Florida Specifier Podcast

In this episode, Ryan, Brett, Jeff, and Pat get together and talk about the Environmental Permitting Summer School in Marco Island, now in its 38th year. They talk tips for a better time while you’re there, such as some breakout sessions that are anticipated to be particularly interesting, and some nearby restaurants worth checking out.  They also discuss Florida’s budget; the statewide stormwater rule ratification; and legal wrangling around ‘waters of the United States.’

To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll subscribe if you haven’t already), go here:

Herschel Vineyard goes deeper on the legal wrangling around the ‘waters of the United States’ and it’s worth a read here: https://floridaspecifier.com/issues/v45n4-issues/second-kick-of-the-mule-awaits-feds-ignoring-wotus-decision/

To read more about updates to the stormwater rulemaking process, go here: https://floridadep.gov/water/engineering-hydrology-geology/content/erp-stormwater-resource-center

To get the word out about how you’re making waves (pun intended) in Florida’s environmental world, make sure you reach out to Brett, Ryan, or Jamie at:

A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.

This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.

A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.

In this episode, Ryan and Brett take a trip down Memory Lane and wind up sitting down with water quality innovators, Mark Merkelbach and Vince Seibold with Sustainable Water Infrastructure Group (SWIG) to take a glimpse back on the original Florida Specifier article from 2020; how they got their start; the risk and reward of getting paid for performance, not by the project; and some other projects besides that famous one on Doctor’s Lake. We even get a preview of how they’re expanding their reach to cover all of Florida and expanding the number of pollutants they’re able to treat as well. You won’t want to miss this one.

To visit SWIG’s website and find out how they’ll help you meet your water quality challenges, head here.

To see more information about the Doctor’s Lake project as reported in the Specifier, head here.

To read the Florida Specifier article that introduced the work of SWIG to Florida’s environmental scene, go here.

To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll subscribe if you haven’t already), go here:

To get the word out about how you’re making waves (pun intended) in Florida’s environmental world, make sure you reach out to Brett, Ryan, or Jamie at:

If you’d like to advertise in the most popular issue of the year (The Marco Edition – July/August Issue), please reach out to Jamie or Patrick here:

A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.

This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.

A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.

In this episode, the Florida Specifier’s prodigal son, Ryan, is back with editorial board to discuss the May/June issue of the Specifier; the recent wild weather in north Florida; how the state anxiously awaits Governor DeSantis’ action on the budget; the Specifier’s evolving role in bringing breaking news and analysis as events happen; Jeff’s much-anticipated picks of the issue; and of course, how you can support and get involved and support the Specifier at the upcoming Environmental Permitting Summer School in Marco Island.

To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll subscribe if you haven’t already), go here:

To find out how Florida is planning to spend the Seminole Gaming Compact revenue, go here:

and here:

If you’d like to get the latest updates as they unfold on the unfolding legal issues surrounding 404 Wetlands Permitting and Waters of the U.S., go here:

To get the word out about how you’re making waves (pun intended) in Florida’s environmental world, make sure you reach out to Brett, Ryan, or Jamie at:

If you’d like to advertise in the most popular issue of the year (The Marco Edition – July/August Issue), please reach out to Jamie or Patrick here:

A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.

This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.

A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.

In this episode, a Ryan-less Specifier editorial board discusses Florida’s recently passed budget and its increased focus on water and environmental programs; the ratification of the statewide stormwater rule; the opening of Florida rules regarding Water Quality Credit Trading (WQCT) and Water Quality Enhancement Areas (WQEA); what the latest legal wrangling around 404 wetlands permitting means for the future; and of course, a sneak peek of the upcoming Environmental Permitting Summer School in Marco Island.

To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll subscribe if you haven’t already), go here:

To find out how Florida is planning to spend the Seminole Gaming Compact revenue, go here:

and here:

If you’d like to get the latest updates on the unfolding legal issue surrounding 404 Wetlands Permitting, go here:

If you want to know more about WQCT and WQEA rulemaking, head to the source here:

and here:

A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.

This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.

A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.

In this episode, Ryan and Brett get together to talk the 2024 Legislative Session now that it’s just over halfway over. They discuss some environmental bills making their way through the process including the ratification of the Statewide Stormwater Rule (HB 7053/SB 7040); a mitigation and water quality improvement bill (HB 1073/SB 1532, by Truenow/Brodeur); and of course, the budget.  If you’re curious about the budget process and why your favorite project is successful, or doomed to failure, you’ll want to check this episode out.

