Stormwater Program

Statewide Airport Stormwater Management Program

The Florida Department of Transportation supports a longstanding initiative to standardize the manner in which airports address stormwater and its effect on airport infrastructure. This initiative, known as the Statewide Airport Stormwater Management Program, includes a multi-year study of airport stormwater quality, quantity and compatible Best Management Practices. The objective of this initiative is to improve airport safety by reducing wildlife attractants, while still meeting all state and federal water quality and quantity management requirements. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the State’s Water Management Districts (WMDs) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provide review and guidance of the work. The FAA also assists with project funding.

Florida Statewide Airport Stormwater Study:

Research from the study resulted in the development of a series of reports which summarize the data collected and modeling results. The Technical Report for the Florida Statewide Airport Stormwater Study documents the methodology used in collecting stormwater runoff samples from study airports and the various compounds found in those samples. Individual reports support several revisions to the Statewide Airport Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual (BMP Manual). The revisions are made as additional data and studies are completed and reviewed with regulatory agencies. They describe how to apply the data to water management analysis, design, and permitting for airport airside projects.

The 2013 revision is directly referenced in 62-330.449 FAC general permit, and the 2016 revision is directly referenced in Section 9.5.4 of the Applicant’s Handbook Volume I, effective June 28, 2024, under Rule 62-330 FAC. The 2023 revision is not directly referenced in Rule but is usable with Water Management District (WMD) concurrence and includes the latest information and results.

As part of these efforts, a 2012 project was initiated to construct and test a full-scale FAA Pond at the Naples Municipal Airport. Completed in 2016, the project demonstrated a 60% reduction in water and wading bird use compared to standard ponds with littoral shelves and shallow side slopes. Additionally, it showed water quality improvements nearly double those of standard ponds five to ten times larger. These results informed the 2016 BMP Manual and were incorporated into Section 9.5.4 of the Applicant’s Handbook Volume I. The 2023 BMP Manual update, along with two supplemental documents, provides further data from the tested pond, which can also be used for design and permitting with WMD concurrence.

The three documents providing relevant FAA Pond design and performance information are:

Program Summary of the FAA Pond Post-Construction Monitoring at the Naples Municipal Airport

Technical Report on the Water Management Performance of the FAA Pond at Naples Municipal Airport

Best Management Practices Manual (March 2023 Revision)

The two previous BMPs referenced above are available at the following links:

Statewide Airport Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual (2016)

Statewide Airport Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual (2013)

For additional information or questions concerning the FDOT Stormwater Management Program, contact the Airport Engineering Manager.

General Permit 62-330.449 – Noticed General Permit for Construction, Operation, Maintenance, Alteration, Abandonment or Removal of Airport Airside Stormwater Water Management Systems:

During its CY2012 session, the Florida Legislature directed the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to commence rulemaking to streamline the process of Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP). That rule, Rule 62-330 FAC, was adopted and went into effect on October 1, 2013. The rule includes, by legislative direction, a general permit for airport airside development in Section 62-330.449. That component of the rule focuses on the overland flow treatment of airport stormwater. There is provision for insertion of future data and design criteria for a "FAA pond” as discussed in the Implementation of FAA Pond Design and Upcoming Initiatives paragraph below.

For additional Information or questions concerning the General Permit 62-330.449, contact the Airport Engineering Manager.

Stormwater Training:
Since the subject matter of the various reports and the analyses recommended in the BMP Manual may be unfamiliar to airport staff, engineers, environmental scientists, consultants and regulators, FDOT developed a training program which is available using the links below. The program is also available for download by following the instructions provided.

Engineering continuing education credit is available to those who review the training program and successfully complete the knowledge test. Since the knowledge test includes detailed questions, the recommended procedure is to download the test and complete it while viewing the video. Forward the completed test to the Airport Engineering Manager by mail, email, or FAX. Tests submitted will be graded and upon successful completion, with a score of 70 or higher, information will be sent to the Florida Board of Professional Engineers for the award of Professional Development Hours. Participants will also receive a certificate via email confirming the PDH coursework.

Test for Using the Statewide Airport Stormwater Study:

Airport Stormwater Management Test

2025 Airport Stormwater Training Webinar

For additional Information or questions concerning the FDOT Stormwater Management Training Program, contact the Airport Engineering Manager.