UPDATE:
HB1054 will be heard next on Wednesday, February 28 at 9am in the Tennessee House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
SB0631 will be heard on March 8th in the Tennessee Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources meeting.
We need YOU to help us keep track of this bill as it moves through the legislature. If you live in a rural Tennessee county, please contact Marie at mariecampbell@harpethriver.org to learn more about how you can help!
Say tuned for more updates!
Did You Know?
Wetlands also remove pollutants like PFAS, microplastics, heavy metals, and bacteria. These valuable ecosystems essentially act as natural filters, trapping and purifying water by removing pollutants and excess nutrients. In Tennessee, where various waterways crisscross the landscape, wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining water quality and preventing downstream contamination of rivers and aquifers.
The destruction of wetlands could disrupt the natural flow of water, negatively impacting fish populations and, would ultimately lead to the loss of biodiversity disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems, impacting the overall health of Tennessee’s environment.

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In conclusion, the importance of wetlands in Tennessee cannot be emphasized enough. These ecosystems are integral to maintaining water quality, supporting biodiversity, and providing essential ecosystem services. Keep an eye on legislation such as HB1054/SB0631, which could pose a significant threat to the future of wetlands and the rivers they support across Tennessee. Lawmakers and the public must recognize the value of wetlands and work together towards policies that prioritize their conservation, ensuring a sustainable and healthy future for Tennessee’s environment and ALL of its residents.
Legislative Updates
House of Representatives
HB1054 was discussed by the Tennessee House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Tuesday, January 23, January 30, and February 6, 2024. During the February 6th meeting, the bill passed by a majority vote.
Next, HB1054 will be in front of the Tennessee House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, February 28 at 9am. Watch the live video of the meeting here.
To catch up on the discussions from each meeting, watch the video recordings which can be found here, under the “Video” tab.
Stay tuned for updates.
Senate
SB0631 (companion bill to HB 1054) will be in front of the Tennessee Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on March 8, 2024.
To catch up on the discussions from each meeting, watch the video recordings which can be found here, under the “Video” tab.
We Need Your Help
Senate
If you live in one of these Tennessee counties, please contact Marie at mariecampbell@harpethriver.org to learn more about how you can help!
Bedford, Bradley, Cannon, Chester, Claiborne, Cocke, Coffee, DeKalb, Fayette, Franklin, Grainger, Grundy, Greene, Hancock, Hamblen, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lincoln, Meigs, McMinn, McNairy, Moore, Rhea, Rutherford, Sevier, Shelby, Tipton, Unicoi, Union, Warren, Wayne
House of Representatives
If you live in one of these Tennessee counties, please contact Marie at mariecampbell@harpethriver.org to learn more about how you can help!
Bedford, Benton, Bledsoe, Blount, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Hardeman, Hamilton, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Houston, Humphreys, Knox, Lake, Lauderdale, Lincoln, Loudon, Madison, Moore, Obion, Rhea, Roane, Sequatchie, Shelby, Stewart, Sullivan, Weakley, Van Buren
For more information on wetlands, we've listed our sources below:
1. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Why are Wetlands Important?. EPA
2. Id.
3. EPA, Functions and Values of Wetlands, 2002 at https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-01/documents/functions_values_of_wetlands.pdf
4. EPA, Wetlands: Protecting Life and Property from Flooding, 2006 at https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-02/documents/flooding.pdf
5. USGS, National Water Summary on Wetland Resources, 1996 at https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/National-Water-Summary-Wetland-Resources-tennessee.pdf
6. Water quality rules, reports & publications. Water Quality Rules, Reports & Publications. https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/wr-water-resources/water-quality/water-quality-reports—publications.html
7. Tennessee groundwater monitoring and management – TN.Gov. https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/water/drinking-water-unit/wr_wq_report-groundwater-305b-2020.pdf
8. U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). Why are wetlands important?. National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/wetlands/why.htm
9. The Dogwood Alliance. (n.d.). Tennessee State Fact Sheet. https://www.dogwoodalliance.org/esr/Tennessee-State-Fact-Sheet.pdf