40th Environmental Permitting Summer School

Stay current on laws/rules, Get up to speed on the latest ethics cases, Protect yourself in contracts, and Reduce your exposure to risks

Come join our panel of experts in a 4-hour interactive, small group setting, as they provide the practicing engineer with the keys to a successful practice, including the essential updates that govern the practice of engineering in the state of Florida, issues affecting federal contractors and subcontractors, and the latest “best practices” to manage professional risk to yourself and your firm. Our experts will help guide you with concrete strategies and tips for managing risks, including work practices, protective contract language, and deciphering the complexities of other risk management tools such as insurance and bonding. Additionally, you will receive the latest instruction on any changes to the rules and statutes affecting the engineer, as well as any guidance resulting from individual disciplinary and unlicensed practice cases. This session will also include a one-hour presentation on Engineer Ethics to fulfill the Florida Board of Professional Engineering Continuing Education requirement for the renewal cycle. During the presentation, we will discuss, in-depth, some specific disciplinary cases related to Ethics and a Case Study in Professional Engineer Ethics. Don’t miss this opportunity to tune up your professional practice knowledge and prepare yourself and your firm to manage professional risk. (As a bonus, you will also be satisfying your biennial Laws, Rules, and Ethics continuing education requirements in a far more rewarding way than taking another online quiz!) Instructors: Michael Harding, Kellie Tomeo

An excellent course designed to provide insight into the regulatory, planning, and water supply development programs of Florida’s five water management districts; includes a discussion of water resource development and water supply planning; adoption and implementation of MFLs; development of water reservations; Environmental Resource Permitting updates; secondary and cumulative impacts; discussion of changes to water management district budgeting and cooperative funding for water quality and water supply; and other emerging programs and issues; audience participation encouraged.

The USFWS and FWC carry out their responsibilities for the conservation and management of imperiled species through established regulations, policy, and guidance. These foundations and practices affect the way in which we conduct business while minimizing impacts from known threats, improving habitat, strengthening conservation and recovery efforts and, ultimately, improving the status of Florida’s imperiled species. Comprehensive planning and collaboration are essential to the process and agencies often work in partnership with stakeholders, landowners, and project proponents to achieve these goals. Members of the panel will review the regulations, policy, and programs in place for imperiled species while offering perspective from their role (e.g., agency, landowner, industry, consultant) in discussing creative and new strategies for addressing complex business and conservation challenges, their successes, and future implications. We hope to inspire the audience by contemplating the big picture.

Many imperiled wildlife species spend some if not all of their life cycles in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been working closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in developing effective regulations that promote the conservation and management of imperiled species and habitats in Florida. Members of this panel have been actively involved in the development and implementation of important management practices, policies, guidelines, and regulations, which continue to evolve at the state and federal level. The panel will review current regulations, discuss emerging issues affecting imperiled species and habitat, explore implications for permitting, planning, and management, and consider how those issues may influence land use and conservation practices in Florida. Bring your questions—this panel encourages panelist collaboration and audience participation!

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.

An excellent course designed to provide insight into the regulatory, planning, and water supply development programs of Florida’s five water management districts; includes a discussion of water resource development and water supply planning; adoption and implementation of MFLs; development of water reservations; Environmental Resource Permitting updates; secondary and cumulative impacts; discussion of changes to water management district budgeting and cooperative funding for water quality and water supply; and other emerging programs and issues; audience participation encouraged.

The panel of experts will provide a timely update on procedural and substantive considerations in permitting under the NPDES program, including stormwater; numeric nutrient criteria; program administration; case law update, including Sackett v. EPA regarding Waters of the U.S.; enforcement and citizen suits; additional compliance considerations; how to interpret complex regulations; examples of industrial and construction applications; implementation of stormwater NPDES; MS4 program; current agency practices; and emerging trends and issues. Audience participation is encouraged!

So, your proposed project is located over state-owned, Sovereign Submerged Lands, or in an Aquatic Preserve. How do you navigate the additional hurdles such as considerations over highly protected marine resources, greater limitations on project size or scope, limitations or even prohibitions on dredging, and a potential visit to the Governor and Cabinet? Come listen to a panel of experts as they provide an overview of the latest changes, emerging issues and challenges with regard to DEP’s proprietary authority over state-owed submerged lands and the special protections over designated Aquatic Preserves. The course includes recent developments regarding balancing the rights of riparian waterfront owners versus the public interest consideration in state-owned submerged land; a discussion of special permit conditions, practices in requesting authorization to use sovereign submerged land for private uses; and the process of gaining approval for your project from the Division of State Lands and the Governor and Cabinet. Bring your questions, because this course is designed for extensive audience participation!

This panel of experts will discuss the results of an active 2026 legislative session, the latest with the Live Local Act and how local governments are responding, as well as the latest Florida planning trends. The panel will also discuss the direction of land use in the state, including discussion of state preemption. This course is updated every year to discuss new and anticipated legislation, emerging issues and problems, and examples of local government innovation. Bring your questions, as audience participation and debate is highly encouraged!

Beaches are a valuable resource in Florida, as they provide storm protection to upland infrastructure, nesting habitat to sea turtles, and recreational value to tourists and locals. Since coastal development and navigation inlets have interrupted the natural littoral drift of sediment along much of Florida’s coastline, it is necessary to nourish these sandy beaches on a recurring basis. Additional development within this dynamic and sensitive coastal beach environment requires a special permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. This course examines the regulatory framework and practical aspects of Florida’s beach management and Coastal Construction Control Line programs and covers current agency procedures and practices; emerging agency policy; and special permitting considerations for storm impact planning and emergency response, including appropriate use of coastal armoring structures. Always a timely and informative course.