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Committee recognizes Lake County as Tennessee’s 'Eagle Capital' and flags conservation concerns
Summary
HB 1981 was forwarded 9‑0 to recognize Lake County as the Eagle Capital of Tennessee; members raised conservation concerns including illegal shooting, habitat loss and contaminants affecting eagles.
Chairman Grylls urged the committee to symbolically recognize Lake County as the Eagle Capital of Tennessee, citing more than 20 years of an Eagle Festival and a high seasonal concentration near Reelfoot Lake. He said the designation would acknowledge the county's ecological role and tourism draw.
Representative Jones asked about threats to eagles, noting a 2021 incident investigated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Jones listed illegal poaching, habitat loss and environmental contaminants as major threats; Grylls said he was not aware of the specific shooting incident and acknowledged the population concentration near Reelfoot Lake. The committee voted 9‑0 to forward the bill to State and Local Government with a positive recommendation.
Members framed the designation as a conservation and tourism recognition, and discussed the need for continued protection efforts.
