The Stormwater World Podcast

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Time Stamps 00:01  Ty introduces Andy and his background in geology, hydrology, and stormwater compliance. 01:50  Andy describes his early career in soil and groundwater remediation and the path that led him into stormwater. 04:49  Andy explains why stormwater work is meaningful for him and how he helps facilities navigate regulatory complexity. 09:04  Third party lawsuits and the emotional and financial burden they place on businesses. 10:56  Which sectors are affected most: primarily industrial facilities in California. 14:15  Breakdown of the Clean Water Act, benchmark levels, and how ambiguous standards create vulnerability. 20:57  Discussion of outdated benchmark levels from a 1992 study. 27:57  Is this only a California issue? Why California sees the vast majority of lawsuits. 30:14  How to prepare clients, documentation, training, and meeting the permit to strengthen negotiation positions. 34:09  A case involving a backyard t-shirt maker and how even tiny businesses can be pulled into the permit. 37:05  The only time Andy has seen a lawsuit go away: a massive corporation threatened to fight back in court. 43:46  Guidance for consultants: contracts, communication, clear roles, and professional protections. 55:00  Closing remarks and encouragement for professionals to join the conversation. Quotes Andy Ellsmore “It is a communal and societal challenge that we have. It involves a lot of different players with a lot of different perspectives.” “The ambiguity in the Clean Water Act is really where a lot of this comes from.” “There is no protection for a permittee. You could be sued every other day or twice a day by different groups.” “Most clients want to be in compliance. Everybody cares about water quality.” “You are putting a large target on your back by complying with the stormwater rules.” In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, Ty Garmon talks with licensed professional geologist Andy Ellsmore about the complex world of stormwater compliance and the growing impact of third party lawsuits on industrial facilities, particularly in California. Andy explains how ambiguous Clean Water Act standards, outdated benchmark levels, and limited regulatory enforcement create an environment where nonprofits fill the enforcement gap through 60 day notices and costly settlements. He shares real examples of businesses blindsided by litigation, the financial and emotional toll these actions create, and practical steps both facility owners and consultants can take to protect themselves. The conversation highlights the challenges facing stormwater professionals, the need for clearer regulatory guidance, and the importance of documentation, training, and maintaining clean facilities to reduce risk..   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Andy Ellsmore: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-ellsmore/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.stormwater.pro/ ; https://ellsmoreenv.com/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction 02:59 The Formation and Purpose of NMSA 06:00 Advocacy for MS4s at the National Level 09:10 Challenges and Resources for Local MS4 Programs 12:01 Training and Support for MS4s 15:00 The Importance of National Presence for Local Issues 17:52 Membership Structure and Benefits 21:06 National Stormwater Day and Its Significance 32:06 Stormwater Awareness Initiatives 34:10 Celebrating Stormwater Professionals 36:05 Recognizing Stormwater Champions 38:03 Engaging the Community in Stormwater Awareness 39:55 Membership Importance in Stormwater Organizations 41:20 Emeritus Membership and Institutional Knowledge 44:10 Introduction to STEPP Program 49:07 The Value of the Stormwater Sector 53:32 Moving Stormwater to the Adult Table  Quotes Ty Garmon (08:40): “Nobody cares about stormwater unless it’s coming in their house.” Seth Brown (12:49): “We advocate as a 501c3 for our mission… to try to support MS4s… and make them more technically effective, more cost effective…” Seth Brown (23:02): “we don’t want to have a bioretention facility become considered waters of the US.” Seth Brown (47:xx): “can think of [STEP] as the consumer reports for stormwater infrastructure.” In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, Ty Garmon talks with Dr. Seth Brown, Executive Director of NMSA, about why the alliance formed to give MS4 programs a unified national voice, how it advocates on issues like PFAS liability and Waters of the U.S., and the practical tools it offers members. They cover NMSA’s low-cost training and tracking, the open MS4 resource library, and membership options that fit both Phase I and Phase II communities. Seth explains National Stormwater Day on November 16 and how it recognizes the launch of the MS4 program while offering a free webinar and updates from Centers of Excellence. They dig into STEP, NMSA’s third-party testing effort meant to deliver clear, apples-to-apples performance data for proprietary BMPs. The episode closes with a call for stormwater to move from reactive work to proactive leadership and to claim its seat at the table.