If you've ever kayaked, tubed, or fished the Duck River in Middle Tennessee, this news is for you.
Tennessee lawmakers just passed a bipartisan bill that would ban landfills within two miles of the state's scenic rivers — including the Duck River. It now heads to the governor's desk for his signature.
What the Bill Actually Does
Once signed, the law would create a two-mile buffer zone between landfills and scenic rivers across the state.
The Duck River runs right through Maury County, and local leaders say protecting it from nearby waste sites has been a priority for years. The river holds a scenic river designation, which means a portion of it is free-flowing and undeveloped — a rare thing in a fast-growing state.
That status benefits wildlife, water quality, and the people who use the river for recreation and drinking water.
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Read more →Why People Care So Much About This River
Maury County Mayor Shelia Butt has been watching this issue for a long time.
“These scenic rivers are incredibly special in our state,” she told NewsChannel 5. “We've always been concerned about the biodiversity. This is an environmental and conservation bill as well.”
She also pointed out that the bill would give homeowners near the Duck River more of a role in monitoring water quality going forward.
For State Representative Pat Marsh, it was even more personal.
“I live on the Duck River. I love the Duck River. It's a beautiful river,” he said. “My kids and grandkids love it. They inner tube and kayak and fish and do all of that.”
Hard to argue with that.
What This Means If You Visit
The Duck River is already a popular day trip from Nashville. It's about an hour south, and the stretch near Columbia draws tubers, kayakers, and anglers all summer long.
Clean water protection like this keeps those experiences worth having. Nobody wants to float a river next to a landfill.
Mayor Butt put it simply: “We have to make sure we have pure drinking water for the future.”
The bill passed with support from both parties, which is not something you see every day at the state capitol.
Source: NewsChannel 5 Nashville, reported by Amanda Roberts
