Bredesen Announces Waste Tire Cleanup Grant for Marion County

Nashville, Tenn. – Governor Phil Bredesen and Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke today announced a $7,500 Waste Tire Cleanup Grant for Marion County. This grant will fund the cleanup of hundreds of tires that were dumped on Francis Springs Road and Bessie Jones Road in Jasper within the last two years.

“This Waste Tire Cleanup Grant will help Marion County clean up used tires that have created a blight on Tennessee’s scenic landscape,” Bredesen said. “I’m pleased the state can provide assistance to the people of Marion County to remove these two illegal tire dumps.”

Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 tires were dumped at each of the sites on Francis Springs Road and Bessie Jones Road in Jasper within the last two years. The Waste Tire Cleanup Grant will pay for a contractor to remove the tires from the site and dispose of them properly.

“This Waste Tire Cleanup Grant will help Marion County clean up used tires that mar the region’s landscape, offering relief to a community working to deal with unsightly and potentially hazardous tire dumps,” Fyke said.

Used tire dumps can pose significant health and environmental hazards. Whole tires provide habitats for rodents and mosquitoes, making them breeding grounds for disease. When burned, tires emit oxygen that constantly feeds the fire and noxious smoke that pollutes the air. Burning tires also release oils and soot that can contaminate both surface and ground water.

“Certainly, there is a local interest in cleaning up tire dump sites like these two in Jasper,” State Representative Bill Harmon said.  “We’re pleased there is a mechanism in place through the Waste Tire Cleanup Grant program to help provide some relief.”

Waste Tire Cleanup Grants are administered by Environment and Conservation through the Solid Waste Management Fund. For more information, visit the department’s Web site at http://www.tdec.net/swm/grants/wtcgrant.shtml.