Latest news with #TennesseeDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservation
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Survey opens for future of David Crockett Birthplace State Park
GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Tennessee State Parks officials are asking the public to help shape the future of the David Crockett Birthplace State Park. 'We want Tennesseans to tell us what they would like to see in the rebirth of David Crockett Birthplace, a beloved state park that holds many memories of the beautiful Tennessee outdoors and is a treasured historical site,' Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner of Conservation at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, said in a news release. 'We need visitor feedback on how to best honor the legacy of David Crockett and the park that bears his name.' The online survey will help inform park leadership on the future of the park. According to the release, a master plan for the park has started and the survey is a key step in the process. The survey is open until May 18. The park, which was devastated by Hurricane Helene, has been temporarily closed since September 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
TDEC warns against eating catfish from Sullivan Co. reservoir
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) issued a precautionary fish consumption advisory Monday for catfish in Fort Patrick Henry Reservoir. According to a news release from TDEC, the advisory is due to PCBs, a type of chemical, found in catfish at the reservoir, which is located on the South Fork Holston River near Kingsport. 'The advisory applies to all catfish species for the entirety of the reservoir based on data exceeding Tennessee's trigger point for PCBs,' TDEC said in the release. 'PCBs in channel catfish averaged 0.296 mg/kg, which is above the trigger point of 0.047 mg/kg. The advisory is consistent with TDEC's responsibilities under the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children should avoid eating the fish, TDEC stated. Others are asked to limit consumption to one meal per month. Recreational activities, including boating, kayaking, swimming, wading and catch-and-release fishing, are considered safe and carry no risk, according to TDEC. For a complete list of fishing advisories in Tennessee, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill would roll back state-level protections of wetlands in favor of developers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A West Tennessee lawmaker would roll back protections of wetlands in the state, allowing for more development in areas prone to being water-logged. Memphis Sen. Brent Taylor, proposed the bill, which would strip back required protections for wetlands in favor of developers. According to the text of the bill, developers wishing to build on lands categorized as wetlands would be able to submit specific reports from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation that detail the land in question, including whether or not the land is considered an 'isolated wetland.' The bill also defines specific categories of 'wetlands,' including an 'artificial isolated wetland,' a 'high-quality isolated wetland,' and 'isolated wetland,' a 'low-quality isolated wetland' or a 'moderate-quality isolated wetland.' Developers would be allowed to build on artificial isolated wetlands without any 'notice, approval, or compensatory mitigation' so long as the build does not discharge toxic pollutants, release sediment into a stream or other surface waters, and so long as 'appropriate steps' are taken to prevent petroleum or other chemical pollutants from entering the water supply. Additionally, while current law requires developers to pay mitigation fees ahead of time for any subdivision that may be adjacent to any wetlands, Taylor's bill would lift that requirement except for specific circumstances. The bill also strips requirements such as cumulative impact analysis, antidegradation or mitigation in order to receive development permits and states isolated wetlands and artificial isolated wetlands 'must not be considered when determining the cumulative impact' of a subdivision or other development. Democrats say the bill would strip state-level protections for wetlands, which are more broad than federal-level protections, and contribute to more flooding and increased costs for Tennessee taxpayers. How much rain fell in Middle Tennessee after multiple rounds of severe weather? According to Tennessee Democrats, state wetlands absorb billions of gallons of stormwater annually, reducing flood risks for both families and businesses. Isolated wetlands also act as natural water filters, removing pollutants from urban and agricultural runoff, and eliminating the protections already in place would lead to more contamination for drinking water sources, including groundwater. According to an amendment for the bill, the new wetlands definitions are as follows: Isolated Wetland: A wetland that