In late November, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order 108, aimed at preserving the Duck River Watershed, home to one of the nation’s most biologically diverse freshwater rivers and the sole water source for nearly 250,000 Tennessee residents.
The order establishes the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership, charged with facilitating collaboration among state agencies and developing initiatives that balance economic growth, responsible water resource management, and conservation strategies. The order further emphasizes the need for broad participation and community engagement, as well as increased efforts to identify water system regionalization, drought resilience, habitat conservation, and water loss reduction opportunities.
To advance the partnership’s efforts, Governor Lee tasks the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation with identifying other priority watersheds, highlighting Tennessee’s commitment to long-term sustainability and preservation throughout the state.