Plain English Breakdown
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Expanding State Natural Areas in Tennessee
This legislation increases the size of several existing state natural areas and adds new ones to protect unique ecosystems and endangered species.
What This Bill Does
- Increases the Ozone Falls scenic-recreation area from 16.5 acres to 41 acres.
- Adds Clifty Creek Gorge, an 89-acre site in Morgan County, as a natural scientific area.
- Designates Rocky Hill, a one-acre site in Rutherford County, as a new natural scientific area.
- Includes Union Grove, a 59-acre area in Hamblen County, as a natural scientific area.
- Adds Versailles Knob, a 40-acre forest in Rutherford County, to protect the endangered Braun's Rockcress.
- Expands Barnett's Woods and Prairie from 40 acres to 156 acres.
- Increases Cedars of Lebanon Natural Area from 2,690 acres to 2,754 acres.
- Expands Couchville Cedar Glade from 140 acres to 627 acres.
- Increases Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens from 846 acres to 928 acres.
- Expands Hawkins Cove from 249 acres to 273 acres.
- Increases Pogue Creek from 3,000 acres to 3,600 acres.
- Expands Radnor Lake from 1,367 acres to 1,388 acres.
- Increases William B. Clark Conservation Area from 428 acres to 476 acres.
Who It Names or Affects
- People who visit or study Tennessee’s state natural areas.
- Local communities near designated natural areas.
- Environmental organizations focused on conservation efforts.
Terms To Know
- Class I scenic-recreation area
- A type of protected land that is primarily used for recreation and enjoyment of scenic beauty.
- Natural scientific area
- An area designated to protect unique natural features or endangered species.
Limits and Unknowns
- The bill does not specify how the increased land will be managed.
- It is unclear what additional funding, if any, will support these expansions.