2025 Annual Conference Agenda

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2025 / PRE-CONFERENCE

8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
[Registration Required]

[Pre-Conference - Service Project]
SESWA Volunteer Service Project
Join your fellow SESWA members for a fun morning of exercise and community engagement as we continue our partnership with the Outside Foundation! We invite you to sign up for the 2025 Service Project, where participants will take part in an oyster shell recycling initiative in partnership with the Coastal Discovery Museum. SESWA has a proud history of collaborating with the Outside Foundation on various service projects, and many members have enjoyed the camaraderie while gaining valuable insights into the significance of the oyster shell recovery program. During the project, participants will bag recycled oyster shells, which will be used for shoreline protection and artificial reef projects around Hilton Head Island.

The Service Project is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1^st from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Eastern, allowing you to participate without missing any SESWA Conference events.  All project materials will be provided, there is no cost to participate, however, advance registration is required.  Registration is available via the SESWA Conference registration form.  Be sure to register early, we only have 30 spots available.

12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Registration Desk Open

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
[Additional Fee, Registration Required]
2.00 credits

[Pre-Conference Workshop] Innovative Approaches to Stormwater Management and Asset Planning
Local governments are exploring new and innovative strategies for stormwater management planning and asset management. This includes large communities leveraging data to prioritize projects and management activities, as well as local governments using AI platforms for future planning. Even small communities are focusing on individual project assets to ensure efficient use of limited resources while meeting regulatory requirements. Innovation is happening at all levels, demonstrating a commitment to effective and sustainable stormwater management practices. 

Session 1: A Data-Driven Approach to Stormwater Asset Management
Asset management is a complex and data intensive commitment that can often overwhelm managers, leading to analysis paralysis. In order to effectively manage the 1,400 miles of city-maintained stormwater pipe, the City of Charlotte, North Carolina’s Charlotte Storm Water Services has made strategic investments in upgrading data management systems and developing analytical decision support tools. This presentation highlights how Charlotte has successfully combined boots-on-the-ground inspections with innovative data analytics to proactively maintain and extend the life of its stormwater assets.

Robert Jarzemsky, PE, Strategic Planning & Operations Division Manager
Charlotte Storm Water Services, NC

Session 2: Building a Roadmap for County-wide Integrated Watershed Planning
In partnership with the Knox County, Tennessee Stormwater Management Team, an innovative framework has been developed to address flooding and water quality issues across the County. Learn about our data-driven approach, public engagement strategies, and actionable implementation plan that was utilized in two pilot watersheds. These initiatives will serve as a roadmap for all future watershed planning efforts in the County.

David Mason, PE, PMP, Vice President
CDM Smith

Session 3: Water Quality, While You're At It?
The Rivers End community, located in Beaufort County, South Carolina and discharging to the impaired Okatie River, is facing challenges with sinkholes and erosion in ditches. These issues are a result of aging and failing infrastructure, as well as a poorly designed system with two layers of fragmented stormwater pipes. To address these concerns and ensure public safety, the County is undertaking the replacement of the failing infrastructure. This presents an opportunity to not only improve the community’s infrastructure but also to enhance water quality through the incorporation of Best Management Practices (BMPs). By maximizing the benefits to both the community and the environment, the County is taking a proactive approach to address these issues.

Crystal Muller, PE, CFM, Project Manager
Woolpert

Taylor Brewer, Stormwater Manager
Beaufort County, SC

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2025 / REGULAR CONFERENCE

8:00 a.m. - 4:50 p.m.

Registration Desk Open

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
(General Session)
1.50 credits

Welcome & 20th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration
The Southeast Stormwater Association is excited to celebrate twenty years of providing support to stormwater professionals as they tackle stormwater management challenges. We are eager to take this opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments and to continue driving innovation in the industry.

 - John Butler, SESWA President, Gwinnett County, GA
 - Amber Kuehn, Executive Director, Sea Turtle Patrol
 - Leadership Panel
          John Butler, SESWA President, Gwinnett County, GA
          Steve Leo, SESWA Past President, Ardurra
          Daryl Hammock, SESWA Past President, Ardurra
          Lisa Wells, SESWA Secretary-Treasurer, Ardurra
 - SESWA Conference Scholarship Awards

Break in Exhibit Hall

Track A – Grassroots Efforts for Wetland Protections: One Town’s Story
Explore the initiatives underway to create local wetland protections in Bluffton, South Carolina, developed in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision. Representatives from the Town of Bluffton will discuss the challenges related to pre-existing land development agreements, the delicate balance between preservation and development, and the evolving political landscape.

Andrea Moreno, CFM, CEPSCI, CSPR, MS4 Program Manager
Town of Bluffton, SC

Beth Lewis, CEPSCI, CSPR, Water Quality Program Manager
Town of Bluffton, SC

Track B – A Dream within a Dream – A Multi-Layered Plan to Improve Coastal Community Resilience
As another hurricane season approached, the small coastal town of Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina took proactive measures to secure state and federal funding for vital projects. These included the development of a comprehensive stormwater master plan, a coastal community resilience plan, and the implementation of approximately $10 million in stormwater infrastructure improvements. These fully funded projects were undertaken simultaneously, showcasing a multi-layered approach to bring the Town’s infrastructure back to life and improving its overall resiliency to withstand future coastal storm events.

