Federation Helps Reach Settlement to Protect Duck River’s Wildlife and Overall Health

Recently, the Nature Conservancy and Tennessee Wildlife Federation, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, reached a settlement agreement with the Marshall County Board of Public Utility. This agreement retains a water withdrawal limitation on the Board’s water withdrawal permit while still expanding local communities’ access to clean drinking water. Withdrawal limitations restrict the amount of water pumped from the river during times of low flow or drought and protect the Duck River’s incredible wildlife and overall health.

As the backbone of the region’s outdoor recreation economy, and a drinking water source to approximately 250,000 people in Middle Tennessee, the Duck River is North America’s most diverse river. The river’s basin supports more species of diversity than is found in all of Europe’s rivers combined. Its incredible wildlife populations include threatened, endangered, and unique species that are found nowhere else; making this settlement an important victory for conservationists, anglers, paddlers, nearby communities, and all who enjoy and rely on one of the country’s most unique waterways.