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TDEC: Ancient Lore Village resort began construction without state permit, violated water pollution rules

TDEC issued multiple violations against the developers for not implementing state-required best practices to prevent water pollution and erosion.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation issued multiple violations to Tom Boyd in the past few months after construction began for the proposed Ancient Lore Village fantasy resort.

TDEC issued notices of violation for Boyd and his wife on May 1 for beginning construction without a Tennessee Construction General Permit -- violating the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act of 1977.

According to the complaint, Knox County had issued two building permits and construction had started on two of the homes in the development. 

►READ MORE: With zoning still in question, fantasy resort Ancient Lore Village breaks ground on prototype homes

READ MORE: Ancient Lore Village resort planning to have multiple locations, CEO says, but will one be in South Knox?

On July 2, TDEC said the ground had been disturbed outside the permitted home sites for roads without implementing stormwater best management practices (BMP) to prevent water pollution and erosion. It also said the permitted areas' BMP were in need of maintenance.

TDEC later issued violation notices for discharge of sediment into a stream on the property, as well as constructing ponds within a stream channel that may have altered the stream and surrounding area's wetland characteristics.

According to state forestry BMP, sediment runoff causes cloudy water that covers streams and lakes, negatively impacting aquatic organisms' ability to breathe, feed and reproduce. 

On July 15, TDEC sent inspectors and met with the developers and engineers to discuss phasing the project as well as the investigation findings regarding the environmental complaints. 

According to TDEC, the engineer is required to come up with a revised stormwater pollution prevention plan that has a larger buffer around all state ponds and stream channels.

TDEC has their compliance to the demand listed as 'pending' as of July 26.

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