September 2025, Volume 27, Issue 8 

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 Table of Contents

Message from Your Membership Chair
Amy Eason, Martin County, Membership Committee Chair

What an exciting year it has been at the Florida Stormwater Association (FSA)!  I am pleased to announce that we have achieved our highest membership ever, with 366 member organizations.  Reflecting on my time on the Membership Committee, I recall our aspirations to surpass the 300-member mark.  This achievement is a testament to our collective efforts and dedication. As the Chair of the Membership Committee, it’s a privilege to witness the remarkable growth our organization has experienced over the years. The benefits of FSA extend not only to our individual organizations but also to our industry and the communities we serve.  

The Membership Committee remains committed to enhancing our membership experience by not only expanding our numbers but also by evaluating and improving the services we provide. I am excited to continue this journey in the upcoming fiscal year, confident that we can further establish FSA as Florida’s premier organization for stormwater resources. As we thrive, the Membership Committee will focus on member retention, innovative recruitment strategies, and a thorough analysis of member services.

During this year’s kickoff meeting, I presented our membership statistics: we currently represent 35 out of 67 counties, 170 out of 411 municipalities, and 4 out of 5 water management districts in Florida. The potential impact on our water resources is significant as we strive for 100% representation across the state. In addition to our local government members, I would like to extend my gratitude to our private sector consultants, academic institutions, special districts, and vendors, whose contributions enrich our organization. With our diverse membership, we can exchange ideas and collaborate on effective solutions for today and the future. This year, we will actively engage with our MS4 community to highlight the benefits of FSA for their programs.

October marks the beginning of FSA’s Fall Recruitment Campaign and the ongoing membership renewal process. While the Membership Committee is responsible for communicating member benefits to prospective members and developing innovative recruitment strategies, I believe this mission is truly a collaborative effort that involves the entire organization. Please remember to renew quickly to maintain your organization’s member benefits!

I am honored to be FSA’s Membership Committee Chair, and I look forward to another productive year!

2026 Legislative Session Calendar

The 2026 Florida Legislative Session is scheduled to commence on January 13, 2026, and is anticipated to conclude on March 13, 2026. In preparation for the Session, several Interim Committee meetings will take place starting in early October and are expected to continue through mid-December. Session typically spans 60 consecutive days, with interim weeks dedicated to shaping policy, budget priorities, and proposed legislation, but last minute special sessions or extensions to the end of session could (and have) happen.

Property taxes and state budget priorities will be prominent topics dominating the headlines.  Changes to budgets, from reductions to reallocations could significantly impact funding across various sectors including environmental projects.  Legislators may continue to focus on how local governments spend dollars and govern, mirroring efforts implemented by the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Session may address several critical issues, including stormwater management, wetlands protection, and climate resilience.  Legislators may also focus on stormwater system inspections, the allocation of code enforcement fees for stormwater repairs, or rehash a major topic from 2025, flooding impacts from tropical storms.

We encourage you to mark your calendars and remain engaged, FSA will be actively monitoring developments and advocating for your interests throughout the Session.

2025 FSA Fall Seminar Recap: Tackling Stormwater Challenges Head-On

The 2025 FSA Fall Seminar, held on September 5th in Kissimmee, convened stormwater professionals from across Florida for an engaging day focused on learning, collaboration, and practical insights. This year’s theme addressed the pressing challenges faced by local governments, including increased flooding, stringent regulations, and the need for long-term resiliency and environmental compliance.

Attendees benefited from presentations by prominent municipal and state representatives, including:

• Volusia County, which shared effective strategies for managing both water quality and quantity;
• The City of Orlando, which provided insights into the implementation of its updated MS4 permit;
• Sarasota County, which outlined its comprehensive climate resiliency planning;
• The City of Gainesville, which discussed navigating Florida’s intricate restoration regulations;
• The Florida League of Cities, which offered a detailed analysis of SB 180 and its implications for local governments.

Membership Renewal Open Now!

FSA's fiscal year 2025-26 commences on November 1st. To ensure uninterrupted access to all member services and benefits for your organization’s employees, please renew your membership promptly. Early renewal notices were distributed in mid-August. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or (888) 221-3124.

Register Now for FSA's 2025 Winter Conference - December 3-5 in Kissimmee, FL!

