38th Environmental Permitting Summer School

Groundwater in Florida is intricately wrapped up in a complex web of social, environmental, and economic factors. It is the source of drinking water for most Floridians, serves the State’s agricultural activities, and it has a significant role in the health of our ecosystems and iconic springs. Long-time stressors such as agricultural use are beginning to be addressed; however, population growth, continued saltwater intrusion, and now emerging challenges such as pervasive and contamination recently subject to a 2024 rulemaking petition by the Florida Brownfields Association will put added pressure on planners, utilities, and policymakers to ensure that vulnerability evaluations are being conducted so that adequate supplies of high-quality groundwater resources exist for current and future needs. How are these emerging challenges being confronted and overcome? What are the likely interdisciplinary approaches?  What are the effects of the 2024 rulemaking petition on FDEP, Water Management Districts, and the public in general? What are the economic and policy implications of current sustainable development approaches? Is private-public sector collaboration the way to overcome these challenges? This has been a full class since its inception so come and listen to experts discuss these challenges, possible solutions, legislation, sources of funding, and how we will face these emerging challenges in the future.