The Tennessee Bar Association Environmental Law Section's recent annual meeting and seminar in Gatlinburg, April 22-24, was in conjunction with the Environmental Show of the South. This marked the 44th year of the Show of the South and the TBA section has been a part of this program for many years. Section member James C. Wright says the group was honored to have the participation of each of these speakers. The group gave special thanks and well wishes to speaker Tony Vick, who has spoken for several years at this program. Vick was set to retire the week after this presentation.

The event, held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, included presentations by Joe Sanders, general counsel for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), along with Michael Stagg of Waller and Rick Bolton of Ensafe on EPA's proposed Ozone standards. Also Steve Stout, of the office of General Counsel at TDEC, Angela Garrone, with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy and Khurshid K. Mehta, with the office of General Counsel at TVA, presented on Tennessee and the Clean Power Plant Plan.

Christopher Hayes of Waller and Bill Penny of Burr Foreman, along with Samuel Parrish and David Jackson discussed "The Civil War over Water Jurisdiction: New Proposed Waters of the United States." David Higney with Grant, Konvalinka and Harrison, spoke about the Ninth Circuit's opinion impacting the level of deference state Consent Orders are entitled. Austin Payne, TDEC office of general counsel and Wayne Gregory of TDEC presented on EPA's final rule on Solid Waste. Stagg returned along with Ann Butterworth of the office of Open Records Counsel, Comptroller of the Treasury, State of Tennessee, who provided a program on the Tennessee Public Records Act and Open Meetings Act. Ed Calloway of Waller and Mary Collier, ALJ, Tennessee Secretary of State, Administrative Procedures Division, and Patrick Parker of TDEC office of General Counsel, gave practice tips for contested environmental cases. Michael Mallen of Miller and Martin presented regarding OSHA hot topics and updates.

The continuing legal education programs concluded with three hours of ethics, with Jimmy Wright of Butler, Vines and Babb, and Paula Schaefer, professor at the University of Tennessee School of Law, and Tony Vick, deputy chief disciplinary counsel, Board of Professional Responsibility.