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EPA Releases Numeric Nutrient Criteria for Florida
Pursuant to a federal Consent Decree between the US Environmental Protection Agency, Earthjustice and other environmental organizations, EPA issued several hundred pages of regulations establishing numeric nutrient criteria for waters in Florida on January 14th. Final adoption is set for October of this year.
The release of the regulations triggers procedural timelines into motion for the adoption of rules. EPA will receive comments on the regulations for 60 days. After the final adoption in October, the rules may be challenged but the challenge may be based only on the record as established during the 60-day comment period. It is extremely important that comments on the impact of the rules and the scientific basis on which they were developed are received by EPA within the next several weeks.
EPA has also scheduled three public hearings on the rule. It is critical that FSA members who are concerned with the potential impacts of the rule attend the hearings and make comments. Specific locations and times are listed on the regulations website. They are scheduled for:
Help coordinate this effort by contacting Kurt Spitzer if you plan to attend a hearing. Also, if you provide written comment, send a copy to stormwater@ksanet.net. |
Procedural Challenge to Numeric Nutrient Criteria
The procedural challenge to the determination made by EPA that numeric nutrient criteria were necessary in Florida is still moving ahead. The challenge of the necessity determination was brought by FSA and other intervenors late last year. A hearing on that matter is set for late January in Tallahassee. |
2010 Legislative Session Approaches
Although it may seem like the 2009 Session just ended, the 2010 Session of the Florida Legislature is set to begin the first week of March. Back for "encore" considerations will be measures to regulate local policy on consumer fertilizer use, nutrient loadings in springsheds, the pre-emption of certain regulations and SWU fees on agricultural properties, and the "permit streamlining" legislation. FDEP will be seeking approval of legislation needed to authorize the adoption of its new statewide stormwater regulations, and an additional series of budget cuts will be considered as the most recent revenue estimate is an additional $2.5 billion short. FSA will be tracking legislative activity and updating members regularly. |
Training Center Courses Pre-Approved for CECs
FSA has been pre-approved by the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) to provide Continuing Education Credits (CECs) for several FSA Training Center courses. FSA's Level 1 and Level 2 Stormwater Operator Certification courses now offer 6 Parallel CECs to Certified Floodplain Managers in Florida. Our Best Management Practices: Selection and Implementation (Basic) seminar offers 4 Parallel CECs.
View all upcoming course registration forms on the FSA Training Center website. |
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FSA Membership Renewal - Deadline January 30th
The end of January marks the deadline to renew your FSA membership and be included in the 2010 FSA Membership Directory! Among the many benefits of FSA membership: real-time updates on legislative issues, numeric nutrient criteria, and water designated use status; discounts on conferences, seminars and FSA Training Center courses; and, resources such as the Stormwater Utility Survey and this newsletter. Call the FSA office and renew today (888) 221-3124! |
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2010 FSA Excellence Awards
Receive recognition for your organizations' hard work! FSA offers two categories for Excellence Awards in the profession of stormwater management: Projects and Programs. To apply, include a nomination form, supporting materials and submit no later than February 26th! Award winners will be announced at the FSA Annual Conference in June. In addition, award winners will be given the opportunity to present their project or program at the 2010 Winter Conference in December. |
