Aaron Gwinnup, PE’s Post

CLA Helps Remand and Create Stronger Industrial Stormwater Permit - CLA and several partners submitted voluminous comments in 2021 to MDE, exhaustively detailing the many ways in which its proposed industrial stormwater general permit failed to protect Maryland's urban waterways and communities from the hazards of toxic industrial runoff. MDE opted to ignore most of those comments and so CLA, on behalf of two clients, filed suit challenging the decision. This summer, MDE agreed to take the permit back and revisit certain provisions that were demonstrated to be legally problematic, particularly those provisions dealing with climate change, environmental justice, and a new loophole allowing facilities to exclude themselves from the permit. We also helped our clients and partners submit joint comments during the new comment period to demand a permit with better protections. #lawyers4thebay https://lnkd.in/g7WEWg_r

The Managing Stormwater in OR Conference is right around the corner. Tuesday June 25th, 2024. Presented by Northwest Environmental Business Council and The State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, this annual event convenes regulated companies, solution providers, and government agencies to explore current topics, best practices, and the most effective solutions in stormwater management. 📚Educational sessions cover basic and advanced topics in the areas of: Stormwater Fundamentals Industrial Stormwater Treatment Municipal & Green Infrastructure Cross Cutting Issues #stormwatermanagement #pollutionprevention

Young folk in the stormwater industry might not be aware that there was a national inquiry into stormwater back in 2015. It was an exciting time! I remember thinking that this could be the answer to all our woes to get consistency and logic into approaches to stormwater management around the country. Key recommendations of this inquiry included (paraphrased for brevity): 💡 Recommendation 1: ...to develop and implement a national policy framework for stormwater management (a National Stormwater Initiative). 💡Recommendation 4: ...consider new funding models and financial incentives that would facilitate improved stormwater management outcomes in an economically efficient way. 💡Recommendation 5: ...restore funding for stormwater research...consideration should also be given to how the overall level of research and development can be increased by attracting co-investment from other levels of government and the private sector to support and expand research activities that receive funding from the Australian Government. 📨 In 2020, Stormwater Australia sent a formal submission asking for an update on progress. https://lnkd.in/g7eDQDQP It's now 2024, can anyone share their knowledge into the likelihood of a National Stormwater Initiative or any other change coming from this inquiry? https://lnkd.in/gugmHAZ4 Stormwater Queensland, Stormwater Victoria, Stormwater NSW, Stormwater South Australia, Stormwater Western Australia, #stormwater #WaterQuality #NationalStormwaterInitiative

The way Moore approaches stormwater management is very comprehensive. We look at stormwater from an Environmental, Water Resources, Civil and Transportation lens. Learn more about our stormwater services at https://bit.ly/48CNYmF #Stormwater

Don't miss out on enhancing your knowledge with Oldcastle Infrastructure's Stormwater Maintenance course! Learn more about stormwater management, legal compliance, and the environmental benefits. Register for this insightful course- for free! 💡📚 Link to Course: https://lnkd.in/gXWvwU-M ] #EnvironmentalCompliance #LearnWithUs

Lets chat about the impact of Florida Senate Bill 64 on the State’s Water Disposal Options! Senate Bill 64 became part of Florida Statutes 403.064 and 403.892 in June of 2021. The goal is to promote alternative water supplies and potable reuse and establish timelines for utilities to meet. 🤝 "Requiring certain domestic wastewater utilities to submit to the Department of Environmental Protection by a specified date a plan for eliminating nonbeneficial surface water discharge within a specified timeframe; requiring domestic wastewater utilities applying for permits for new or expanded surface water discharges to prepare a specified plan for eliminating nonbeneficial discharges as part of its permit application; providing that potable reuse is an alternative water supply and that projects relating to such reuse are eligible for alternative water supply funding; requiring counties, municipalities, and special districts to authorize graywater technologies under certain circumstances and to provide certain incentives for the implementation of such technologies, etc." - The Florida Senate ✍ Funded by taxes, loans and grants, the Florida Senate Bill 64 has and will continue to provide many new jobs to the wastewater industry! Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA), has 7 water reclamation facilities (WRFs) planning to inject or reuse water currently discharged to surface water. 👏 Learn more about Florida Senate Bill 64 by visiting myfloridahouse.gov, or comment any questions you have below! #wastewater #senatebill64 #sawcrossinc

Here is the most recent map and list of municipal utility districts (MUD’s) in Ellis County: https://lnkd.in/guYBYtt3. MUD’s are special taxing districts approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to provide wastewater treatment and other utilities for a designated geographic area (usually a new housing development). Because MUD’s are not approved at a local level, municipalities and local residents are left to deal with the negative effects of increased water runoff from new wastewater elimination systems in high-density housing developments without meaningful input or recourse. Ellis County passed a resolution in March 2023 opposing the creation of new MUD’s without local government approval and calling for reform in TCEQ’s permit review process: https://lnkd.in/gmgcZR6u. TCEQ is holding several upcoming public hearings regarding Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (TPDES), some of which are associated with MUD’s. Any member of the public wishing to comment on these permit applications may do so at the times and locations listed below: 1) TPDES for Risinger Ridge MUD: 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 15th at 3100 N Interstate 45, Ennis 2) TPDES for Circle S Midlothian, LLC: 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 4th at 210 S Walnut St, Venus Additionally, members of the public may submit comments online at https://lnkd.in/e583mHZg for the following Ellis County TPDES pending permit applications: 1) TPDES for Shankle Road MUD [Discharge 500,000 gallons/day]: Permit No. WQ0016103001 2) TPDES for the City of Italy [Discharge of 650,000 gallons/day]: Permit No. WQ0014195001 3) TPDES for Circls S, Midlothian, LLC [Discharge of 950,000 gallons/day]: Permit No. WQ0016243001 #watermanagement #EnvironmentalResponsibility #housingdevelopment

Are you aware of the regulatory landscape for environmental activities in Florida? In the state, authorizations are required for various activities such as construction or abandonment of wells, large volume water usage, development, stormwater management, and wastewater discharges. The Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) Program plays a crucial role in regulating alterations to surface water flows, including activities generating stormwater runoff and dredging/filling in wetlands and other surface waters. Notably, the Water Management Districts (WMDs) oversee residential/commercial developments, roadway construction, and agriculture, while the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) manages a spectrum from power plants to single-family home projects. Understanding these regulations is key for compliance and sustainable environmental practices. #FloridaEnvironment #RegulatoryCompliance #EnvironmentalProtection

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If you’re in need of more dedicated stormwater funding and you missed our webinar on Tuesday – don’t worry! Check out this recording where we talked to utilities in the Northeast about creating stormwater utilities, legal considerations, and how to involve the public and governing bodies. #Stormwater #StormwaterUtilities