TDEC finalized and issued the permit for stormwater discharges from certain small municipal separate storm sewer systems (Phase II MS4s).  Earlier this year TCWN worked with several other groups to review and submit comments on the draft version of this permit.  A few of these comments were incorporated into the final permit, but overall the permit was not significantly altered.  Click here to see the final permit, response to comments and other information about municipal stormwater.

Mercury has contaminated Beech Creek in Wayne County making the fish in the stream dangerous to eat and recreation in the water a threat to human health.  Beech Creek is a direct tributary to the Tennessee River as it enters the state from Alabama.  TDEC is still investigating the cause and will be updating the public.  Click here to read the full story in the Tennessean.

According to TDEC a Weakley County hog farmer intentionally pumped out his waste lagoon into Little Cypress Creek causing a fish kill and turning the rural creek an odd red color.  This blatant destruction of the stream eliminated all dissolved oxygen, creating a situation in which nothing can live in the creek for now.  TDEC is taking the appropriate measures and warning residents to avoid contact with the water.  It’s unfortunate one farmer’s irresponsible actions have such lasting repercussions.  Read the full story.

Last week TDEC finalized the changes to the general Aquatic Resource Alteration Permits (ARAPs).  These ARAPs are for smaller, less impacing projects proposing to physically impact waters of the state and do not require mitigation.  As is typical, TCWN submitted comments when the draft permits were put on public notice.  We had some minor success in response to our comments.  The overall problem with these general permits is their use on smaller aspects of large projects.  For example, using a general permit for multiple small road crossing in a project impacting thousands of feet of stream covering several acres.  The result can be hundreds of feet of stream lost without any mitigation.

Well, TDEC agreed “with the intent of not using the general permits in incremental means to allow larger alterations.”  Additional language will be put in the general ARAP for road crossings so the permit is not used in such a way.  A small step, but a very important one to prevent unmitigated, permanent loss of our important water resources.  Click here to see TDEC’s response to all comments.

Last week EPA announced its intent “to propose a limited set of targeted changes to the water quality standards regulation.”  According to the Agency this is an effort to improve water quality.  To learn more, go to EPA’s website.

There will also be listening sessions for the public August 24 and 26.