March, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) released the draft Phase I MS4 permit for the City of Orlando. FSA strongly encourages all MS4 permittees to review the draft permit carefully, as FDEP has indicated this permit will serve as template for future Phase I MS4 permits across the state. Several new requirements have been introduced, including increased inspection requirements, which have already raised concerns among some stakeholders. Unless comments are submitted to share the MS4 perspective and request changes, FDEP is likely to carry these new components forward to future permits. A copy of the draft permit and accompanying permit fact sheet, which outlines changes from Cycle 4 to Cycle 5, is available on the FSA website. If a member would like to receive more information or permit materials, please contact FDEP staff or FSA and that information can be provided.

EPA Revised PFAS Drinking Water Standards

On May 14th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced revisions to the federal drinking water regulations for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) under the Primary National Drinking Water Standards.

The revised rule retains maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for two key PFAS compounds:

  • Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
  • Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS).

However, the EPA has removed drinking water standards for the following compounds:

  • Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)
  • Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
  • Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA or GenX)
  • The Hazard Index mixture, which previously included PFHxS, PFNA, GenX, and PFBS

In this announcement, EPA emphasized that efforts to address PFAS and other “forever chemicals” contamination are ongoing. As part of this commitment, the agency is launching the PFAS OUTreach Initiative (PFAS OUT), a new program designed to support communities through extended compliance deadlines, increased outreach and education, and a federal exemption program to help mitigate impacts on affected communities.

FSA Educational Foundation is Providing Scholarships!

The FSA Educational Foundation is now accepting applications for its annual Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance to qualified graduate students attending colleges and universities in Florida. Applications are accepted annually from graduate-level students in colleges or schools of engineering, natural science, public administration (or closely related fields) that have an interest in stormwater quality, management, or finance. Qualified applicants should submit an application along with supporting materials 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.

FSA’s November 5th Level 1 and Level 2 Recertification Now Open - The Level 1 and Level 2 Recertification courses provide previously trained Certified Stormwater Operators with updated information to ensure that the most current standards and best management practices are being followed within stormwater management systems. Check the FSA Stormwater Operator Certification Renewal Date List for your certification's expiration date.

  • Level 1 – November 5, 2025 - 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Eastern / Online
  • Level 2 – November 5, 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.