Bryan Epperson Email & Phone Number

Knoxville, Tn, Us

Serving as the Director of Mineral & Geologic Resources with the mission to ensure the environmentally sound management, protection, and documentation of the state’s mineral, land, and energy resources for all Tennesseans and future generations.- Provide leadership and oversight over the Division’s statutory and regulatory obligations for mineral resource extraction permitting, inspection, compliance, and enforcement, including fuel and non-fuel minerals- Management and support of a dedicated professional staff of Environmental Scientists, Environmental Consultants, Engineers, Grant Analysts, and Environmental Program Managers- Support the outstanding reclamation work accomplished, and to be accomplished, by Tennessee’s Abandoned Mine Lands Program - Ensure protection of surface and groundwater resources through science-based permitting and a robust inspection program for the Division’s Mining Section and Oil and Gas Section - Support the Tennessee Geological Survey in its mission to map the geology and mineral resources of Tennessee, aid Tennessee citizens with questions or concerns about geologic hazards, and provide educational outreach opportunities to learn about Tennessee’s unique geology- Development of the Tennessee Surface Coal Mining Program to ensure efficient and effective state-level permitting, inspection, enforcement and environmental oversight for surface coal mining activities in the state of Tennessee

3711 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, Tn 37921

- Deputy Director of Mining Unit within TDEC’s Division of Water Resources;- Oversight and management of three statewide programs that include 17 staff and three Environmental Managers; and- Currently aiding in the development of the Tennessee Surface Coal Mining Program to ensure efficient and effective state-level permitting, inspection, enforcement and environmental oversight for surface coal mining activities in the state of Tennessee.

3711 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, Tn 37921

Environmental Program Manager 4 with statewide responsibility for the oversight of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program for all mining facilities in Tennessee; responsible for the supervision of 7 permit writers and one Program Coordinator in the Mining Section; Resposible for the permitting of over 500 total mining facilities; Issue NPDES permits for the discharge of treated mine wastewater and storm water; Issue Tennessee Surface Mining Law permits, Mineral Test Hole permits, TMSP Sector J Rock Harvesting permits and Individual and General Mining ARAP permits; often provide testimony to legislative committees on mining related issues, conduct and proctor public hearings and actively write, or aid in the drafting of, mining program rules or regulations.Environmental Program Manager duties also include management of two additional statewide programs with an additional 10 staff members which include two Program Coordinators: Oil and Gas Section and the Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Section; Oil and Gas Section is responsible for permitting and inspection of oil and gas wells in the state of Tennessee; AML Section is responsible for the reclamation of abandoned coal mine sites mined prior to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977; targets sites that are considered high priority, health and safety concerns.

Environmental Manager 2 for the Division of Water Resources-Facilities Section; Served as Multi-program Coordinator with responsibility and oversight of the NPDES municipal wastewater program, as well as the provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act; Responsible for the management of 12 Environmental Scientists and consultants tasked with performing oversight and inspections of water and wastewater facilities; Developed work plans and submitted the EPA 106 Work Plan.

One of two NPDES permit writers with state-wide responsibility; Along with fellow permit writer, responsible for permitting of approximately 400 non-coal NPDES permits across the State of Tennessee for the discharge of treated wastewater and storm water from non-coal mining facilities; Conducted pre-mine inspections and calculated effluent limits for permits; Often participated in Public Hearings, rule making decisions and appeals on permit decisions; Provided testimony on appealed permits to an Administrative Law Judge.

Responsible for the inspection of municipal wastewater treatment facilities, small package plants and drip irrigation systems; Also conducted inspections of Ready-mix Concrete Plants (RMCP's), Tennessee Multi-Sector Storm Water sites (TMSP's) and was the principal inspector for agriculture related complaints, as well as the inspector for the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) sites; Conducted Compliance Evaluation Inspections (CEI), Compliance Sampling Inspections ((CSI) and Compliance Biomonitoring Inspections (CBI); Reviewed Discharge Monitoring Reports and conducted biological stream assessments and sampling.

Responsible for the design, permitting and finalization of subsurface sewage disposal systems (SSDS); Experienced in design, permitting and inspection of Alternative Methods of SSDS: Low Pressure Pipe (LPP), Mound and Lagoon systems; Approved subdivision plats and lots; Environmental Specialist with responsibility of assuring septic tank manufacturers met size and capacity requirements; Conducted complaint investigations and provided enforcement and legal follow-up in General Sessions Court; Collected water samples; Provided training for all newly hired employees, as well as supervision and job assignments.

Child Protective Services Investigator; Investigated referrals of child abuse and determined the appropriate measures to be taken; Conducted court ordered home studies; Served on the Truancy Board in this capacity.

Morristown Fish Hatchery

Seasonal Fisheries Technician

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Wildlife And Fisheries Management

Activities and Societies: Alpha Chi National Honors Society Volunteer Research Assistant for the Cumberland Mountain Research Center.

Did Not Graduate-Transferred, Chemical Engineering

Activities and Societies: N/A