August 2024, Volume 26, Issue 7


Thank you to our Newsletter Sponsors!


 Table of Contents


A Message from Your President
Melissa Long, City of Jacksonville, FSA President

It is an honor to serve as President for the 2024-25 year, and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for this opportunity. Witnessing the growth of the Florida Stormwater Association (FSA) in both our educational and advocacy initiatives is truly wonderful. Together, we can achieve remarkable advancements in stormwater management.

FSA provides tremendous benefits to its members, and we are committed to ensuring this continues. Your involvement, input, and feedback on our educational programs and conferences are crucial. This year, we aim to significantly increase member engagement. For those working with Phase I or Phase II MS4s, we especially want to hear from you about the issues that matter most, including maintaining regulatory compliance and meeting new permitting requirements.

We are dedicated to making our communication channels effective for all members, whether you are experienced or new to the field. As always, FSA advocates on our behalf, because a united front is far more powerful than individual efforts.

In closing, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the management staff for their tireless efforts that have significantly contributed to FSA’s success. I also want to express my sincere thanks to you, our valued members, for your continued support and commitment to FSA.

Thank you for your continued support and participation. Let’s make this year a great one for FSA!


Fall Seminar – Implementing the Statewide Stormwater Rule

Florida stormwater practitioners will be gathering on September 6th in Kissimmee for a sold-out event focused on Implementing the Statewide Stormwater Rule. Topics will include the new performance criteria for stormwater systems, the current exemptions and grandfathering provisions added by the Legislature, the need for inspections, cost and reporting requirements, and a discussion on how local governments can achieve these new requirements. Audience participation will be encouraged so bring your list of questions! FSA greatly appreciates staff from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection joining us to cover all these topics and address questions on implementation!

After increasing the capacity to 250 registrants, the Seminar has officially sold out. If you would like to be added to the waitlist and find out more about the option to purchase a recording of the Seminar, complete a form today. If you are unable to join us, we hope that you will consider joining us for FSA’s Winter Conference to be held December 4-6, 2024, at the Embassy Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista South in Kissimmee – save the date, details will be coming soon!

Be sure to visit FDEP’s ERP Stormwater Resource Center for the latest information on the Stormwater Rule including an updated copy of the Applicants Handbook Volume I, an Implementation Timeline, and more. 


Fogarty Training Center – Last Chance to Renew Stormwater Operator Certification for 2024

Don’t let your FSA Stormwater Operator certification expire! The last opportunity to renew in 2024 will be through our online webinars held on November 5, 2024. FSA Certifications must be renewed every five years. The Fogarty Training Center offers live Online Recertification Webinars that provide a convenient, cost-effective way to renew your certification. Register for Stormwater Operator Level 1 Recertification and/or Stormwater Operator Level 2 Recertification courses today!

Not sure when your certification expires? Log in to your 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.


FSA Membership Renewals Have Begun!

Keep your membership current and don’t miss any of the great member services that are available to ALL of the employees in your organization! First renewal notices for FSA’s 2024-25 fiscal year were sent in mid-August via USPS and email to the primary contact for your organization. These early notices were sent to allow local government members to pay next year’s dues with remaining funds from the current fiscal year. If you are the primary contact for your organization, keep an eye on your inbox for renewal emails from FSA. Questions? Call us at (888) 221-3124.

Winter Conference – Registration Opening Soon!

Florida’s stormwater industry continues to evolve with a changing regulatory environment, a growing focus on water quality, and an increase in the frequency and intensity of storms. FSA’s educational events provide stormwater practitioners with up-to-date information on the issues facing today’s stormwater practitioners.  Save the date for FSA’s 2024 Winter Conference to be held December 4-6, 2024, at the Embassy Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista South in Kissimmee. The Conference will feature DEP Day, Laws Rules and Ethics for Professional Engineers, and two days of educational workshops highlighting a number of topics including compliance with recent regulatory changes, flooding and infrastructure challenges, and innovative green infrastructure solutions. Registration will open in September!


FDEP Triennial Review – Workshop Reminder

FSA would like to remind members that a virtual webinar to provide an overview of proposed Triennial Revision revisions has been scheduled for September 10, 2024 at 9 a.m. EDT. FDEP has posted an agenda for the meeting and draft revisions for Chapter 62-302, and Chapter 62-303, F.A.C, and Chapter 62-4.242 F.A.C. FSA will be attending the virtual webinar and stay in contact with FDEP staff to address any questions or comments we may have once revisions are posted.

LOSOM Adopted

After many years of reviewing, updating, and revising, the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) was adopted on August 12, 2024, finalizing a lake management plan many believe will better address harmful discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers.  The adopted plan will also target discharging more water to the south, restoring the more natural flows to the Everglades and Florida Bay. The US Army Corps of Engineers LOSOM page provides a link to the adopted document along with further information on management plan implementation.


FDEP Accepting Comments on 2024-2025 Springs Grant Funded Proposed Projects

The FDEP Springs and Watershed Restoration Program will be accepting comments on proposed 2024-2025 projects until September 9, 2024.  The program has provided a list of projects that can be reviewed and commented on, and we would recommend any FSA member who proposed a listed project review the materials and provide supporting comments.  The majority of proposed projects focus on nutrient reductions to address impaired springs or target increasing water quantity to meet Minimum Flows and Level (MFL) requirements.


FDEP TMDL Priority List of Waters 2024-2026

A proposed TMDL two-year work plan has been released by FDEP, and they are allowing stakeholders to review and comment on the plan until September 6th.  The two-year workplan is guided by the TMDL Prioritization 2.0 framework developed in 2022 which sets overall goals for a 10-year period. All comments should be submitted by email to [email protected].


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