Environmental Protection Fund

The Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) provides additional funding for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). Revenues from environmental fees, civil penalties, and damage recoveries are used to support the department's permitting, monitoring, investigation, enforcement, and administrative activities.

Municipalities may be required to pay application, permit, processing, and annual maintenance fees for municipal water, wastewater, solid waste, and certain other regulated environmental facilities, depending on the applicable program. These fees help fund the department's ongoing regulatory oversight. T.C.A. §§ 68-203-101–105.