40th Environmental Permitting Summer School

This course has been fully redesigned to focus on practical implementation of pollutant load reductions in the context of impaired waters. The session explores both regulatory and engineering pathways available to achieve pollutant load reductions and restore water quality more efficiently. Panelists will present real-world examples from across Florida, highlighting how stakeholders are navigating the scientific, technical, and legal challenges associated with impaired waterbody designations. Basin Management Action Plans, Alternative Restoration Plans (ARPs), and other implementation-focused strategies will be discussed as potential pathways to accelerate restoration while maintaining compliance with state and federal requirements. In parallel, the course will examine engineering and watershed-based approaches for reducing pollutant loads, including source controls, treatment technologies, stormwater retrofits, and integrated watershed management strategies. Case studies will demonstrate how these approaches are being applied in practice to achieve measurable water quality improvements. Perspectives from both agencies and practitioners will be provided, along with insights into coordination, data needs, modeling considerations, and implementation challenges.

Back by popular demand, the focus of this interactive discussion is facilitating sure and positive communication with both stakeholders and environmental regulatory agencies at the local, state and federal levels. Preparation, organization, as well as an in-depth understanding of the legal framework and processes of regulation, go a long way to ensuring a smoother and certainly more positive outcome. Here’s your chance to interact with the panel, using real case studies, and discuss which techniques were successful (or not) and receive expert advice from four instructors who’ve gotten results.

This course will provide environmental engineers, attorneys, and other brownfield stakeholders with a practical, detailed overview of how to navigate the redevelopment of contaminated sites in Florida. Participants will learn how current state and federal rules, including recent changes from the 2025 Florida Legislative Session, directly impact liability management, site cleanup, and redevelopment financing. The panel will walk through replicable processes for addressing risk, satisfying regulatory requirements, and structuring public-private partnerships that align with legal and technical best practices. Case examples will be used to illustrate how successful projects have been executed, with a focus on the technical, financial, and legal strategies that made them work. By the end of the course, attendees will have a clear understanding of how to approach brownfield redevelopment projects efficiently and in compliance with applicable laws.

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!