2023 Tennessee Code › Title 11 - NATURAL AREAS AND RECREATION (§§ 11-1-101 — 11-25-119) › Chapter 13 - SCENIC RIVERS (§§ 11-13-101 — 11-13-118) › Section 11-13-103

The following types of rivers are eligible for inclusion in the state scenic rivers system in which they will be administered in general accord with the criteria hereinafter set forth:
Classes of Scenic River Areas
(1)
Class I Natural River Areas
Those free-flowing rivers or sections of rivers with shorelines and scenic vistas unchanged, or essentially unchanged, by man, with no extensive paralleling roads closer than one (1) mile (except in river gorges where there must be no extensive paralleling roads within the gorge or within one-quarter (1/4) mile back from the gorge rim), and with only a limited number of crossing roads or spur roads existing at the time of designation as a state scenic river. Additional access would be limited to trails. Waters would be kept unpolluted. Lands adjacent to these rivers that are not already in state or other public ownership should be protected by acquisition of fee title or by conservation easements to the full extent necessary to preserve a true natural environment. These river areas should be managed in accordance with the concepts embodied in the national Wilderness Act, 78 Stat. 890 (
16 U.S.C. § 1131
et seq.), and would represent samples of natural America saved unspoiled for this and future generations to enjoy as precious pieces of our natural heritage.
(2)
Class II Pastoral River Areas
Those free-flowing rivers or sections of rivers the lands adjacent to which are partially or predominantly used for agriculture and other dispersed human activities which do not substantially interfere with public use and enjoyment of the rivers and their shores. Waters would be kept unpolluted. Lands adjacent to any such river would remain primarily in the type of use existing at the time of designation as a state scenic river or else be allowed to revert to natural conditions. Scenic values should be preserved by acquisition of conservation easements, zoning and similar means, and by acquisition of fee title of areas set aside for access, camping and recreation. Acquisition of fee title or other areas would not be precluded, particularly where the cost of alternative methods of land use control is comparable to the cost of acquiring the fee with lease-back or other similar arrangements.
(3)
Class III Partially Developed River Areas
Those rivers or sections of rivers in areas affected by the works of man, but which still possess actual or potential scenic values. Included would be rivers with some housing or other building developments near their shorelines, rivers with parallel roads or railroads, rivers with some impoundments, and rivers polluted, for example, by strip-mine runoff. These rivers would be managed to prevent further loss of scenic values, to improve the scenic aspects of their surroundings, and to restore the quality of their waters. A polluted river section in an otherwise natural area could be improved to the point where it would be upgraded to Class I. Lands adjacent to any such river, and the use thereof, should be subject to public control by zoning, tax incentives, acquisition of easements or fee title and other means sufficient to realize the purposes for which such river is designated a state scenic river.
(4)
Class IV Olympic River Areas
Those rivers or sections of rivers in areas with river management zones affected by the works of man but which still possess actual or potential scenic values, the land adjacent to that which is managed by the state in cooperation with federal agencies, and which rivers are suited to recreational whitewater rafting. These rivers may be managed for tourism promotion and economic development activities that benefit the river management zone, including releases for the benefit of persons to participate in whitewater rafting, whitewater races, special events, and for private paddlers.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1044,s 3, eff. 7/1/2024.
Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1044,s 2, eff. 7/1/2024.
Acts 1968, ch. 540, § 4; T.C.A., § 11-1403.