March 2026, Volume 21, Issue 2 - Members Only
TABLE OF CONTENTS
President's Corner
With a Look to Our Past, We Reach for the Future
I hope each of you have had the chance to review the 2021-2025 Achievements documented in a new flyer and linked on SESWA’s homepage. It shows an impressive list of accomplishments and milestones reached in the past five years and hopefully inspires you to get more involved with our association!
Strategic Planning is well underway for the next five years. Your Board and leadership have been meeting, planning, discussing, and working to create the most beneficial experience for our members. You have contributed to this effort by taking the recent Events Survey, attending the January webinar on monitoring, and detecting fecal pollution in urban streams, and by completing your evaluation from the Annual Conference.
Now you have another chance at the Spring Seminar! This event, centrally located in Atlanta, has the theme of “From Assessment to Action: Improving Stormwater Systems for Today’s Complex Challenges” and will begin with a service project and committee meetings on April 16th, followed by a full day of learning from experts in your field – Stormwater! We also have a list of exhibitors attending to provide you with services needed to meet those challenges.
It is with the utmost excitement that I prepare for this annual event. Seeing familiar faces and having some earnest stormwater discussions always energizes me to leap ahead into new tasks that help provide solutions to our stormwater challenges. That is what SESWA is all about. Through education, collaboration, and advocacy we provide the tools and information needed to tackle stormwater management and surface water quality challenges across the Southeast.
I look forward to seeing each of you at the upcoming Spring Seminar and to the next five years of providing member benefits and reaching new heights for SESWA!
John Butler
SESWA President
Gwinnett County, GA
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Survey Winner Announced! Register Now for the SESWA Seminar and Showcase Your Brand!
 Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our recent SESWA event survey. Your feedback helps us continue enhancing the quality and value of our conference and seminar. Congratulations to the City of Kingsport, TN on winning the complimentary registration to the SESWA Seminar!
If you haven't registered yet, there is still time to secure your seat for the April seminar. Don’t miss the chance to connect with engineers, planners, policymakers, and environmental professionals committed to building more robust, adaptive stormwater systems. We encourage you to register soon before spaces fill up.
Looking to showcase your brand? Visit our Sponsor page for a listing of opportunities.
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Share Your Expertise at Our 21st Annual Regional Stormwater Conference
Do you have insights, lessons learned, outstanding projects, or innovative ideas that could move the stormwater industry forward? SESWA is now accepting presentation proposals from professionals in government, consulting, manufacturing, and academia. We are seeking engaging, practical, and forward-thinking sessions including case studies, policy and regulatory updates, innovative practices, research, and lessons learned from the field.
The deadline for submissions has been extended to the close of business on April 3, 2026. Selected presenters will receive a discount on conference registration in recognition of sharing their practical expertise that helps shape the stormwater industry. Submit your presentation today!
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Putting the Spotlight on Alabama: Registration Now Open for SESWA’s State Spotlight Webinar!
 Registration is open for SESWA’s Spotlight Webinar Stormwater Innovations in the Southeast. Join us on May 21st from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Eastern for this free webinar to watch Auburn University researcher, Dr. Michael A. Perez, showcase real world solutions and innovations from one of the nation’s premier outdoor stormwater laboratories. The Southeast faces growing challenges in stormwater management, from urbanization to regulatory pressures. Learn how field testing and interdisciplinary research at Auburn’s Stormwater Research Facility are advancing best practices, influencing standards, and equipping professionals across the region to protect water quality and build resilient stormwater infrastructure. Register today for this FREE webinar!
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Find What You Need Faster: Make the Most of SESWA’s Website Search
Ever feel like the answer you need is somewhere on the SESWA website but you’re not sure where? That’s exactly what our search function is designed for. With just a few well-chosen words, you can quickly uncover articles, resources, and tools related to any topic you’re interested in.
 Why use the search function? Instead of clicking through multiple menus or scrolling through pages, SESWA’s search bar lets you jump straight to relevant information. Whether you’re looking for a past presentation, newsletter articles, or expert insights, search saves time and reduces frustration. Here are a few tips for better search results.
- Keep it simple. Start with one or two key terms and refine if needed.
