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The Ocoee River in Polk County is now the most visited whitewater rafting river in the United States, according to a study put out by the University of Tennessee.More >> The Ocoee River in Polk County is now the most visited whitewater rafting river in the United States, according to a study put out by the University of Tennessee.More >> Work is beginning to preserve Oak Ridge's historic Alexander Inn with renovations to convert it into an assisted living facility.More >> Work is beginning to preserve Oak Ridge's historic Alexander Inn with renovations to convert it into an assisted living facility.More >> Official charges have been filed against the former police officer who opened fire at a Bean Station pharmacy, killing the owner and another man, and injuring two women.More >> Official charges have been filed against the former police officer who opened fire at a Bean Station pharmacy, killing the owner and another man, and injuring two women.More >> Tennesseans are showing off their volunteer spirit this weekend to help out the people affected by this week's devastating Oklahoma tornado.More >> Tennesseans are showing off their volunteer spirit this weekend to help out the people affected by this week's devastating Oklahoma tornado.More >> Four people, including two children, were injured in a head-on collision in Sevier County Friday after a driver fell asleep at the wheel.More >> Four people, including two children, were injured in a head-on collision in Sevier County Friday after a driver fell asleep at the wheel.More >> A Madisonville woman has been formally charged in an April incident that took the life of a Tellico Plains father.More >> A Madisonville woman has been formally charged in an April incident that took the life of a Tellico Plains father.More >> Four people were taken into custody Thursday in connection with an elaborate fraud scheme at a Knoxville investment firm. Additional charges were also filed against two others who had already been indicted in the case.More >> Four people were taken into custody Thursday in connection with an elaborate fraud scheme at a Knoxville investment firm. Additional charges were also filed against two others who had already been indicted in the case.More >> The Tennessee Appeals Court has ruled against a man who claimed state law regulating the carrying of firearms was unconstitutional.More >> The Tennessee Appeals Court has ruled against a man who claimed state law regulating the carrying of firearms was unconstitutional.More >> Tennessee environmental officials have given Piedmont Natural Gas permission to resume drilling on a Nashville pipeline project.More >> Tennessee environmental officials have given Piedmont Natural Gas permission to resume drilling on a Nashville pipeline project.More >> The local offices of several federal agencies will be closed Friday as a result of the government sequester.More >> The local offices of several federal agencies will be closed Friday as a result of the government sequester.More >>
CHATTANOOGA (AP) - A bill that would add nearly 20,000 acres of wilderness area in Tennessee has stalled in Congress for more than a year.
The bill has support from both parties and the Forestry Service and doesn't cost any money. Jeff Hunter, director of the Tennessee Wilderness Campaign, told the Chattanooga Times Free Press the measure is simply caught up in the partisan rancor that has stalled progress on most matters.
The bill, sponsored by Republican Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, would create the state's first new wilderness area in 25 years, the Upper Bald River Wilderness in southeast Tennessee.
It also expands five existing wilderness areas in the Cherokee Forest in East Tennessee.
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