TWRA gains approval to add 3,295 acres at Rarity Mountain and to protect 7,200 acres of Hatchie River wetlands
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Summary
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency secured committee approval to acquire the Rarity Mountain tracts (about 3,295 acres) for the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area and to acquire approximately 7,200 acres of forested wetlands along the Hatchie River to protect a high‑value ecosystem.
The Executive Subcommittee approved two Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) land acquisitions: the Rarity Mountain tracts in Campbell County and a large wetlands addition along the Hatchie River.
TWRA Executive Director Jason MacDonnell presented the requests. For the Rarity Mountain tracts, he said the agency proposes "to acquire approximately 3,295 acres in Campbell County known as the Rarity Mountain Tracts." The three tracts would be added to the High Cliff unit of the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area and are within TWRA's planned expansion area identified in the Tennessee Wildlife Legacy Plan and the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund.
The committee also approved a proposed acquisition of about 7,200 acres of forested wetlands along the Hatchie River. MacDonnell described the Hatchie as "Tennessee's last unchannelized river" and noted the river supports a highly diverse ecosystem: "There's over a 100 fish species, 35 species of mussels, 250 plus bird species," among others. TWRA said protection will be supported through its Wetlands Acquisition Fund and Federal Wildlife Restoration Grant funding; the Hatchie acquisition will add anticipated additional management costs.
Both items were approved by voice vote with no roll‑call tallies presented in public discussion.
