Pushing Back on Exemptions to Aquatic Protections

Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s conservation policy team regularly tracks proposals and rule changes by local, state, and national groups. These would otherwise go unchallenged and could have negative impacts on our wildlife and great outdoors.

Last fall, the Federation provided official comments about proposed revisions to the state’s water rules. One would have allowed public road builders to no longer comply with the same environmental review standards as other contractors–risking damage to hundreds of miles of streams and rivers.

The Federation’s comments proved influential and, on August 21, 2019, the Tennessee General Assembly’s Joint Operations Rule Review Committee rejected the proposed aquatic resources alteration permit (ARAP) changes.

 

Photo credit: Deb Campbell