TDEC Announces Public Input Meeting Dates for 2015-2025 Statewide Integrated Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan
Public participation process continues with second series of meetings to engage stakeholders in developing plan that will outline how Tennessee will reduce, manage and dispose of solid waste
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today announced the second round of public participation in the process to develop the 2015-2025 Statewide Comprehensive Integrated Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan.
Public participation activities for this planning process began in March with a series of four special focus meetings attended by approximately 94 stakeholders across the state representing schools, business and industry, local solid waste management departments, development districts, city and county governments, and environmental advocacy groups. Stakeholders were invited to share their ideas and priorities for the plan that will serve as a roadmap for the state’s activities to reduce and manage solid waste in the future.
The next opportunity for public participation will include four public input meetings May 5-8, 2014, in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville and Jackson. In addition, one interactive Web-based meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 7, to encourage participation by stakeholders unable to attend the other meetings. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about alternatives for managing waste that are being considered in response to priorities identified in the special focus meetings and through written comments submitted to date.
The format for the public input meetings will include a presentation regarding priorities and various options for addressing them – including the opportunity for feedback from participants regarding acceptable and preferred methods to move toward achieving goals to improve solid waste and materials management in Tennessee – followed by an opportunity for additional comments or questions.
Participants are also encouraged to bring written comments and questions, which will be collected during the meetings and considered in the creation of the plan. Comments and questions may also be submitted to TDEC’s Division of Solid Waste Management at any time at solid.waste@tn.gov.
Later this year, a series of public hearings will be planned to obtain public comment on the proposed plan. Ultimately, the plan will require approval by the Underground Storage Tanks and Solid Waste Disposal Control Board.
The schedule for the public input meetings includes:
Time and Date | Location |
Monday, May 5 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT | Knoxville Environmental Field Office 3711 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37921 |
Tuesday, May 6 1 – 3 p.m. EDT | Chattanooga Public Library First Floor Auditorium 1001 Broad St. Chattanooga, TN 37402 |
Wednesday, May 7 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. CDT / Noon – 2 p.m. EDT | Web-based Meeting Details for joining this meeting will be posted as soon as they are finalized at: |
Wednesday, May 7 3 – 5 p.m. CDT | Ellington Agricultural Center Ed Jones Auditorium 416 Hogan Rd. Nashville, TN 37220 |
Thursday, May 8 10 a.m. – Noon CDT
| Jackson State Community College Ayers Auditorium 2046 North Pkwy. Jackson, TN 38301 |
Stakeholders interested in the process are invited to keep up to date on public input opportunities and materials on TDEC’s website at http://www.tn.gov/environment/solid-waste/plan-2025.shtml.
Questions or comments about the process for developing the 2015-2025 Statewide Comprehensive Integrated Solid Waste and Materials Management Plan may also be submitted by email to TDEC’s Division of Solid Waste Management at solid.waste@tn.gov or mailed to the department c/o Larry Christley, TDEC Division of Solid Waste Management, William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., 14th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243.
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