does not have a continuous surface connection to a relatively permanent body of water that is connected to a traditional interstate navigable water and, as such, is distinguishable from that body of water Artificial Isolated Wetland: A wetland formed in an area that would otherwise be upland as a result of prior human alternations such as drainage, fill, cropping, ditching, tile drainage, excavation, tire nuts, silviculture, or impoundment for which sufficient proof exists providing evidence that a wetland did not exist five (5( years prior to the submission of a wetland resource inventory report, or a wetland that was intentionally constructed in an upland area for the purpose of wastewater treatment, stormwater management, or other engineered use, or was inadvertently created due to changes in surface hydrology from site development, and grading or as a result of a beaver dam within the five (5) years prior to the submission of a wetland resource inventory report, and does not include wetlands that serve as fish spawning areas or wetlands created as a result of mitigation requirements High-Quality Isolated Wetland: An isolated wetland that provides a high degree of ecologic, hydrologic, and biogeochemical functions, as measured by the department's wetland resource assessment tool Low-Quality Isolated Wetland: An isolated wetland that provides only minimal ecologic, hydrologic, and biogeochemical functions, as measured by the department's wetland resource assessment tool Moderate-Quality Isolated Wetland: An isolated wetland that provides only modest ecologic, hydrologic, and biogeochemical functions as measured by the department's wetland resource assessment tool ⏩ Both the House and the Senate have amendments that largely contain the same language, according to the state capitol website. The only difference is the House version states the reports would be available starting on Aug. 1, 2026; whereas the Senate amendment states the reports would be available starting July 1, 2025. Both amendments have the law taking effect this July. The bill is set for discussion in the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Tuesday morning and in the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee on Wednesday, April 9. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tennessee's waterfall loop, featuring these 10 stunning sights, is perfect for spring hikes
Ready to spring into warmer weather? With the annual teasing of warmer temperatures, many Tennesseans are eager to get back into nature after months of being cooped up indoors. It's easy to understand why, as the state is rich in picturesque natural resources, making it the ideal place to escape the winter blues. Among those resources are more than 80 waterfalls, many of which are nationally recognized for their beauty and splendor. Nestled away in southern Jackson County, about 83 miles from Nashville, lies Cummins Falls, Tennessee's eighth largest waterfall in volume of water and the starting point of Tennessee's waterfall loop. The waterfall loop will take you to ten of the Volunteer State's most stunning waterfalls and includes stops at four state parks. Total drive time is a little under five hours; however, many hikes can take over an hour, so it is recommended to split the trip into a couple of days to ensure enough time for exploring. Lace up your hiking boots, here's what to know about Tennessee' waterfall loop. What will spring weather be like? What the Old Farmer's Almanac predicts Cummins Falls one of the state's most popular, scenic swimming holes. According to the Tennessee State Park system, the park has been a beloved destination for local residents for over 100 years. The area, however, is rugged and reaching the base of the waterfall requires some strenuous hiking, not suitable for children younger than five. Slippery rocks and wading through water will also be necessary before reaching the falls. The park system recommends people wear sturdy shoes, consider the weather when planning their visit and to remember safety first. The park is open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. in-season and until 4:30 p.m. off-season. The gorge area closes at 5 p.m. in-season. Located at: 390 Cummins Falls Lane, Cookeville, Tenn. 38501 Are passes required? Yes, anyone wanting to enter the gorge or access the base of the waterfall will require an access permit which can be purchased online. Just over an hour outside of Cummins Falls awaits your second destination, Ozone Falls in Cumberland County. According to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Ozone Falls is one of Tennessee's most heavily-visited state natural areas, because of its close proximity to Interstate 40. Picturesque views await at Ozone Falls, with water that plunges 110 feet, a deep, rock-strewn pool and a rock house 'amphitheater." The area is named Ozone Falls due to the falls' "stimulating air quality" created by the mist produced by the long plunge of the water, said the department. Ozone Falls