Tennessee Conservation Action has endorsed state Rep. Eddie Yokley, D-11th, of Greene County, for re-election based on his environmental voting record and his work to protect the Pigeon River.
Tennessee Conservation Action is a coalition of conservation groups, including chapters of the Audubon Society, Scenic Tennessee, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Sierra Club, the Tennessee Clean Water Network, the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association, Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association, Tennessee Trails Association, Tennessee Association For Justice and the Tennessee League of Women Voters.
Tennessee Conservation Action said, "At a time when water quality and conservation has crept to the forefront of many people's environmental concerns, Rep. Yokley has demonstrated exceptional leadership."
It added, "Rep. Yokley has fought for clean water in the Pigeon River by sponsoring legislation to increase testing and to demand stronger enforcement of effluents that have been polluting the Pigeon for generations -- but that is only part of a successful record.
"Recognizing that clean watermatters to all Tennesseans, Yokley is the co-sponsor of the Scenic Vistas Act, a bill designed to protect our mountains, streams and headwaters from the devastating assault of mountain top removal strip mining."
"I am very pleased to receive the endorsement of the Tennessee Conservation Voters," said Representative Yokley.
"This was an endorsement that I was proud to receive and I will continue to work hard to improve the Pigeon River. The future is the river is not, and should never be, a
partisan issue. Lawmakers, community groups, elected officials and citizens all agree that the river needs to be cared for and I am committed
to ensuring that it happens.”