- Try synonyms. If one term doesn’t work, a similar word might.
- Look beyond the first result. Some of the most helpful content may appear a little further down the list.
One of the biggest benefits of using search is stumbling upon valuable information you may not have found otherwise like related articles, FAQs, or resources connected to your original topic. So, the next time you have a question or need guidance, give the SESWA website search bar a try. It’s one of the quickest ways to unlock the full value of our website and get the information you need, right when you need it.
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SESWA Community Forum - Join the Conversation
SESWA is committed to being a trusted resource and maintaining open channels of communication. As a member of SESWA you have access to an online Community Forum to post questions, share information, and discuss emerging issues with your peers throughout the Southeast! Visit the Forum today and be sure to subscribe to the topics that interest YOU!
Here's the latest from the Forum:
Cool Things Happening in Stormwater
Maria Price, City of Chattanooga, TN
Lynnbrook Park was visited by the National Park City's Peer Review Committee & has received recognition at the state level and now the national level! Go Chattanooga!
“Lynnbrook Park Flood Resiliency and Social Equity Project” has earned a National Recognition Award in the American Council of Engineering Companies 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) — one of the profession’s most prestigious national distinctions.
read more…
SESWA Milestones: See What We've Achieved Together!
John Butler, Gwinnett County, GA
To all SESWA members,
It has been an exciting five years since our last Strategic Plan was adopted and I’m proud to share our SESWA Accomplishments Summary (2021-2025) with the entire Association. Highlighting five years of progress in governance, membership growth, professional development, research, community service, and policy advocacy this summary of accomplishments reflects the dedication of our members, volunteers, and partners in advancing the stormwater profession across the Southeast.
read more…
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Federal BRIC Grant Program Restarts After Court Decision
Kevin Coyne, SESWA
A key federal funding program which was shut down in 2025 is now back in motion following a U.S. District Court ruling issued in March 2026. A coalition of states successfully argued that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) did not have the authority to cancel the billions of dollars associated with the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. In its March 6, 2026 decision, the court determined that FEMA lacked the legal authority to cancel the program and ordered the agency to restore it. As a result, FEMA must now release a significant amount of funding that had been left in limbo and take immediate steps to re-engage with current award recipients. This includes providing clear communication on the status of their awards and outlining timelines for the distribution of previously allocated funds. The ruling effectively reinstates a critical source of support for state and local governments working to strengthen infrastructure against natural disasters, ensuring that delayed projects can move forward and planned resilience efforts are not further disrupted.
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Input Request on Potential Changes to Nationwide Permits
Kevin Coyne, SESWA
A component of many stormwater and water quality related projects in the Southeast includes some level of interaction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Nationwide Permits, from bank stabilization to wetland projects, Nationwide Permitting has a wide reach. USACE is considering ways to update and revise the next generation of Nationwide Permits and is looking at ways to increase the efficiency of the program under section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). USACE is seeking input on to such permitting issues as activities categorized as similar in nature, revising processes related to discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States (WOTUS), and measures to ensure navigable capacity in WOTUS. USACE will be accepting comments until May 15, 2026, and further information on this request, and the comment submittal process, can be found on the Federal Register Notice of Solicitation.
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Over the course of the coming year, the Stormwater Policy Committee hopes to provide insights on the benefits and barriers of green infrastructure. Stormwater management has transformed over the last 50 years from a simple mission to move water away from streets and buildings into an integrated, resilience-focused practice that looks to mimic nature to improve water quality, restore ecosystems, and reduce risk. Our SESWA mission is to support our members in advancing this approach.
The State of Green in North Carolina
Reported by Hunter Freeman, McAdams, with contributions from:
Jacob Dorman, Contech; Heather Dutra, City of Raleigh, NC; Todd Miller, NC Coastal Federation; Noah Parsons, City of Wilson, NC
In the November newsletter we summarized the history of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) and provided a brief explanation of nature-based practices and their benefits. In this issue, we take a deeper dive into what’s happening in North Carolina.
