Join us June 17-19, 2026, at the breathtaking Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor, FL for this year’s Annual Conference “Rising to the Challenge:  Navigating Stormwater Change Together.”  

Take a sneak peek at the new venue and get ready for an inspiring and engaging conference! 

Thinking about sponsoring or exhibiting?  This is a prime opportunity to showcase your brand and connect with industry leaders. A few standard exhibit booths are still available and numerous sponsorship opportunities remain.  Secure your Sponsorship today!

Don’t forget – discounted early bird registration ends April 3, 2026.  Now is a perfect time to reserve your spot as a conference attendee and enjoy discounted rates at this must-attend conference! 

We’re pleased to welcome State Representative Bill Conerly (District 72) as the Keynote Speaker at this year’s Annual Conference. A U.S. Navy veteran and Professional Engineer, Conerly earned his engineering degree from the University of Florida and has spent decades working in stormwater and infrastructure planning and design. Before being elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2024, he served 12 years on the Manatee County Planning Commission and continues to focus on infrastructure, flood resiliency, and community-based solutions in Tallahassee.

During his keynote, Representative Conerly will provide insights on the 2026 Legislative Session, recent legislation affecting stormwater management, and potential initiatives for 2027. The session will conclude with FSA’s Annual Excellence Awards, celebrating outstanding stormwater programs, innovative projects, and impactful public education efforts across Florida. 

March 13, 2026 marked the end of the regular legislative session, but significant work remains, including redistricting, property tax reform, and – most importantly – the state budget. This year’s session was considered “intriguing” to the stormwater community, with draft legislation proposing statewide stormwater standards and new approaches to project inspection. Additional bills seeking to preempt local environmental laws, rules, and regulations further heightened concerns.

Key legislation, including SB 558/HB 239 (Standards for Stormwater Systems) and SB 718/HB 479 (Land and Water Management), faced strong opposition and ultimately did not pass. While this outcome is positive for 2026, similar proposals have surfaced in prior years and are likely to return, underscoring the need for continued engagement. In total, nearly 1,900 bills were filed during the session, with just over 230 bills passing and now awaiting or undergoing action by Governor DeSantis.

Several significant issues remain unresolved, most notably the state budget, which lawmakers must pass each year. Because it was not finalized during the regular session, the Legislature will need to reconvene in Tallahassee.  A special session is expected, with Governor DeSantis requesting the week of April 20^th, with discussions expected to include redistricting and the state budget. FSA will continue to monitor developments, including special session scheduling and scope, and will keep members informed as more details become available. FSA extends its sincere thanks to all members who provided feedback and engaged throughout the session. Your input was instrumental in addressing legislation that could have had significant impacts on the stormwater community. For more information about the 2026 regular session, visit FSA's Legislative Page which has a copy of the final Priority Issues document, bill tracking, news, and announcements.

FDEP’s Watershed Assessment Section will be extracting data from Watershed Information Network (WIN) to produce the next iteration of the Impaired Waters Rule (IWR) Run database, supporting the development of the 2026-2028 draft basin assessment lists for the Biennial Assessment. Data providers should submit available water quality data to WIN by June 15, 2026, and data providers interested in submitting applicable bioassessment data to support IWR basin assessments are asked to download and complete the biological template form along with submitting applicable supporting information.  For more information on the IWR process, data submittal templates, IWR database links, and contact information, please visit the Impaired Waters Listing Process page.

FDEP provided notice that they are revising certain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for laboratory and field operations.  The Department is revising certain quality assurance requirements in Chapter 62-160, F.A.C. The March 11, 2026 notice states the proposed revisions update the field and laboratory SOPs, address miscellaneous, minor revisions to various rules within the Chapter, and generally provide for clarification and increased options for monitoring. Some of the proposed revisions for this Chapter are in response to the Department’s 2025 review of rules pursuant to Section 120.5435, Florida Statutes.  FDEP will be accepting comments until April 1, 2026, and the FAR notice provides the comment response directions.

On March 13, 2026, President Trump issued an Executive Order aimed at reducing regulatory barriers to affordable housing development. The order calls for a comprehensive review of the Clean Water Act and directs federal agencies to identify and potentially revise requirements that may increase the cost or complexity of home construction.

The Executive Order, titled Removing Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Home Construction, instructs agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and EPA, to evaluate regulations related to stormwater discharges from construction activities, Total Maximum Daily Loads, and requirements tied to MS4 permits, including both construction-phase and post-construction standards.  In addition to water-related regulations, the order encourages agencies to assess broader requirements affecting residential development, including energy, water, and efficiency standards, with the goal of lowering costs and improving housing affordability. As federal agencies begin the review process, the scope and pace of potential regulatory changes remain uncertain. The outcome of this effort, along with the related initiatives such as permitting reform, will be important to watch in the coming months.

