Sunday, June 28, 2009
Tennessee: Green issues? Call it a split
Both environmentalists and business interests claim legislative victories.
By- Andy Sher
....."Rep. Floyd, meanwhile, said he was pleased by passage of legislation aimed at better protecting state parks from “rock harvesters.” The bill was brought in response to the stripping of rock from Cumberland Trail State Park near Chattanooga by Florida-based Lahiere/Hill Partnership, which owned the mineral rights to the land.
It redefines “mineral” to include stone when it is located on state land. The bill says rock miners must obtain a permit and post a bond assuring they will repair damage before they can begin mining on state property. Rep. Floyd said he wanted to include private property owners but he feared it could have caused the Bredesen administration-backed bill to fail as it did last year.
“I’m coming back this next year with bills to protect private landowners to work out something that would protect them like the state parks,” Rep. Floyd said. “I didn’t want to mess their bill up.”
To read the full article click the link below...
http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/jun/28/tennessee-green-issues-call-it-split/?local
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