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Committee advances TDEC rule adding 12 plants to Tennessee endangered list
Summary
TDEC presented a triennial endangered‑plant update that adds 12 species and corrects scientific names; botanists said the list guides land‑acquisition priorities and environmental reviews. The committee gave the rule a positive recommendation.
The joint Government Operations Committee voted April 29 to give a positive recommendation to a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation rule that updates the state list of endangered plants.
“My name is Emma and I'm the assistant director of legislation at TDEC,” the agency presenter said, explaining the triennial update. She told members the advisory committee of botanists recommended adding 12 plants and correcting scientific names. State botanist Todd Crabtree said the list informs land‑acquisition priorities and environmental reviews and that the department would provide exact tallies and county locations on request.
Members pressed for implementation details: Crabtree said the department prioritizes acquisition when a population exists on willing private land, works with local botanical gardens and universities to store seed and that federally listed species commonly have out‑of‑state seed resources. After brief questioning, the House and Senate delegations recorded affirmative recommendations; the record shows the senate vote carried unanimously in that roll call. The rule now moves forward for final administrative processing.
