Environmental Review Requests
TDEC’s Office of Policy and Planning coordinates environmental review requests relating to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Office also provides direction for Division-specific environmental consultation requests.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies and those working on behalf of federal agencies to consider impacts of proposed actions and reasonable alternatives to those actions through the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA) ("NEPA documents") or determination of a categorical exclusion (CE).
As a trustee of natural resources in Tennessee and as the state environmental regulatory agency, TDEC is responsible for participating in this process by reviewing and commenting on NEPA documents prepared by federal agencies (i.e., "cooperating agency"). Other activities may include:
- Participating in the NEPA process at the earliest possible time, including during the scoping process. Formal NEPA scoping documents are authored by the federal agency or an agent designated by the federal agency.
- Making available staff support at the lead agency's request to enhance the lead agency's interdisciplinary capabilities.
Timelines for review and comment on NEPA documents vary, ranging anywhere from 30-60 days following the release of the document.
Within TDEC, our office is responsible for the coordination of department-wide responses to requests for review and comment on NEPA documents for proposed projects within Tennessee that trigger requirements pursuant to NEPA. Our office does not coordinate preliminary environmental review requests. These requests should continue to be directed to the appropriate TDEC division(s).
NEPA Document Review Request
To submit a request, please email TDEC.NEPA@tn.gov and provide the appropriate documentation and information, including locational information, the appropriate agency contact and the deadline for comment submission. Upon completion of TDEC's comment letter, TDEC's NEPA Coordinator will provide the letter directly to the agency contact.
NOTE: Review of Notifications of Intent
The Office of Policy and Planning only coordinates review and comment of draft NEPA documents (EAs, EISs, or CEs) at this time. Information regarding the review of notifications of intent to prepare/scoping of an EIS or EA or environmental review consultation requests can be found in the following dropdown.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and its program areas receive frequent requests for environmental consultation, environmental review, or technical assistance on proposed actions and projects from various different groups, including but not limited to federal, state and local government agencies, consulting firms, and businesses.* Such requests can range in terms of level of detail of content and type of information or response requested from the department. At this time, environmental consultation requests are not reviewed and responded to by a central entity. Rather these requests should be submitted individually to each relevant division. On the left are documents detailing both process- and content-specific information regarding environmental consultation requests for divisions performing environmental consultation request functions within TDEC.
*These requests may allude to NEPA, but are not themselves formal NEPA documents.
Division Requests
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Air Pollution Control Division (APCD) is happy to answer questions and provide technical assistance for inquiries related to air pollution, air permitting, air emission inventories, vehicle emissions and testing, air monitoring, open burning, asbestos demolition and renovation projects and other air related concerns.
There are many projects that seek TDEC-APCD’s review through a request for environmental consultation. The term “environmental consultation” includes but is not limited to environmental review requests, phase I or II environmental site assessment investigations, or requests for information for projects in the scoping phase for planned preparation of an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).1
What types of projects are suitable for environmental consultation from TDEC APCD?
The majority of environmental consultation requests submitted to APCD include projects involving construction or operation of a proposed air contaminant source, demolition or renovation of structures which may have asbestos containing materials during a proposed renovation or demolition project, construction of new road or highway projects including modifications to existing interstates within Tennessee and review of planning documents related to future interstate or highway road construction projects. Also, any project or activity that might create fugitive dust or emissions during the construction or site preparation phases or involve land clearing activities where open burning may be employed to dispose of wood waste and tree limb debris may be the subject of an environmental consultation request. Requests for consultation involving any of the aforementioned purposes may be submitted directly to Michelle W. Owenby in TDEC-APCD at
Air.Pollution.Control@tn.gov. Written, electronic submittal of requests and supporting documentation are preferred.2
What should I include in my request to TDEC-APCD?
When submitting a request for environmental consultation to APCD, the following information is helpful:
- Detailed description of project.
- Property address, maps and property location.
