The National Rivers Website, Rivers of Tennessee:

The following news is assembled from postings from various sources, as a public service. The sponsors of this website do not assume responsibility for accuracy. Always double-check information before relying on it, especially when your safety is involved!

STATEWIDE ISSUES:

Megafarm threats to Tennessee's rivers?

River conservation team in action!

River conservationist concerned over livestock runoff

NORS river conservation team member Darwin A. Hindman, III, is following up on a proposal from the state's Department of Environment and Conservation to require large-scale livestock farms to submit environmental protection plans to state officials. Specifically, the plans must demonstrate how area river systems would maintain their environmental integrity when faced with runoff from large hog and poultry farms.

To request follow-up information on the proposal and on plans to build concentrated livestock farms in Sumner, Rutherford, Macon and Clay counties, write to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation; 401 Church St.; Nashville, TN 37219.

Canoeist working to improve access to Stones River

For years, the Stones River in central Tennessee has been inaccessible at the Highway 96 bridge. For many years before, however, the river had been an important route through the area. Now, Darwin A. Hindman, III, is taking steps to open up the access point at the bridge. As he improves accessibility, Hindman is also improving his river points balance, which he can redeem for items from the NORS store.

According to Hindman, landowners along the Stones River have illegally erected fences and no trespassing signs on land adjoining the bridge and leading down to the water. Now that the state is building a new bridge, Hindman sees an opportunity to correct the situation by ensuring the public has its rightful access to the river. In his letter to Commissioner Milton Hamilton, Jr. of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and to the Office of the General Counsel, Hindman reminded the state of its responsibility to provide for all citizens, not only landowners. "Please keep in mind that protecting the access along the highway right of way does not mean the public will be entitled to gain entry to the landowners' property or use the easement for activities other than access. We are only entitled to use it for the limited purpose of entering and exiting the river because when one public route (the highway) meets or crosses another (the river), there is a right to proceed between the two."

Hindman sent a copy of his letter to NORS so that he can begin earning river points as part of the river conservation team. You can find out more about the team on our website. If you would like to find out more information from Mr. Hindman, you can call him at (615) 726-7381.

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