is located in Cumberland Mountain State Park and is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. during summer and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during winter. Located at: 24 Office Drive, Crossville, Tenn. 38555 Are passes required? No, passes are not required to enter Ozone Falls. Less than an hour from Cumberland County is Piney Falls, an 818-acre natural area located in Rhea County. Besides waterfalls, the area is also home to creeks, deep gorges and an old growth forest. Piney Falls is recognized as a national natural landmark by the National Park Service, making it one of only fourteen national natural landmarks in Tennessee. Piney Falls State Natural Area is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. during summer and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during winter. Located at: 1712 Firetower Road, Grandview, Tenn. 37337 Are passes required? No, passes are not required to enter Piney Falls. You won't need to travel far to reach the fourth destination. The fourth stop on the waterfall loop is Stinging Fork Falls Natural Area, also located in Rhea County. The area features a creek and a 30-foot waterfall located within the Stinging Fork gorge. The Stinging Fork Falls Trail is is considered a moderate hike and will lead you to the base of the creek. There, you will also find Stinging Falls and a nearby swimming hole. Located at: Stinging Fork Falls Natural Area is located west of Spring City and can be accessed via Highway 68, according to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. In Spring City turn onto Shut-In Gap Road and proceed five miles to the parking area on the right. Are passes required? No, passess are not required to enter Stinging Fork Falls. Halfway through the waterfall loop awaits one of Tennessee's largest and most visited state parks — Fall Creek Falls State Park. You'll want to give yourself plenty of time to explore the park which encompasses over 29,800 acres, complete with cascades, gorges, waterfalls, streams and miles of hiking trails. The park is home to multiple waterfalls, including Fall Creek Falls, Cane Creek Cascades and Piney Creek Falls, so consider staying at one of the park's many campsites. Fall Creek Falls, for which the park is named for, cascades down 256 feet and is one of the tallest single vertical drop falls east of the Rocky Mountains, said the park system. The Fall Creek Falls loop will take you to the base of the falls, before reaching an overlook and then continuing for several miles. The hike is six miles in length and is considered moderate in difficulty, according to AllTrails. The park is open 24 hours with the road leading to the falls being locked at dark. All day use areas close at sunset. Located at: 2009 Village Camp Road, Spencer, Tenn. 38585 Are passes required? Passes are not required to visit the falls, however reservations are required for any on-site accomodations. The next stop at Fall Creek Falls State Park is Cane Creek Cascades. If you're looking to hit all the high points of the park, recommended trails include the nase of Falls Trail, the Cane Creek Falls Trail and the Gorge Overlook Trail. According to AllTrails, the tour will take you to some of the most breathtaking spots in the park — Fall Creek Falls, Rocky Point Overlook, Cane Creek Gorge Overlook, and Cane Creek Falls Overlook. The trail tour takes an hour and a half to complete and is nearly three miles in length. Located at: 2009 Village Camp Road, Spencer, Tenn. 38585 Are passes required? Passes are not required to visit the falls, however reservations are required for any on-site accomodations. The final stop on the Fall Creek Falls State Park excursion is Piney Creek Falls. The hike to the Piney Falls Overlook and Suspension Bridge is brief but rewarding, offering stunning views of the falls. The trail is less than a mile long and takes just 20 minutes to complete, according to AllTrails. Located at: 2009 Village Camp Road, Spencer, Tenn. 38585 Are passes required? Passes are not required to visit the falls, however reservations are required for any on-site accomodations. It's time to leave Fall Creek Falls State Park, but the waterfall loop continues on to Great Falls, located at Rock Island State Park. The 30-foot waterfall can be found within the Caney Fork River Gorge, an area known for its rugged beauty and popularity for hiking and swimming. While beautiful, the gorge can also be risky, due to its close proximity to Great Falls Dam. According to the park system, large releases of water from the dam can cause the entire gorge to quickly become flooded, making conditions extremely hazardous. Located at: 82 Beach Road, Rock Island, Tenn. 38581 Are passes required? No, passes are not required to enter Great Falls. Don't get in your car just yet, the waterfall loop continues to Twin Falls, also found at Rock Island State Park. A recommended trail is Twin Falls and Downstream Trail which offers spectacular views of the waterfalls, streams and river. The