Portion of Emory River Closed Aug. 11-Sept. 10 Near Kingston Steam Plant
Friday, August 07, 2009 | 01:56am
NASHVILLE --- A portion of the Emory River near the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Kingston Steam Plant will be closed as cleanup efforts continue from the massive release of coal ash from the steam plant on Dec. 22, 2008.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has received notification that the Environmental Protection Agency has made an announcement to close a section of the river from mile marker 1.5 to mile marker 3 as heavy equipment is used to remove the ash. This closure is effective beginning 5 a.m. on Aug. 11 through 5 a.m. on Sept. 10.
TWRA has been involved in response activities including assessment of the initial impact to wildlife resources, public safety and boating, and initiating sampling to track long-term effect on wildlife and habitat since the spill. The Kingston Steam Plant is located on a peninsula where the Emory River joins the Clinch River on Watts Bar Reservoir. The area is popular for fishing, boating and wildlife viewing.
Following the spill, TWRA issued anotice that fishing and boating should be avoided in the lower section of the Emory River, and that existing advisories for Watts Bar should be followed.
More information about recreation on the river and Watts Bar Reservoir is available from EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Stephanie Y. Brown at 1-800-564-7577 or (678) 575-8505.
---TWRA---