Gunster and Arrow Group attorneys and advisors are proud to once again present key industry insights at the 40th Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School, taking place July 21-24 at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort. Hosted by the Florida Environmental Network, this landmark conference has brought together more than 1,400 attorneys, consultants, engineers, state and local government officials, developers, landowners, and other environmental professionals for 40 consecutive years, and Gunster looks forward to being part of that tradition again this year.
The Gunster and Arrow Group teams will lead and participate in a collection of panels providing comprehensive, timely insights into Florida’s environmental, water, mineral, waste, energy, air quality, and property rights regulatory frameworks, as well as legislative developments. As always, the sessions emphasize audience participation, practical applications, and the latest legal, scientific, and policy updates affecting resource management and development across the state. We look forward to reconnecting with colleagues and networking with leaders across the environmental industry.
SPEAKER INFORMATION
Amy Boulris, Shareholder
Gunster
Private Property Rights - Hot Topics and Recent Developments
This course will cover the latest court decisions and legislative actions affecting private property rights in Florida, takings jurisprudence, the Bert J. Harris, Jr. Private Property Rights Protection Act, and other government actions that affect private property. Hot topics this year include the SCOTUS decision in Pung v. Isabella County, MI.
Debbie Madden, Shareholder
Gunster
Comprehensive Watershed Management Reimagined: Blending Infrastructure, Innovation, and Policy
The panel of experts will provide an in-depth examination of watershed management as a means of comprehensively integrating a variety of planning and regulatory programs currently implemented by FDEP and the water management districts, including TMDLs, MS4s, NPDES, PLRGs, Water Quality Credit Trading, and both structural and non-structural floodplain planning and management. The discussion will also touch on the emerging role of Urban Forest Management Plans (UFMPs) as a component of green infrastructure in municipal watershed strategies.
Florida Wetland Delineation Methodology
This course addresses the initial concept and formulation of 62-340, F.A.C., the wetland jurisdictional methodology, recent rule interpretations and policy. This experienced panel will discuss and analyze the application of vegetation, soils and hydrologic indicators in determining presence of state regulated wetlands; the methodologies used in the various tests; application to altered and non-altered sites; practical applications and dispute resolution.
Greg Munson, Shareholder
Gunster
Navigating Florida’s Energy and Air Quality Landscape: Policy, Regulation, and Trends
Panelists will examine Florida’s evolving energy landscape, highlighting the emerging role of data centers and the influence of rapidly changing energy policies. The discussion will address the challenges of maintaining reliability and grid stability amid increasing demand and explore how air quality permitting might offer flexibility and relief during grid emergencies. The session will also include an update on how federal Clean Air Act rulemakings may impact Florida facilities, as well as new trends in air quality policy relevant to Florida, such as the management of PFAS, their potential emissions, and strategies for control.
The panel of experts will provide a timely update on procedural and substantive considerations in permitting under the NPDES program, including stormwater; numeric nutrient criteria; program administration; case law update, including Sackett v. EPA regarding Waters of the U.S.; enforcement and citizen suits; additional compliance considerations; and emerging trends and issues.
Eric Olsen, Shareholder
Gunster
WMD Planning, Regulatory, and Policy Update
An excellent course designed to provide insight into the regulatory, planning, and water supply development programs of Florida’s five water management districts; includes a discussion of water resource development and water supply planning; adoption and implementation of MFLs; development of water reservations; Environmental Resource Permitting updates; secondary and cumulative impacts; and other emerging programs and issues. Hosted both Wed. July 22 and Thurs. July 23.
Aquifer Recharge, Aquifer Storage and Recovery, and Underground Injection Control
This panel will discuss the current status and issues involving Florida’s underground injection control (UIC) regulatory program that authorizes the injection of fluids into underground formations and aquifer recharge projects. The panel will focus on the expanded use of aquifer storage and recovery and aquifer recharge projects involving potable, surface water/stormwater, or reclaimed water to enhance water supplies.
Mike Petrovich, Shareholder
Gunster
Waste Cleanup and Management: The Challenges of Change (Part 1 & 2)
Two historically well-attended classes in the areas of waste cleanup and waste management regulation are now being combined to create a comprehensive class that will address a multitude of current and emerging issues, including projected data centers/AI-related impacts in Florida; updates on state PFAS legislation and regulation; anticipated significant FDEP rulemaking affecting waste cleanup; projected landfill and solid waste management facility capacity; and challenges in addressing Florida’s future solid waste management needs.
Luna Phillips, Shareholder
Gunster
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) – A Water Management Balancing Act?
This extremely popular panel of agency staff and experts is back to discuss the latest developments regarding the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), including priority projects, obstacles, funding and how these projects may affect various stakeholders. The panel will focus on emerging issues including ecological benefits of CERP, status of funding, timelines for key projects, Lake Okeechobee and more. The panel represents a diverse cross-section of government, tribal governments, environmental and agricultural interests.
Timothy Riley, Shareholder
Gunster
This panel will explore the legal and operational aspects of identifying and securing real property rights for mineral owners, complying with regulatory requirements for near-surface non-mineral resources, as well as heavy minerals, mining, oil and gas development, and addressing surface and land use issues. Additionally, the panel will address how mineral rights and activities impact non-mineral development and create permitting and real property title issues.
Kim Shugar, Senior Advisor
Arrow Group
Restoration Options When Facing Water Quality Impairments
This course focuses on the implementation of water quality standards with an emphasis on options for dealing with an “Impaired” designation. Panelists will provide examples of current experiences around the state, including how affected parties are dealing with the scientific, technical, and legal issues involved in the application of water quality criteria in Florida.
Gunster. Florida's Law Firm for Leaders.
As a full-service law firm, Gunster provides legal counsel to leading organizations and individuals from its 13 offices statewide. Established in 1925, the firm has expanded, diversified and evolved, but always with a singular focus: Florida and its clients’ stake in it. A magnet for business-savvy attorneys who embrace collaboration for the greatest advantage of clients, Gunster’s growth has not been at the expense of personalized service but because of it. The firm serves clients from its offices in Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Palm Beach, Stuart, Tallahassee, Tampa, Vero Beach, and its headquarters in West Palm Beach. With more than 330 attorneys and consultants, and 300 committed support staff, Gunster is ranked among the top 200 largest law firms by the National Law Journal. More information about its practices, industries, offices and news is available at www.gunster.com.
About Arrow Group
Arrow Group is a premier government affairs consulting firm based in Tallahassee, Florida. Launched in partnership with Gunster, Arrow Group offers a unique voice in the advocacy space, leveraging extensive connections and a proactive approach to deliver tailored strategies and impactful results. With a statewide reach, Arrow Group serves clients across all regulated industries, including energy, healthcare, land use, transportation, environmental, water, banking, finance, and telecommunications. For more information, visit https://arrowgroup.gunster.com/.
