Subcommittee advances DEP agency package after adopting solar stormwater BMP amendment

Representative DeMarco presented the Department of Environmental Protection agency package (HB 1417) and explained a comprehensive strike-all amendment. The strike-all would, among other provisions, allow remediation plans requiring certain septic upgrades in priority spring areas, set commercial wastewater permit validity to one year, remove some biosolids and fee reporting provisions, and authorize DEP to lead coastal resiliency public-private partnership projects.

Representative Boles offered an amendment to the strike-all directing DEP to establish best management practices (BMPs) for stormwater infrastructure on land-based solar sites and to design to a 100-year storm event instead of a 25-year design; members discussed technical details including how the 100-year (1% annual-chance) metric accounts for intensity, duration and frequency. The committee adopted the BMP amendment and then voted to report the strike-all—as amended—favorably.

Stakeholders including DEP staff and the Florida On-site Wastewater Association waved in support or provided information-only comments. The subcommittee recorded 16 yays and 0 nays and reported the amended package favorably.