- Detailed description of any activities that may generate air pollutants including construction activities and land clearing operations including any proposed mitigation activities.
- Timelines and urgency of the proposed project.
- Please indicate if you will or already have prepared and submitted a formal NEPA review request to the required NEPA review depositories.
What should I expect to receive from TDEC-APCD?
APCD staff will review the project details and provide written comments on the potential air impacts and air related issues that were identified during review along with possible recommendations on methods to mitigate the air impacts identified. These methods may include specific reference to the applicable air regulations and acceptable practices to resolve the perceived concerns. If permits are potentially needed or required to be issued prior to commencing the proposed project, recommendations on the procedure to follow may also be provided.
Who should I contact for more information?
In addition to staffing at the Nashville Central Office, APCD staff are located in each of the seven TDEC Environmental Field Offices (EFOs) identified in the following table. Toll Free Number: 1-888-891-TDEC (8332)
1If a draft Environmental Assessment or draft Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to NEPA has been developed, it should be sent with all supporting materials and a request for review to TDEC.NEPA@tn.gov.
2 Mailing address: TDEC Division of Air Pollution Control; Attn: Michelle W. Owenby, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 15th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243. Phone: (615) 532-0554.
| EFO Name | EFO Address |
|---|---|
| Chattanooga | 1301 Riverfront Parkway, Suite 206 Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 634-5745 |
| Columbia | 1421 Hampshire Pike Columbia, TN 38401 (931) 380-3371 |
| Cookeville | 1221 South Willow Ave Cookeville, TN 38506 (931) 432-4015 |
| Jackson | 1625 Hollywood Dr Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 512-1300 |
| Johnson City | 2305 Silverdale Rd Johnson City, TN 37601 (423) 854-5400 |
| Knoxville | 3711 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37921 (865) 594-6035 |
| Nashville | 711 R.S. Gass Blvd Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 687-7000 |
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Division of Archaeology (DOA) is happy to answer questions and provide technical assistance pertaining to inquires related to prehistoric and historic cultural resources.
What types of projects are suitable for consultation or review by TDEC –DOA?
Any project involving earth-moving such as construction, demolition, grading, fill, and borrow activity.
What should I include in my request to TDEC – DOA?
When submitting a request for information to the Division of Archaeology, the following information is helpful:
- Brief description of the proposed project and total acreage involved
- Property Address
- Exact location and boundaries of the proposed project clearly marked on USGS Topographic map
- Photographs of the project area, if available
- Information about current and previous land-use in the project area
- Whether the proposed project involves federal funding, licensing, or permitting
What should I expect to receive from TDEC-DOA?
TDOA staff will check the archaeological site files to see if there are prehistoric or historic archaeological sites recorded within the footprint of the proposed project. The response will include recommendations regarding the potential for the project to impact archaeological resources and whether additional archaeological investigation is recommended. This level of review is not intended to meet any regulatory requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
Will response be written or electronic?
A response will be sent electronically in a PDF file format.
Who should I contact for more information?
Dan Brock
State Programs Archaeologist
1216 Foster Ave Cole Building #3 Nashville, TN 37243
615-687-4778
Daniel.Brock@tn.gov
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Office of Energy Programs (OEP) provides informational assistance pertaining to inquiries regarding energy efficiency; energy management; renewable energy; energy security planning, preparedness, and response; and energy in transportation (alternative fuels and sustainable transportation options).
OEP does not provide comments on projects seeking TDEC’s review through a request for environmental consultation.
What types of projects are suitable for environmental consultation from TDEC OEP?
As Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Energy-designated Middle-West Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition, TDEC OEP can provide environmental consultation tied to fleet or individual deployment of alternative and renewable fuels, idle-reduction measures, fuel economy improvements, and advanced vehicle technologies.
