2019 Annual Conference Agenda

PRE-CONFERENCE Tour
Explore the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s Marine Laboratory and learn about the Lab’s current water quality research. Enjoy a tour of the facility and hear Lab staff address ongoing projects including a sensor monitoring network which tracks water quality in response to climatological events and variable freshwater discharges from Lake Okeechobee, a plan to reduce stormwater runoff and remove nutrients from the Sanibel Slough and much more.  The tour will conclude with a trip to the Jordan Marsh Water Quality Treatment Park – the City’s latest project aimed at improving water quality and public education on various BMPs used to improve water quality.

1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
[General Session - 2.5 PDHs]

PRE-CONFERENCE Workshop
Letting Science Tell the Story: Practical and Powerful Resiliency Planning
Join us to discuss a wide variety of resiliency planning topics for the busy water resources and stormwater manager. The session will focus on using sound data and analyses to address a wide variety of planning and practical needs related to resilience and sustainability. Critical issues like the socioeconomic and water quality impacts attached to sea level rise and climate change will be reviewed. Tough and numerous questions will be explored during this quick moving pre-conference session.

Elizabeth Perez, PE, DWRE, CFM, President
Collective Water

Brett Cunningham, PE, Managing Director and Senior Vice President
Jones Edmunds & Associates

Jeff Hicks, CEO
Fern Leaf Interactive

Tony Janicki, PhD, President
Janicki Environmental

Steve Peene, PhD, Water Resources Principal
Applied Technology & Management

Welcome, Awards and Opening Events
With a new Governor setting the tone, the Legislature, FDEP and other agencies have made water policy an active issue in 2019!  All three branches of government have initiated major changes in one or more areas of water policy and programs.  The opening session will review the water quality and supply issues confronting Florida, and how state and local governments can partner to better structure water protection programs and implement water quality goals.  We will also review our successes over the past year by recognizing the work of stormwater programs across the state. 

Judy Grim, President
Florida Stormwater Association

Chauncey Goss, Governing Board Member
SFWMD

Coffee Break in Exhibit Hall (Badge/Ticket Required)
Exhibit Hall Open 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM

10:35 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
[Track A - 1 PDH]

Final Report on Assessing the Load Reduction Values of Maintenance Activities
With the support of FDEP, FSA’s Educational Foundation engaged the UF College of Environmental Engineering in a Project to refine the load reduction values of common MS4 maintenance activities.  The 2018 Project built on the work completed for FSAEF by UF in 2008, and sought to quantify the nutrient load reduction values of maintenance activities undertaken in areas served by reclaimed water.  The session will present the Project’s findings, showing the load reduction values that local governments can qualify for via the BMAP process.

John Sansalone, Professor of Environmental Engineering Sciences
University of Florida

10:35 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
[Track B - 1 PDH]

Perspectives on Land Applied Biosolids
Potential impairment from disposal of biosolids is now a topic of significant discussion and some local stormwater entities are concerned. FDEP created a Biosolids Technical Advisory Committee to evaluate the latest scientific understanding, current management practices and potential enhancements and will consider potential management changes. This presentation will review this topic and provide an overview of proposed next steps.

Derek Busby, Initiative Leader
SJRWMD

Thomas Frick, Director Division of Environmental Assessment & Restoration
FDEP

Vincent Burke, PE, Director
Indian River County

10:35 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
[Track C - 1 PDH]

River X-Men Makeover: Transforming the Green Monster to Mystique
With ten years of implementation, Lower St. Johns River projects have achieved substantial nutrient reductions and water quality has noticeably improved. This session will review the magnitude of wastewater, stormwater, and agricultural reductions; water quality trends observed; and innovative techniques and challenges of treating stormwater.

Tiffany Busby, President
Wildwood Consulting

Kevin Coyne, BMAP Program Administrator
FDEP

John Hendrickson, Supervising Environmental Scientist
SJRWMD

Cassidy Reichert, MS4 Coordinator
City of Jacksonville

Development and Simulation of Recharge Scenarios to Enhance Springflow
To improve aquifer recharge and support spring flow, the Suwannee River Water Management District and Dixie County have sought to identify aquifer recharge opportunities through the development of a coupled groundwater and surface water model. This session will present methods and results from the project’s calibrated ICPR v4 hydrologic model.