Stemming from longstanding ties to agriculture and environmental tourism, North Carolinians have had long ties to green infrastructure, even if they might not realize it. Our economy has been tied to mother nature for centuries. And while historically our manipulation of the natural environment may have caused impacts, today’s awareness of the value of our natural environment has resulted in green Infrastructure becoming a vital set of strategies to protect our ecosystems and manage stormwater runoff.
Today’s state of green infrastructure in North Carolina is a combination of protecting our highest valued ecosystems, retrofitting existing systems when we can, and managing runoff from new development, which is a must. The desire for continued growth and the knowledge that much of the growth is driven by our temperate climate and diverse ecosystems requires that North Carolina’s framework of regulations and design guidance provide both performance and flexibility. Our three predominate ecosystem regions (mountain, piedmont, and coastal plain) each have unique challenges and opportunities, but at the core of the State’s green infrastructure momentum is an awareness that our best tools for mitigating the impacts of rapid development on our environmental resources are based on natural processes.
At times, the demand for growth has been too strong. In the 1990’s fish kills in the Neuse River were attributed to low oxygen levels stemming from rapid development in the Piedmont and mis-managed agricultural runoff. Looking for the silver lining? We have this adversity to thank for the resilient bounce back that followed. The resulting riparian buffer protection rules protected and conserved important stream corridors, improving water quality through both treatment of diffuse flow and preservation of the riverine ecosystems. This was a catalyst to build support for stormwater management and other environmental protection regulations.
Since the 90’s, our economy has shifted away from agriculture, converting farmland and forest into residential and commercial development. With this, the need for regulations and standards for managing non-point source stormwater became evident. Over time our regulatory framework and associated design guidance has become ever more reliant on nature-based designs.
We owe a lot to our universities’ research initiatives. Through collaborative ties to the University of Maryland, and their ties to Prince George’s County Maryland, where many believe that bioretention was invented, our academic researchers were early adopters of nature-based designs, then called Low Impact Development. This gave us a head start in getting to where we are today.
Going back to the 1995 North Carolina State Stormwater Manual, there is an emphasis on wetlands and bioretention. Permeable Pavement had not yet made an appearance, but wasn’t far behind. Key to the “incentivization” of GSI, these nature-based designs were assigned the highest possible credit (at the time 85% TSS removal), and later as nutrient reductions goals worked their way into the regulations they also gave developers the highest levels of nitrogen and phosphorous reduction.
Although the State, researchers, and practitioners may not have intentionally leaned towards nature-based designs, building the foundation of technical standards (and competence) and regulatory credit incentives led to early adoption, which led to public acceptance, including acceptance by the development community. That development community was eager to get a piece of the regional growth in emerging markets of our Phase 1 communities – primarily the Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the network of smaller municipalities lying within the area), Charlotte Mecklenburg County, and Wilmington (although somewhat later, 2005-2008).
The emergence of North Carolina State University (NCSU) as a leading knowledge center, the willingness of the North Carolina legislators to regulate non-point source stormwater discharges, and a developing community eager to capitalize on a growing market all synergized to accelerate both the research and implementation of high performing stormwater controls across the state.
In 2013, the state General Assembly directed the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to convene stormwater stakeholders to update the North Carolina Stormwater Design Manual, resulting in a series of Minimum Design Criteria aimed at ensuring that future permits would meet water quality protection standards. During this process and similar discussions aimed at promoting “Low Impact Development” (LID), particularly in Coastal Regions, the state also made steps in studying and building a permitting pathway for using runoff volume controls and pollutant loading event mean concentration standards in lieu of or in conjunction with the pollution % removal metrics previously used.
In making these regulatory and design standard updates, it became more common to evaluate compliance based on the fate of the rainfall for return interval storms as well as annual rainfall totals. This involved gaining more understanding of complex dynamics, such as understanding the volume of runoff that might infiltrate, filter through an engineered media (underdrain flow), be treated through extended detention, or runoff untreated opened a pathway to incentivize the highest performing stormwater control measures, including nonstructural measures like downspout disconnection and filter strips. In this new approach, LID planning strategies theoretically could reduce the stormwater management burden, and high performing projects require smaller footprints to achieve the necessary treatment to meet water quality standards. Without mandating GSI, the state’s regulatory framework provided a less prescriptive framework, opening the door to more nature-based innovation.
