LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
The Role of Florida's Engineers in
SHAPING WATER POLICY Jeff Littlejohn Jeff Littlejohn, P.E., is a senior policy advisor for Adams and Reese. He serves FES and ACEC Florida members with water, energy and environmental policy support.
The Florida engineering industry has long been an instrumental force in guiding the state's legislative efforts on water policy. This role was exemplified in the recent legislative panel on water policy, which took place at this year’s FES/ACEC Florida Annual Conference in Miami. The panel was hosted by the Water Resources Committee (WRC), where state legislators and engineering professionals came together to discuss key issues and solutions. It featured two prominent Florida Senators, Jennifer Bradley and Jonathan Martin, alongside Environmental Committee and WRC chairs and seasoned engineers Michael DelCharco, P.E., and Brent Whitfield, P.E. Their collective expertise painted a vivid picture of how engineers and legislators can collaborate to address Florida’s water challenges, ensuring the industry continues to be a positive influence on the legislative process.
THE LEGISLATIVE PANEL The panel was part of the WRC's ongoing effort to engage legislators on water policy and funding, providing an opportunity for Florida's engineers to offer their expertise directly to policymakers. The panel discussion was structured around three central topics, with contributions from both legislators and committee leaders. This open dialogue format encouraged collaboration and audience participation, ensuring that a wide array of perspectives informed the conversation. One of the most significant takeaways from the panel was the legislators' support for a new Florida Water Work Plan, modeled after the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) successful five-year work plan. Both Senators Bradley and Martin endorsed the idea, recognizing that Florida's water infrastructure, much like its transportation system, requires long-term strategic planning, prioritization and funding to ensure resiliency and sustainability.
ENGINEERING EXPERTISE AT THE FOREFRONT Florida’s water resources are under increasing stress from population growth, climate change and emerging contaminants such as PFAS. The WRC panel highlighted the importance of technical expertise in navigating these challenges. 10 | ENGINEERING FLORIDA