NEW Congressional Bill- A bipartisan bill passed recently in Congress clarifying that the federal government is required to pay stormwater fees. The bill was cosponsored by Senators Ben Cardin (Maryland) and James Inhofe (Oklahoma). The bill identifies fees are “reasonable service charges,” and not taxes. This allows jurisdictions to collect revenue to help comply and implement water protection efforts in their communities.
New State permits are also part of this process, to help protect our important water resources. Emphasis is placed on low impact development and green infrastructure to reduce runoff and erosion while encouraging water infiltration onsite.
- NEW TDEC 2010 Phase II MS4 Stormwater permit
(issued August 31, 2010/ effective October 1, 2010). This permit is a mandate from EPA and TDEC. Penalties exist for non-compliance. From the effective date 10/1/10, submittal is due within 90 days for existing MS4s and 180 days for newly designated MS4s unless an extension is granted by TDEC. Updates at: www.tn.gov
- New TDEC 2010 Phase II Notice of Intent/NOI form (and revised Item D Addendum)
Submittal for existing MS4s, due 90 days and newly designated MS4s, due 180 days from effective date.
- New TDEC 2010 Phase II Annual Report Form
- NEW PENDING TDEC Construction General Permit (CGP): The last Public Hearing was held by TDEC on 12/8/2010. It is expected to be issued soon in early 2011. Updates at: www.tn.gov
Compliance- TNSA strives to find solutions and partnering opportunities to benefit your water quality issues and storm water program needs. Permit compliance doesn’t have to be expensive. There are low-cost solutions and partnering opportunities to help you meet your goals. Various types of resources exist (print, video, audio, etc). Check often to see what education/outreach, partnering, funding, training and cost-sharing opportunities exist.
TNSA MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES
Networking-
- Be sure to Log onto the Discussion Board to converse with MS4s for program implementation strategies
- Attend your regional meetings to meet with other MS4 groups and obtain resource materials and opportunities being distributed.
Education/ Resources-
Currently, there are educational opportunities underway so contact Cynthia Allen today to SIGN UP and be included in these low cost outreach solutions!
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RADIO ADS - The current campaign is underway, so be sure to sign up as a participant if you would like to utilize the documented airplay for MS4 storm water permit education campaigns. TDEC supports this statewide initiative. Distribution is coordinated through TNSA, using the MTSU WaterWorks public service announcements and coordination of distribution through a contract with TN Association of Broadcasters (TAB). Participation counts towards your MS4 permit compliance under public education efforts. |
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BULK PRINTING OPTIONS - Free and low-cost state-wide coordinated bulk-printing opportunities are available through the grant partnership with TN Dept of Agriculture’s Division of Nonpoint Source Pollution. The first statewide printing was recently coordinated and bulk printing is underway for useful community resources. |
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YOUTH EDUCATION BOOKLETS - WaterWorks! developed a new 16 pg, full-color booklet Discover the Waters of Tennessee in partnership with Project WET Foundation as part of their award-winning KIDS series. Activities are correlated to the state standards for use in the classroom. A variety of educational topics include watersheds, topography, storm water, flooding, wildlife, geology and water conservation. If you are interested in ordering booklets for distribution in your area, contact Cynthia Allen for special discounted rates available through MTSU WaterWorks. |
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VIDEO ADS - Preparations are underway to begin making duplicates of masters for the public service video announcements and to distribute them to our community TNSA partners. These can be used on public access channels and website use. This is a service provided under the current education grant, but these can also be localized (at a small cost to each MS4) and reformatted for web use. |
Upcoming Events- Dates of Interest
Dates of Interest are listed regularly so watch for TNSA Calendar, updates and emails from TNSA staff about upcoming events. |
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There are upcoming TNSA Regional meetings held quarterly statewide. Please check back or contact your regional representative to attend. |
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| TNSA - Members In the News….. |
Bragging Rights…
TNSA members, be sure to contribute articles to John Chlarson to share program successes and happenings
around TN. |
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Coming Soon—updates and highlights about the 2009-2010 Green Infrastructure Grant Projects.
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RESOURCES
TNSA strives to find solutions and partnering opportunities to benefit your water quality issues and storm water program needs. Permit compliance doesn’t have to be expensive. There are low-cost solutions and partnering opportunities to help you meet your goals. Various types of resources exist (print, video, audio, etc). See below for a listing of some of these materials and sources.
We’re all in this together. Many partners have contributed their resources to further benefit water quality. Please contact us for specific resources you can share, or if you are aware of additional resources that should be listed here. Working together, we all benefit.
