Environmental Division
James K. Polk Building, Suite 900
505 Deaderick Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0334
Phone: 615.741.3655
Fax: 615.741.1098
The Environmental Division provides leadership in the protection, preservation, and enhancement of the natural, social, historic, and visual environment while actively involving the public, resource agencies, and other interested parties in planning, developing and maintaining Tennessee’s transportation system.
The TDOT Environmental Division is comprised of six (6) offices:
The Social and Cultural Resources is responsible for the assessment of impacts on transportation projects within communities through the identification and protection of historical and archaeological resources, analysis of air quality & noise impacts, and avoidance of hazardous materials sites. A professional staff performs scientific and technical analyses, writes reports, prepares legal documents, as well as coordinates technical issues with stakeholders. They are also charged with overseeing the avoidance, mitigation, minimization and remediation of impacts from early planning through construction.
The Environmental Documentation Office is responsible for the preparation of the environmental documents required for federal and state funded transportation projects. This office complies and collates information on 22 social, economic and environmental areas for all transportation projects.
The Natural Resources Office is responsible for reviewing and analyzing project plans, addressing any impacts and acquiring all environmental permits needed for transportation projects. Environmental permits for impacts to wetlands, streams and rivers are obtained from various federal and/or state regulatory agencies. This office is also responsible for obtaining coverage under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction Storm Water Permit, for all transportation projects that will disturb one or more acre of land during construction.
The Beautification Office is responsible for the administration of a group of activities, including statutory regulated services, as well as public-involved volunteer services. In addition, the office oversees the Scenic Byways Program.
The Environmental Comprehensive Inspections Office is a new office created to oversee construction activities and Focus on highway and bridge construction projects. This office will work closely with TDEC and other regulatory agencies involved with oversight of our construction and maintenance activities. It is also essential to effectively oversee the implementation of the Storm Water Management Plan (SSWMP). The Inspections Office will help to prevent and minimize the impact of storm water runoff at various stages of a transportation project.
The Environmental Facilities Compliance Office has the responsibility of ensuring TDOT’s facilities comply with environmental regulations. In addition, it investigates and, when necessary, remediation of past disposal and spill sites by providing technical expertise and oversight.
