# Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-102: Declaration of policy and purpose

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-102

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-102
- **Heading:** Declaration of policy and purpose
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 69 / Chapter 3 / Section 69-3-102

## Text

(a) Recognizing that the waters of Tennessee are the property of the state and are held in public trust for the use of the people of the state, it is declared to be the public policy of Tennessee that the people of Tennessee, as beneficiaries of this trust, have a right to unpolluted waters. In the exercise of its public trust over the waters of the state, the government of Tennessee has an obligation to take all prudent steps to secure, protect, and preserve this right. (b) It is further declared that the purpose of this part is to abate existing pollution of the waters of Tennessee, to reclaim polluted waters, to prevent the future pollution of the waters, and to plan for the future use of the waters so that the water resources of Tennessee might be used and enjoyed to the fullest extent consistent with the maintenance of unpolluted waters. (c) Moreover, an additional purpose of this part is to enable the state to qualify for full participation in the national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) established under § 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Public Law 92-500 ( 33 U.S.C. § 1342 ). (d) Additionally, it is intended that all procedures in this part shall be in conformity with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. Acts 1971, ch. 164, § 2; 1977, ch. 366, § 1; T.C.A., § 70-325; Acts 1992, ch. 684, § 1.
(a) Recognizing that the waters of Tennessee are the property of the state and are held in public trust for the use of the people of the state, it is declared to be the public policy of Tennessee that the people of Tennessee, as beneficiaries of this trust, have a right to unpolluted waters. In the exercise of its public trust over the waters of the state, the government of Tennessee has an obligation to take all prudent steps to secure, protect, and preserve this right.
(b) It is further declared that the purpose of this part is to abate existing pollution of the waters of Tennessee, to reclaim polluted waters, to prevent the future pollution of the waters, and to plan for the future use of the waters so that the water resources of Tennessee might be used and enjoyed to the fullest extent consistent with the maintenance of unpolluted waters.
(c) Moreover, an additional purpose of this part is to enable the state to qualify for full participation in the national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) established under § 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Public Law 92-500 ( 33 U.S.C. § 1342 ).
(d) Additionally, it is intended that all procedures in this part shall be in conformity with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
Acts 1971, ch. 164, § 2; 1977, ch. 366, § 1; T.C.A., § 70-325; Acts 1992, ch. 684, § 1.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-101 Short title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-102 Declaration of policy and purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-102.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-103 Part definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-103.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-104 Board of water quality, oil, and gas](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-104.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-105 Duties and authority of the board](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-105.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-107 Duties and authority of the commissioner](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-107.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-108 Permits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-108.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-109 Complaints - Orders for corrective action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-109.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-110 Hearings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-110.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-111 Appeals](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-111.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-112 Assistance in prosecuting violations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-112.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-113 Procurement of information](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-113.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-114 Causing pollution or refusing to furnish information](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-114.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 69-3-115 Violations - Penalties - Judgment by consent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-115.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T69_C3_S69-3-102. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.