Water Infrastructure Advisory Committee

Background

The State of Tennessee is dedicating $1.35 billion dollars in funding for water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure enhancements as part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan (ARP). Several entities within state government currently have responsibilities in statute and rule relating to water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, including but not limited to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD), and the Comptroller of the Treasury. Further, a variety of stakeholders both internal and external to state government, including communities and organizations representing their interests, have a vested interest in ensuring strategic use of this funding to improve Tennessee’s water infrastructure. Given the volume of funding that the State of Tennessee will be receiving and distributing, it is prudent for the State of Tennessee to form a multidisciplinary advisory group, a Water Infrastructure Advisory Committee (WIAC), to support identification of water infrastructure priorities to advance with this funding, identifying projects and activities well suited for these funds, ensuring responsible, transparent, and compliant administration of these funds, and tracking progress, outputs and outcomes associated with projects and activities. The WIAC is chaired and convened by TDEC and reports out to the Governor’s Office Financial Stimulus Accountability Group (FSAG).

Membership

The WIAC includes representation of a wide variety of interests germane to water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. TDEC serves as convener and chair of this group and provide basic administrative support. Representation on the committee follows.

First Last Organization
David Salyers TDEC
Greg Young TDEC
Brooxie Carlton ECD
Tony Niknejad Governor's Office
Eugene Neubert F&A
Ross Colona Comptroller of the Treasury
Steve Southerland Tennessee General Assembly
Chris Todd Tennessee General Assembly
David Connor Tennessee County Services Association
Bob Freudenthal Tennessee Association of Utility Districts
Kasey Anderson American Council of Engineering Companies – Tennessee
Eric Gardner Williamson County Schools, ASCE Tennessee Section President
Scott Potter Nashville Metro Water Services
Anthony Pelham Warren County Utility District
Brett Ward University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service, MTAS
Mekayle Houghton Cumberland River Compact
Sarah  Houston Protect Our Aquifer
Natalie Hanson National Utility Contractors Association - Middle Tennessee 
Anthony Haynes Tennessee Municipal League
Daren  Gore City of Murfreesboro 
Mike  Patrick Hamilton County WWTA
LaTricea Adams Black Millennials for Flint; Shelby County Schools
Michael Skipper Greater Nashville Regional Council

Goals & Objectives

  • Advise and guide the prioritization of programs, projects and activities (a) supporting enhanced water infrastructure, (b) meeting ARP eligibility requirements, and (c) supporting achievement of other objectives as defined by the Governor’s Office and Tennessee State Government agencies;
  • Support the implementation of water infrastructure programs, projects, and activities awarded ARP funds;
  • Support the disbursement of funds associated with water infrastructure programs, projects, and activities;
  • Support the strategic coordination of state- and local-government-allocated ARP funds;
  • Support timely communication of information relating to Tennessee’s planned use of ARP funds to interested stakeholders and the public;
  • Provide transparency and accountability regarding Tennessee State Government’s use of ARP funds for water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure enhancements;
  • Support Tennessee State Government and sub-recipient compliance with ARP regulatory requirements and reporting obligations; and
  • Engage in other activities supporting use of ARP funds in Tennessee as requested by the Governor’s Office and Tennessee State Government agencies.

Roles/Responsibilities for WIAC Members

  • Attending and participating in regularly scheduled meetings, which are anticipated to occur at least twice annually, but more frequently if needed, from September 2021 to December 2026.
  • Respectfully representing interests and concerns of the organization/peer group that the member is representing as it relates to water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure in Tennessee.
  • Participating in TDEC report outs to the advisory committee on approved projects for ARP funds.
  • Review of any materials provided to the advisory committee and provision of input as requested.
  • Identification of additional information, research, or expertise as needed.

Meeting Materials

Questions? TDEC.ARP@tn.gov

This Page Last Updated: January 18, 2023 at 3:43 PM