To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll subscribe if you haven’t already), go here:

https://floridaspecifier.com

To get a look at what the Legislature is up and the bills they’ve filed so far, head here:

https://www.flsenate.gov

and here:

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov

If you want to get a look at HB 7053, go here:

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=80431

If you’re interested in HB 1073, head here:

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=79720

A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.

This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.

A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.

In this episode, the Florida Specifier’s Editorial Board gets together to talk about the January/February issue of the paper. Patrick, Ryan, Jeff, and Brett cover a range of topics including the ongoing legislative session; the brewing state budget negotiations; the status of statewide stormwater rule ratification; their picks for favorite articles; and Jeff’s favorite topic – the Rice’s Whale.

To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll subscribe if you haven’t already), go here:

To get a look at what the Legislature is up and the bills they’ve filed so far, head here:

and here:

A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.

This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.

A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.

In this episode, Ryan and Brett complete the third in a series of conversations with the experts from Dewberry; this time discussing what happens before, during, and after large storm events and how to be prepared for the worst.

To talk them through the complicated maze of emergency preparation and response, they welcomed Stephanie Marsh and Trevor Noble to the show.

Trevor brought his real-life experience working in government Public Works and Utilities Departments to talk about how Dewberry works with communities to prepare for the unknowns before the emergency arrives.

Stephanie provides insights on the tangible tools she uses to help clients navigate the often-opaque nature of disaster relief agencies and their processes.

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the Florida Specifier at:

Thanks for your support.

A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.

This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.

A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.

In this episode, Ryan and Brett take a trip down memory lane to a conversation they had with Representative Bobby Payne back in July.  They discuss how the Representative got into state politics; what his philosophy of playing as a team has brought to his time in the Legislature so far; and how he became the “Water Guy” in the House of Representatives.

Payne even discussed how a good idea can get submarined by a lack of information.  Ryan gets the Representative to take a look forward at the future of water quality and quantity and how he wants to leave a legacy for those who follow behind him and his House colleagues. 

Don’t forget to visit the Florida Specifier website to see the new look and feel.  We think you’ll like what you see.  To browse the best environmental news and information site in Florida and beyond, head here:

https://floridaspecifier.com

To learn more about Representative Bobby Payne’s District, go here:

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4653&LegislativeTermId=90

To learn more about the landmark legislation from 2023, HB 1379, go here:

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=78210

To follow the work of the Infrastructure Strategies Committee, Chaired by Rep. Payne, head here:

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/committeesdetail.aspx?CommitteeId=3248

A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.

This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier.  Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.

A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.

In this episode, Ryan and Brett recorded their second conversation with a friend from Dewberry at the AIF Water Forum in Tampa where they get into the subject of working with smaller communities to meet the physical and regulatory demands of the present and future.

Their old friend, and Dewberry’s own, Lisa Kelley shares some of her time and expertise to talk through her approach to the challenges of the day, and the days to come.

She discusses her approach to problem solving; how she brings her experience working within government to her clients now; and how Dewberry works to understand the unique needs of different local governments and tailor solutions that fit the communities they aim to serve.

To reach out to Lisa directly, email her at [email protected]

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the Florida Specifier at:

Thanks for your support.

A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.

This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.

A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.

In this episode, Ryan and Brett take a trip down memory lane to a conversation they had with Representative Toby Overdorf back in July when they were in Marco Island for the Environmental Permitting Summer School. They discuss how the Representative got into state politics; what his experience as an environmental practitioner brings to the legislative process; and his eye-opening thoughts on Florida’s emerging PFOA/PFAS challenge.

Overdorf also gets into the details of HB 1379, which he sponsored and got passed in the 2023 Legislative Session. He gets into the bill’s genesis and scope; his case for the need for significant action, especially in the Indian River Lagoon area; and some of the misconceptions surrounding the legislation.

Don’t forget to visit the Florida Specifier website to see the new look and feel. We think you’ll like what you see. To browse the best environmental news and information site in Florida and beyond, read here:

To learn more about Representative Toby Overdorf and his District, go here:

To learn more about Overdorf’s landmark legislation from 2023, HB 1379, go here:

A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.

This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.

A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.