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TDOT's New Environmental Advisory Counil Gets to Work

Nashville, TN—27 October 2003—The first meeting of the new Tennessee Department of Transportation Environmental Advisory Council was held today in Nashville.  Members of the Council met at TDOT’s downtown headquarters this morning to begin establishing the priorities of the group.

“The Environmental Council was initiated by Commissioner Nicely and myself in order to bring together the many different areas of interest, experience, and leadership the council members represent” said Ed Cole, TDOT’s Chief of Environment and Planning.  “TDOT considers environmental protection and enhancement as a high priority, and will look to this council for help on a variety of projects.”

Various environmental groups from across Tennessee nominated the members of the Environmental Advisory Council.  The members were selected from nominations based on several factors:

• Experience in environmental leadership.

• Statewide perspective on environmental policies and issues.

• A strong interest in working toward transportation solutions to protect and
  enhance the environment.

 “This first meeting was a chance for the council members to get acquainted and to explore expectations and roles for both the Council and TDOT,” Cole said.  “We appreciate the commitment shown by the members of the council to working together to improve our state.”

Council members include:

Caty Butcher—Ms. Butcher has a law degree from the University of New Mexico with an emphasis in environmental law.  She has been active with the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club since 1997.  She lives in Nashville. 

Scott Davis—Mr. Davis is the Executive Director of the Nature Conservancy based in Nashville.  It is a 25-year old, statewide organization that has helped protect almost 200,000 acres of land in Tennessee.  He lives in Nashville.

Dexter Muller—Mr. Muller is the Senior Vice President for Community Development with the Memphis Regional Chamber, and is a Steering Committee member for the MS River Natural and Recreational Corridor project.  He lives in Memphis.

Trip Pollard—Mr. Pollard has extensive experience in land use planning, transportation, and environmental issues.  He is the Land and Community Project Leader of the Southern Environmental Law Center, which works in six states to protect the natural areas and resources of the South.  He lives in Sewanee, Tennessee.

Paul Sloan—Mr. Sloan is the Director and Founder of Partners In Conservation.  He serves as a trustee of the Nature Conservancy and board member of Cumberland Region Tomorrow and Franklin Tomorrow.  Over the past five years he has also served on the boards of the Cumberland River Compact and the Tennessee Environmental Council.