trail is considered easy and takes just under an hour to complete. If you'd still like to catch view of the falls, but prefer something much shorter, try the Upstream Trail which offers views of both Great Falls and Twin Falls. The trail takes less than 20 minutes to complete and is considered moderate, according to AllTrails. Located at: 82 Beach Road, Rock Island, Tenn. 38581 Are passes required? No, passes are not required to enter Twin Falls. The final stop on the waterfall loop will take you to Burgess Falls State Park and Natural Area in southern Putnam County, which features four stunning waterfalls that cascade down from over 250 feet in elevation. Swimming is not permitted at Burgess Falls, but that doesn't take away from its allure. Hiking, fishing, and wildlife and wildflower viewing are popular, and there is even a butterfly garden for visitors to enjoy. The Burgess Falls Trail takes just 30 minutes to complete and is considered moderate, according to AllTrails. The trail ends at the overlook and offers various viewpoints throughout, making it the perfect hike for families and hikers of all ages. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., during summer hours (March 1-Oct. 31) and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during winter hours (Nov. 1-Feb.28/29). Located at: 4000 Burgess Falls Drive, Sparta, Tenn 38583 Are passes required? No, passes are not required to enter Burgess Falls. Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@ or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee waterfall hikes: This loop takes you to 10 beautiful falls
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Morristown residents concerned about impacts of proposed quarry
MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (WATE) — A public hearing was held Tuesday night in Hamblen County in regards to a permit for a proposed 57-acre limestone quarry near I-81. More than 40 people were at the meeting who were concerned about the potential ecological impacts of the proposed mine. The meeting discussed the federally-required permit the proposed quarry would have to obtain under provisions established Clean Water Act. Tensions were high at times during the meeting on the Walter's State campus. Residents sharing their concerns about a proposed quarry and it's impacts on nearby Flat Creek. 'Remarkable' woman transformed old Townsend campground into luxury outdoor resort 'One of the main concerns is the runoff from the heavy rain. I'm originally Ohio and strip mining, it was no different than what they are doing,' Morristown resident John Lowe said. 'When it rains, that water runs off the ground into the rivers and creeks, you can't control it and it just destroys everything. It will kill everything, so I'm concerned about what's going to happen under the ground.' The news of the public meeting took many by surprise as some just found out Monday, leaving them wondering why they weren't told sooner. 'I'm not very happy about [this]. It's too close to town, it should be further out for the safety,' Lowe said. 'If it hadn't been for this meeting tonight, we wouldn't have known anything about it,' another resident added. Ex-Knox County narcotics chief accused of using unit as 'personal piggy bank' to stand trial The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation officials took nearly an hour of questions then another 45 minutes of comments and statements by more than a dozen people in attendance. Daniel Lawrence, the program manager for the TDEC mining section, said they rely heavily on public comments in their decision making when it comes to these types of permits. 'They're tremendously important to us. We really value public participation and input. We do a lot of digging on the front end to make sure that we have looked at every single aspect. As far as we're aware, we have done a good job when it comes to drafting a draft permit,' Lawrence said. 'Sometimes, members of the public bring information to us that we weren't aware of. They might know something about the stream or the area that just wasn't on our radar before. These things are incredibly valuable and we never make a final permitting decision before we've had a chance for folks to provide their input. ▶ See more top stories on People can still submit comments until March 28 by emailing or by sending a letter to 3711 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37921-6538. Lawrence said they will only consider comments about the surface water and the water quality. Many concerns were raised regarding the possible impact this could have on the wells and the wildlife in the area. For residents like John Lowe, he was happy to see so many other community members showed up to voice their concerns. We are told it will take a couple of months to compile the results before making a decision, it could be around the summer time before the community gets its answer as to whether or not the permit has been approved. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