Joshua Davis, PhD, Senior Staff Geologist
Drummond Carpenter

Lisa Baker, PE, Engineering Division Director
Locklear and Associates

Rachel Pieschek, PE, Staff Engineer
Drummond Carpenter

11:50 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
[Track B - .5 PDHs]

Restoring the Choctawhatchee Through Targeted Sediment Reduction
Is sedimentation posing a threat in your area? Is it negatively affecting your aquatic habitat? This session will illustrate how prioritizing Best Management Practice implementation has enhanced the Gulf Sturgeon habitat in the Lower Choctawhatchee River Basin through watershed-scale assessment and modeling.

Steven Collins, PhD, PE, Project Manager
Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson

Jennifer Lishman Nunn, GISP, Senior GIS Analyst
Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson

11:50 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
[Track C - .75 PDHs]

Seeing Opportunity in Challenge: Coastal Stormwater Management in 2019
Stormwater managers provide many services. Now, we must also summit the “resiliency mountain.”  One mechanism for relief should be the Community Rating System Program. This session will explain the barriers to a higher CRS rating and how to use available tools to meet our coastal stormwater management goals.

Elizabeth Perez, PE, DWRE, CFM, President
Collective Water

Brett Cunningham, PE, Managing Director and Senior Vice President
Jones Edmunds & Associates

Lunch in Exhibit Hall (Badge/Ticket Required)

What the Flow?!?  A Modeling Approach to Assess Flow-Through BMPs
There are many tools available to evaluate water quality performance of stormwater BMPs, such as the BMPTRAINS Model and the EPA National Stormwater Calculator.  These tools typically rely on a capture volume that the BMP provides to determine the extent of the water quality benefit. While this approach works well for BMPs that provide attenuation as part of the design, the lack of sufficient space to hold large volumes of stormwater has made the use of small-footprint BMPs such as LID and Green Infrastructure practices more popular. This session examines an approach that utilizes continuous stormwater simulation modeling to determine an equivalent capture efficiency for flow-through BMPs that can be used in conventional BMP water quality assessment tools to more accurately assess the water quality impact of BMPs based on their design.

Mike Hardin, PhD, PE, CFM, Water Resources Engineer
Geosyntec Consultants

Mark Ellard, PE, CFM, DWRE, Senior Principal
Geosyntec Consultants

1:25 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
[Track B - .75 PDHs]

FARMS Agriculture Best Management Practices Cost Share Opportunities
Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems is an agricultural cost-share program that addresses water quantity and quality issues through Best Management Practices and serves as an incentive to the agricultural community to promote resource sustainability. This presentation will provide an overview of this public/private partnership developed by the District and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Gene Altman, PE, Senior Professional Engineer
SWFWMD

1:25 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.
[Track C - .75 PDHs]

Climate Resilience Design Guidelines
The Climate Ready Boston Initiative involves planning and actions to address the impacts of sea level rise on the City.  As part of this effort, a series of plans and actions have been developed including the creation of Climate Resilience Infrastructure Design Guidelines.  This presentation will address raising streets by 4 to 6 feet, designing harbor barriers, creating green vegetative barriers and using deployable flood barriers as the City prepares for 40 inches of sea level rise by 2070.

Steven Roy, Senior Technical Leader
Weston & Sampson Engineers

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
[Track A - .75 PDHs]

Combating Algal Blooms with Education, Tech, Citizen Science, and LID
The myths, mysteries, and legends of Florida red tide, freshwater cyanobacteria, and stormwater were written again in 2018 when dual freshwater and marine algal blooms wreaked havoc on Florida ecosystems, recreation, and economy. This presentation will explore the use of social media and national media attention to reduce nutrient loading and aid in hydrologic restoration.

Tracy Fanara, EIT, PhD, Program Manager, Environmental Health
Mote Marine Laboratory

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
[Track B - .75 PDHs]

FDOT’s Innovative Initiatives in Support of the MS4 Program
The Florida Department of Transportation is not only the steward of the statewide transportation system, but also a steward of environmental protection within the state.  As the state’s focus on the maintenance and restoration of water quality has expanded, so too has FDOT’s role as a partner in the effort.  Learn about FDOT’s innovative initiatives relating to stormwater management, asset maintenance, and resource management.

