Waste Tire Cleanup Grant Awarded to Smith County

Nashville, Tenn. – Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke today announced a $5,850 Waste Tire Cleanup Grant for Smith County. This grant will fund the cleanup of tires and other debris dumped on Enigma Road in Chestnut Mound.

“This Waste Tire Cleanup Grant will help Smith County clean up used tires that have created a blight on Tennessee’s scenic landscape,” Fyke said. “I’m pleased the state can provide assistance to the people of Smith County to deal with this unsightly and potentially hazardous illegal dump.”

The dump consists of an unknown number of tires mixed with large appliances and other debris. The Waste Tire Cleanup Grant will pay for a contractor to help Smith County employees remove the tires from the site and dispose of them properly.

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.

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.