After 30 years of program development, where does North Carolina stand? We see this story as one of steady growth and evolution. Density can be one of the fastest catalysts for innovation, but North Carolina cities have grown outward faster than upward. The lack of physical and regulatory urban growth boundaries resulted in a proliferation of larger stormwater measures rather than truly decentralized small-scale controls. The planners and developers focused their efforts on this approach for stormwater management.
This evolution was bound to happen. Land values in North Carolina’s densest areas continue to rise, as does the marketability and value of multi-functional open spaces. North Carolina green spaces must provide value on all days of the year, even the rainy ones.
Our communities are shaped by the necessity of stormwater controls, subdivisions are defined by riparian buffer protected areas and the location of stormwater controls, generally occupying 10-15% of the total development footprint. For years these were viewed as a necessity, and more recently looked to as a place to leverage the value of open green space.
The research and design standards have led to a more frequent use of green infrastructure practices. Installation of high performing measures has increased, which led to the incubation of a well-trained maintenance industry. But this effort took time, and while some municipalities now have strong maintenance and inspection protocols, for years many devices were left untended. With the help of non-profits like the NC Coastal Federation, grant funds are being used to repair older stormwater control measures and get projects back into compliance. Thankfully, a stormwater maintenance industry has also developed. A number of dedicated pond and stormwater control companies have risen from the NPDES driven requirements for long term operation and maintenance. Landscaping companies have also gotten on board, as have a few dedicated municipal entities.
We still have work to do to educate the construction community. Too often it is assumed that each project is just like the one before. But with green infrastructure we need to revisit long held construction practices such as sequencing, tree protection, soil compaction, and conversion of erosion control practices. This burden falls on the entire design community. Reviewers and regulators need to continue to remove barriers to implementation, designers need to provide clear and thorough plans, construction inspectors need more training and more time on site, contractors need specialty training and a full understanding of a project’s goals. Green infrastructure is behavioral change, and to change behavior we all need to communicate, educate, and adapt.
North Carolina today is an example of where constant, steady progress can lead to. We have the tools and resources to design, install, and maintain green infrastructure. Most importantly, we continue to advance through pilot projects, research, and innovation grants. What’s new today will become standard tomorrow as North Carolina continues to lead the way towards a green sustainable future.
Municipal Case Study
 The City of Raleigh has been working for over 15 years building the foundational elements to incentivize and accelerate the use of green infrastructure. Early work centered on educational elements and removing regulatory barriers. Text changes to the City ordinances completed in 2017 revised over 50 areas of the code of ordinances, all with the goal of minimizing restrictions on GSI both in design and in plan review. Work has continued at a steady pace since then, and today Raleigh has one of the most comprehensive programs in the State. Highlights include a paid Green Infrastructure Advocate position, a commitment to planning for green infrastructure on all City development projects, funding assistance for developers and private property owners alike through grants and awards, a dedicated green infrastructure maintenance team, a rain garden apprenticeship program, and interactive educational storymaps. All of this adds up to an environment where green infrastructure is becoming the default rather than the exception.
Implementation Spotlight – Wilson NC
The City of Wilson has not been afraid to embrace green infrastructure. As our downtown core has been a success story of urban revitalization, the city has embraced green infrastructure as a key element of the master plan which includes a minor league baseball stadium, multiple hotels, parking decks, parks, business centers, revitalized retail areas, and restaurants. Wilson took a collaborative approach to this effort through multiple public and private partnerships including local businesses, NC State University, Imagination Station (local science museum), and internal departments. The City partnered with NC State BioAg Engineering program and worked with Dr. Bill Hunt and his team to acquire grant funding through NCDEQ which we paired with City funds to design, construct, and maintain these spaces. The work is visible throughout downtown and includes green alleys, rainwater harvesting, and nutrient banking projects.
 The Park-Mercer wetland project sits at the edge of downtown – an area that was developed long before water quality regulations and lacked any sort of stormwater management facilities. Being in the urban area meant that there was limited space to work with among myriad other challenges. The final design integrated solar powered pumps with a wetland amenity to intercept the untreated flows before it reached a perennial stream. While the urban wetland silently removes pollutants, it also adds a regional amenity, pollinator habitat, and green space to the downtown core. The site includes a greenway connection and sits two blocks from the new baseball stadium of the Wilson Warbirds, with games scheduled to begin in April.
