§ 69-7-301. Short Title
This part shall be known and may be cited as the “Tennessee Water Resources Information Act.”
§ 69-7-302. Legislative Intent — System of Registration
The general assembly recognizes that in other states the withdrawal of ground water has caused the lowering of the ground water table and that there is potential for ground water or surface water withdrawals to impact water uses in Tennessee. Therefore, it is necessary and prudent to institute a system of registration so that adequate […]
§ 69-7-303. Part Definitions. [Contingent Amendment. See First Version of Section and Compiler’s notes.]
As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires: “Board” means the Tennessee board of energy and natural resources, created by § 69-3-104; “Commissioner” means the commissioner of environment and conservation, the commissioner’s duly authorized representative and, in the event of the commissioner’s absence or a vacancy in the office of commissioner, the deputy […]
§ 69-7-303. Part Definitions. [Current Version. See Second Version of Section and Its Compiler’s notes.]
As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires: “Board” means the board of water quality, oil and gas established pursuant to § 69-3-104; “Commissioner” means the commissioner of environment and conservation, the commissioner’s duly authorized representative and, in the event of the commissioner’s absence or a vacancy in the office of commissioner, the […]
§ 69-7-304. Registration of Withdrawal From Surface Water or Groundwater Source — Exceptions
Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), no person shall withdraw ten thousand (10,000) or more gallons of water per day from a surface water or a groundwater source unless the withdrawal is currently registered with the commissioner. The commissioner shall accept a recognized method of measuring the quantities of water withdrawn. Any person […]
§ 69-7-305. Powers of Commissioner
The commissioner has the power to: Annually collect and compile water quantity data and other quantity information, including data and information on uses of water and well data, and to develop registration and other forms for these purposes. Additionally, if requested and if it is deemed necessary by the commissioner to protect trade secret information […]
§ 69-7-306. Rules — Rulings in Contested Cases
The board has the authority to promulgate the rules, other than rules establishing fees, that it deems reasonable and necessary to effectuate the purposes of this part, in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. The board has the authority to conduct and make all rulings in contested cases […]
§ 69-7-307. Violations — Orders — Penalties — Hearings — Injunction
Whenever the commissioner has reason to believe that a person is withdrawing water without having a valid registration, or has supplied false or materially misleading information to the department or has violated any order or rule promulgated pursuant to this part, the commissioner may cause a written administrative order to be delivered to the alleged […]
§ 69-7-308. Regional Water Planning — Models — Report
The commissioner and the board shall encourage and support regional water planning whenever possible. In the future, if there is a specific appropriation of state or federal funds for regional water supply planning, the board may require regional water supply planning and may provide incentives to encourage such regional planning, using the rulemaking authority under […]
§ 69-7-309. Technical Advisory Committee
From time to time, the commissioner may appoint a technical advisory committee that shall advise the commissioner on matters related to the state’s water resources. The commissioner may determine the identity and number of committee members and the term during which the committee will operate. The committee may be composed of representatives of federal, state, […]