The coal ash cleanup at Kingston, Tenn., has prompted the closure of another 4.5 miles of the Emory River, according to regulators with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“The action was prompted by the need for dredging further north and south along the Emory River, so the closure encompasses those areas,” EPA spokeswoman Davina Marraccini said on Tuesday.
The river’s reopening date was extended from Feb. 15 to May 15, she said.
Last August, only 1.5 miles of the river was closed to protect the public as dredging continued, and reopening times were extended at least twice before Tuesday’s latest announcement.
Ms. Marraccini said 2.2 million cubic yards of coal ash have been removed from the river — about 70 percent of the ash that spilled into the water on Dec. 22, 2008.
Altogether, the rupture of an earthen landfill dam holding 50 years worth of toxic-laden wet coal ash poured 5.4 million cubic yards of waste onto 300 acres of residential farm land and the Emory River.
TVA has estimated the cleanup will cost $1.2 billion.
Ms. Marraccini said the U.S. Coast Guard, EPA and TVA re-evaluated dredging operations and concluded that an extension to the closure area is necessary for continued public safety.
TVA spokeswoman Barbara Martocci said the safety concern is over the possibility that boaters might be endangered by the heavy dredging machinery at the site.
As dredges are moved up and down the channel, TVA, EPA and the Coast Guard will review whether lengths of the river can be opened when no equipment is in the area, Ms. Martocci said.