The Memphis region is located along one of the world's greatest and most famous rivers.
The Memphis region occupies a key point in the physical geography of North America on one of the world's greatest environmental resources, the Mississippi River (which is the metro's primary environmental feature). The Memphis region is situated at the northern end of the Mississippi Delta and is bisected by the Mississippi River-which, in addition to being a major river, is also one of the four major North American flyways.

The region is defined to the west by Crowley's Ridge, which forms a boundary between Little Rock and Memphis on the flat open plain that extends to the Ozark Mountains. The region's eastern boundary is formed by the Tennessee River midway between Memphis and Nashville. The topographic character of the region east of the Mississippi River is significantly different from that to the west. While the western part of the region is essentially flat, the eastern part begins with a series of bluffs along the river and is characterized by rolling hills that lead to the Appalachian Mountains.

The region was primarily forested until the turn of the 20th century when extensive farming transformed the region into the open farmland that exists today. Throughout the region old trees and parts of forests still remain, forming one of the most dense tree canopies in America.

The Mississippi and its tributaries are important features that have always shaped the Memphis metro.
The past, present and future of the Memphis metro are interconnected with its many environmental assets. The metro area has primarily developed on the bluffs and ridges found on the east side of the Mississippi River. The center of the region, which is also the site of the original settlement, is on the east side of the river. This central site is located on the Fourth Chickasaw Bluff, which overlooks the Mississippi River and provided secure access to the river.

Geographically, the metro area is unequally divided by the Mississippi River. The largest section of the metro area is to the east of the river, a setting that offers views, water access, natural areas, and connections to historic traditions. A series of tributaries, including the Loosahatchie River, the Wolf River and the Nonconnah Creek, drain through the eastern part of the metro area into the Mississippi River. The ridgelines between these rivers formed the original trails and foundation for the development of the metro cities of today. Forested areas, singular trees, and even virgin forest and soil still remain in this area.

The area west of the Mississippi River did not have the natural protection from flooding that the bluffs offered to the east and as a result, development in this area had to locate much further away from the river. The urban metro area to the west of the Mississippi River consists primarily of West Memphis and Marion and is located in a flat open area that has been mostly cleared of its hardwood for farming.

There are several large aquifers beneath the Mississippi River.
While the Mississippi River is a great asset, its water is not suitable for drinking. The region has a rich supply of drinking water from two underground aquifers-one at 500 feet and another at 1400 feet below the Mississippi.

Recommendations

Protect ground water assets.
Ensuring long-term water quality is key to the region's future. While the region has a large source of water supply in its underground aquifers, the recharge areas need to be protected from several threats. For example, potential point and non-point source pollution puts the entire region at risk of losing its only viable source for drinking water. The infrastructure cost necessary to overcome this pollution would be a tremendous financial burden to the region.

Therefore, it is critical that a regionally coordinated strategy is developed to protect the aquifers from intrusive and conflicting land use throughout the region. Regional cooperation is especially important in light of the fact that the two sides of the Mississippi face different water protection issues- the area in Arkansas on the west side faces a problem with salinization, while the east side faces recharge and reverse migration problems-in addition to the universal issues of surface drainage, storm water runoff and conflicting and potentially polluting land uses.

Expand the Memphis Air Quality Board to involve all three states.
The region's air quality may be at risk. As air-quality standards required by the Environmental Protection Agency become more restrictive, the Memphis region could reach "non-attainment" status. This would result in the federal government imposing penalties and restrictions including the "freezing" of all transportation funds for capacity enhancements (road widening, runway extension, etc.). Non-attainment also may result in mandates that could limit industry recruitment and expansion.

Non-attainment status would have negative economic, transportation and health effects in all three states within the metro area. The Memphis Air Quality Board should develop air quality and transportation conformity plans in which alternatives are explained and strategies developed to meet the existing and proposed federal attainment standards.

Protect the remaining forest cover and parkland in the Memphis region.
The entire Memphis region was originally heavily forested. Today, only the areas to the east of the Mississippi River have significant forest cover and, due to the current development in these areas, that cover is at risk. The remaining trees from the original forest should be protected as historically important trees. Unfortunately, the eastern urban tree canopy is not currently protected by a comprehensive plan or law. A tree standard, policy and/or ordinance that is consistent throughout the region should be developed. The Collierville and Germantown tree ordinance could serve as models for other jurisdictions.

Fully utilizing the region's unique setting and environmental assets are important to its future.
A metro and regional environmental enhancement strategy is necessary to maximize the region's environmental assets. The metro area has three important tributaries that provide many opportunities for enhancing the environmental quality of the urbanized area. A program of land acquisition for the creation of continuous greenways throughout the metro can lead to the preservation of forestation and environmental quality, help preserve regional water quality and offer greater public access to natural recreation areas. The Wolf River Conservancy has begun work on preserving the remaining greenway and recovering the developed areas of the river. This could be used as a model for use in protecting and developing the land envelope along the region's tributaries and in other areas throughout the region. In addition, the region's existing greenway programs, such as those in Shelby County, Germantown and Collierville, should be integrated to reduce inconsistencies/redundancies and should be used as models for a truly regional greenway program.

Farmland preservation.
The region is located in the center of a large and well-developed agricultural area. As low-density urban growth continues to extend farther from the metro core, farmland is being continually lost to development. A rural land use program to protect some farmland for open space usage should be explored with the state legislature and local communities in the region.

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