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Seth Brown: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbrownpe/ Email:  Website: https://ms4nmsa.org/; https://nationalstormwateralliance.org/nmsa-resources/ National Stormwater Day: https://nationalstormwateralliance.org/nmsa-resources/ Stormwater Testing and Evaluation for Products & Practices (STEPP) https://ms4nmsa.org/stepp/ or https://stormwatertesting.org   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Takeaways Flexamat design: Concrete blocks with embedded geogrid over erosion control blankets. Designed to vegetate through 30 percent openings. Mowable surface when established. Install made simple: Delivered in wide, custom-length rolls. Unroll with an excavator. Start at outlets with an 18-inch trench, toe-in the terminal edge, and place tails so flow pushes into the overlap. Where it shines: Channels, slopes, shorelines, emergency spillways, riverbanks, WWTPs, drivable surfaces, airports, pipelines, landfills. Cost vs riprap: Riprap often wins on first cost, but repeated failure and maintenance can flip lifecycle value in Flexamat’s favor. Maintenance: Minimal after establishment. Mow if desired.  Quotes Ron Geater: “My clients seem to prefer a material that’s a set it, forget it. You put it in, it works, you walk away.” Ron Geater: “There is no maintenance. If you do not want a two-foot stand of grass, then mow it.” Ron Geater: “All you need is a decent sized excavator to pick it up, place it, and use the bucket to unroll it.” Host (Ty): “Go watch the excavator set the roll and just bump the bucket to let it glide. It is the best.” Ron Geater: “Put ‘manufacturer’s rep on site at start of installation’ in the specs. If I am there, you are not going to have a failure.” In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, Ty Garmon interviews Ron Geater from Motz Enterprises to discuss Flexamat, a vegetated hard armor solution for erosion control. They explore the product's features, benefits, installation process, real-world applications, cost comparisons with traditional solutions, and best practices for maintenance and installation. Ron shares success stories and challenges faced in the field, emphasizing the importance of proper installation to avoid failures. The conversation highlights the innovative nature of Flexamat and its role in sustainable stormwater management.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Ron Geater: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-geater-1a188045/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.flexamat.com/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater? Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time! They do all things digital. Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com because the best-known beats best every time. Key Points Discussed 00:00 Welcome, Guest intro, and session goals“Today we’re gonna talk about achieving SWPPP success and really using sustainable BMPs to achieve results.” ~Joe Moore 05:10 What sustainability means per EPA“To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony.” ~Joe Moore 08:02 Why stormwater was early to sustainability 10:00 Geotextiles 101 and microplastics concerns 14:59 USFWS 2022 findings on plastic netting and silt fence 18:01 Better specifications and installation details that matter“Are we impacting the animals in a negative way? The answer is of course yes.” ~Joe Moore 23:33 Jobsite realities: straw wattles, wildlife, roadway safety 25:04 Five technologies to know: B-netting, Flexamat, FODS, GatorBox, permeable systems“We really wanted to design one that could be left behind.” ~Joe Moore 33:43 Post-construction ideas: manage runoff where it falls 35:03 Global water context and why choices matter 40:00 Spec book gaps and a Virginia update example 44:01 FAQ: cost and whole-life value versus first cost 46:12 FAQ: regulatory adoption and landfill fate“We gotta pivot and do it a little differently, or put a little bit more forethought.” ~Ty 51:10 Joe’s personal why and first-fish story“I’m a clean water freak.” ~Joe Moore “The first one of the trip always gets a kiss on the lips.” ~Joe Moore In this episode, Stormwater World host Ty hosts Joe Moore of Siltworm and ECS to dig into practical sustainability for construction stormwater. Joe discusses what “sustainable” really means in stormwater practice, especially for SWPPP design that protects water, wildlife, and budgets over the full lifecycle. They unpack risks from polymer-based BMPs, including microplastics and wildlife entanglement, and highlight U.S. Fish and Wildlife guidance favoring loose-weave or natural-fiber blanket options. Joe walks through practical alternatives such as biodegradable perimeter controls, vegetated hard-armor like Flexamat, reusable entrance mats from FODS, and portable dewatering units like GatorBox, while stressing that long-term maintenance and risk often outweigh lower upfront costs. The conversation closes with data trends, why many spec books lag field reality, and Joe’s personal “why” for clean water.   