Lake City, Tenn. (Monday, March 22) - Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment has chosen to strongly support Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection Act, bill # SB1398. The group is lauding efforts to help protect higher elevations of Tennessee land that are so important to the quality of life in the state, Tennessee’s tourism industry and landowners.

“In order for us to move forward in the state to end mountaintop removal, we need legislation, such as LEAF’s Scenic Vistas Protection Act to pass through the state legislature,” said Cathie Bird, Chair of SOCM’s Strip Mine Committee.
 
“Protection of our streams and mountains for the generations to come is the best use of our state’s natural assets. This is a wonderful first-step in building legislation that will stop all mountaintop removal in Tennessee.”
 
The Scenic Vistas Protection Act would prohibit coal mining within 100 feet of a stream and would prevent any disturbance of a ridgeline above 2000 feet. The outcomes of such a bill would help protect many of our important and precious headwater streams. The bill, though, will not stop all mountaintop removal in Tennessee.
 
To speak with a SOCM representative about this important bill, contact Christina Connally Honkonen, 865.426.9455 or .