January 2022, Volume 24, Issue 1
Table of ContentsFSA Education Update
We would like to thank everyone who completed the evaluations and provided feedback. The Education Committee reviews the comments and suggested topics from members like you to determine the subjects for the webinar and the Fall Seminar each year. The Overview of the 2022 Legislative Session wrap-up webinar is scheduled for March 17, 2022. Register today to save your seat. And, as always, we would like to hear from you on future topics. Please take the time to fill out the surveys and write in any suggested topics you would like to be considered. All the workshops and seminars have been online lately, and we miss you all. We hope to SEE you soon. Melissa Long, City of Jacksonville Stormwater Legislation - Will it Affect You?Be sure to visit FSA’s Legislative Page each day during the 2022 Session! The page is frequently updated with a list of Priority Issues, Bill Tracking Reports, current news articles and information on individual bills. It’s a resource that is available for FSA members only; you will need your username and password to login. The Legislative Session is set to end on March 11, 2022. FSA's 2022 Annual Conference - Vision and Action: Working Together to Create Safe and Sustainable Watersheds
FSA’s 2022 Annual Conference will focus on Working Together to Create Safe and Sustainable Watersheds. FSA is committed to being your trusted resource for stormwater communications, research, training, education and advocacy. This year’s conference will feature sessions from industry leading experts and thought leaders as we navigate and explore the future of stormwater management in Florida. The conference is scheduled to be held June 15-17, 2022 at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott in Ft. Myers. Mark your calendars now – you don’t want to miss Florida’s premier stormwater conference. Registration will open in March! Blue-Green Algae Task Force to MeetFDEP’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force will meet on February 10, 2022 from 10:00 AM until 2:30 PM in Gainesville. The meeting will focus on onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) and consider the recommendations of the OSTDS Technical Advisory Committee in advance of final DEP rulemaking, especially as they relate to water quality and harmful algal blooms. You may register here to attend the virtual meeting; details on the location of the in-person meeting will be announced later. Stormwater Needs Assessments Due Soon
Chapter No. 2021-194, Laws of Florida (HB 53, 2021 Session) requires all local governments with wastewater or stormwater management systems to create a 20-year needs analysis, including a description of the system, the number of future residents served, revenues and expenditures, maintenance costs, etc. and transmit the analysis to the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) by June 2022. EDR’s survey instrument for compiling stormwater information is available online. Comments or questions should be directed to EDR. To learn more, watch a workshop discussing implementation of HB 53 that was held during FSA’s 2021 Winter Conference. WOTUS Rule Revisions - Comments Due February 7thSince two federal courts vacated (invalidated) the 2020 Waters of the US or “WOTUS” rules, the current Administration has interpreted those decisions as having nationwide effect, and EPA and the Army Corps are no longer implementing policy based on the 2020 rule but are reverting to policy as existed in the late 1980s until adoption of a new set of regulations. On December 7, 2021, the Agencies proposed a new rule to revise the definitions of WOTUS. Such waters are subject to the provisions of the Clean Water Act and NPDES permitting programs, dredge and fill regulations, endangered species policies, etc. WOTUS policy has been subject to wide fluctuations over the past 20+ years, due in part to highly variable court decisions and policy changes from one administration to another. More information on the proposal may be found at EPA's WOTUS webpage. Comments on the proposed revisions may be submitted to the federal e-Rulemaking Portal on or before February 7, 2022. FSA will be submitting comments on behalf of the membership so please share your comments with FSA too! Statewide Stormwater Design Criteria TACThe last meeting of the Statewide Stormwater Design Criteria Technical Advisory Committee was held in November of 2021. Although a Final Report of the TAC has not yet been released, FDEP expects to initiate public hearings on proposed rules in March 2022. The TAC was formed to assist FDEP and the Water Management Districts in updating the state’s design criteria for the construction of stormwater systems, as directed by Senate Bill 712 which passed during the 2020 Legislative Session. More information may be found on FSA’s Advocacy page. Nominations Due for 2022 Stormwater Excellence Awards
Does Your Stormwater Certification Expire in 2022?
 Don’t let your FSA Stormwater Operator certification expire! The first opportunity to renew in 2022 will be through online webinars held on April 5, 2022. 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. FSAEF Offering Scholarship Awards
The FSA Educational Foundation’s 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. Qualified applicants should apply by August 12, 2022. Please help us spread the word! We appreciate your feedback! Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about FSA.
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It has been another whirlwind year with people trying to decide if they would like to attend trainings and conferences in-person or sta
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