The views expressed are that of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies past, present or future. Connect with Joe Moore: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemoore6/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://erosionconstructionsolutions.com/   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  Connect with Ty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 Check out The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Did you know that this podcast is produced by Digital Stormwater B2B Visibility & Digital Marketing, making a difference in stormwater 1 click at a time? Check them out at DigitalStormwater.com  Key Points Discussed 00:02 – Introduction: Ty introduces John and highlights his new book. “John wrote an encyclopedia for stormwater. No, I’m just kidding. He wrote a book and we want to talk about that book.” – Ty Garmon 01:56 – Why Write a Book? John explains his motivation and how California’s credentialing requirements played a role. 04:20 – Credentials and Experience: John details his background, licensing, and the importance of underlying certifications. 11:17 – SWPPPs as Dot-to-Dot Drawings John compares writing SWPPPs to kindergarten dot-to-dot exercises. “Each little thing we do on a job site when it comes to stormwater management isn’t a standalone event. They all interrelate, they all connect.” – John Teravskis 15:26 – The Donut Counter Analogy John explains how formulaic SWPPPs can overlook pollutants. 19:10 – Common Disconnects Discussion of static SWPPPs, vague specifications, and the importance of detail. 25:39 – Beyond California The book includes requirements for all 50 states. 29:01 – Resources and Templates John shares that the book comes with SWPPP templates and supporting reference tools. 33:23 – Re-Categorizing BMPs John introduces “raindrop BMPs,” “speed bump BMPs,” and others for easier understanding. “Fast moving water is the enemy of erosion control. So we were very intentional about recategorizing these BMPs.” – John Teravskis 35:28 – The Maintenance Challenge Conversation about implementation and team buy-in. “You’re talking about the biggest disconnect of them all. This is where most programs become disconnected.” – John Teravskis 40:55 – Who the Book is For: John explains that he wrote it with construction workers in mind, but it’s valuable for professionals across the stormwater field. 47:00 – Acknowledgments John thanks his company and peer reviewers who helped shape the book. 49:32 – Dedication Ty reads the dedication from the book, emphasizing its purpose for those who want to understand the “whys and hows.” 50:47 – New App: GetStorm.io;  John introduces an upcoming SWPPP-writing app designed to support stormwater professionals. In this episode of the Stormwater World Podcast, Ty welcomes back John Teravskis of WGR Southwest to talk about his new book, The Raindrop Connection. John shares the story behind writing the book and explains why connecting the “dots” of stormwater management is essential for effective SWPPP programs. He highlights the risks of formulaic approaches and the importance of collaborative SWPPPs. The conversation covers nationwide applicability and John’s upcoming SWPPP-writing app, offering stormwater professionals practical tools to strengthen compliance and field implementation.   The views expressed are those of the individual and do not represent the opinions of any companies, past, present, or future. Connect with John Teravskis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-teravskis-5aaa9339/ Stormwater Awareness Week on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7198777181257240576/comments/ Website: https://www.stormwaterawareness.org/ Monthly Dirt newsletter: https://wgr-sw.com/lists/?p=subscribe&id=1 Book: https://amzn.to/4g7th7G WGR Southwest: https://wgr-sw.com/ SWPPP Radio: https://swpppradio.org/ App: GetStorm.io   Connect with Ty Garmon, LEED AP:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tygarmon/ Sign up to be a guest: https://forms.gle/whijSz9Tio3iZda57 The Stormwater World Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hVXVJ5oXplf_V9XOPpR6A Podcast Website: https://stormwaterworld.com Stay Informed! Sign-up for the Stormwater World Newsletter: https://stormwaterworld.com/newsletter-sign-up/   Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Stormwater World Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!