39th Environmental Permitting Summer School

Stay current on laws/rules, Get up to speed on the latest ethics cases, Protect yourself in contracts, and Reduce your exposure to risks

Come join our panel of experts in a 4-hour interactive, small group setting, as they provide the practicing engineer with the keys to a successful practice, including the essential updates that govern the practice of engineering in the state of Florida, issues affecting federal contractors and subcontractors, and the latest “best practices” to manage professional risk to yourself and your firm. Our experts will help guide you with concrete strategies and tips for managing risks, including work practices, protective contract language, and deciphering the complexities of other risk management tools such as insurance and bonding. Additionally, you will receive the latest instruction on any changes to the rules and statutes affecting the engineer, as well as any guidance resulting from individual disciplinary and unlicensed practice cases. This session will also include a one-hour presentation on Engineer Ethics to fulfill the Florida Board of Professional Engineering Continuing Education requirement for the renewal cycle. During the presentation, we will discuss, in-depth, some specific disciplinary cases related to Ethics and a Case Study in Professional Engineer Ethics. Don’t miss this opportunity to tune up your professional practice knowledge and prepare yourself and your firm to manage professional risk. (As a bonus, you will also be satisfying your biennial Laws, Rules, and Ethics continuing education requirements in a far more rewarding way than taking another online quiz!) Instructors: Michael Harding, Kellie Tomeo

An excellent course designed to provide insight into the regulatory, planning, and water supply development programs of Florida’s five water management districts; includes a discussion of water resource development and water supply planning; adoption and implementation of MFLs; development of water reservations; Environmental Resource Permitting updates; secondary and cumulative impacts; discussion of changes to water management district budgeting and cooperative funding for water quality and water supply; and other emerging programs and issues; audience participation encouraged.

So, your proposed project is located over state-owned, Sovereign Submerged Lands, or in an Aquatic Preserve. How do you navigate the additional hurdles such as considerations over highly protected marine resources, greater limitations on project size or scope, limitations or even prohibitions on dredging, and a potential visit to the Governor and Cabinet? Come listen to a panel of experts as they provide an overview of the latest changes, emerging issues and challenges with regard to DEP’s proprietary authority over state-owed submerged lands and the special protections over designated Aquatic Preserves. The course includes recent developments regarding balancing the rights of riparian waterfront owners versus the public interest consideration in state-owned submerged land; a discussion of special permit conditions, practices in requesting authorization to use sovereign submerged land for private uses; and the process of gaining approval for your project from the Division of State Lands and the Governor and Cabinet. Bring your questions, because this course is designed for extensive audience participation!

To prevent significant harm to the water resource due to water use, the water management districts must adopt minimum flows and levels (MFLs) for waterbodies and groundwater according to an annual priority list. A Water Reservation sets aside a volume of water for the protection of fish and wildlife or public health and safety. Reserved volumes of water are unavailable for allocation to consumptive water uses. If the waterbody does not meet or is projected not to meet, the adopted MFL, the district must adopt a recovery or prevention strategy, and coordinate with water users and other stakeholders to implement solutions to improve the status of the waterbody. This course provides an update on recent progress by each District which may highlight recently adopted MFLs or Reservations, re-evaluations or changes in waterbody status, and progress on projects and programs to address significant harm.

Timely and informative update on permitting and enforcement procedures utilized by environmental agencies; beginner to intermediate course; covers permits and permit renewals; construction and operation permits; time limitations; monitoring; agency enforcement of permit conditions; fines and other penalties; legal and ethical considerations; other emerging trends and issues including legislative review of agency rules and ratification of proposed rules; audience participation encouraged.

Always a timely and useful course to provide updates on the most current information and activities with the Department of Environmental Protection which we feel will be of most interest to our attendees; includes review and analysis of rules and policies recently adopted or under development, including the latest updates on the Stormwater Rule, OSTDS and domestic wastewater rules, and any published reports; key/practical tips for all private/public regulated interests; course format is designed for extensive audience participation.

An excellent course designed to provide insight into the regulatory, planning, and water supply development programs of Florida’s five water management districts; includes a discussion of water resource development and water supply planning; adoption and implementation of MFLs; development of water reservations; Environmental Resource Permitting updates; secondary and cumulative impacts; discussion of changes to water management district budgeting and cooperative funding for water quality and water supply; and other emerging programs and issues; audience participation encouraged.

The panel of experts will provide a timely update on procedural and substantive considerations in permitting under the NPDES program, including stormwater; numeric nutrient criteria; program administration; case law update, including Sackett v. EPA regarding Waters of the U.S.; enforcement and citizen suits; additional compliance considerations; how to interpret complex regulations; examples of industrial and construction applications; implementation of stormwater NPDES; MS4 program; current agency practices; and emerging trends and issues. Audience participation is encouraged!

Discussion of integrating regional water supply plans of local government with the plans and projects of water utilities through a prescribed planning process requiring cooperation between water management districts and local and regional water management districts and local and regional water utilities; regulatory incentives for the development of alternative water supplies; financial assistance for utilities; linking the growth management plans of local governments with the plans and projects of water utilities; applying the principles of consistency with concurrency as set forth in Florida law and implementing rules. Audience participation is encouraged.

Florida’s 2024 stormwater rule is already reshaping project planning and permitting across the state—but we’re not fully there yet. With portions of the rule already in effect and the all-important treatment performance provisions delayed until late 2025, this panel tackles the uncertainties and evolving expectations facing stormwater engineers, public and private developers, and local governments. Hear directly from a panel of regulators and experienced practitioners as they unpack how the rule is being interpreted in practice, what’s changing (and when), and how best to prepare for full implementation. Expect practical takeaways, discussion of real project scenarios, and ample time for audience Q&A in this highly interactive session.

Wetlands provide natural, sustainable, and environmentally beneficial water quality improvement. This exciting course will include a detailed overview of treatment wetland applications, design and permitting, and recent trends and innovations to address some of the state’s most complex challenges associated with surface water quality and water supply shortages. Surface water quality protection will be highlighted by how SFWMD is using treatment wetlands to restore and protect ecologically sensitive areas of South Florida. The Everglades Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) cover over 62,000 acres and represent the largest constructed treatment wetlands in the world. Operation of the STAs is governed by permits and consent orders that include a stringent water quality-based effluent limit (WQBEL) for phosphorus. Water resource augmentation using treatment wetlands will be highlighted by multiple projects that reuse wastewater effluent providing multi-functional and multi-beneficial systems that protect water quality, enhance water availability, and protect public health. Recent advancements include new interpretations of the Florida Administrative Code to better target natural recharge areas for groundwater augmentation, couple treatment wetlands with groundwater recharge via injection, and include treatment intensification to provide treatment of micropollutants, including unregulated contaminants and PFAS, in potable reuse applications.