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Emory River Closure Extended Through May as TVA Kingston Time-Critical Cleanup Concludes

Release Date: 05/07/2010
Contact Information: Davina Marraccini, (404) 562-8293, marraccini.davina@epa.gov

(ATLANTA – May 7, 2010) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) brought in large hydraulic dredge equipment to expedite the removal of ash from the Emory River. As time-critical removal activities come to a close, activity on the river to remove equipment will begin. To keep the river as safe as possible, the Emory River will continue to be closed until May 29, 2010 from mile marker 0 to mile marker 6 while equipment is removed.

The initial river closure began on Aug. 11, 2009, and was last extended through May 15, 2010. The U.S. Coast Guard, EPA and TVA reevaluated river operations and concluded that an extension to the closure area is necessary for continued public safety. No river traffic will be allowed through this area.

EPA’s closure map can be found at http://www.epakingstontva.com.

Individuals requiring further information or instructions regarding recreational use of Watts Bar Reservoir should contact EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, Stephanie Y. Brown at 1-800-564-7577 or 865-717-1635.

For more information about EPA’s oversight and response activities at the Kingston site, visit: https://www.epa.gov/region4/kingston and http://www.epakingstontva.com.