Staying Storm-Ready: Modeling Tools for Florida’s New Rule

Modeling Approaches & Design Tools for the New Stormwater Rule Webinar

Join our own Mark Thomasson, P.E., for Session 4 of the FES/ACEC Florida Stormwater Rule Webinar Series. This session will highlight practical design tools and live demonstrations to help engineers, developers, and agencies adapt to Florida’s new performance standards. Learn directly from a rule author and model developer what these changes mean for your projects and how to prepare.

Date: September 24th | Time: 12 PM–1 PM EDT

Florida CISTERN Initiative

Florida engineers can expect a new resource aimed at making stormwater design more innovative, transparent, and collaborative. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) recently announced the development of Florida CISTERN, a centralized hub of peer-reviewed, potentially effective best management practices (BMPs) that advance the state’s water quality goals.

Our article explains how Florida CISTERN will guide engineers in evaluating innovative BMPs, offering treatment efficiencies, review processes, and visibility for alternative designs under Section 9.5.2 of the ERP Applicant’s Handbook. The result: more adaptive, efficient, and compliant stormwater designs. Engineers should watch closely, as the platform is expected to be a dynamic tool for sharing lessons learned and fostering collaboration across the state.

From the Archives: Applying the Wetland Treatment Rule to Stormwater Discharges

Florida’s updated stormwater rule provides greater design flexibility through strategies such as off-site compensatory treatment and Regional Stormwater Management Systems (RSMS). However, this can result in partially treated runoff being discharged to wetlands. Under Rule 62-611, F.A.C., engineers can evaluate a wetland’s assimilative capacity by applying established hydraulic and nutrient loading limits.

Our article explains how these criteria—originally developed for wastewater—can be applied to stormwater discharges, often showing that typical runoff concentrations already meet thresholds. The result: more cost-effective, compliant designs that make the most of natural systems. A downloadable spreadsheet example is included to guide consultants through the process.

New Stormwater Rule: What You Need to Know — PowerPoint Slides

If you missed our recent webinar on Florida’s new stormwater rule, we unfortunately experienced some technical issues with the recording. However, we’re making the official PowerPoint slides available so you can still access the key updates and practical guidance shared by Mark Thomasson, P.E. This resource is especially valuable for engineers and project managers navigating the updated regulations.