An environmental protection fund provides additional funding for the state Department of Environment and Conservation. Revenues from fees, civil penalties, and damages are used to improve the state’s performance in permitting, monitoring, investigation, enforcement, and department administration.

Fees are charged to municipalities that submit applications or plans to build or modify municipal water, wastewater, and solid waste disposal operations. In addition, some annual maintenance fees are charged to municipalities for state oversight of these facilities. T.C.A. §§ 68-203-101–105.

In addition to application or processing fees, TDEC charges annual maintenance fees for ongoing oversight of facilities. These fees are structured to ensure that the department can effectively manage and enforce environmental regulations across the state.

The primary purpose of the EPF is to provide additional funding to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). These funds support the department's activities in permitting, monitoring, investigation, enforcement, and administration of environmental programs.