Since the cleanup began, the effort has been focused on the Emory River, dredging the bottom of the waterway to keep as much ash as possible from floating downstream. Approximately 70 percent of the river has been dredged and the agency hopes to have the river cleanup completed by May.

The spill raised concerns by those living nearby. Coal ash contains arsenic and carcinogenic heavy metals that can be harmful to humans as well as wildlife. Locals have questioned the quality of their water supply. McCracken says testing of the water downstream has turned up clear and intakes for drinking water appear not to have been affected by the contamination. Monitoring of water downstream is expected to continue indefinitely.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that there will be a long-term monitoring program to determine that indeed there is no impact to people off-site,” McCracken told WPLN News.

But the spill also dampened the area’s appeal, covering pastures with gray sludge and all but destroying water recreation activities such as swimming, boating and fishing. McCracken assures that the cleanup effort has been so successful that swimming can resume in the waterways downstream from the spill; however, people may want to steer clear of the dredges.

SOURCE: Coal Ash Spill › TVA says Emory River coal ash cleanup nearly completed

McCracken most recently served as assistant manager for environmental management with the Department of Energy in Oak Ridge, Tenn. At age 60, McCracken was set to retire when he was offered the TVA gig.

McCracken replaces Anda Ray, TVA’s senior vice president of Environment and Research, who has headed up the cleanup efforts since it began nine months ago. Ray will resume her role as head of the department but will remain involved with the spill project’s regulatory and remediation activities, continue to serve as the executive spokesperson on the effort, and serve on the board of the Roane County Economic Development Foundation.

McCracken says the cleanup process, which is estimated to cost around $1 billion, could take another three years. The ash should be fully removed from the Emory River by Spring 2010, and the remaining 2.4 million cubic yards on dry land fully removed about two years later.

Sources: Dayton Daily News, Knox News

SOURCE: Coal Ash Spill › TVA hires expert to manage coal ash recovery effort