House approves scenic‑river designation for Duck River with grandfathering for existing landfills

Speaker Pro Tem Marsh pushed the House to pass Senate Bill 1590 on third and final consideration, saying the measure would designate the Duck River, its tributaries and the Buffalo River as Class 2 Scenic Rivers to protect “the most biodiverse waters in the country.” Marsh said the designation provides a two‑mile buffer that would prevent new landfills and requires notarized consent from landowners before boundaries are established.

The bill attracted extended floor discussion about the effect on existing permits. Representative Todd asked whether the bill would change current permit restrictions and warned that recent research identified 10 — possibly 11 — permits in areas affected by the bill. Marsh and the sponsor’s amendment clarified that currently permitted landfills located within two miles would be grandfathered and that a portion of the river already designated in Murray County was excluded from the new language.

Representative Fritts expressed support for the bill’s conservation goals but said she voted against a specific amendment over concerns about changing property rights language. Representative Grills asked whether property owners could opt into the scenic designation; Marsh replied that, once enacted, properties within the designated class‑two corridor would be included and subject to the statute’s protections.

The House adopted an amendment to add grandfathering language and then passed the bill, Ayes 81, Noes 5, not voting 7. Marsh said the measure was developed with input from the Tennessee Farm Bureau and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and was intended to protect drinking water for millions in Middle Tennessee.

Next steps: the bill will proceed to enrollment and then to the governor for signature or veto, as required by Tennessee law.