Tenn. Code Ann. § 11-5-106: Cooperation with federal and other state geological surveys

The commissioner of environment and conservation is authorized to enter into cooperation with the United States geological survey and other scientific bureaus of the federal and state governments for the prosecution, at joint expense, of such work in the state as shall be deemed of mutual interest and advantage, and under such conditions as the commissioner may deem to be for the best interest of the people of the state.