• What's Up Columbia!
  • Posts
  • Local Leaders Urge Action to Protect Duck River from Potential Landfill Threat

Local Leaders Urge Action to Protect Duck River from Potential Landfill Threat

Issue #355

16 Feb

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🌤️ Columbia’s Monday Weather - Partly cloudy w/ high of 39 & low of 23

📰 Local Leaders Urge Action to Protect Duck River from Potential Landfill Threat

📰 Maury County Fire Department Responds to Two Different Mobile Home Emergencies

🍸 Ransom Spirits and Provisions Announces Final Day of Business

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

⛑ Looking For Ways to Help Victims of Hurricane Helene? Click Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Monday, February 17th

Tuesday, February 18th

Wednesday, February 19th

Thursday, February 20th

*More events coming soon!

Local Leaders Urge Action to Protect Duck River from Potential Landfill Threat

Credit: protecttheduckriver.com

Local leaders in Maury County and Columbia are pushing back against Tennessee House Bill 895 (Senate Bill 725), which proposes changes to the Scenic River Protections Act that could pave the way for a landfill near the Duck River. The bill, introduced by Rep. Chris Todd (R-Madison County) and Sen. J. Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun), seeks to prevent the Scenic designation from nullifying pre-existing property rights and would remove laws banning landfills within two miles of Scenic rivers.

Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder strongly opposed the bill, stating, “It would, in my opinion, gut the substantive protections of the Scenic River Act.” He also highlighted the contradiction between the bill and Governor Bill Lee’s recent Executive Order aimed at protecting the Duck River. “This legislation is also contrary to the Governor’s recent Executive Order which included specific protections for the Duck River. It is my hope the Governor will… oppose this legislation as well.”

Maury County Commissioner Gabe Howard echoed these concerns, emphasizing the importance of protecting the river. “This bill was written to undermine the hard work and protections that we… have put in place to continue to protect one of our greatest natural resources—not only here in Maury County but in North America. The Duck River matters to us, and we must stand for it and protect it!”

Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt also voiced her opposition, confirming that she had contacted local state representatives and Senator Joey Hensley, stating, “I have contacted our two state representatives and Sen. Hensley and am certain they will adamantly oppose this legislation, which is in direct conflict with Gov. Lee’s recent Executive Order 108.” She also called on the Maury County Commission and local municipalities to pass resolutions against the bill, adding, “No Scenic Class II river should have a landfill within two miles. There are many other locations in Tennessee for landfills. Legislators and investors should be seeking those out instead of spending millions of dollars and energy trying to change our laws.”

The Maury County Commission is set to vote on a resolution formally opposing the bill at its next meeting. Local leaders are encouraging other governing bodies to take a stand against the proposed changes, emphasizing that alternative landfill sites should be considered instead of weakening protections for Tennessee’s Scenic rivers.

See Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt’s statement here.

See Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder’s statements here and here.

Mayor Sheila Butt Appointed to Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership

On February 14th, Maury County Mayor Sheila Butt posted…

DUCK RIVER PLANNING PARTNERSHIP ESTABLISHED

I am grateful and honored to be appointed by Governor Bill Lee to the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership. 

Water security for the future of our area and conservation of the Duck River have been very high on my list of priorities since being elected County Mayor.

The Partnership was created per Executive Order 108 in November of last year and the appointees were announced yesterday. 

I look forward to working with this group of exceptionally knowledgeable people who have been tasked with:

• Developing comprehensive watershed management recommendations that balance the needs of water users and economic growth against the need to protect the environmental integrity of the Duck River.

 • Advising and providing recommendations to the Governor, the Duck River Development Agency, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), and legislative leadership on policies and actions to promote the sustainable use and conservation of water resources in the Duck River Watershed.

 • Identifying opportunities for water system regionalization, drought resilience, habitat conservation, and water loss reduction.

 • Engaging with local communities, utilities, industries, and conservation organizations to ensure broad participation in watershed planning effort.

Thank you, Governor Lee, for making this a priority and part of your legacy to the people of Tennessee!

Maury County Fire Department Responds to Two Different Mobile Home Emergencies

From Maury County Fire Department’s post…

At 04:30am this morning units responded to Huston Drive for a tree through a mobile home. Luckily, the occupants were ok. Red Cross was requested to assist the displaced residents and Rescue 21 shut the power off to the home.

From Maury County Fire Department’s post…

At 10:05PM last night units were alerted to a structure fire on Bear Creek Pike. Responding units: Engines 21, 30, 32, Tankers 21 & 30, Squads 21 & 32, Truck 21, District 24 & 30, Division 20, and Ops 20. Columbia Truck 3 responded on mutual aid but due to a long muddy driveway they were cancelled. 

Units arrived to find a mobile home that was being remodeled heavily involved in fire and commenced with defensive operations. Units worked quickly to extinguish the fire prior to the storm arriving. No injuries were reported.

Ransom Spirits and Provisions Announce Final Day of Business

Ransom Spirits and Provisions posted a simple message on February 15th, announcing their closure.

“Friends and neighbors, it has been an honor and pleasure serving you this past year, but alas all good things must end. As of yesterday, Feb 14, 2025, Ransom is permanently closed. Thank you for your support, and we sincerely wish you all the best.”

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Monday, February 17th

Troy Castelland, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Tuesday, February 18th

Rob Harris, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Wednesday,  February 19th

Taylor Hughes, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Thursday, February 20th

Jack Propst, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito's Spring Hill, 6-9  PM
An Evening of Bluegrass & Country, The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
Andy  Liter & Ryan Sauls, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, February 21st

Golden Soul Revue, Grinder's Switch, 6-8 PM
Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Eastern Dreamers, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Smokin' Peas, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM
Rayla Ray, The Boondox, 8-11 PM

Saturday, February 22nd

We The Kingdom, Worldwide Stages (Night of Hope), 6-8 PM
Los San Patricios, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Steve Dorff, The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
The Deltaz, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Zone Status, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM
Boomerang, The Boondox, 8-11 PM

Sunday, February 23rd

Adeline Csontos, Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 12:30-3:30 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Jacob Frish, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 4-7 PM

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk