Bedford County Director of Planning and Zoning, Chris White, has been appointed by Governor Bill Lee to serve as a member of the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership, representing local government.
“In the thorough, aggressive search for candidates, your individual characteristics and professional qualifications were exceptional among the number of nominees who expressed interest. This appointment is effective immediately and runs through December 31, 2026,” wrote Gov. Lee in a letter confirming the appointment.
The Duck River spans more than 280 miles through seven Middle Tennessee counties, including 90 miles in Bedford County. It is considered one of the most biodiverse waterways in the world and has been spotlighted as such by National Geographic magazine.
“The Duck River is not only a scenic treasure, but it is also North America’s most biologically diverse freshwater river and the sole water source for thousands of Tennesseans,” said Gov. Lee in November.
An estimated 250,000 people in fast-growing Middle Tennessee rely on the Duck River for their water supply.
Last year, the Harpeth Conservancy called the river “threatened,” prompting Gov. Bill Lee to sign an executive order creating the Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership. This task force is charged with developing water management recommendations, drought mitigation strategies, and working with the Duck River Agency to ensure the river's sustainability.
Since White became planning and zoning director, Bedford County’s Planning Department developed a 200-foot riparian buffer and overlay zone along both sides of the Duck River outside municipal boundaries. Passed by the Board of Commissioners in 2020, this initiative was a critical first step in mitigating erosion and controlling sediment runoff from construction sites, thereby reducing pollutant loads and turbidity levels that degrade water quality. By protecting the riverbank from destabilization and excessive sedimentation, this measure helps preserve aquatic ecosystems by maintaining plant life essential for oxygenation and overall river health.
The Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership is intended to balance economic growth, water resource management, and environmental and habitat conservation to ensure the long-term sustainability of Tennessee’s watersheds.
“As we continue our work to balance Tennessee’s economic growth with a plan to protect our environment, preserving waters like the Duck River and enhancing water resource management statewide will be a cornerstone of our long-term conservation strategy,” said Lee in November.
The Duck River Watershed Planning Partnership will support the Duck River Development Agency’s mission of facilitating collaboration among stakeholders and developing strategies for the sustainable management of the Duck River.
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