Registration is now open for the Florida Stormwater Association’s 2025 Winter Conference, happening December 3–5, 2025, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South in Kissimmee, Florida. The conference begins on Wednesday, December 3rd with two exciting pre-conference options: A hands-on workshop offering in-depth learning, or an exclusive Stormwater Projects Tour featuring real-world innovations across Florida. Then, dive into two days (Thursday and Friday) of expert-led sessions exploring today’s most pressing stormwater issues, practical solutions, and success stories from across the state. View the full agenda here. This is your opportunity to stay ahead of the curve, connect with peers, and bring fresh ideas back to your community. For all the details including registration visit FSA’s Conference page.

2025 is Flying By - Don't Let Your Certification Expire!

The last opportunity in 2025 to renew your Stormwater Operator Certification will be through online webinars held on November 5, 2025. FSA Certifications must be renewed every five years. The Fogarty Training Center offers Online Recertification Webinars that provide a convenient, cost-effective way to renew your certification. Register for Level 1 and/or Level 2 by Friday, October 24th to save your seat!

Not sure when your certification expires? Log in to your personal FSA profile, scroll down to find your Level 1 and/or Level 2 expiration year or you can view the Stormwater Operator Certification Renewal Date List.

• 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

Environmental Regulation Commission Hearing Includes Triennial Review Discussion

On September 25, 2025 the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) reconvened to address two agenda items related to Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) rulemaking. The Commission first heard updates on a previously discussed rule concerning grease waste removal and disposal, followed by a new topic: the proposed Triennial Review of state’s surface water quality standards.  

FDEP has spent many years attempting to advance updates on these water quality standards. However, progress was delayed due to the pandemic, which limited the ability to conduct related studies, and a lack of a quorum on the ERC, which prevented formal meetings. As a result, the September hearing marked a critical step forward. The ERC is responsible for approving any proposed modifications to the state’s water quality standards.  FDEP’s proposed updates, made available for public review and comment in September 2024, focused primarily on procedural improvements and clarification on waterbody designations. FSA met with FDEP to discuss the proposed changes and emphasized the importance of continued dialogue on future updates or revisions to water quality standards. 

During the meeting, ERC members thanked staff for completing the Triennial Review update and addressing many of the comments submitted by the public.  ERC members also requested clarifications from FDEP on procedural updates, and when a future WQS review may take place, with staff noting another update is not planned but that may change based on how EPA moves forward with federal criteria updates. The Commission heard public comments before voting to approve the updates. The approved revisions to state standards will now be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for final review.   The EPA must ensure the changes align with the goals of the Clean Water Act. For an overview of FSA’s past communications with FDEP regarding the Triennial Review, visit FSA’s Advocacy Page. 

FDEP's Everglades Basin TMDL Plan Could Set Statewide Precedent

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has announced a public workshop to present and receive comments on the revised draft fecal indicator bacteria Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for impaired surface waters in the Everglades West Coast Basin. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. (ET) and will be held virtually via GoToWebinar. Registration for the webinar is available. FDEP has provided a draft TMDL document along with supporting data files for public review. Notably, FDEP has indicated that this TMDL effort is being used as a pilot or template approach for documenting bacteria TMDLs in future statewide reports, utilizing a basin-wide regional methodology. FSA members are encouraged to review the materials and provide input.  Written comments will be accepted through October 31, 2025, regarding both the draft TMDLs and the proposed establishment of these bacteria TMDLs based on the generally applicable criteria outlined in subsection 62-302.530(6), F.A.C. For more information and access to the draft materials, visit FDEP’s TMDL Program webpage or contact FSA with questions.

Local Governments Challenge Senate Bill 180

A growing list of local governments are joining forces to mount a legal challenge to Senate Bill (SB) 180, passed during the 2025 Florida Legislative Session. Titled the “Emergencies Bill,” SB 180 was originally intended to streamline rebuilding procedures in areas impacted by hurricanes, enabling faster recovery of homes and structures lost or damaged during storms. However, the scope of the bill was significantly expanded and the final version included sweeping preemptions on local government authority, going far beyond planning or permitting regulations. These new restrictions limit virtually any local government action, triggering serious concerns about the erosion of home rule. Since its adoption, many local governments have struggled to draft and implement critical local laws, especially those addressing environmental priorities, such as low impact development to water quality restoration. In some cases, moving forward with these local initiatives could expose governments to legal risk under the new law.  FSA has been closely tracking the impacts of SB 180. The Emergencies Bill was among the most discussed topics at the recent FSA Fall Seminar. FSA is now actively collaborating with other associations to develop potential legislative language aimed at addressing the bill’s unintended consequences. Efforts are also underway to propose revisions during the upcoming 2026 Florida Legislative Session, which is just around the corner!

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