House Bill 1160, which the General Assembly enacted in July 1999, requires that a municipality, animal operations, industries and others who operate waste handling systems issue news releases when a waste spill of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters.
In accordance with that regulation, the following news release has been prepared and issued to media in the affected county:
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians had a wastewater spill July 30, 2013 of an estimated 1,000 gallons from a manhole near the Tribal Transfer Station. The untreated wastewater spilled into an unnamed tributary of Shoal Creek in the Little Tennessee River Basin.
The Division of Water Quality was notified of the event on August 2, 2013 and is reviewing the matter. For information contact the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (828) 497-7000.