OEP can also connect parties with various contacts that may be able to provide technical assistance or environmental consultation on other energy-related topics. Any requests for information may be submitted directly to Ben Bolton, Energy Programs Administrator, OEP, at Ben.Bolton@tn.gov or Mark Finlay, Energy Analyst, OEP, at Mark.Finlay@tn.gov.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Division of Natural Areas (DNA) answers questions and provides technical assistance pertaining to the status and distribution of state and federal concern plant and animal species, ecologically important sites, and conservation lands.
Many project managers seek TDEC-DNA’s review through environmental consultation requests. The term “environmental consultation” includes but is not limited to environmental review requests, phase I or II environmental site assessment investigations, or requests for information for projects in the scoping phase for planned preparation of an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).1
What types of projects are suitable for environmental consultation from TDEC-DNA?
The majority of environmental consultation requests from DNA are related to rare and endangered plant and animal species review. Projects suitable for environmental consultation from DNA may include any project involving construction, demolition, or disposal of solid and/or hazardous wastes and on-the-ground development projects. These can involve individual landowners, development districts across the state, or other government or private entities.
Requests for consultation pertaining to any of the aforementioned purposes
If you would like a formal, site-specific review of known rare, threatened, and endangered plant and animal species, ecologically significant sites, and certain conservation managed lands, you can obtain them for $275 per project via DNA's Environmental Review Tool (ERT). Based on the location information you provide, the ERT will prepare and send a report containing:
- Lists of rare, threatened, and endangered plant and animal species documented within 1- and 4-miles of the project area
- A list of conservation managed lands known from within 1- mile of the project area
- Two vicinity maps of the project area (4-mile and 100-meter buffer) over aerial imagery
- A .shp and .kmz of the project area boundaries
- Division of Natural Areas Consultation Documentation
- Additional resources regarding RTE species, methods for consulting other agencies, etc.
Environmental Review Reports for projects submitted through the ERT are generated for the requestor within 5-10 minutes. An invoice is included on the cover page of the report along with instructions for payment. Electronic payment is expected to be available in August 2023. Review fees are currently waived for most project supported by public funds such as CDBG, ARC, ARP, Select TN Site Certification, etc.
A 1-hour ERT training is required before users are allowed to submit projects for review. If someone from your office/organization has already attended a training event, you may be able to join their ERT Group and submit review requests without attending a training. ERT Training events are posted on the Natural Areas Events page.
View more information about environmental reviews for TDEC-DNA
Please recognize that requests involving state or federally protected animals require consultation with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, respectively.
If a draft Environmental Assessment or draft Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to NEPA has been developed, it should be sent with all supporting materials and a request for review to TDEC.NEPA@tn.gov.
Who should I contact for more information?
TDEC-DNA will resume environmental consultation on 7/17/2023. All relevant information related to this process can be found on the TDEC-DNA webpage, which will be updated as information is made available regarding the new process.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Tennessee Division of Radiological Health (DRH) is happy to answer questions and provide technical assistance pertaining to inquiries related to ionizing radiation hazards.
There are many projects that seek TDEC- DRH’s review through a request for environmental consultation. The term “environmental consultation” includes current and future license / amendment review requests, site remediation close out survey reviews, or requests for assistance involving investigation / remediation of radiation incidents / emergencies, and Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement reviews pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).1
What types of projects are suitable for environmental consultation from TDEC-DRH?
The majority of environmental consultation requests for DRH are related to license / amendment reviews, records/information requests regarding licensees, and radiation alarms in the metal recycling and landfill industries. Sometimes these can be handled over the phone or through an e-mail request. Others may require an onsite investigation.
What should I include in my request to TDEC-DRH?
When submitting a request for environmental consultation to DRH, the following information is helpful:
- Brief description of hazard or project.
- Property address.
- Contact Information including Phone Number and Email address
- Photographs, if available.
- Radioactive isotopes and radioactivity (if known)
When should I expect to hear from TDEC-DRH?
