TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

Summer Study Committee to Revisit Wetland Regulations

Posted by: Azya Thornton on Sep 23, 2024

Tennessee lawmakers will revisit wetland protection regulations in a summer study session next week. The original bill, proposed by state Rep. Kevin Vaughn, R-Collierville, sought to reduce state oversight on nearly half a million acres of wetlands and give developers and landowners a break from needing state permission to build on or fill in low-quality wetlands and up to four acres of “moderate” quality wetlands, according to Moore County News. Vaughn's legislation focused on isolated wetlands, those with no direct connection to rivers or lakes, which comprise nearly half of Tennessee's wetlands. In the months since the bill was sent to a study committee, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has held meetings with builders, environmental groups, lawmakers and state agencies in an effort to achieve consensus on how to regulate wetlands. Last week, the department issued a report recommending a number of changes.

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