Tag Archives: TWRA

State Senator Paul Bailey said TWRA’s decision to stop the habitat project in White County serves as a postponement- and may not be the final answer. Bailey said the agency wants to take a step back and make sure the clear cutting plan is what’s best for the wilderness area. “They are going to postpone the clear cutting for a ... Read More »

TWRA’s Deputy Director Chris Richardson said in a letter to legislators that the proposed habitat project will continue on the south side of the Bridgestone Firestone Centennial Wilderness area. Richardson said the decision to stop the clear-cutting project on the north side of the wilderness area is based on community feedback not science. Wednesday’s letter from Richardson to State Senator ... Read More »

The White County Commission approved moving forward with legal action against TWRA’s quail habitat project Tuesday night. The decision came just hours after the county received TWRA would not move forward with the controversial clear cutting project. But, the county does not have the statement in writing. Commissioner Dillard Quick said a verbal intention is not enough. “Until they come ... Read More »

White County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson announced Tuesday night that TWRA’s Bridgestone Firestone Centennial Wilderness Area habitat project will not move forward. “TWRA has decided to cancel their plans to cut the trees,” Robinson said. “They’re not going to do it. But, we don’t have that in writing. It just came this afternoon. I feel confident that they are good ... Read More »

White County is exploring legal avenues against TWRA’s clear cutting project at the Bridgestone Firestone Centennial Wilderness Area. The County Commission held an attorney-client privilege meeting Monday night. County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said the county discussed options with County Attorney John Meadows. “We are looking if there is any legal avenues that we can pursue,” Robinson said. “We were ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland saw seven fatalities from boating incidents in 2021. TWRA Wildlife Sergeant Dustin Buttram said that across the state, there were 21 fatalities, 72 injuries, and 93 incidents of property damage. He said that most of the incidents came from operator inattention. “Just not paying attention to their surrounding or other boats in the area, that’s one of ... Read More »

Multiple bear sightings have been reported in the Alpine area of Overton County over the last few weeks. TWRA Outreach and Communications Coordinator Mime Barnes said that bear sightings in the Upper Cumberland have become more common as bear populations grow and their ranges increase. She said that bears have come to find the region suitable for habitation. “And that ... Read More »

White County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson has drafted a letter to Governor Bill Lee requesting TWRA’s habitat project be stopped. Robinson said the concern is the impact on tourism from the cutting project. “People come to that area to hike it, walk, hunt it and that brings and that brings tourism revenue into our county,” Robinson said. “And you cut ... Read More »

The bid process to survey phase 1 of White County’s Centennial Wilderness Area forest conversion has been completed. TWRA shared the plan for the three to five-year project Thursday at a Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting. Region Three Wildlife Program Manager Brandon Wear said the full plan is three phases. “It will occur simultaneously on both The Farm and ... Read More »

Local hunter Mike O’Neal said his concerns remain the same about a proposed TWRA clearcutting proposal. The Tennessee Wildlife Federation ruled that a TWRA plan in White County met the guidelines of the land gift. O’Neal said the Federation has a connection with TWRA, and both groups stand to make a profit from the timber. “Tennessee Wildlife Commission’s mission statement ... Read More »