For situations that do not involve imminent danger to lives or property, DRH staff will try to respond within two working days, or within two working days after returning to the office from an absence. Urgent requests will be handled as quickly as possible.
What should I expect to receive from TDEC-DRH?
DRH staff will initially respond to requests by telephone or e-mail. A site visit will be conducted when necessary, and may conclude with verbal or written instructions, along with a written report and/or photographs when appropriate. Environmental hazard evaluations of proposed infrastructure or other projects will usually be followed up with written comments.
Who should I contact for more information?
Requests pertaining to any of the aforementioned license / amendment review requests or environmental review requests may be submitted to Division.Radiological.Health@tn.gov. Written, electronic submittal of requests and supporting documentation are preferred.
If a draft Environmental Assessment or draft Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to NEPA has been developed, it should be sent with all supporting materials and a request for review to TDEC.NEPA@tn.gov.
In addition to staffing at the Nashville Central Office, DRH staff is located at the TDEC Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville Environmental Field Offices. DRH contact information for each office can be found on the contact page linked below.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Division of Remediation (DoR) is happy to answer questions and provide technical assistance pertaining to any inquiries regarding hazardous substance sites.
There are many projects that seek TDEC-DoR review through a request for environmental consultation. The term “environmental consultation” includes, but is not limited to, environmental review requests, Phase I or II environmental site assessment investigations, or requests for information for projects in the scoping phase for planned preparation of an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).1
What types of projects are suitable for environmental consultation from TDEC-DoR?
Projects suitable for environmental consultation from DoR may include any project involving inactive hazardous substance sites, impacted drycleaning operations, Brownfields redevelopment, properties affected by methamphetamine production, or environmental cleanup oversight of the Oak Ridge Reservation. Requests for consultation pertaining to any of the aforementioned purposes may be submitted directly to
division.remediation@tn.gov in TDEC-DoR. Written, electronic submittal of requests and supporting documentation are preferred.2
What should I include in my request to TDEC-DoR?
When submitting a request for environmental consultation to DoR, the following documentation is helpful. Please keep in mind that the level of detail provided with your request dictates the level of detail provided within DoR’s response.
- Detailed description of project
- Maps or project location with coordinates
- What type of response or information you are seeking from DoR?
- Deadline requested for response
What should I expect to receive from TDEC-DoR?
DoR will review the details of the request and provide a response which may include:
- Written comments on potential impacts of the project and any issues or concerns identified during the review
- Information pertaining to current or historical sites in our database that may be near the project site
- Recommendations for a path forward or other actions to address issues or concerns with the proposed project
Who should I contact for more information?
For specific questions regarding projects with potential hazardous substance site impacts, please contact the Division of Remediation at division.remediation@tn.gov.
1 If a draft Environmental Assessment or draft Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to NEPA has been developed, it should be sent with all supporting materials and a request for review to TDEC.NEPA@tn.gov.
2 Mailing address: TDEC Division of Remediation, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 14th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243. Phone: (615) 532- 0900.
In addition to staffing at the Nashville Central Office, DoR staff is located in three Regional Offices which serve the eight TDEC Environmental Field Offices (EFOs) and in our Oak Ridge office. DoR contact information within each of the offices is provided below.
| Office | Office Address | List of Counties Served |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville Regional Office |
Division of Remediation 3711 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37921 (865) 594-6035 |
Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Cumberland, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Union |
| Nashville Regional Office |
Division of Remediation 711 R.S. Gass Blvd Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 687-7000 |
Cheatham,Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, Wilson |
| Memphis Regional Office |
Division of Remediation 8383 Wolf Lake Drive Bartlett, TN 38133-4119 (901) 371-3000 |
Fayette, Shelby, Tipton |
| Oak Ridge Office |
Division of Remediation 761 Emory Valley Road Oak Ridge, TN 37830 (865) 481-0995 |
DOE Oak Ridge Reservation |
| Nashville Central Office |
Division of Remediation 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave, 14th Floor Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 532-0900 |
Statewide |
| Drycleaners |
Division of Remediation, DCERP 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave, 14th Floor Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 532-0900 |
Drycleaners in Tennessee |
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Division of Solid Waste Management (DSWM) is happy to answer questions and provide technical assistance pertaining to any inquiries regarding demolition, construction, or other intrusive activities with potential solid or hazardous waste impacts.
