Department of Environment & Conservation
Robert Martineau, Commissioner

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) promotes healthy and safe communities and quality environmental education for the benefit of the environment, public health and economy. The department is committed to protecting the health of Tennessee's citizens and its environment, and to promoting environmental equity in the administration of its programs to the extent it may do so legally and practicably. The department supports the objectives of achieving environmental equity for all Tennesseans.

"Environmental Justice" is based on the principle that all people should be protected from environmental pollution and have the right to a clean and healthy environment.

Environmental justice is:

» protection of the health of the people of Tennessee and its environment,

» equity in the administration of the State's environmental programs, and

» provision of adequate opportunities for meaningful involvement of all people with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is an essential component of the principles of environmental justice. Title VI states, “No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” 42 U.S.C. §2000d

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is committed to ensuring all management staff, contractees, and service beneficiaries are aware of the provisions of and responsibilities associated with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.