REGULATORY CLASSIFICATION
OF WATERCOURSES

Implementation of Public Chapter
Number 464

With the passage of Public Chapter Number 464, the Tennessee General Assembly amended the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act of 1977 to clarify the regulatory status of watercourses in Tennessee and to establish qualifications for persons who conduct hydrologic determinations. In this context, a hydrologic determination is the classification of a watercourse as either a stream or a wet weather conveyance. As required by the law, the division presented to the Tennessee Water Quality Control Board, at their September meeting, draft rules for implementation, proposed guidance on minimum qualifications for division staff who are responsible for making or reviewing wet weather conveyance determinations, and a draft guidance manual for conducting hydrologic determinations. We are inviting comment on all of the posted documents.

Comments can be sent to:

Dan Eagar
Division of Water Pollution Control
7th Floor, L&C Annex
401 Church Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37241-1534
Email:  dan.eagar@tn.gov

The division is also in the process of developing a training course for conducting hydrologic determinations.  Successful completion of the training course is proposed as one of the requirements for certification as a Hydrologic Professional. The training will not be available until the rulemaking has been substantially completed, since significant modification of the draft rule could affect the content of the course.  We expect to begin delivery of the training program in the Spring of 2010.Training will be available subject to payment of a fee and on available space in the classes.  When more detailed information is available, it will be posted at this site.