There are many projects that seek TDEC-DSWM’s review through a request for environmental consultation. The term “environmental consultation” includes but is not limited to environmental review requests, phase I or II environmental site assessment investigations, or requests for information for projects in the scoping phase for planned preparation of an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).1
What types of projects are suitable for environmental consultation from TDEC-DSWM?
Projects suitable for environmental consultation from DSWM may include any project involving construction, demolition, or disposal of solid and/or hazardous wastes. Requests for consultation pertaining to any of the aforementioned purposes may be submitted directly to Benjamin Almassi in TDEC-DSWM at benjamin.almassi@tn.gov. Written, electronic submittal of requests and supporting documentation are preferred.2
What should I include in my request to TDEC-DSWM?
When submitting a request for environmental consultation to DSWM, the following documentation is helpful. Please keep in mind that the level of detail provided with your request dictates the level of detail provided within DSWM’s response.
- Detailed description of project
- Maps and/or project location
- Description of construction or demolition activities, including any information on excavation or materials to be removed, extent of construction
- Deadline requested for response and what type of response you are seeking from DSWM
What should I expect to receive from TDEC-DSWM?
DSWM will review the details of projects and provide a response which may include:
- Summary of potential impacts and any issues or concerns identified during the review
- Recommendations for best management practices or actions to reduce potential impacts or address concerns with the proposed project.
- Information pertaining to permits, certifications, training, or other approvals which may be required for waste handling and disposal from DSWM.
1 If a draft Environmental Assessment or draft Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to NEPA has been developed, it should be sent with all supporting materials and a request for review to TDEC.NEPA@tn.gov.
2 Mailing address: TDEC Division of Solid Waste Management; Attn: Lisa Hughey, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 14th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243. Phone: (615) 532-0858.
Who should I contact for more information?
For specific questions regarding projects with potential solid waste, please contact Jeremy Hooper at (615) 532-0072 or jeremy.hooper@tn.gov. For specific questions regarding projects with potential hazardous waste impacts, please contact Benjamin Almassi, at (615) 837-5349 or benjamin.almassi@tn.gov.
In addition to staffing at the Nashville Central Office, DSWM staff are located in each of the eight TDEC Environmental Field Offices (EFOs), as well as the many county offices across the state. DSWM contact information within each of the EFOs is provided below.
| EFO Name | EFO Address | List of Counties in Region |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | Harry McCann Division of Solid Waste Management 1301 Riverfront Parkway, Suite 206 Chattanooga, TN 37402 423-293-8049 |
Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, McMinn, Marion, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, Sequatchie |
| Columbia | Steve Wintheiser Division of Solid Waste Management 1421 Hampshire Pike Columbia, TN 38401 931-449-9028 |
Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, Wayne |
| Cookeville | Nick Stengel Division of Solid Waste Management 1221 South Willow Ave Cookeville, TN 38506 615-406-9649 |
Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Fentress, Grundy, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, White |
| Jackson | Clift Jeter Division of Solid Waste Management 1625 Hollywood Dr Jackson, TN 38305 731-223-0005 |
Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, McNairy, Madison, Obion, Weakly |
| Johnson City | Chris Lamb Division of Solid Waste Management 2305 Silverdale Rd Johnson City, TN 37601 423-794-7119 |
Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington |
| Knoxville | Revendra Awasthi Division of Solid Waste Management 3711 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37921 865-306-1862 |
Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Cumberland, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Union |
| Memphis | Herb Nicholson Division of Solid Waste Management 8383 Wolf Lake Drive Bartlett, TN 38133-4119 901-481-5003 |
Fayette, Shelby, Tipton |
| Nashville | Mike Horsley Division of Solid Waste Management 711 R.S. Gass Blvd Nashville, TN 37243 615-347-0615 |
Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, Wilson |
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Division of Underground Storage Tanks (UST) is happy to answer questions and provide technical assistance pertaining to any inquiries pertaining to petroleum underground storage tanks.
