Resources | National Stormwater Trust

37th Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School Recap

This year’s event in Marco Island was a resounding success, with participants gaining valuable insights into cutting-edge environmental solutions.

In particular, we’d like to highlight the remarkable presentations by Mark Thomasson and Jack Fiveash, which delved into the fascinating realms of “Stormwater Nutrient Credit Trading, Smart Ponds and Resilience in Florida.”

Mark Thomasson, P.E.,

Executive Vice President, Director of Engineering and Science – Chief Stormwater Engineer

Water Quality Credit Trading

Mark Thomasson served on a panel of experts that examined some recent examples of innovative nutrient trading, evaluated the legislation filed in 2022, and discussed some new approaches to managing nutrients in impaired watersheds.

Mark took attendees on a journey into the world of “Smart Ponds” and how they are revolutionizing water quality management with the stormwater nutrient credit market in Florida.

He shed light on how the integration of sensors, data analytics, and real-time monitoring can transform these ponds into intelligent systems. These “Smart Ponds” can autonomously adjust water levels, optimize treatment capacity, and their operation to achieve maximum effectiveness.

Webinar: A Year in the Life of a Smart Pond

For the first time, the National Stormwater Trust, Inc. live-streamed a webinar directly from Marco Island. A total of 71 attendees joined the presentation led by Mark to gain case study insights from a look back at the first year of a smart stormwater pond.

John “Jack” Fiveash

CEO and Co-Founder of NST

Does Florida Need a New Resilient Approach to Development?

Jack Fiveash was on a panel that delved into the critical topic of resilience in Florida’s complex environmental landscape. His presentation was focused on “Water Quality and Flood Resiliency: Becoming Fixers.”

Jack discussed the National Stormwater Trust’s work for Babcock Ranch and the Florida Department of Transportation, initiatives aimed at managing and mitigating the impacts of stormwater runoff by investing in ‘Smart Pond’ infrastructure.

Lessons Learned…

The audience came prepared with ideas and ready to participate in what was a lively and thought-provoking discussion!

As we move forward, we’re excited to see how these concepts will shape the future of stormwater management and sustainable development not only in Florida but across the globe.

Whether in-person or on the live-stream, presentations left attendees inspired by the prospects of merging stormwater technology for a more sustainable future.

Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for being part of our engaged community!

More News

Resiliency Grants Available Now!

The Resilient Florida Program is a State grant program available to government entities to address impacts of flood and sea level rise. The National Stormwater Trust, Inc. is partnering with local governments to pursue grant funding for several stormwater improvements. For more information, please Click Here to See Florida Resilient Grants Website.

For assistance qualifying your project or meeting grant deadlines, please contact Erin Klores at eklores@nationalstormwater.com.

ENGINEERING TIP: Following the new Rule!

Get ready, there’s a new rule coming!

In 2020, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 712, also known as the Clean Waterways Act, that included a wide range of water-quality protection provisions aimed at minimizing the impact of known sources of nutrient pollution and strengthening regulatory requirements. As directed by section 5 of the Act, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and water management districts (WMDs) initiated rulemaking to update the stormwater design and operation regulations for environmental resource permitting.

FDEP and the WMDs formed a Technical Advisory Committee that met 13 times from December 2020 to November 2021 resulting in a Recommendations Report that was released in March 2022. FDEP and the WMDs held a series of rule workshops from May 2022 to March 2023 to present and discuss proposed rule language. The rule was adopted April 14, 2023 but, due to the cost of implementation, requires ratification by the Florida Legislature. It is anticipated the rule will be ratified during the 2024 legislative session and will be effective no later than July 1, 2024.

The rule is long and complex including Chapter 62-330, Florida Administrative Code, and the incorporated Applicants Handbook I, effective statewide, and the respective Applicant’s Handbook II for each WMD. Most of the rule remains unchanged, however, significant change is proposed that will affect the design, construction, and operation of stormwater treatment facilities making most facilities larger and more complex to operate and maintain.

A very brief overview of the most notable proposed changes is presented below.

1. Increase treatment requirements across the board:

a) BMP presumptive treatment will be discontinued.

b) All new development must meet the maximum of:

i) Post nutrient discharge less than pre nutrient discharge.

ii) 55%/80% reduction of post development TN/TP load

iii) Greater reductions for discharges to OFWs or impaired waters

c) Redevelopment

i) 45%/80% reduction of TN/TP for all sites

ii) 60%/90% reduction of TN/TP in OFW watersheds

2. Expand criteria for compensatory and off-site treatment removing the “last resort” and “less than 10%” criteria, enabling the new treatment requirements to be achieved in any combination of on-site and off-site treatment.

3. Increase monitoring, inspection and reporting requirements for all facilities.

4. Provide for inspector training and certification along with an inspection checklist.

5. Require as-builts, an O&M plan, cost estimate and more documentation of financial capability to transfer to O&M phase.

The implications to development are significant. Utilizing conventional stormwater BMPs, it is estimated that stormwater facilities could increase in size 2-3 times. This may not work in many locations, requiring the consideration of off-site treatment, more advanced treatment technologies, or a combination of these.

For current projects that already require some enhanced treatment, such as those discharging to impaired water bodies, or future projects under the proposed rule, we recommend increasing the efficiency of standard wet detention and retention BMPs with Smart Pond Technology provided by NST. Ponds equipped with that technology can meet requirements under the new rule for all new development.

