59-8-405 - Emergency authority. - Tennessee Statutes

59-8-405. Emergency authority.

(a)  The commissioner is authorized to expend moneys from the Tennessee surface mine reclamation fund for the emergency restoration, reclamation, abatement, control, or prevention of adverse effects of coal mining practices, on eligible lands, if the commissioner finds that:

     (1)  An emergency exists constituting a danger to the public health, safety, or general welfare; and

     (2)  No other person or agency will act expeditiously to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse effect of coal mining practices.

(b)  (1)  The commissioner, commissioner's agents, employees, and contractors, shall have the right to enter upon any land where the emergency exists, and any other land, to have access to the land where the emergency exists to restore, reclaim, abate, control, or prevent the adverse effects of coal mining practices, and to do all things necessary or expedient to protect the public health, safety, or general welfare.

     (2)  Such entry shall be construed as an exercise of the police power, and shall not be construed as an act of condemnation of property nor of trespass thereon.

     (3)  The money expended for such work and the benefits accruing to any such land shall mitigate or offset any claim in or any action brought by any owner of any interest in such premises for alleged damages by virtue of such entry; provided, however, that this provision is not intended to create new rights of action or eliminate existing immunities.

[Acts 1987, ch. 251, § 9.]