There are many projects that seek TDEC-UST’s review through a request for environmental consultation. The term “environmental consultation” includes but is not limited to environmental review requests, phase I or II environmental site assessment investigations, or requests for information for projects in the scoping phase for planned preparation of an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).1
What type of projects are suitable for environmental consultation from TDEC-UST?
Projects suitable for environmental consultation from UST may include any project with potential land use impacts, any project in areas with current or past underground storage tanks, and/or ongoing or past underground storage tank site clean ups. Examples include but are not limited to: road construction; facility construction; utility improvements and expansion; and property acquisitions.
Requests for consultation pertaining to any of the aforementioned purposes may be submitted directly to Michelle Pruett in TDEC-UST at Michelle.Pruett@tn.gov. Electronic submittal of requests and supporting documentation are preferred. 2
What should I include in my request to TDEC-UST?
When submitting a request for environmental consultation to UST, the following documentation is helpful. Please keep in mind that the level of detail provided with your request dictates the level of detail provided within UST’s response.
- Detailed description of project
- Maps and any .shp or .mxd files available of proposed project area with coordinates
- If areas have been eliminated from consideration for the proposed project, documentation should clearly state which areas are still being considered
- If .shp or .mxd files are not available, please ensure roads, landmarks, etc. are included
- Deadline requested for response and what type of response you are seeking from UST
What should I expect to receive from TDEC-UST?
UST will review the details of projects and provide a response which may include:
- Description of any known current or past petroleum underground storage tank sites or remediation activities in or near the project area.
- Recommendations for best management practices or actions to reduce potential impacts or address concerns with the proposed project.
- Information pertaining to permits, certifications, training, or other approvals which may be required from UST.
Who should I contact for more information?
For specific questions regarding projects with potential petroleum underground storage tank release or remediation concerns, please contact Michelle Pruett, at (615) 532-0973 or Michelle.Pruett@tn.gov.
In addition to staffing at the Nashville Central Office, UST staff are located in each of the eight TDEC Environmental Field Offices (EFOs), as well as the many county offices across the state. UST contact information within each of the EFOs is provided below.
1 If a draft Environmental Assessment or draft Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to NEPA has been developed, it should be sent with all supporting materials and a request for review to TDEC.NEPA@tn.gov.
2 Mailing address: TDEC Division of Underground Storage Tanks; Attn: Michelle Pruett, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 12th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243. Phone: (615) 532-0973.
| EFO Name | EFO Address | List of Counties in Region |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | Frank Pointer Division of Underground Storage Tanks 1221 South Willow Ave Cookeville, TN 38506 (931) 337-4172 |
Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, McMinn, Marion, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, Sequatchie |
| Columbia | Dale Robinson Division of Underground Storage Tanks 1421 Hampshire Pike Columbia, TN 38401 (931) 380-3371 |
Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, Wayne |
| Cookeville | Frank Pointer Division of Underground Storage Tanks 1221 South Willow Ave Cookeville, TN 38506 (931) 337-4172 |
Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Fentress, Grundy, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, White |
| Jackson | Roshanda Forsythe Division of Underground Storage Tanks 8383 Wolf Lake Drive Bartlett, TN 38133-4119 (901) 371-3000 |
Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, McNairy, Madison, Obion, Weakly |
| Johnson City | Kevin Rice Division of Underground Storage Tanks 2305 Silverdale Rd Johnson City, TN 37601 (423) 854-5400 |
Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington |
| Knoxville | Holly Marlowe Division of Underground Storage Tanks 3711 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37921 (865) 594-6035 |
Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Cumberland, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Union |
| Memphis | Roshanda Forsythe Division of Underground Storage Tanks 8383 Wolf Lake Drive Bartlett, TN 38133-4119 (901) 371-3000 |
Fayette, Shelby, Tipton |
| Nashville | Rhonda Key Division of Underground Storage Tanks 711 R.S. Gass Blvd Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 687-7000 |
Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, Wilson |
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Division of Water Resources (DWR) is happy to answer questions and provide technical assistance pertaining to any water-related inquiry.
