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.