(1) Duties and Authority
(a) The Board shall hold public hearings for
the purpose of classifying or reclassifying waters of the state; adopting,
readopting, amending or revising standards of quality for state waters;
adopting, revising, or repealing effluent standards and limitations; adopting,
modifying, repealing and/or promulgating necessary rules and regulations; and
to formulate and adopt a State Water Quality Plan pursuant to T.C.A. §
69-3-105(e). Any
of the above stated actions may be conducted by the Board.
(b) In addition to the foregoing, the board,
or any member or members thereof, or a hearing officer designated by the chair,
shall hold hearings to review orders of the Commissioner including denial,
terms, or conditions of permits.
(2) Procedures
(a) Prior to a public hearing by the Board on
any subject as detailed in subparagraph (1)(a) of this rule, the Director shall
give notice in at least one newspaper of general circulation within the area of
the state in which the water affected is located. Notice will also be mailed to
persons who have requested that they be notified of all board hearings. The
notice shall state the date, time, place and subject of the hearing and shall
be given at least 30 days in advance of the hearing. Notice shall also be
provided electronically, where appropriate.
(b) Should any person, other than the
department or its representative, desire an audience before the Board upon the
subject announced, that person should file a written notice with the
Commissioner at the hearing.
(c)
Every person who desires an audience, and who complies with the provisions of
subparagraph (b) of this paragraph shall be granted an opportunity to present
his/her views or argument at the Board's discretion.
(3) All matters which the Department or its
representative, the Division of Water Resources, wishes to present to the board
may be submitted in writing to the Board on or before the date of said hearing
or presented orally to the Board at the hearing. Should any person wish to
petition the Board to reclassify any state water(s) or interstate waters, or to
make a change in any rule, regulation, effluent standard or limitation or water
quality standards previously adopted by the Board, such person shall petition
the Board in writing. A petition should be typed on 8 1/2 x 11 inch sized
paper, filed with the Commissioner in duplicate, addressed to the board, and
should state in a concise manner, the subject of the petition and reasons for a
proposed change. The Board chair shall set a hearing date as soon as possible,
and shall hear oral argument from the petitioner and the Department, as well as
other interested parties, with regard to petitioner's proposed change. The
Board, by a majority vote, shall decide whether the petition for a change in
regulations and/or water classification is meritorious, and render its decision
in writing to the petitioner within 30 days after the hearing. Should said
petition be of merit, the Board shall set a date for a public hearing on the
matter, or may use the date of an already scheduled public hearing; but in any
event, the Board shall give notice of a public hearing as set out in
subparagraph (2)(a) of this rule. For the purpose of this provision, a majority
of the Board is a quorum as set forth in T.C.A. §
69-3-104(d), a
majority vote of which shall constitute a final determination of the Board.
If the petition concerns the reclassification of an
interstate water or waters, the Division of Water Resources shall meet and
confer with appropriate federal authorities on possible changes in the
classification of such waters prior to any public hearing by the Board as
provided in this paragraph and in T.C.A. §
69-3-105(d). At a
public hearing, federal authorities may be present and heard by the
Board.
Any person desiring a hearing by the Board relative to the
actions by the Commissioner outlined in subparagraph (1)(b) of this rule must
file a petition requesting such hearing within 30 days of receipt of the
Commissioner's determination. Such petition must be in writing upon 8 1/2 x 11
inch paper, filed with the Commissioner in duplicate, addressed to the Board of
Water Quality, Oil and Gas and must state in numbered paragraphs the basis of
the appeal as required by the Administrative Procedures Act and regulations
promulgated thereunder. If said petition is not filed within the time allowed,
it shall not be heard.
