Bill granting Duck, Buffalo rivers scenic protections passes final hurdle in Tennessee legislature

By: Cassandra Stephenson

Outlets: Tennessee Lookout

Published: April 10, 2026

Words: 824

Last Updated: 2 hours, 16 minutes ago

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Legislation protecting the majority of two Middle Tennessee rivers received final approval from the state legislature Thursday, prohibiting the installation of landfills within two miles of the scenic waterways.

Shelbyville Republican Rep. Pat Marsh sponsored the bill, which designates nearly all of the Duck River, Buffalo River and their tributaries as Class II pastoral waterways. This designation includes protections against mining, commercial timber harvest and landfill uses, but allows agriculture and other traditional rural …

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