TENNESSEE SCENIC VISTAS PROTECTION ACT PASSED BY SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION AND TOURISM

LEAF (Lindquist Environmental Appalachian Fellowship)

NASHVILLE, TN --- Today, the Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection Act (SB 3822) was passed by the Senate Committee on Environment, Conservation and Tourism by an overwhelming 8 -1 vote.  Sponsored by Senator Raymond Finney (R- Maryville), the bill limits mountain top removal coal mining by providing additional protections for ridgelines and streams. The House version of the bill (HB3348) was defeated two weeks ago in the House subcommittee on Environment, yet the Senate Committee voted the bill out anyway.

"We are delighted that the Senate Committee strongly supports protection of our ridgelines and wants a record of their support," said Dawn Coppock, LEAF's Legislative Director. "This vote and the Senators' eloquent remarks in favor of the bill, send a clear message that the Senate committee members are deeply concerned about the destructive practice of mountain top removal coal mining and want to stop it."

LEAF (Lindquist Environmental Appalachian Fellowship) is a Christian Creation Care group based in Knoxville.

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