TNSA Member Clearinghouse (Currently Under Construction)
We will be developing this ‘clearinghouse’ more fully to serve as a compilation of many effective watershed resources that stormwater managers and environmental advocacy groups across TN can use in the implementation of local programs. Please share your feedback and available resources with us so we can make this efficient and effective for users. If you’re looking for a particular resource, please contact Cynthia Allen or John Chlarson. Meanwhile, some helpful resources and details are provided below regarding:
- Networking and vendor opportunities
- Education and outreach resources
- Permit Compliance Resources
NETWORKING AND VENDOR OPPORTUNITIES
- Networking/ Dialog-
- Discussion Board - Log onto the on this website to converse with other MS4s for program implementation strategies.
- TNSA Regional meetings - attend to meet with other MS4 groups and to obtain any new resources being distributed. Contacts for those are listed on the Membership page of this website.
- Vendor Opportunities-
- Discount rates -Opportunities exist for discounts to TNSA members. Examples of these include lab rates, MS4 permitting software, etc. Contact Cynthia Allen for details.
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH RESOURCES
Currently, there are educational opportunities underway so contact Cynthia Allen today to SIGN UP and be included in these low cost outreach solutions!
- Radio –
- Campaign is underway using the MTSU WaterWorks public service announcements and coordination of distribution through a contract with TN Association of Broadcasters (TAB). Be sure to sign up as a participant if you would like to utilize the documented airplay for MS4 storm water permit education campaigns. Distribution is coordinated through TNSA. Participation counts towards MS4 permit compliance under public education efforts, as TDEC recognizes and supports this goal for a consistent and recognizable statewide campaign. Contact Cynthia Allen for details and rates.
- Print Resources-
- Coordinated Bulk-Printing Opportunities- TNSA has a partnership agreement with TN Dept of Agriculture’s Division of Nonpoint Source Pollution for bulk printing opportunities at no cost to TNSA members. Coordinated statewide printing is underway for useful community resources that target nonpoint source pollution problems and solutions. Many items can be eligible. Examples include the 3part MTSU brochure series targeting Homeowners, Farmers and Construction sites and items from the EPA Toolbox and local jurisdictions. Contact Cynthia Allen for details.
- Pre-Printed Resources- Opportunities are available for pre-printed materials through a variety of sources…many are pre-printed, low-cost or even free!
- NRCS Distribution Center : a great site to check out for a variety of resources that can be mailed and bulk ordered at no cost. Details and contact at www.nrcspad.sc.egov.usda.gov
- NEW Discover the Waters of Tennessee booklet- developed by MTSU WaterWorks! in partnership with TN Dept of Agriculture and Project WET Foundation. The 16 pg, full-color booklets can be ordered at a minimal and discounted cost through MTSU WaterWorks for distribution in your area. The booklet is part of Project WET’s award-winning KIDS series and is being targeted at youth and non-formal public education to highlight the unique water resources of Tennessee and the environmental and regional influences upon them. It will be implemented as an educational tool and outreach throughout all of Tennessee (among a network of communities, schools, watersheds etc) as an educational youth booklet with activities correlated to the state standards for ease of use in the classroom. A variety of educational topics include watersheds, topography, storm water, flooding, wildlife, geology and water conservation. Contact Cynthia Allen or (615) 898-2660.
- Guide to Traveling the Watersheds of Tennessee Bulk guides are available for statewide distribution. TNSA was a partner in the development of the new watershed guides available to citizens across the state. The guide includes a map of Tennessee watersheds, and was developed to teach citizens ‘what is a watershed’ and what main watersheds are found throughout TN. It was designed as supplement education to the watershed signs visible along the main highways of the state. The Map Guides supplement the TDEC/TDOT watershed signs statewide and are available to communities for public distribution. They can also be found at Rest Areas and Welcome Centers across TN. Contact Cynthia Allen for details. Also see www.tn.gov.
- Video- Preparations are underway to begin making duplicates of masters for the public service video announcements and to distribute them to our community TNSA partners. These can be used on public access channels and website use. This is a service provided under the current education grant, but these can also be localized (at a small cost to each MS4) and reformatted for web use. Contact Cynthia Allen for details.
PERMIT AND COMPLIANCE RESOURCES
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC)
TRAINING
FUNDING
MS4/ Stormwater Member Contact Information
To view TNSA members, associated programs, and watershed information across the state, click on the thumbnail to access a high-resolution, interactive TN Watershed map. Beneficial information can be found easily by clicking on individual County and Watershed map regions.
Downloads
In order to view some resources, the following free downloads are available:
Right click and select "Save Target As" to save an audio or video file.
Other Helpful Links and Organizations
Various MTAS Resources
MTAS Notifications
KY/ TN American WaterWorks Association News
Water Environment Federation News
Southeast Watershed Forum News
Center for Watershed Protection News
Southeast Stormwater Association Announcements
TN Clean Water Network (TCWN) Press Releases
New Chapter - TN Association of Floodplain Managers, Nashville under the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM)
American Public Works Association
ON THE AIR!! The TNSA Statewide Radio Campaign continues in partnership with TN Association of Broadcasters (TAB). 
Bulk guides are available for distribution in your area. Contact 
