Tennessee Code Title 59. Mines and Mining § 59-8-217

(a) After the reclamation of the acquired land, the commissioner may, with the approval of the governor, transfer jurisdiction of such land, or any portion thereof, to any state agency that can best utilize such land for public purposes. If the retention of such land is determined to be impractical, the commissioner may, with the approval of the governor and attorney general and reporter, sell such land to political subdivisions of this state at the cost of acquisition and reclamation or by public sale to the highest bidder. Such land shall be sold subject to the condition that no surface mining shall be conducted thereon at any time thereafter. The proceeds of any such sale shall be credited to the Tennessee surface mine reclamation fund as provided in § 59-8-212.

(b) No land with respect to which a bond conditioned upon the reclamation thereof is in effect shall be acquired pursuant to § 59-8-215, nor shall this part be construed to relieve any person from any obligation to shape, plant or perform other reclamation required by law.

(c) All acquisitions and disposals of land or any interest therein pursuant to the authority granted by this part shall be governed by the applicable provisions of title 12, chapters 1 and 2.