Department of Agriculture
Ken Givens, Commissioner
Water Resources
The Water Resources Program lessens the impact of land-based activities upon the waters of our state through the funding of voluntary on-the-ground improvements, educational efforts, and programs focused on the agricultural enterprises of Tennessee.
Water is our most precious natural resource. Tennessee has over 60,000 miles of streams, approximately 536,000 acres of lakes and about 787,000 acres of wetlands. Clean water promotes public health, agriculture, manufacturing, recreation, and serves as the foundation of a healthy environment. Through this program, and those of the many partnering agencies throughout the state, Tennesseans can reap the benefits of clean water. For more information, contact John McClurkan, Administrator, at (615) 837-5495 or john.mcclurkan@.tn.gov. You may also contact specific people through our Employee Directory.
Agency Services
- The Agricultural Resources Conservation Fund (ARCF) provides cost-share assistance to Tennessee landowners to reduce non-point source pollution through use of best management practices.
- The Nonpoint Source Program (TDA-NPS) manages the federal non-point source program funded by Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.
- The Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Program (CAFO) reduces the impact of large animal feed lots on groundwater.
- The State Soil Conservation Committee (SSCC) promotes, among other things, practices that keep agricultural runoff out of our water bodies.
- The Boll Weevil Eradication Program (BWEP) is designed around a gradual reduction in the amount of pesticides that will have to be applied to our cotton crops and, by extension, end up in our groundwater.