There are many projects that commonly seek TDEC-DWR’s review through a request for environmental consultation. The term “environmental consultation” includes but is not limited to environmental review requests, phase I or II environmental site assessment investigations, or requests for information for projects in the scoping phase for planned preparation of an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).1
What type of projects are suitable for environmental consultation from TDEC-DWR?
Projects suitable for environmental consultation from DWR generally fall into three, broad categories:
- Projects that will disturb one acre or more of land and/or will impact or are likely to impact a stream, river, lake and/or wetlands. Common examples include: road and right-of-way projects, industrial access routes, non- linear projects such as commercial or industrial site developments, local government and non-profit site projects, and mitigation projects dredging, excavation, channel widening, or straightening; constructing a dam; bank sloping or stabilization; channel relocation; water diversions or non-agricultural related water withdrawals; flooding, draining, excavating and/or filling a wetland; and road and utility crossings, and structural fill.
- Public drinking water infrastructure projects. Common examples include: new or modified drinking water plant and/or new water source (intake or ground water well); existing drinking water plant capacity upgrades new or modified treatment plant technology and upgrades distribution system expansion and/or upgrades, including service lines, water tanks and meters; and Corrective Action Plans.
- Municipal wastewater infrastructure improvement projects and decentralized wastewater technologies. Common examples include: wastewater plant capacity changes; treatment regime/technology changes/upgrades; plant optimization strategies; alternatives to direct discharges such as decentralized wastewater treatment projects; large subsurface sewage disposal systems; collection system upgrades/reported overflows; nature of water quality challenges; and Corrective Action Plans.
Requests for consultation pertaining to any of the aforementioned purposes may be submitted directly to a dedicated email address for reviews: dwr.environmentalreview@tn.gov. Electronic submittal of requests and supporting documentation are preferred. 2
What should I include in my request to TDEC-DWR?
When submitting a request for environmental consultation to TDEC-DWR, the following documentation is helpful. Please keep in mind that the level of detail provided with your request dictates the level of detail provided within DWR’s response.
- All projects should include:
- Narrative and scope of project
- Locational information, such as coordinates and a map of the site and critical components (e.g., source water bodies, intakes, discharge sites, etc.) to scale
- Engineered site plans, specs, and/or schematics
- Estimated amount of land to be disturbed for the project as a whole
- If the project includes construction of a facility, name of the public water system that will serve the business or location
- For projects impacting streams, rivers, lakes and/or wetlands:
- Hydrologic determination of the site, if available, prepared by a Qualified Hydrologic Professional
- An inventory of aquatic resources (wetlands, streams, farm ponds/impoundments) located within the scope of the project. Strive to include all aquatic resources within the project plans whether such water features are thought to be affected or not.
- Estimate or description of known impacts to water resources
- Anti-degradation social and economic benefit justification if project anticipated to cause more than degradation of a small magnitude
- Endangered species and state species of concern, if known
- Known Brownfields, historic structures or other relevant environmental/archeological information
- Requests for reviews of public drinking water infrastructure projects should include, when available:
- Name of relevant municipality, utility or utility district and contact information
- Groundwater tests
- Known source water treatability concerns
- Requests for reviews of municipal wastewater infrastructure improvement projects and decentralized wastewater technologies should include, when available:
- Name of receiving stream
- River mile of wastewater discharge location, if applicable
- Wastewater treatment technology proposed or being utilized
- Wastewater characterization
- Soil mapping information where treated wastewater is re-introduced through soil resources
What should I expect to receive from TDEC-DWR?
