Tennessee Senate Bill SB0407

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/23
• Engrossed: 3/16/23
• Enrolled: 4/20/23
• Passed: 5/5/23
• Chaptered: 5/17/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 69, Chapter 3, Part 1, relative to water quality.

Impact

The enactment of SB 407 is expected to have significant implications for the management of aquatic resources within Tennessee. By allowing for the commercial extraction of sediments from state-owned waterways, the bill seeks to create a framework that is beneficial for industries involved in such activities. Additionally, the bill stipulates compensation to the state from permit holders, which aims to ensure that the state receives financial return on resources extracted from its land. This could potentially increase state revenues but also raises considerations regarding the environmental impacts of increased extraction activities.

Summary

Senate Bill 407 aims to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated with respect to water quality by introducing a new permitting process for the alteration of aquatic resources. Specifically, it allows the Department of Environment and Conservation to issue permits for the commercial recovery of sand, gravel, and similar sediments from streams and wetlands that are state-owned. The bill establishes conditions under which these permits can be granted, particularly stressing the need for consent from private property owners if the operations occur on private lands.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding SB 407 appears to favor the facilitation of economic growth through resource extraction, reflecting a pro-business stance. However, there may be concerns among environmental advocates regarding the implications of increased sediment removal on local ecosystems and water quality. The sentiment could be described as cautiously optimistic among industry stakeholders, who view the bill as a way to streamline the permitting process while ensuring the state benefits financially from the extraction.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding SB 407 center on the balance between economic development and environmental protection. While the bill is positioned as a means to bolster resource extraction industries, critics may argue that it could lead to potential over-exploitation of aquatic resources. There are concerns that even with regulation, the removal of sediments could have detrimental effects on water quality and aquatic habitats, which may incite debates over the adequacy of environmental safeguards included in the permitting process.