Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen - March 2020 | Page 23

NUCA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 2020 ★ ★ ★
38-0 before bouncing between the chambers due to new amendments and sailing
thru the House 103-11.

Water Quality—HB 1343 by Payne/SB 712 by Mayfield
SB 712, the “Clean Waterways Act”, addresses a number of environmental issues including
several provisions specifically related to water quality improvement.

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (Septic Systems)
The bill transfers the Onsite Sewage Program from the Department of Health (DOH) to the
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) starting in 2021. The bill creates a
temporary septic technical advisory committee within DEP.
SB 712 requires local governments to create septic remediation plans for certain basin
management action plans (BMAPs) and requires DEP to implement a fast track-approval
process for NSF/ANSI 245 nutrient reducing septic systems and revises provisions relating
to septic system setback rules.

Wastewater Treatment
The bill requires local governments to create wastewater treatment plans for certain
BMAPs but authorizes different cost options for projects that meet pollution reduction
requirements. SB 712 also creates a wastewater grant program that allows DEP to provide
grants for projects within BMAPs, alternative restoration plans, or rural areas of
opportunity that will reduce excess nutrient pollution. It prioritizes funding for certain
wastewater projects in the grant program, the State Revolving Loan Fund Program, and the
Small Community Sewer Construction Assistance Program. Additionally, SB 712 prohibits,
beginning July 1, 2025, wastewater treatment facilities from discharging into the Indian
River Lagoon without providing advanced waste treatment. The bill imposes new
requirements on wastewater facilities and DEP to prevent sanitary sewer overflows and
underground pipe leaks.

Stormwater
SB 712 requires DEP to: update its stormwater design and operation rules and
Environmental Resource Permit Applicant’s Handbook; make revisions to its local pollution
control staff training; evaluate the self-certification process for the construction, alteration,
and maintenance of a stormwater management system; and revise the model stormwater
management program.

Agriculture
The bill requires the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) to perform
onsite inspections at least every 2 years of agricultural producers enrolled in best
management practices (BMPs). DACS must prioritize inspections for producers in the
BMAPs for Lake Okeechobee, the Indian River Lagoon, the Caloosahatchee River and
Estuary, and Silver Springs. Moreover, it creates a cooperative agricultural regional water
quality improvement element as part of a BMAP in areas where agriculture is a significant
source of pollution. Projects under the element could include conservation easements and
dispersed water management. It authorizes legislative budget requests to fund these
projects and requires DEP to allocate at least 20 percent of the funds it receives for projects
MARCH 2020 • DITCHMEN
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