This bill authorizes a study to determine the eligibility of a 163-mile segment of Tennessee’s Hatchie River for designation as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
David Kustoff
Representative
TN-8
The Hatchie River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate a 163-mile segment of the Hatchie River in Tennessee for potential designation under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This study will assess the river's eligibility and explore collaborative management opportunities with state and local stakeholders. The findings and recommendations must be reported to Congress within three years of the study's funding.
Hatchie River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025: 163-Mile Tennessee River Segment Targets National Conservation Status
The Hatchie River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025 officially kicks off a formal investigation into whether a massive 163-mile stretch of Tennessee’s Hatchie River—running from the Mississippi state line all the way to the Mississippi River—should join the big leagues of federal protection. By amending the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, this bill doesn't just slap a label on the water; it mandates a deep dive by the Secretary of the Interior to see if the river’s natural, cultural, or recreational value meets the high bar for a national 'Wild and Scenic' designation. The clock starts once Congress cuts the check: the Interior Department has exactly three years from the date funds are made available to finish the study and hand a full report over to Congress.
Mapping Out the Future
Under Section 2 of the bill, the study focuses on the river’s integrity and how it might be managed long-term. For a local landowner or a weekend kayaker, this means the government is looking at the river's current state to decide if it should be preserved in its free-flowing condition. The bill specifically targets the 163-mile segment, which is a significant chunk of West Tennessee geography. If you live near the Hatchie, this study is the first step toward potential federal rules that could limit certain types of development—like new dams or major industrial projects—to keep the river looking exactly like it does today. It’s essentially a 'look before you leap' phase to see if the area’s ecology is worth a permanent federal shield.
The Local Connection
One of the most practical parts of this bill is the 'Partnership Opportunities' provision. Instead of a top-down federal takeover, the Secretary of the Interior is legally required to find ways to run the river in partnership with state, regional, and local community stakeholders. This is a big deal for small business owners in the outdoor recreation space or local city councils; it ensures that if the river gets designated, the management plan isn't just written in a DC office, but involves the people who actually live and work on the banks of the Hatchie. It’s about figuring out how to protect the water without locking out the community that relies on it.