40th Environmental Permitting Summer School

This advanced course delivers a deep dive into the latest developments in the Army Corps of Engineers’ (ACOE) permitting processes under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. With a new federal administration in place, our panel will analyze any fresh guidance or policy shifts emerging from ACOE headquarters, and what they mean for practitioners. Experts will walk through the permitting process step-by-step, sharing case studies, practical strategies to streamline approvals, and key red flags to avoid. Expect an interactive, solutions-focused session designed to spark audience discussion and debate.

Florida’s new stormwater rule does more than increase nutrient treatment requirements. It also creates a performance-based framework for meeting those requirements through onsite treatment, offsite compensating treatment, and regional treatment mechanisms. In practice, each project carries a measurable nutrient reduction obligation, while tools such as Water Quality Enhancement Areas (WQEAs) and Regional Stormwater Management Systems (RSMS) may provide credits or allocations to help satisfy that obligation within the applicable regulatory constraints. This panel of experts will examine the emerging “cap-and-trade” framework for stormwater nutrient management under the ERP program, including the respective roles of WQEAs and RSMS as sources of enhancement credits or pollutant reduction allocations. Panelists will discuss the statutory and regulatory framework, pending rule development, credit and allocation concepts, receiving-water limitations, and practical considerations for engineers, attorneys, consultants, regulators, local governments, and regulated entities evaluating these tools in project planning and permitting. This course is designed for extensive audience participation, so be sure to bring your questions!

Absolutely the most current and reliable information available on what the 2026 Legislature passed (or considered but failed to pass) and why; assessment of Florida’s changing political landscape with respect to environmental and water policy issues; comprehensive preview of what’s expected with respect to the implementation of 2026 legislation with a look ahead to the 2027 session and beyond. This course is designed for audience participation, so come with your questions for the panelists!

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.