Steve Peene, PhD, Water Resources Principal
Applied Technology & Management

Robert Potts, Senior Scientist
E Sciences

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
[Track C - .75 PDHs]

West Palm Beach Stormwater Utilities Update
On January 23, 2019, Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled against the City of West Palm Beach's appeal over non-payment of stormwater utility fees by the Palm Beach County School Board.   The "Per Curiam Affirmed" decision applies only to the City itself as PCA decisions set no precedential value and are only binding to the parties of the litigation.  Of the five District Courts in Florida, two have issued PCA decisions, two have issued formal opinions, and one has not ruled on a similar matter. The Florida Supreme Court has not heard an appeal in a similar case. This session will review the case and provide a detailed analysis of the status of payment of stormwater utility fees by schools and state agencies in Florida.

Steve Brannock, Shareholder
Brannock & Humphries

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Soda Break in Exhibit Hall (Badge/Ticket Required)

3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
[Track A - .75 PDHs]

Progression of Harmful Algal Bloom Management
Harmful Algae Blooms are known to cause both irritant and adverse health effects in humans and animals. Martin County has coordinated with federal, state and local partners to address the blooms, and with each bloom has gained new insights and understanding of how these blooms occur.  Martin County will present these findings.

Dianne Hughes, Senior Ecosystem Specialist
Martin County

3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
[Track B - .75 PDHs]

Creeks and Ditches and Swales – Oh My!
Pinellas County Public Works maintains over 500 miles of open conveyance stormwater systems using mapping software and a holistic approach. Our spatially-oriented preventive maintenance program optimizes workflow which results in open flow paths that alleviate flooding, reduce the risk of property damage, and improve surface water quality. This presentation will provide an overview of Pinellas County’s open conveyance stormwater preventive maintenance program, including in house operations and contracted work. 

Nancy Lamagna, PE, ENV-SP, Professional Engineer 2
Pinellas County

Eric Fehrmann, Stormwater Maintenance Manager
Pinellas County

3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
[Track C - .75 PDHs]

Why Are the Bacteria Counts in My Stream Still So High?
Elevated bacteria concentrations have impacted the Phillippi Creek basin in Sarasota for decades. Even after conducting a wide scale septic-to-sewer project, chronic high counts and occasional spikes in bacteria continue to persist in several areas. A Microbial Source Tracking plan was designed and implemented to help determine the causes. This presentation will show the sample results for the various types of testing, along with challenges and recommendations.

Tim Denison, Senior Environmental Scientist
Johnson Engineering

Mollie Holland, Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Team Coordinator
Sarasota County

4:20 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
[Track A - .75 PDHs]

Stormwater Treatment & Nutrient Removal to Help Mitigate Algae Blooms
Toxic algae blooms can adversely affect human health and result in millions of dollars of lost revenue. This presentation will review an innovative stormwater treatment technology that removes algae and nutrients (N and P) that cause algae blooms thereby helping achievement of TMDL nutrient reduction goals.

William Colona, PG, Senior Project Geologist - Environmental Group
AECOM

David Pinelli, Senior Scientist - Liquid-Solid Separation Specialist
AECOM

4:20 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
[Track B - .75 PDHs]

Emerging Technologies™
FSA’s practice of highlighting the latest developments in stormwater technologies and services from the private sector will be continued this year and features the top firms from Florida and other parts of the country!

4:20 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
[Track C - .75 PDHs]

Septic System Impacts on Stormwater and Impaired Waterbodies
Charlotte County has many older septic systems that are now inadequate or failing and pose a significant health and environmental risk to impaired waterbodies. The County extended central sewer to the Spring Lakes area and the water quality benefits to stormwater, groundwater and surface waters were monitored. The sample results for the project area will be presented along with lessons learned.

Marcy Frick, REM, Senior Water Resources Engineer
Tetra Tech

Tim Denison, Senior Environmental Scientist
Johnson Engineering

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

"Flip-Flop" Welcome Reception in Exhibit Hall (Badge/Ticket Required)
It’s time to relax!  So get comfortable and join us in your favorite flip flops for snacks, drinks, and the chance to win a door prize. 

Tottenville Shoreline Protection Project Stormwater Impacts Analysis
Shoreline structures are being designed to reduce coastal flooding and erosion, but there is concern that a raised shore may increase frequency, duration, or magnitude of inland flooding as precipitation would be prohibited from flowing freely to the shoreline.  This presentation will review a study of the existing storm sewer systems located beneath the proposed improvements and the contributing hydrologic areas that were potentially impacted by the raised shoreline to determine if the resiliency and function of the existing system was reduced.

