April 14, 2010 -  TCWN released a report on the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's (TDEC) enforcement program through the Division of Water Pollution Control.  This report dispels the myths at the Tennessee State Legislature that TDEC over enforces and targets agriculture.
 
Today the Tennessee Clean Water Network (TCWN) releases the first in a series of reports on the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) water protection programs. The first report focuses on TDEC’s enforcement program.  Using data from 2008 enforcement actions found on TDEC’s website, TCWN found the following.Of all enforcement actions for violations of water quality:
•    73% were taken against pollution activities associated with development
•    62% of enforcement actions were taken for minor permit violations not associated with a pollution event.
•    Only 2% of enforcement actions were against the farming community but not for farming activities.  They were for development activities on farm land and an industrial farm operating without a permit.
•    65% of fines were under $2,000.
•    Most enforcement actions occur in or around TDEC field offices
 
To read the report, click here.