Tennessee has paused plans to build a psychiatric hospital after initial findings from an archeological review of the historical site where the facility was to be constructed, ABC affiliate WVTC reported Sept. 26.
The state had initially proposed replacing Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute in Chattanooga with a new facility in the same area but faced pushback from local advocates who oppose additional construction on the more than 9,000-acre region known as Moccasin Bend. The area contains evidence of human habitation dating back 12,000 years, according to local news outlets.
Tennessee is now exploring alternative locations for the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute.
"Tennessee's robust conservation strategy balances our state's growth with a plan to protect our environment, which is why we pursued an archeological study at Moccasin Bend," Gov. Bill Lee said, according to WVTC. "I look forward to working with stakeholders to determine the best path forward for this historic site."