Bill Penny
Bill Penny

Bill Penny is a Member in the Nashville office of Stites & Harbison. He is a member of the firm's Environmental, Natural Resources and Energy Service Group as well as the Green Industry Practice Group. Bill has more than 25 years experience in environmental law. You can contact him at william.penny@stites.com or by phone at 615-782-2308.

Martin Corinne
Corinne Martin

Corinne Martin is an Associate in the Nashville office of Stites & Harbison. She is a member of the Environmental, Natural Resources & Energy Service Group, the Green Industry Practice Group, and the Business Litigation Service Group. cmartin@stites.com or by phone at 615-782-2218.

water

Governor Bredesen Files Lands Unsuitable Petition

10.01.10 11:26 AM
posted by

Governor Bredesen announced today that he signed a Petition to Declare Lands Usuitable for Surface Coal Mining for "ridgelines" in the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Areas.  These areas  Royal Blue, Sundquist and New River - also known as the Brimstone Tract Conservation Easement - units that comprise the North Cumberland Wildlife Management area. The petition area also includes the Emory River Tract Conservation Easement, which is managed by Frozen Head State Park for public use. A portion of the Cumberland Trail also traverses the property.  The Petition requests the Department of the Interior to designate some 67,000 acres including 600 feet on either side of ridgelines creating a 1,200 foot "ridge top corridor."  The press release does not state what constitutes the ridgelines.  Depending on how the Petition is worded, it will not only prevent surface coal mining on the ridges, but will most likely by definition cause the streams in these areas to become designated "exceptional."  Wildlife Management Areas were purposely left out of the current definition of exceptional waters, because it was believe to impact the ability for TWRA to negotiate with various ownership interests to lease the areas.  More when I read the Petition.

Leave a Comment

Comments!

    No comments yet. You should leave one!

Leave a Comment!