A bill to end protections for Tennessee wetlands draws pushback

by Anita Wadhwani

(Photo: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency)

Tennessee state lawmakers are considering a rollback of protections for nearly half a million acres of wetlands in Tennessee, a proposal that is raising concerns over its potential to worsen flooding, deplete and degrade drinking water and impact hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation. The bill would eliminate rules that currently require developers and landowners to get state approval and pay mitigation fees before filling in, dredging or otherwise disturbing wetlands.

Read more from The Tennessee Lookout by Anita Wadhwani.

Find more info:

• Channel 5 / CBS Nashville — “Proposed bill could remove legal protections on 430,000 acres of Tennessee wetlands”

• WKMS FM — “Wetlands have some protections in Tennessee. The state legislature might remove them.”