Jordan Corby, PE, Stormwater Engineer
Stantec

Molly Williams, PE, Senior Stormwater Engineer
Stantec

Water Quality Improvement and Flood Protection Study
Lee County is addressing watershed impairments and flooding impacts in unincorporated North Fort Myers. The County and its consultants recently completed an investigation on how the existing Florida Power & Light easement and right-of-way could be utilized to reduce flooding and improve water quality. This presentation will describe the modeling, analysis, and anticipated benefits of three recommended projects.

Maria Loinaz, PE, PhD, Senior Project Engineer
A.D.A. Engineering

Steve Peene, PhD, Water Resources Principal
Applied Technology & Management

Slow the Flow: Promoting Green Infrastructure in a Built-Out Environment
Broward County’s Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division is implementing innovative Green Infrastructure improvement projects that will serve crucial roles to help the County. This presentation will review these projects showing how critical they are to local communities for flood prevention, aquifer recharge, groundwater levels maintenance, stormwater  control and prevention of saltwater intrusion.

Maena Angelotti, MS, Program Project Coordinator
Broward County

Coffee Break in Exhibit Hall (Badge/Ticket Required)
Last chance to talk to Exhibitors - Exhibit Hall closes at 10:30 a.m.

An Automated Low Rate Alum System to Enhance Wet Pond Efficiency
A slow rate alum addition system was developed to enhance the efficiency of wet detention ponds.  The system adds a low dose alum feed based on the pond pH and the relationship between pH and algal growth, using pH as a surrogate for nutrient levels. The generated floc migrates throughout the pond, removing algae and dissolved P before settling.  This presentation will review the alum system and show how it enhances wet pond efficiency.  

Harvey Harper, PhD, PE, President
Environmental Research & Design

My Green-Ampt is Better Than Your Curve Number
This session will explore a "Next Generation Green-Ampt" that allows modification of the depth to a water table for model calibration and simulating hydrologic responses to sea level rise. The Green-Ampt method will use updated information, taking advantage of technological advancements, to better predict runoff in certain areas. This new generation will contain parameters for multi-layered soils, saturated moisture contents, wilting points, pore size index, and much more. 

Harry Downing, MS, PE, Senior Professional Engineer
Applied Sciences Consulting

Lei Yang, PhD, PE, Senior Professional Engineer
SWFWMD

Greening Rocket Town's Downtown While Reducing Pollutants to the Indian River Lagoon
Since the 1950’s “Race to Space” boom, Cocoa Beach’s downtown has grown grey with older buildings, utilities and pavement creep. Through significant federal and state funding the City’s downtown has gone from grey to green with rain gardens, permeable pavers, rain tanks, and more! This presentation will share lessons learned, before and after photos, and some general guidance on the project.     

Joanie Regan, Stormwater Utility Manager
City of Cocoa Beach

Andrew Giannini, PE, Senior Project Manager
Mead & Hunt

Planning for Resiliency in Coastal Communities
Coastal communities worldwide are assessing the vulnerabilities of critical assets to hurricanes, tropical storms, and impacts of climate change.  This presentation overviews the rational, assessment process and initial findings of the coastal risk assessment at two water reclamation facilities in the City of Cape Coral.

Molly Williams, PE, Associate, Stormwater Practice Lead for Water, US Gulf
Stantec

Matthew Starr, PG, Associate, SE Coastal Team Leader
Stantec

Automated Flood Forecasting for the Imperial River
Prolonged and extensive flooding, mostly unexpected, occurred along the Imperial River at Bonita Springs prior to and following Hurricane Irma. This presentation will describe an automated flood forecasting system for the Imperial River in ICPR4 using data from the National Water Model and from the Southeast River Forecast Center.

Peter Singhofen, PE, President
Streamline Technologies

Alachua County's New Stormwater Treatment Code
The hydrology of Alachua County is varied ranging from well-drained karst areas in the west to the lakes and creeks of the east. As a result, stormwater management practices also vary. The County’s new stormwater treatment code implements the principles of Low Impact Design to provide improved treatment of stormwater runoff. This presentation will review the requirements of the code and the reasons behind them,  the implementation of the code, and issues encountered after implementation.

Shane Williams, PhD, PE, Stormwater Engineer
Alachua County

  Adjourn