April 11, 2011
TCWN Appeals Zeb Mountain Permit


Tennessee Clean Water Network, Sierra Club and Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment files an appeal to the permit issued by TDEC to Zeb Mountain. We found the following deficiencies: 1) the permit limits are unenforceable; 2) many of the streams were considered "wet weather conveyances", not streams and therefore not regulated; and 3) TDEC failed to notify us when the issued the permit even though we sued Zeb Mtn and we commented on this permit. National Coal LLc also appealed. They don't want selenium or total suspended solid limits and claimed the permit was unconstitutional! To read more, click here. Zeb Mountain arial view. Runoff from this site has high levels of selenium which are toxic to fish, aquatic life and humans.


TCWN and other organizations threatened by lone emailer Some days are more exciting than others and that certainly was the case on Thursday April 7, 2011. On that day we recieved a chilling email from Mr. Jeff L. Baker. Mr. Baker heard us speak at a recent Knox County Commission meeting on a plan to control hillside and ridgetop development. He also heard the League of Women Voters and the Sierra Club. Mr. Baker was so incensed that groups used their First Amendment Right of Free Speech, that he decided a little virtual intimidation might silence us. He sent an email to the Knoxville City Council and Knox County Commission stating that tax exempt groups may be endangered of losing their status by lobbying for this plan. Mr. Baker then blind cc'd numerous groups in the Knoxville area including TCWN, the Sierra Club and some neighborhood associations. TCWN responded swiftly. We will not tolerate attempts to silence our voice when it comes to protecting clean water. Mr. Baker did not respond to our emails. To read his email, our response and information on strategic litigation against public participation, click here. In order for us to protect clean water and your right to speak up about it, click the donate button and help us protect your right to speak freely today. Tennessee's beautiful rivers and streams need protection.	Events April 16, 2011 EarthFest - Knoxville April 16, 2011 Little River Fest - Maryville Benefits the Little River Watershed Association May 2 - 4, 2011 Flow Conference and Clean Water Act Workshop - Nashville Sponsored by American Rivers & Instream Flow Council June 3 - 6, 2011 National River Rally - North Charleston, South Carolina Registration is now open! June 11, 2011 - Catfish Rodeo - Nashville Benefit for Cumberland River Compact September 24, 2011 - Inagural Duncan-Williams Dragon Boat Race s in Memphis Benefits Tennesse Clean Water Network October 1, 2011 - Harpeth River Swing Benefits Harpeth River Watershed Association. In order to keep doing the work we do, we need your help. Please become a member today!

Tel: (865) 522.7007
P.O. Box 1521, Knoxville TN 37901