Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0400 - Environment and Conservation
Subtitle 0400-45 - Division of Water Resources
Chapter 0400-45-07 - Rules and Regulations Applied to the Safe Dams Act of 1973 (Transferred from 1200-05-07)
Section 0400-45-07-.01 - GENERAL

(1) Passed on May 1, 1973, "The Safe Dams Act of 1973", T.C.A. § 69-11-101 et seq., provides that on or after July 1, 1973, no person shall construct, enlarge, repair, alter, remove, maintain, or operate a non-federal dam in the State of Tennessee without first obtaining a certificate. The Act further requires every owner of a dam file with the Commissioner of Environment and Conservation an application for a certificate.

(2) Under the Act, certain provisions and conditions are established for the issuance and continuance of said certificates, and authority is granted the Commissioner for the adoption of general rules and regulations which he deems necessary to accomplish the purpose of the Act. To safeguard the public by reducing the risk of failure of such dams, the following rules and regulations are made to (1) effect the orderly inventory and inspection of existing dams in Tennessee; (2) provide for pre-construction review and approval of all future dam construction and alteration of dams; and (3) allow for a program of regular inspection of dams within the State.