Environmental Law Matters

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is once again partnering with the Tennessee Stormwater Association, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Tennessee Department of Transportation to offer grants to local governments to fund green infrastructure and low-impact development projects. A total of $200,000 in grants will be available for allocation over the next two years. Grants ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 will be awarded through a competitive process for projects such as rain gardens, green roofs, pervious concrete applications, trees and tree boxes, in addition to outreach and education efforts designed to promote green development in Tennessee communities. The grants require a 20 percent local match. This year's grant cycle is only the third time grants have been offered. Communities selected during the 2013 grant cycle will join Athens, Chattanooga, Lakeland, Memphis, Knoxville and Nashville, which have received funding since the program's inception in 2008 for projects ranging from pervious concrete parking or walking paths to green infrastructure improvements to community recreational areas. This is a great opportunity for municipalities to implement innovative stormwater management techniques that are designed around green technology and benefit the local communities," Applications for the 2013 Green Development Grants are due by Aug. 15, 2013, and awards will be announced by Sept. 30, 2013. Grant applications will be reviewed and ranked by a team comprised of representatives from each of the partner agencies. The next offering for Green Development Grants will be available in May 2014. Online application materials and additional information about the Green Development Grants are available on TDEC's website or through the Tennessee Stormwater Association. For more information on environmental law topics, please contact one of the Burr & Forman team members for assistance. We are happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.