KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Valley Authority has scrapped plans to allow public access to a spot overlooking a massive coal ash spill in Roane County.
Some county residents had objected to TVA's earlier-announced plan to allow unfettered access to the overlook. Among them was Roane County Executive Mike Farmer.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that TVA spokeswoman Katie Kline has now sent an e-mail to local residents announcing the overlook will not be open to the general public, but will be used for "operational purposes and scheduled visits only."
A breach in an earthen dike at the Kingston Fossil Plant sent 5.4 million cubic yards of ash into the Emory River and onto private property near the plant on Dec. 22, 2008.
©2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
