§ 11-25-107. Powers of the Authority — No Permit for Solid Waste Management Facility Shall Be Issued
The authority has the following powers necessary for carrying out the purposes set forth in this chapter to:
Adopt a seal;
Sue and be sued and to prosecute and defend, at law or in equity, in any court having jurisdiction of the subject matter and of the parties;
Purchase, hold, sell and convey land and personal property, and execute such contracts as may be deemed necessary or convenient by the board to enable it to properly carry out the purposes for which it is organized;
Conserve the natural resources of real property owned and managed by the authority, including the land, timber, and waters, and the department of conservation and environment for transfers of lands for wildlife management areas and/or natural areas;
Contract for the construction of projects, and other proposed works and improvements;
Contract for professional services and other assistance, including, but not limited to, legal, architectural, engineering, financial, accounting, and human resources professionals, as its board in its sole discretion deems necessary, the cost of such services comprising an obligation of the authority and paid in the same manner as any other expenses of the authority;
Construct any drainage works or improvements; to construct any works or improvements for the control, retention, diversion, or utilization of water; retard runoff of water and soil erosion; construct facilities, projects, park areas, and other recreational facilities, and repair, improve and maintain any of such improvements or structures;
Acquire personal property by gift or purchase;
Acquire or sell authority-owned land, or any interest in land, including leasehold interests, by gift, bequest, sale, or purchase. Any sale or disposal of land must have the approval of the state building commission;
Borrow money from time to time and, in evidence of any obligation incurred, issue and, pursuant to § 11-25-115, sell its revenue bonds in accordance with this chapter and the applicable provisions of title 9, chapter 21, in such form and upon such terms as its board of directors may determine, payable out of any revenues of the authority, including grants or contributions or other revenues specifically provided to the authority, for the purpose of financing the cost of any project and refund and refinance, from time to time, bonds so issued and sold, as often as may be deemed to be advantageous by the board of directors;
Cooperate and contract with persons, firms, associations, partnerships and private corporations, and with watershed districts, drainage districts, counties, conservation districts, levee districts, counties, cities, quasi-municipalities, utility districts, and other similar corporations or agencies of the state of Tennessee, and with any such districts or agencies organized for similar purposes in any adjoining state, and with other local, state and federal agencies, including, but not limited to, the department of agriculture, department of environment and conservation, wildlife resources agency, Tennessee Valley authority, or any other federal agency, and to enter into cooperative contracts and agreements with any such districts, corporations or agencies;
Select a residence or home office for the authority, which shall be at a place designated by the board;
Receive contributions or grants from counties, cities and towns, any state or federal agency, or from any other source;
Acquire water rights and distribute or sell water for irrigation or for other purposes, either within or without the boundaries of the authority;
Provide recreational facilities;
Lease authority-owned lands for timbering, or other purposes consistent with the purposes set forth in § 11-25-102(b);
Contract for all materials, supplies, equipment, personnel, and services necessary for the proper administration of the authority;
Publish and maintain a website for any purpose set forth in this chapter;
Expend funds for any purpose set forth in this chapter;
Take such steps as deemed necessary by its board of directors for the promotion and protection of the environment within the boundaries of the authority, and enter into agreements with private nonprofit corporations, the department of environment and conservation, the division of forestry, the wildlife resources agency, or any other federal, state or local agency for that purpose;
Take such steps as deemed necessary for fire prevention, and for this purpose to enter into cooperative agreements with the division of forestry, or any other federal, state or local agency and volunteer fire departments;
Contract for the operation of concessions on or in any of the properties owned, managed, or leased by the authority;
Advertise within and without the state any of the recreational facilities, opportunities, or events, of the authority;
Enter into agreements for payments in lieu of any tax assessment by any city or county;
Make all needful rules, regulations and bylaws for the management and conduct of the affairs of the authority and of the board; and
Establish, charge and collect user fees, which will be used solely to support the operation and maintenance of the authority.
None of the powers enumerated in subsection (a) shall be exhausted by use but shall be continuous and perpetual throughout the life of the authority.
No permit for any solid waste management facility shall be issued by the commissioner of environment and conservation for any site located on property owned or managed by the authority.
