39th Environmental Permitting Summer School

Florida has long been one of the nation’s leaders in effective waste management and recycling programs. Florida’s population is anticipated to reach nearly 26 million residents by 2030. How will the State address the waste management demands of these additional residents? Is there sufficient landfill capacity across the State for the decades ahead? Are there other waste management and disposal technologies on the horizon to meet the needs of Florida residents and businesses? How does Florida improve its recycling programs in the face of current technical, regulatory, and market challenges and obstacles to recycling, like contaminated recyclable material and decreased international demand for recyclable materials? Hear this panel of experts address these topics and a wide range of other waste management regulatory issues and forecasts, including industrial solid waste disposal developments and “recycling” of former waste disposal areas into productive land uses.

Practical and informative course designed to address strategies for obtaining environmental, cultural resources and land use approvals for land development projects under Florida’s current laws and agency practices; consideration of effects of recent legislation and administrative actions taken by the Executive Branch; discussion of “live local”; discussion of successful approaches to processing and obtaining environmental  permits from regulatory agencies, determinations of when to obtain the required permits and in what order, and the level of specificity and procedural requirements of each agency. Course to also cover tracking and managing activities for compliance with permit conditions, tips for gaining the respect of regulatory agencies, and steps that should be taken to avoid costly enforcement litigation. Audience participation is encouraged.

This session will provide an overview of policies and regulations that link disaster mitigation policy to climate resiliency issues. The presentation will explore these linkages as well as room for improvement in them. With major storms continuing to impact Florida every few years, agency orders are also a policy implication to be considered, both in short-term response and long-term planning factors. Case studies will be presented that harmonize the concepts of planning for, or responding to, disasters and incorporating aspects of future resiliency into projects. Finally, the session will also explore an important relationship with insurance and funding mechanisms, some of which provide dual benefits in the disaster mitigation and recovery realm as well as the flexibility to add components that address future resiliency.

This course presents legal and practical strategies for site remediation in a variety of scenarios. Case studies will focus on creative solutions, regulatory flexibilities, and innovative technologies used to achieve site closures. A must-attend, timely, and informative course designed for active audience participation.

Beaches are a valuable resource in Florida, as they provide storm protection to upland infrastructure, nesting habitat to sea turtles, and recreational value to tourists and locals. Since coastal development and navigation inlets have interrupted the natural littoral drift of sediment along much of Florida’s coastline, it is necessary to nourish these sandy beaches on a recurring basis. Additional development within this dynamic and sensitive coastal beach environment requires a special permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. This course examines the regulatory framework and practical aspects of Florida’s beach management and Coastal Construction Control Line programs and covers current agency procedures and practices; emerging agency policy; and special permitting considerations for storm impact planning and emergency response, including appropriate use of coastal armoring structures. Always a timely and informative course.

The panelists will discuss appropriate scoping of the environmental due diligence process, taking into consideration current and prior land uses and the user’s project objectives; the panelists will also discuss the importance of the environmental professional’s opinion and when and how to recommend additional investigation; in closing land transactions when there are unresolved issues and how to address those issues and much more; audience participation encouraged.

Florida agriculture plays a significant role in meeting the food and commodity needs of a growing world population and in environmental stewardship. This course will discuss new and ever-evolving topics – including land use management and preservation, water use, and wetland and wildlife conservation – and their effect on Florida’s agricultural community. Expect the expert panelists to discuss recent state and federal legislation affecting agriculture in Florida, best management practice (BMP) developments, industry trends, historic and predicted changes in water use and availability, permitting strategies, and more! Don’t miss it!

Course updated for 2025! The panel of experts will provide an in-depth examination of watershed management as a means of comprehensively integrating a variety of planning and regulatory programs currently implemented by FDEP and the water management districts, including TMDLs, MS4s, NPDES, PLRGs, Water Quality Credit Trading, and both structural and non-structural floodplain planning and management. The discussion will also touch on the emerging role of Urban Forest Management Plans (UFMPs) as a component of green infrastructure in municipal watershed strategies. The panel will discuss practical considerations and any changes to current agency practices. Audience participation is encouraged, so bring your questions!

The last few years have seen a cascade of changes in contaminated media management, site cleanup, and closures, as well as site redevelopment.  We live in a world of constant change in rules, regulations, and policies. The initial reaction to PFAS in Florida (“winter is coming”) has been replaced by a more thoughtful approach based on risk management. In May 2025 EPA made the decision on enforcing two PFAS, and so it is anticipated that FDEP will initiate rulemaking for a drinking water standard in 2026. Where will this lead? How do we prepare?  Also, what does the recent EPA announcements in PFAS policy mean?  Also,  Rule 62-524, F.A.C. “Delineated Areas” has been requested to be updated. What changes will this request usher for public health protection and site closure? Plus, the recent Brownfields statutory changes are hoped to trigger major investments in long-neglected Superfund sites. The round-table format discussions will involve the latest in policy changes and several other hot topics that are sure to capture the audience’s attention. This class has been standing-room only in the past and the round-table format allows active panel and audience interaction. Come, listen, and learn from instructors who are at the forefront of hot issues, how they navigate through the latest challenges, and what they predict will evolve into the decade.

As industries move toward a reduced carbon society, they are faced with regulatory and operational challenges. Florida industry representatives from mining, power, ports, and municipalities will discuss their action plans and policies and the benefits (and costs) of moving towards a reduced carbon society.