A bill that passed out of the state House Environment and Conservation Committee today would change the way the state determines where a stream starts. Environmentalists say that undermines existing safeguards for clean water.
The bill would let outside experts decide whether a path water flows down in wet weather amounts to a stream. That makes a difference in terms of the environmental considerations developers have to make.
Tennessee Conservation Voters lobbyist Stewart Clifton says the bill is a boon to coal miners, road builders and developers. Clifton says it lets paid consultants fill the role of the Department of Environment and Conservation.
“We’re running the risk of turning what should be an impartial decision-making by a group that’s to protect the public, into a private-consultant-driven process.”
Despite objections from Clifton and others, the bill moved forward. Sponsor Joe McCord says outside experts would have to be recognized by the department and follow its rules, and the state would still have the final word in any disputes.
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