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    Complaint

    133045
    WPC
    7/31/2024
    Ask TDEC
    Stormwater - Construction
    05-AUG-2024 01:59PM

    Location based on SITE_ID

    Site ID
    156797
    Site
    Cherokee Woods - Additional Coverage
    Location
    0 West Governor John Sevier Highway
    City
    Knoxville
    Description
    Residential Subdivision
    County
    Knox
    EFO Name
    Knoxville
    Site Owner
    Perry Smith Development LLC

    Investigation Results

    NOV
    7/31/2024
    7/31/2024

    Complaint Description and Writeup

    Casteel Branch which flows into Stock Creek and then into Little River and the Tennessee River, is a 303 (d) stream. The TennesseeRiver is unarguably a navigable waterway and as the pollutant source I am reporting is from a point source the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) applies.

    I am filing this as a 118 (A) complaint.

    I have lived beside the Casteel Branch since October 31, 2000. I have witnessed this stream fed by a spring above my property fill with sediment over the last few years. I keep making complaints to Knox County, but nothing has been resolved after repeated Notices of Violations over the years.

    I have sent emails with images to TDEC, Knox County, etc. demonstrating the sediment that is choking the invertebrates living in this stream. Fine particles and suspended particles in this waterway is making the water less transparent, blocking sunlight. The decreased light will impede the growth of aquatic plants which provide essential habitat for many aquatic animals, including young fish. Sediment smothers gravel beds where fish lay their eggs. Silt covers eggs, it prevents oxygen transfer.

    This developer needs to use soil erosion best practices around construction site.

    Deploy silt fencing or straw bales around sites where the ground is disturbed.

    We need to avoid operations in excessively muddy conditions.