By Walter F. Roche Jr.
The parent company of US Nitrogen LLC has completed the first phase of a Tennessee environmental restoration project at the site of what one federal official had labeled "a real mess."
Officials of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation say the Austin Powder facility in Davidson County near Nashville has undergone extensive renovation under the supervision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the agency that first uncovered numerouus violations.
Kim Schofinski, TDEC spokeswoman, said her agency received a final assessment of the stream restoration, including a written description of the work completed along with photos. Included in the July 30 report were "cross-sectional surveys from a private firm, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Austin Powder is the owner of US Nitrogen LLC, which operates in Greene County. Austin Powder, an explosives manufacturer, is based in Ohio. The land clearing and logging were apparently in preparation for construction of additional storage facilities.
Schofinski said the next phase of the restoration project is a monitoring program to ensure that the restoted streams are maintained.
"At this time, monitoring will go into effect. The restored stream reaches will be monitored annually for three years post-construction to document and evaluate the stability and success of restoration efforts," Schofinski wrote in an email response to questions.
In addition to diverting waterways, Austin Powder was cited by the state and the Army Corps for unauthorized clearing and logging on the 638 acre site on Garland Hollow Road in Pegram.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
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