September 2022, Volume 24, Issue 8
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Table of Contents
A Message from Your Membership Chair
As the Fall season brings the end of many organizations' fiscal year, it also signifies the kicking-off of the 2022-2023 FSA membership renewal process and recruitment campaign! The current membership count at 335 members is one of the highest in the history of the Association. The wealth of knowledge, experience, and diversity of our membership is important to retain and cultivate. Please watch for renewal notices and remember to renew quickly to maintain your organization’s member benefits!
Speaking of benefits… What do you get by being a member of FSA?
- Outstanding regulatory and advocacy services
- Networking and information sharing with other stormwater professionals
- Discounts on two statewide conferences, one statewide seminar, stormwater operator certification courses, and two (free) webinars each year for you and your staff
- PEs and CFMs can complete all continuing education requirements just by attending FSA events
- Ten issues of the fastTRACKS e-newsletter
- Weekly legislative updates during legislative session
- Free job postings to the Career Center
- Exclusive access to FSA’s Survey of Stormwater Utilities
An important note to remember is that FSA membership is organizational – all your employees receive full benefits and discounts!
I am so honored and pleased to be FSA’s Membership Committee Chair, and I look forward to a successful year!
Cassidy Reichert, Membership Committee Chair
2022 Winter Conference - Register Now!
FSA invites you to attend the 2022 Winter Conference! The Conference will be held at The B Resort in Lake Buena Vista from November 30 - December 2, 2022. Wednesday will feature the biennial “DEP Day” co-sponsored by FDEP and the required "Laws, Rules and Ethics" for Professional Engineers. The Thursday/Friday Conference will cover a variety of key issues facing Florida’s stormwater community. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to network with your peers, see the latest technologies and products in the Exhibit Hall, and learn from leading stormwater experts.
Membership Renewals Open Now!
FSA’s 2022-23 fiscal year begins November 1st. Don’t let your membership lapse! Keep all of the member services and benefits current for ALL of the employees of your organization. First renewal notices were sent in mid-August. Moving forward, watch your inbox for renewal emails from FSA. QUESTIONS? Call (888) 221-3124.
WOTUS Update
There have been a few noteworthy developments concerning EPA’s proposed new set of WOTUS definitions. On September 12, 2022 EPA and the Army Corps sent the rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for their review. OMB review is typically the final step before releasing a rule and typically takes around 90 days. Additionally, the US Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for October 3, 2022 on an appeal of a decision of the Ninth Circuit Court concerning the tests used to determine whether wetlands are subject to federal jurisdiction under the CWA. Sackett v. EPA asks the Court to clarify its 2006 ruling in Rapanos v. United States regarding the conditions under which wetlands are “jurisdictional.” A decision from SCOTUS can be expected in early 2023 and will most likely impact EPA’s WOTUS strategy. Related to the Sackett case and WOTUS rule development, the logic of a recent decision of SCOTUS limiting the ability of EPA to regulate greenhouse gasses could be applied to other regulatory policies, including those implementing the CWA. In the GHG decision, SCOTUS struck down recent EPA rules, saying that the policy had significant economic impacts on industry and Congress did not grant specific authority to EPA to adopt such regulations.
Statewide Needs Assessment Reporting Rate Increases
The deadline for compliance with the first cycle of reporting under the provisions of House Bill 53 (2021 Session) was July 30, 2022. Follow-up discussions initiated by the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research have helped to improve the response rate from local governments: 53 of Florida’s 67 counties have now compiled the reports from their cities, combined that information with their own county data, and submitted (and sometimes later updated) the survey instrument sent to EDR. Including reports from special districts, EDR reports that around 800 local governments have submitted a survey instrument. Once the survey data is finalized, EDR will prepare a report for Legislative leadership.
Statewide Stormwater Rule Development
A recording of FDEP’s second workshop on revisions to the statewide stormwater design criteria regulations is now available. Many other documents related to the update of statewide stormwater regulations can be found on FDEP’s Clean Waterways Act webpage. Discharges from projects that are constructed in a manner that is consistent with the design criteria are presumed to comply with water quality standards, although studies completed in 2007 found that the criteria used at that time did not fulfill that goal. Attempts were initiated at that time to update the criteria but were abandoned in early 2010. The current effort is in response to legislation that passed in 2020. More information, including comments and recommendations are available on FSA’s Advocacy Page. Comments/Questions concerning the proposed criteria should be directed to [email protected].
2023 Legislative Session Dates
Below are the key dates for the 2023 Regular Session of the Legislature. Mark your calendars!
August 1, 2022 - Deadline for filing Senate claim bills
November 2022 - Organizational Session to elect the Speaker of the House & President of the Senate
March 7, 2023 - Regular Session convenes; deadline for filing bills for 2023
May 5, 2023 - 60th day - last day of Regular Session
Water Quality Grants
FDEP’s website on Water Project Funding Sources provides information on a variety of funding sources for local water quality projects, including planning, construction and public education. Contact Division Program Staff for more information.
Blue-Green Algae Task Force
The most recent meeting of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force was held on August 4, 2022 at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce. The meeting focused on TMDLs, BMAPs and Restoration Plans, and options to enhance prioritization opportunities within those programs. A recording of the meeting may be viewed here. The Task Force is charged with identifying solutions to reduce the adverse impacts of blue-green algae. Comments on the meeting or any other issues being discussed by the Task Force may be submitted to [email protected].
2022 is Flying By - Don't Let Your Certification Expire!
The last opportunity in 2022 to renew your Stormwater Operator Certification will be through online webinars held on November 8, 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 for Level 1 and/or Level 2 by Monday, October 31st 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.
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]