Rutherford County's Rocky Hill Road Glades and Versailles Knob: Preserving Unique Natural Areas

Mar 04, 2025 at 04:52 pm by WGNS News


 

The Tennessee House of Representatives on March 3 approved legislation creating four new state natural areas and expanding six existing ones. Guided by State Rep. Greg Vital, R-Harrison, House Bill 126, passed unanimously. WGNS confirmed that two of the four natural areas are located in Rutherford County, with one being the Rocky Hill Road Glades, home to a limestone cedar glade habitat and the endangered running glade clover. The other area is Versailles Knob, where large limestone outcrops can be found, along with the federally endangered Braun’s Rockcress.

The bill designates:

The bill also expands six existing natural areas: Barnett’s Woods and Prairie, Cedars of Lebanon, Couchville Cedar Glade, Flat Rock Cedar Glades and Barrens, Ozone Falls and Radnor Lake. Additionally, it clarifies acreage measurements for Hawkins Cove, Pogue Creek and William B. Clark to reflect more accurate data.

“House Bill 126 provides critical protections for Tennessee’s most treasured landscapes by restricting development in these areas and giving the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) the authority to enforce penalties for damage or vandalism,” Vital said. “This legislation helps mitigate the risk of native species being listed under the federal Endangered Species Act by ensuring the long-term protection of their habitats.”

 

Since the passage of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, Tennessee has designated 84 state natural areas to safeguard the state’s most valuable ecosystems. However, state-owned lands managed by TDEC’s Division of Natural Areas that are not designated under the statute currently lack these protections. The legislation closes this gap by updating the law to reflect the lands comprising the State Natural Areas System, ensuring proper protection for future generations.

All acquisitions were from willing sellers with no eminent domain involved. The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee has donated the land for the proposed Clifty Creek Gorge area. 

The companion bill, Senate Bill 1277, will be heard in the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee in the coming weeks.

 

Tags: Braun’s Rockcress Clifty Creek Gorge conservation efforts in Tennessee ecological research endangered species protection Flat Rock Cedar Glade and Barrens House Bill 126 natural areas legislation protection of natural habitats Rocky Hill Road Glades running glade clover state natural areas system TDEC Tennessee House of Representatives Versailles Knob Virginia spiraea
Sections: News