WEBINAR: Smart Ponds 101

Join the National Stormwater Trust, Inc. for a complimentary webinar, “Smart Ponds 101,” featuring Jeff Littlejohn, P.E., and special guest Dayton Marchese, P.E., from OptiRTC.

📅 Date: Thursday, August 24

🕒 Time: 11 AM to 12 PM (EDT)

🔗 Register Now: Click here

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with industry leaders shaping the future of water management!

We’ll share case studies on a traditional pond versus a Smart Pond, plus insights on how you can save money and land, while better protecting people, property, and the environment.

National Stormwater Trust, Inc. is an approved Florida Board of Professional Engineers Florida Continuing Education Provider. Registered P.E.s can earn 1 Professional Development Hour (PDH) for attending the live webinar.

For more information, please contact Erin Klores at eklores@nationalstormwater.com.

*“Smart Pond” A.K.A. Continuous Monitoring and Adaptive Control (CMAC) at Babcock Ranch*

Sea Level Rise Effect on Groundwater Rise and Stormwater Retention Pond Reliability

The study results suggest that it is imperative to consider future sea level rise conditions in stormwater design in low-lying coastal areas of Florida and around the world to prevent poor pond performance and increased risk of flooding in the future.

Stormwater Reuse Study for Florida Department of Transportation (GAI, 2013)

This Stormwater Reuse Study includes:

An informative narrative of the how stormwater can be effectively reused.
The benefits of stormwater reuse to the FDOT and the End-User.
Coordination with the Water Management Districts and FDEP regarding environmental and permitting issues associated with the reuse of stormwater. Also included is a review of the possible grant funds that are available from various state agencies to support this creative Alternative Water Supply (AWS) initiative.
Potential stormwater reuse related challenges to overcome.
Identification of potential End-Users that may be motivated to buy or trade for the harvesting of stormwater runoff from the FDOT stormwater management facilities.
Data Analysis, evaluation and ranking of potential opportunities.

RPT FDOT Stormwater Reuse Study 06262013 Download

SJRWMD Permit Information Manual including ERP Applicant’s Handbook II – Stormwater Treatment Criteria in the SJRWMD

This manual is a compilation of information that will be useful to anyone interested in the St. Johns River Water Management District’s (SJRWMD) environmental resource permitting (ERP) program. It was developed as a result of the enactment of section 373.4131 of the Florida Statutes which directed the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the water management districts to adopt statewide ERP rules. In SJRWMD, the relevant rules are contained in chapters 62-330, 40C-1, 40C-4, 40C-8, 40C-41, and 40C-44, F.A.C., and for mitigation banks include chapter 62-342, F.A.C. In addition, applicants are required to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of SJRWMD’s Environmental Resource Permit Applicant’s Handbook, which has been incorporated by reference.

Click on the link below for the most up-to-date version of the rule from the SJRWMD web site:

SJRWMD Permit Information Manual

SWFWMD ERP Applicant’s Handbook II – Stormwater Treatment Criteria in the SWFWMD

Each Water Management District has adopted an ERP Applicant’s Handbook Volume II (“Volume II”) which contains the District-specific design and performance criteria for stormwater quantity, flood control, stormwater quality and any special basin criteria or other requirements that are applicable within the geographic area of the specific water management district. This Volume II (Design Requirements for Stormwater Treatment and Management Systems – Water Quality and Water Quantity) is intended for use only within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. (Includes Appendices A – F)

Click on the link below for the most up-to-date version of the rule from the SWFWMD web site:

SWFWMD ERP Applicant’s Handbook II

SFWMD ERP Applicant’s Handbook Volume II – Stormwater Treatment Criteria in the SFWMD

This Applicant’s Handbook Volume II accompanies Chapter 62-330, Fla. Admin. Code, and the Environmental Resource Permit Applicant’s Handbook Volume I (General and Environmental). Applicant’s Handbook Volume I is applicable to all environmental resource permit applications, and provides background information on the environmental resource permit (ERP) program.

This Volume is designed to be applicable only to those ERP applications that involve the design of a stormwater management system that requires a permit as provided in Chapter 62-330, F.A.C., or Section 403.814(12) F.S. This volume also contains South Florida Water Management District (District) specific appendices for regionally-specific criteria such as basin maps for cumulative impact assessments (see Applicant’s Handbook Volume I, Section 10.2.8), mitigation bank service area determination (refer to Chapter 62-342, F.A.C), and above ground impoundments.

Click on the link below for the most up-to-date version of the rule from the SFWMD web site:

SFWMD ERP Applicant’s Handbook II

Connecticut’s Nitrogen Credit Exchange – An Incentive-based Water Quality Trading Program

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP) has been actively involved in the operation of Connecticut’s Nitrogen Credit Exchange (NCE) since 2002. During the 2002-2009 period the total value of credits bought and sold was $45.9 million, representing 15.5 million nitrogen credits exchanged. It is one of the few expansive water quality credit trading programs successfully implemented in the United States. The program has provided an alternative compliance mechanism for publicly owned treatment works (POTW) to meet the nitrogen wasteload allocation (WLA) for the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) adopted for Long Island Sound.

View the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection 2010 summary here: CT Water Quality Trading Summary 2010.pdf

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