The momentum doesn’t stop with the revitalization of downtown. The city recently acquired the site of the now defunct Wilson Mall and has plans to reimagine the area as a development centered around a stormwater park at the headwaters of Hominy Swamp.
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NACWA Corner
Provided by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies
Matthew McKenna, Director, Government Affairs
 Executive Order on Housing Affordability Raises Key Issues for Stormwater Utilities
President Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at increasing housing affordability by directing federal agencies to identify and reduce what the Administration characterizes as “regulatory barriers” to housing construction. While the order is framed broadly around affordability and supply constraints, several of its provisions have direct implications for public stormwater and clean water utilities—particularly those responsible for stormwater management, Clean Water Act permitting, and long term infrastructure planning.
Most notably, the executive order instructs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to review and potentially revise permitting programs affecting wetlands, rivers, lakes, and stormwater discharges. It also calls for a review of EPA’s total maximum daily load (TMDL) program and directs agencies to update National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementation guidance with the stated goal of accelerating housing development. Taken together, these directives signal potential changes to the regulatory environment in which stormwater utilities operate, particularly where growth, redevelopment, and water quality obligations intersect.
Implications for Stormwater and Wastewater Utilities
The executive order signals heightened federal scrutiny of Clean Water Act programs that affect housing development, with particular relevance for municipal stormwater and wastewater utilities. By directing EPA and the Army Corps to review permitting programs for wetlands, surface waters, and stormwater discharges, the order raises the possibility of changes to how federal requirements are interpreted, implemented, or prioritized, especially in the context of new construction and redevelopment.
For stormwater utilities, this review could focus on requirements associated with construction stormwater permits, Municipal Separate Stormwater System (MS4) permits, and TMDL implementation where those obligations are viewed as contributing to project costs or delays. Utilities operating under MS4 permits or subject to TMDL driven load reductions may face increased pressure to demonstrate that permit conditions are flexible, cost effective, and clearly tied to measurable water quality outcomes. While the executive order does not alter Clean Water Act statutory requirements or existing permits, it could result in revised guidance, permitting approaches, or administrative emphasis that affect compliance strategies and long term capital planning.
Wastewater utilities may also be indirectly affected, particularly where permitting, TMDLs, or NEPA reviews intersect with population growth and housing demand. The directive to review EPA’s TMDL program and update NEPA implementation guidance could influence the timing, scope, and sequencing of future regulatory actions that shape nutrient reduction and treatment obligations associated with growth.
Utility Fees and Legal Scrutiny
As stormwater programs receive increased attention in the housing affordability debate, utilities may also face renewed scrutiny of stormwater and wastewater fees. In recent years, developers have increasingly challenged municipal impact fees and utility charges, arguing that they contribute to housing costs or raise constitutional concerns. While courts have long recognized that properly structured utility fees—designed to recover the costs of providing a service and reasonably related to users’ impacts—do not constitute a taking, litigation in this area continues to evolve.
Although the executive order does not directly address municipal fees, its broader emphasis on reducing housing related costs could indirectly influence how these issues are raised in administrative and judicial forums. Stormwater utilities may wish to ensure that their fee structures remain transparent, defensible, and closely aligned with service provision and statutory obligations under the Clean Water Act.
Broader Policy Debate on Stormwater Costs
The executive order arrives amid a broader national debate over the cost of stormwater regulation and its relationship to housing affordability. Recent policy reports have highlighted the potential cost impacts of federal stormwater requirements on development, while often giving less attention to the substantial public health, water quality, flood mitigation, and community resilience benefits these programs provide.
As stormwater management becomes more prominent in national housing and infrastructure discussions, it is increasingly important for utilities—particularly in fast growing regions of the Southeast—to clearly articulate the value, effectiveness, and legal foundation of stormwater investments. These programs play a critical role in protecting downstream water quality, reducing flood risk, and supporting sustainable growth in rapidly developing communities.
Please contact Matthew McKenna, NACWA’s Director of Government Affairs, with questions.
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