February 2026, Volume 28, Issue 2 - Members Only |
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Table of Contents
Mark your calendars for the highly anticipated FSA 2026 Annual Conference, taking place June 17-19, 2026, at the beautiful Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor, FL. This year's theme, Rising to the Challenge: Navigating Stormwater Change Together, will bring attendees together for engaging discussions, innovative solutions, and meaningful networking opportunities with leaders and peers across the stormwater community. We’re especially excited that this will be our first year hosting the conference at the Sunseeker Resort, and we hope you’ll join us to experience this stunning new venue along with another outstanding FSA conference! Look for registration to open next week!Serving on the Florida Stormwater Association (FSA) or FSA Educational Foundation (FSAEF) Board isn’t just volunteering, it’s a chance to make a meaningful impact on your profession, your community, and the future of water quality in Florida.
Why Serve?
• Shape your industry - Help set strategy, priorities, and long-term vision for FSA and FSAEF.
• Advance your professional impact - Strengthen water quality programs while raising your leadership profile.
• Stay informed - Gain early insight into emerging technical, regulatory, and policy challenges.
• Collaborate with leaders - Share ideas and build relationships with other dedicated volunteer leaders.
Who Thrives in This Role?
This opportunity is ideal for professionals who are recognized leaders in the stormwater community, value collaboration and strategic thinking, and are committed to supporting FSA programs and events. Board members participate in four meetings each year and contribute to the organization’s ongoing success.
Get Listed on the Elections Page
Submit your information by June 1, 2026 by completing a nomination form today. All nominations will be included on the FSA/FSAEF Elections page and share your expertise and vision with members in advance of the election. Floor nominations will also be accepted. Submitting the form does not obligate you to serve, it simply gives members a chance to learn about you.
Have questions? Complete the form or contact us, we’re happy to talk and answer questions. View the Board Elections Page here.
FSA is up
dating its biennial Report of Stormwater Utilities. This is the only statewide report of its kind and the comprehensive analysis of stormwater utilities in Florida. This Report provides valuable insights on rates, ERUs, and programs that help guide planning, budgets, and public communication. Utilities that submit data are included in the comparative tables and recognized in the Report. The submission window has been extended through today, February 27th. Data validation begins immediately so late submissions may not be included. Contact FSA to request your unique survey link or to confirm that you would like to reuse your 2024 data.
dating its biennial Report of Stormwater Utilities. This is the only statewide report of its kind and the comprehensive analysis of stormwater utilities in Florida. This Report provides valuable insights on rates, ERUs, and programs that help guide planning, budgets, and public communication. Utilities that submit data are included in the comparative tables and recognized in the Report. The submission window has been extended through today, February 27th. Data validation begins immediately so late submissions may not be included. Contact FSA to request your unique survey link or to confirm that you would like to reuse your 2024 data.
After a slow start to the 2026 Legislative Session, February’s cold weather in Tallahassee gave way to a noticeable increase in committee activity.While some observers still characterize this session as moving at measured pace, legislators began calendaring and hearing more bills as we reached the mid-point. With only a few weeks remaining, the window to advance legislation to final passage is quickly closing.
FSA continues to closely monitor several bills with significant implications for the stormwater community, including the Stormwater Standards bills (SB 558/HB 239) and Land and Water Management bills (SB 718/HB 479). The Stormwater Standards bills would establish uniform statewide standards for all new stormwater projects, preempting local standards or specifications, and would require third-party inspectors for new facilities. The preemption provisions and inspection mandates raise concerns due to their potential impacts on local program implementation and project delivery. To date, SB 558 has been heard in one committee but has not advanced further, and HB 239 has not yet been heard. The Land and Water Management bills would broadly preempt local government laws, rules, and regulations on environmental matters. Such sweeping preemption could significantly affect how local governments implement environmental initiatives tailored to their communities. SB 718 has not been heard in committee, and while HB 479 received on committee hearing, it has not progressed since.
Meanwhile, many other bills are advancing and approaching final committee stops before heading to the floor. Members seeking detailed bill language, amendments, and status updates are encouraged to visit the FSA Legislative Page. We will continue to post its weekly Priority Issues updates throughout session, highlighting key legislation and providing direct links to actively tracked bills.
As the Legislature moves into the final weeks, attention will increasingly shift to the state budget and broader priorities such as tax reductions. The House and Senate remain divided on budget allocations and approaches to reducing state property taxes. These ongoing differences could ultimately necessitate a Special Session focused on resolving budgetary and statewide policy priorities.
Join us on March 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern for the only “post Session” webinar focused on Florida’s stormwater legislation! The webinar will examine the impact of this year’s Legislative session, analyzing policy bills that targeted stormwater and environmental regulations (both successfully and unsuccessfully), the potential outcomes of special sessions, and provide insights into what to expect for 2027. Don't miss out on this invaluable opportunity to stay informed and engaged in the evolving landscape of stormwater legislation in the Sunshine State. One continuing education credit is available for this free event. You must register and use your unique Zoom link to earn continuing education credit. Register Today!
On January 29, 2026, the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued an Interim Final Rule that may have major implications for local governments. The rule allows the federal government to preempt state and local requirements that "delay" disaster recovery projects funded by the SBA Disaster Loan Program. The rule applies immediately to disaster loans approved on or after January 1, 2025. It permits the federal government to override any state or local regulation that causes more than a 60-day delay for an SBA disaster loan recipient. It also restricts local authorities from enforcing stop-work orders, penalties, or other enforcement actions against the SBA disaster loan recipient, as well as any contractor or subcontractor representing the recipient. While intended to expedite disaster recovery, many see this rule as a broad federal overreach that could undermine local authority. The SBA is accepting public comments on the rule through March 2, 2026.