FDEP issued a Notice of Change on March 17, 2026 on the Proposed Rule Language establishing minimum statewide standards for installing synthetic turf on single-family residential properties of one acre or less.  This Notice of Change was to address revisions to the Proposed Rule submitted by the Florida Joint Administrative Procedures Committee, who are a part of the rule making processes, and provide legal guidance on proposed rule language.  With this new update, the effective date for the proposed rule will most likely be sometime in mid-April, pending any further updates, a request for extension, or even a challenge which could happen (but is probably unlikely at this point). For more details, including the full proposed rule, visit the FDEP Division of Water Restoration Assistance Rulemaking Page.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is seeking public input on ways to improve the efficiency of its Nationwide Permit (NWP) program under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA).  USACE will use feedback to inform future rulemaking on several key issues, including how activities are classified as “similar in nature,” potential updates to the permitting process for discharges of dredged or fill material into Waters of the United States (WOTUS), and measures to maintain navigable capacity in these waters. The agency is also interested in broader recommendations to improve how the NWP program is implemented. Comments will be accepted through May 15, 2026. Additional details, including how to submit comments, are available in the Federal Register Notice.

The Florida Stormwater Association (FSA) is seeking passionate, forward-thinking leaders to help guide the future of stormwater management in Florida. Elections for the FSA Board of Directors and the FSA Educational Foundation (FSAEF) Board will be held during the Annual Membership Meeting which will occur in conjunction with this year’s Annual Conference. Serving on either Board is a unique opportunity to influence the direction of FSA and FSAEF, advance your profession, and make a real impact on water quality programs across Florida. You’ll also gain insight into emerging challenges in the field and connect with other dedicated stormwater leaders.

If you’re interested in serving, please complete the Board of Directors Nomination Form by June 1, 2026 to have your name included on the Elections page for members to review. Nominations can also be made from the floor at the Annual Membership Meeting, but submitting by the deadline ensures your information is shared in advance with the membership.

Take this chance to shape the future of Florida’s stormwater community!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for FSA’s Florida Legislative Session Recap Webinar, a premier post-Session event focused on Florida stormwater legislation. If you missed the live event, or want to review the insights again, you can watch the recording at your convenience.

During the webinar, our experts analyzed the impact of this year’s legislative session, reviewing both successful and unsuccessful policy bills, potential outcomes of special sessions, and what to expect in 2027. Attendees gained a comprehensive understanding of future state water policy, new regulations, local government preemptions, priorities of the incoming administration, and potential changes to water quality improvement programs across Florida.

Please note continuing education credit is only available for those who attended the live webinar. Stay informed on Florida stormwater policy by accessing the recording today, your chance to catch up on everything you need to know from this year’s legislative session!

The webinar was brought to FSA members free of charge thanks to the sponsorship of Applied Sciences. 

The Florida Stormwater Association is excited to announce that the 2026 Stormwater Utility Report is now underway! This biennial effort, a cornerstone of FSA’s information‑sharing and benchmarking initiatives, is based on responses collected from stormwater utility programs across the state.

The report provides valuable data to help stormwater professionals, policymakers, and utility managers better understand trends in stormwater utility operations, finance, and the critical role of funding in sustaining effective stormwater programs.

Over 125 stormwater utilities have contributed data to this year’s report, providing valuable insights into program operations, rates, and trends across the state. FSA thanks all participants for their support, your contributions make this report a key resource for stormwater professionals and local governments. For reference, past editions of the Stormwater Utility Report can be accessed here. Stay tuned for the full 2026 report later this year!

Effective stormwater management relies not only on good system design but also on the professionals who operate and maintain the infrastructure. The Florida Stormwater Association’s (FSA) Keith Fogarty Training Center offers a Stormwater Operator Certification Program, providing practical training for field staff and supervisors responsible for keeping stormwater systems running efficiently.

The program focuses on system components, routine inspections, maintenance practices, and identifying issues such as blockages, sediment buildup, and illicit discharges. Many local governments also use the training to support Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System program requirements by ensuring personnel performing stormwater maintenance activities are professionally trained. By offering certification levels for both operators and supervisors, the FSA program is leading the way to develop a knowledgeable workforce capable of maintaining stormwater infrastructure and supporting effective stormwater management programs.

FSA currently has operator certification courses scheduled across the state of Florida through October, providing multiple opportunities for stormwater professionals to participate. To view upcoming training dates and register, visit the FSA training calendar for the Level 1 and Level 2 courses.

Join FSA on May 5^th for a practical, experience-driven webinar focused on funding local government stormwater projects. Two seasoned funding experts will share real-world lessons on navigating the grant process, from identifying opportunities to successfully securing funding. Attendees will gain insight into overcoming common funding challenges, managing complex application requirements, and planning effectively from the start. The session will highlight what worked, what didn’t, and how those lessons can improve future project success. Whether you’re in the early planning stages or actively pursuing funding, this webinar will provide actionable strategies to help local governments identify, apply for, and secure grants for stormwater and water quality projects. This webinar is free for FSA members, and we’re excited to now offer continuing education credit for attendees, making it even more valuable for professionals looking to stay current while earning required hours.