The 2010 draft construction stormwater permit is out for public review.  TCWN is working with other environmental groups to thorough review the draft permit, but her is a quick breakdown of the major changes:

• Sites covered under the current CGP automatically get coverage under the new CGP,
• Buffers are now required on all streams,
• Coverage under the permit may be delayed until other required permits (ARAP, wastewater, etc.) are issued,
• Quality assurance of the erosion prevention and sediment controls structures must be done by a licensed engineer or landscape architect,
• EPSCs must be consistent with the state’s EPSC handbook,
• Physical and chemical treatment must be conducted in accordance with the manufacturer’s protocol,
• All inspections require documentation,
• EPA’s construction stormwater effluent limitation guidelines were added.

Go to TDEC’s public participation page to check out the permit.

TCWN in conjunction with Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment (SOCM), the TN Chapter of the Sierra Club, and TN Environmental Council (TEC) created and submitted a questionnaire on a range of environmental issues to gubernatorial candidates Mike McWherter and Bill Haslam.  Their responses are in and can be checked out here.

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.

In April, President Obama announced the creation of the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative – now it’s our chance to weigh in.

The President’s Initiative is a critical opportunity to enhance the stewardship of our nation’s rivers and increase ways for the public to enjoy them.  The Obama administration is reaching out to the public to listen to our priorities. In their own words, the administration aims “to develop a conservation agenda worthy of the 21st century and to reconnect Americans with our great outdoors.”

We’re working with American Rivers to get Obama to take bold action as well. Specifically, we’re asking the Administration to: (1) launch a new Blueways Initiative to improve recreation and protect river corridors; (2) designate more places as wild and scenic rivers and as wilderness; and (3) fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a national matching fund for parks and conservation.

The listening session is scheduled for Nashville on August 27, 10:00 a.m. at the Main Branch of the Nashville Public Library.

To learn more about this session, click here.

Learn more about Blueways which include water trails.
http://www.americanrivers.org/our-work/protecting-rivers/blue-trails/

Learn more about the President’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative
http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/Americas-Great-Outdoors-Video.cfm

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.