As noted in FSA’s January 2026 newsletter, FDEP issued a Notice of Proposed Rule on January 20, 2026, establishing minimum statewide standards for installing synthetic turf on single-family residential properties of one acre or less. As part of the rulemaking process, stakeholders may request a hearing to provide input. On February 10, 2026, a hearing was requested and subsequently held in Tallahassee on February 11, 2026. During the hearing, FDEP reviewed the proposed rule and heard comments which suggested clarifications on enforcement provisions and guidance related to heat island effects. For more details, including the full proposed rule, visit the DWRA Rulemaking Page. This is an important opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback and help shape statewide residential turf standards.
Those who work on stormwater permits or water quality restoration projects have most likely used the popular tool “BMPTrains”, which has been an extremely valuable tool for project development and potential benefits. A new tool has now been developed, growing from the BMPTrains tool, called “BMPFast.” BMPFast is software for the assessment of the annual effectiveness of stormwater BMPs used for the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus and can be used for Environmental Resource Permits, Total Maximum Daily Load Estimates, Basin Management Action Plans and local codes and policies related to stormwater quality management. The BMPFast website contains more information on the new tool, a link to the tool, and training modules to assist users.
Federal regulators have opened discussions to update a nationwide permitting rule that has the potential to impact projects in the state of Florida. EPA released a proposed rule on January 13, 2026, that would update the Section 401 Water Quality Certification Rule. The Proposed Rule changes the timing and scope of the certification rule and could impact projects that require federal permitting.
The EPA states: “The proposed rulemaking would ensure predictability in Clean Water Act Section 401 implementation by standardizing approaches for certification requests and decisions, eliminating back-and-forth delay tactics on certification submissions, adhering to statutory timelines for certification decisions, and defining a clear process for both applicants and certifying authorities.”
The proposed rule will focus more on previous versions of the rule passed in 2020, including a limit on how states can impact permitting decisions and timing. These types of impacts could be seen with Florida projects, but this is a proposed rule that could be revised as it moves forward, and with most federal actions, could also be challenged before any final rule is effective. EPA is accepting comments on the proposed rule, and those comments will be posted for review.
The FSA Educational Foundation is proud to announce its 2026 Scholarship Program, providing financial assistance to graduate students in Florida pursuing studies in stormwater research, management, or finance. Each selected recipient will receive a minimum of $2,000.We’re asking for your help to spread the word to qualified students who could benefit. Interested students can submit a nomination form to be to be considered for this scholarship. Your outreach can make a real difference in connecting talented students with this opportunity.
Key Details:
- Who: Graduate students in engineering, natural sciences, public administration, or related field focused on stormwater quality, mgmt, or finance.
- Deadline: Completed applications due by August 7, 2026.
Don’t let your FSA Stormwater Operator certification expire! The first opportunity to renew in 2026 will be through online webinars held on April 7, 2026. 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 today for Level 1 and/or Level 2.
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.
Celebrating 20 Years of FL Stormwater Industry Standard!
For 20 years, the FSA Fogarty Training Center has been providing practical, consistent, and up-to-date stormwater operator training. FSA's Stormwater Operator Certification Training has since evolved to offer online and in-person Level 1 and Level 2 courses and is recognized by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) as helping to fulfill MS4 permit requirements. Join the over 10,000 who have received training 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.
• March 3-4, 2026 / Online – Class at capacity.
• March 24-25, 2026 / Charlotte County (Punta Gorda)
• March 24-25, 2026 / City of Ft. Lauderdale
• March 31 - April 1, 2026 / City of Daytona Beach – Class at capacity.
• April 21-22, 2026 / City of Bradenton
• May 27-28, 2026 / City of Gainesville
• August 12-13, 2026 / Online
Visit the Level 2 Course page for more details.
• March 11-12, 2026 / Online
• April 7-8, 2026 / City of Ft. Lauderdale
• June 3-4, 2026 / City of Palm Coast
• August 26-27, 2026 / Online
The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University, in partnership with FDEP, is leading a statewide initiative to identify and prioritize regional water quality restoration projects. This effort is mandated by SB 1638 and aims to strengthen coordination and strategic investment in water quality improvements across Florida.
As part of the second phase of data collection, The Water School is inviting participation from city and county governments, as well as state agencies, that are currently implementing, or planning, water quality projects that may seek future funding. Public offices may complete the questionnaire directly or designate a consultant to respond on their behalf.
Information gathered through this initiative will be compiled into a comprehensive statewide report designed to guide funding decisions and advance regional water quality restoration efforts. The report will help ensure that priority projects are identified, aligned, and positioned to deliver measurable environmental benefits.
To support participation, funding is available to eligible offices through a service agreement to offset the time and resources required for data submission. For additional information or to express interest in participating, please contact Rachel Rotz, Associate Professor, at [email protected].
Florida has long been a leader in green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), and now you have an opportunity to help guide its future nationwide. The Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange has launched a survey to gather input from practitioners with hands-on GSI experience. This survey is the first phase of the Strategic Stormwater Asset Management Tools and Guidance Project, which aims to develop practical tools for surface conveyance systems, post-construction BMPs, and GSI assets. If you design, manage, or maintain GSI projects, we encourage you to participate. Your insight will help shape best practices and strengthen stormwater programs across the country.
We appreciate your feedback! Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about FSA.
© Florida Stormwater Association
PO Box 13688
Tallahassee, FL 32317
1-888-221-3124 | [email protected]