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Committee advances wetlands reform after lengthy debate; opponents warn of cumulative impacts
Summary
Senate Bill 6-70, a comprehensive rewrite of how the state regulates isolated wetlands, passed the committee after wide-ranging testimony and compromise amendments; the measure was sent to the Finance Committee.
Senator Jeff Taylor sponsored Senate Bill 6-70, a contentious, multi-section proposal that redefines how Tennessee treats isolated wetlands, establishes categories by size and quality, allows limited third-party wetland resource reporting, and directs TDEC to adopt rules for classification and mitigation. After months of stakeholder meetings and a late amendment, the committee debated the bill at length and heard more than a dozen witnesses for and against the measure.
Taylor said the bill creates four categories — artificial isolated wetlands, low‑quality, moderate‑quality, and high‑quality isolated wetlands — and provides a tiered permitting and mitigation approach. Under the amendment and bill text, small low‑quality wetlands (0–1 acre) would not require permits for certain impacts,…
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