Aaron Akin, PhD, Water Resources Project Manager
Seamon, Whiteside & Associates

11:20 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.
0.75 credits

Track A – Beaver Ruin Wetland: Improving Stream and Floodplain Processes in an Urban Watershed
The Beaver Ruin Wetland Park restoration project showcases design approaches that improve floodplain connectivity, natural channel processes, and wetland functions in an urbanized watershed. Participants will learn about design strategies used to restore 4,000 linear feet of stream channel and enhance over 18 acres of wetland habitat. These strategies include implementation of riffle grade controls, channel realignments, and more. Additionally, valuable lessons on construction management will be shared to provide guidance on habitat restoration efforts.

Claire Bumgardner, EIT, Water Resources Engineer
Tetra Tech

Rachel Jones, PE, CFM, Section Manager of Stormwater Capital Planning
Gwinnett County, GA

Track B – Resiliency in Ocracoke Village: Stormwater Master Planning on a Barrier Island
Ocracoke Village, a coastal community located on Ocracoke Island in Hyde County, North Carolina, faces a significant threat from flooding due to its proximity to the Pamlico Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The Village has experienced numerous flood events that have caused significant property damage, economic disruption, and isolation for residents, as the island can only be accessed by ferry. This presentation discusses the development of a comprehensive Stormwater Master Plan for Ocracoke Village. The plan aims to identify and prioritize stormwater projects that will help mitigate flood risks and enhance the community’s resilience in the face of future flooding events.

Anna Brand, EIT, Water Resources Professional    
Geosyntec Consultants

12:05 p.m. - 1:05 p.m.

Lunch Break

Track A – Bluffton’s Impervious Restoration Program - An Approach to Green Infrastructure Retrofits
The presentation will highlight the design approach for large-scale green infrastructure practice retrofits in Bluffton, South Carolina. A total of 135 practices were designed at nine sites to enhance stormwater treatment from existing impervious surfaces and improve water quality in the impaired May River. Since most sites were not owned by the Town, the presentation will also cover the policies, procedures, and incentives that were created to encourage participation from property owners in the Town’s Impervious Surface Restoration Program.

Robert Brown, PE, PhD, Senior Water Resources Engineer
Goodwyn Mills Cawood

Dan Rybak, Stormwater Project Manager
Town of Bluffton, SC

Track B – Coastal Stormwater Center of the Southeast
The Center for Watershed Protection is working with university extensions and non-profit partners to create a Southeast Coastal Stormwater Center (CSC). This presentation will provide an overview of the CSC, highlighting its focus on conducting applied research to identify gaps and barriers to effective stormwater management technologies. Additionally, the Center will provide outreach, technical assistance, and training to support coastal communities in improving stormwater management practices. Participants will be invited to participate in an interactive discussion on the specific stormwater management needs and challenges faced by coastal communities.

Lisa Fraley-McNeal, Senior Watershed and Stormwater Research Specialist
Center for Watershed Protection

Track A – Walking the Walk to Talk the Talk on GSI Retrofits
Through a public-private partnership, Gwinnett County, Georgia’s Department of Water Resources successfully completed a visionary project to retrofit the central campus headquarters into a cutting-edge living laboratory for innovative Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) solutions. The presentation will outline the proposed design, final applications, and the challenges faced during construction as a result of under-performing infrastructure. This experiential education hub serves as a valuable resource for residents and design professionals alike, offering a comprehensive understanding of water management practices.

Julie Ball, CFM, Engineered Solutions Specialist
Ferguson Waterworks

Scott Williams, PE, Engineer V
Gwinnett County, GA

Track B – Microplastic Accumulation in Wet Detention Ponds: Monitoring, Mapping, and Management
Plastic has provided many benefits to human society. However, the over reliance and overproduction of plastic has led to a significant amount of plastic waste entering the natural environment and breaking down into microplastics. This presentation will share how implementing stormwater best management practices could effectively address the issue of microplastic pollution and improve water quality.

Morgan Chaudry, MSc, PhD Candidate
Clemson University

Break in Exhibit Hall

3:10 p.m. - 3:55 p.m.
0.75 credits

Track A – Busting Silos: Rethinking Stormwater Management on Transportation Projects
Historically, stormwater management on linear transportation projects has focused on roadway drainage, gutter spread, and conveyance. However, there is a growing trend in the Southeast where more MS4s are requiring the integration of detention and water quality practices into the design of these projects. This presentation will provide an overview of the relevant feasibility criteria used in projects in Georgia and explore innovative solutions for meeting stormwater standards on projects where a traditional above-ground detention pond may not be practical.

