§ 43-14-206 — Additional duties and powers of commission

In addition to other duties and powers conferred upon the commission in this part, the commission may: (1) Assist supervisors in carrying out of their powers and programs, including working to provide training for supervisors and district employees, with an emphasis on proper financial management processes and procedures; (2) Inform supervisors of the activities and experience of other districts, and facilitate an interchange of advice and experience among the districts and cooperation between them, with a focus on communicating district successes in measurably lessening soil erosion rates, leading districts to engage with landowners who may be experiencing excessive soil erosion and water quality impacts, and better defining the interrelationship between soil erosion reductions and benefits to water and other natural resources; (3) Adopt resolutions and policies to facilitate the work of the districts and promulgate rules as necessary and appropriate; (4) Coordinate the programs of the districts by advice and consultation and encourage districts to partner on projects that cross district boundaries if necessary and appropriate to lessen soil erosion; (5) Secure the cooperation and assistance of the United States and any of its agencies, and of the agencies of this state, in the work of watershed districts established under title 69, chapter 6 and soil and water conservation districts; (6) Disseminate information throughout this state concerning the activities and programs of the soil and water conservation districts and watershed districts, and encourage and facilitate the formation of such districts in areas where their organization is desirable; (7) Constitute the state agency having the sole responsibility to administer and approve watershed districts and programs under federal law; (8) Collect and disseminate data and information concerning the causes, extent, and location of soil erosion problems in this state and encourage the funding of comprehensive research projects to study alternative solutions to these problems; (9) Collaborate with the state and national associations of conservation districts to leverage their advice, financial assistance, and consultation to assist the supervisors and employees of the districts with providing services to landowners and land occupiers to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality; (10) Develop and maintain a comprehensive statewide plan for the conservation of Tennessee's soils, including a plan to measurably reduce sedimentation impacts to Tennessee waters, and revise the plan as needed, and at least every five (5) years, in consultation with appropriate sources of information; and (11) Prepare and submit annually to the commissioner a report of the progress regarding, and a budget request adequate to fund, the implementation of soil and water conservation programs in this state.

Legislative History

Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 203, s 2, eff. 4/22/2021. Acts 1939, ch. 197, § 4; C. Supp. 1950, § 552.4 (Williams, § 552.34); Acts 1957, ch. 158, § 1; 1959, ch. 164, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 43-1506; Acts 1986, ch. 888, § 2.