DWR units will review the details of projects and provide a response which may include:
- Description of any known environmental concerns, impacts, or other information deemed relevant (for example, aquatic resource impacts, geologic information, or locations of known underground injection control sites or private wells within the project area).
- Recommendations for best management practices or actions to reduce potential impacts or address concerns with the proposed project
- Information pertaining to permits, certifications, or other approvals which may be required from DWR.
Who should I contact for more information?
- For specific questions regarding projects impacting streams, rivers, lakes, and/or wetlands, please contact Lee Barber, Natural Resources Unit Manager, at (615) 532-3292 or Lee.2.Barber@tn.gov.
- Specific questions regarding drinking water infrastructure may be submitted to Anna Sartors, Drinking Water Unit Engineer, at (615) 532-0159, or Anna.R.Sartors@tn.gov.
- Questions regarding wellhead protection areas, geology considerations and underground injection control may be submitted to Brian Ham, Environmental Consultant, at (615) 532-9224 or Brian.Ham@tn.gov .
- For questions pertaining to point source discharge systems (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits), please contact Vojin Janjic, Water-Based Systems Unit Manager, at (615) 532-0191 or Vojin.Janjic@tn.gov.
- For questions pertaining to onsite wastewater disposal systems (State Operating Permits (SOPs), decentralized projects and subsurface sewage disposal systems), please contact Brad Harris, Land-Based Systems Unit manager, at (615) 532-0191 or Brad.Harris@tn.gov.
- For questions pertaining to stormwater runoff please contact Ann Morbitt, Integrated Water Resources Consultant, at (615) 687-7119 or Ann.Morbitt@tn.gov.
1 If a draft Environmental Assessment or draft Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to NEPA has been developed, it should be sent with all supporting materials and a request for review to TDEC.NEPA@tn.gov.
2 Mailing address if necessary: TDEC Division of Water Resources; Attn: Tom Moss, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 11th Floor, Nashville,TN 37243.
In addition to staffing at the Nashville Central Office, DWR staff are located in each of the eight TDEC Environmental Field Offices, as well as the many county offices across the state. DWR contact information within each of the field offices is provided below.
| EFO Name | EFO Address | List of Counties in Region |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | Jennifer Innes, Mgr Division of Water Resources 1301 Riverfront Parkway, Suite 206 Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 634-5745 |
Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, McMinn, Marion, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, Sequatchie |
| Columbia | Sherry Glass, Mgr Division of Water Resources 1421 Hampshire Pike Columbia, TN 38401 (931) 380-3371 |
Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, Wayne |
| Cookeville | Brad Ulmer, Mgr Division of Water Resources 1221 South Willow Ave Cookeville, TN 38506 (931) 520-6672 |
Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Fentress, Grundy, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, White |
| Jackson | Conner Franklin, Mgr Division of Water Resources 1625 Hollywood Dr Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 512-1300 |
Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, McNairy, Madison, Obion, Weakly |
| Johnson City | Dane Cutshaw, Mgr Division of Water Resources 2305 Silverdale Rd Johnson City, TN 37601 (423) 854-5421 |
Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, Washington |
| Knoxville | Michael Atchley, Mgr Division of Water Resources 3711 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37921 (865) 594-6035 |
Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Cumberland, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Union |
| Memphis | Joellyn Brazile, Mgr Division of Water Resources 8383 Wolf Lake Drive Bartlett, TN 38133 (901) 371-3000 |
Fayette, Shelby, Tipton |
| Nashville | Timmy Jenette, Mgr Division of Water Resources 711 R.S. Gass Blvd Nashville, TN 37216 (615) 687-7060 |
Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, Wilson |