Cory Rayburn, EIT, CFM, Senior Water Resources Engineer
Jacobs

Maya Goldman, PE, Principal Planner
Atlanta Regional Commission

Track B – Stormwater Utilities in the Southeast: Lessons from Decades of Growth and Evolution
The Southeast region of the United States has some of the earliest stormwater utilities in the country with many implementations taking place in the early 1990s. Over the years, these stormwater utilities have been re-evaluating their practices as industry standards and technology have advanced. This presentation will explore lessons learned from stormwater utilities in the Southeast as they look to modernize their programs, policies, and rate structures.

Katie Cromwell, Senior Manager
Raftelis

Track A – Stormwater Management is the Unexpected Hero in Fostering Economic Development
When a reconfiguration project by the Florida Department of Transportation resulted in the creation of additional frontage along SR-26, the City of Newberry seized the opportunity to implement a unique incentive program. This program not only maximizes commercial exposure, but also places the City in charge of maintaining stormwater treatment, ensures compliance with a new State Stormwater Rule, and fosters economic development. Participants of the presentation will learn about the educational effort that was launched to secure buy-in from City Officials and how this approach is truly a win-win for all parties involved.

Amanda Boone, PE, Senior Project Manager
Woodard & Curran

Track B – How Several SC MS4s have Managed Post-construction SCS Maintenance Programs
MS4s in South Carolina are responsible for ensuring the maintenance of hundreds of post-construction stormwater control structures (SCSs) that are specifically designed to treat stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces. Lexington, Beaufort and Kershaw Counties are currently in the process of developing programs which require SCS owners to hire a qualified professional to conduct annual inspections and submit the inspections to the County. This presentation will provide lessons learned from the various programs and offer recommendations for future implementation.

Angela Vandelay, PE, VP - Water Resources Engineer
WSP

Taylor Brewer, Stormwater Manager
Beaufort County, SC

Vance Vollmer, Environmental Coordinator
Lexington County, SC

Southeast Stormwater Association Annual Member Meeting and the Election of Board of Directors and Officers

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2025 / REGULAR CONFERENCE

8:00 a.m. - 10:55 a.m.

Registration Desk Open

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
0.75 credits

Track A – Not Your Father's Flood Predictions - AI Prediction Tool to Improve MS4 Resiliency
Stormwater modeling is constantly evolving as technology and data sources improve. The next frontier in this field is live modeling, which utilizes machine learning to analyze projected rainfall data and cloud-based computing to create near real-time flood forecasts. This innovative approach allows communities to access reliable, short-term predictions of water surface levels at critical locations. Such valuable information is helping public officials enhance resiliency in three communities across the Carolina's.

James Riddle, PE, Program Director
Woolpert

Track B – Prioritization Matrix for Monitoring and Detection of Fecal Pollution in Urban Streams
Join Mecklenburg County, North Carolina’s Storm Water Services for a discussion on their innovative use of data-driven strategies in developing a watershed prioritization matrix for their Illicit Discharge Elimination Program. The presentation will cover the application of the matrix, monitoring methods, and actions taken to locate and eliminate potential sources of pollution.

John Thao, Environmental Specialist III
Charlotte Mecklenburg County, NC

Track A – Deploying Advanced Drones and Artificial Intelligence in Sewer Condition Assessment
Using drones for storm sewer inspection can be beneficial to quickly and efficiently access hard-to-reach areas. By integrating drone inspection with artificial intelligence for automated defect coding, the traditional inspection process is significantly streamlined. This presentation we will compare the results from several storm inspection projects which were inspected using drones, CCTV crawlers, and zoom cameras. We will delve into the quality of the inspection data, productivity levels, and cost efficiency associated with each of these technologies. Overall, the research aims to provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of utilizing drones and AI in storm sewer inspection, shedding light on the potential advantages and limitations of these innovative approaches.

Matthew Kiefer, PE, National Technical Manager
Arcadis

Track B –Tallahassee Water Quality Master Plan
Recognizing that water quality plays a vital role in preserving and enhancing the natural environment within their community, the City of Tallahassee has implemented a local penny sales tax dedicated to fund the mitigation of surface water pollution sources. To provide a guide to effectively allocate this funding, the City has developed the Tallahassee Master Plan - Surface Water (TMaPS) for 28 waterbodies. This plan is based on thorough data analysis, scientific research, and engineering expertise to ensure that resources are utilized efficiently and effectively.  This presentation will provide an overview of the TMaPS Plan, detailing the strategies and initiatives that have been implemented to protect and enhance water quality in Tallahassee’s waterbodies.

Steve Peene, PhD, Senior Principal
Geosyntec

Mark Heidecker, CPM, Manager - Stormwater Quality Programs
City of Tallahassee, FL

Federal Update and National Stormwater Trends
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies will provide an update on water-related issues and US EPA’s stormwater program priorities at the national level, focusing on stormwater policy and permitting programs.

Matthew McKenna, Director of Government Affairs
NACWA

10:55 a.m.