Hatchie River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025

HR 949, the Hatchie River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025, authorizes a study to evaluate whether Tennessee’s 163-mile Hatchie River segment (from the Mississippi-Tennessee border to its confluence with the Mississippi River) should receive Wild and Scenic River protection. The bill requires the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to complete this study within three years of funding and submit a report to Congress, including input from state, local, and community stakeholders. This study would assess the river’s natural, cultural, and recreational values to determine if it qualifies for Wild and Scenic River status, which would limit development and protect its free-flowing character. The bill does not immediately protect the river but sets the process for potential future designation. It directly affects river stakeholders in Tennessee and future congressional decisions on river management.