On October 9, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Shari Meghreblian joined other local legislators and community officials for a ceremony formally announcing Knox County, Knoxville, Washington County, Bristol and Cookeville as the first five communities to take part in TDEC's new stormwater qualifying pilot program.

"Knox County is proud to be selected to take part in the Qualified Local Program pilot program," said Mayor Burchett. "This program will allow us to reduce the red tape for builders, developers and contractors and encourage economic development."

The Tennessee Qualifying Local Program's main intent is to eliminate the duplicative efforts at the state and local level in the current stormwater permitting process. The program is designed to build efficiencies in how construction stormwater permits are issued and improve water quality. The single permit system is scheduled to be in place by March 1, 2013.

Some of the most significant benefits of a QLP include:

• A more streamlined and efficient process for managing construction stormwater by eliminating permit and review duplication at state and local levels;
• Eliminating additional effort for construction site operators/developers by providing only one set of requirements to follow;
• A more effective construction stormwater program resulting in greater water quality protection;
• Customers/Clients will receive faster consistent feedback and better communication with contractors;
• Citizens will be able to receive quicker response working with only one agency;
• Lower cost for permittees. Contractors will no longer pay fees to the state; and
• The QLP will be able to provide more local oversight and local responsibility. This means less reliance on the state.

For more information on Knox County's QLP participation, contact Parci Gibson at 865-215-5861 or parci.gibson@knoxcounty.org. 

 For more information about TDEC's pilot Qualifying Local Program visit http://www.tn.gov/environment/wpc/stormh2o/qlp.shtml.