TDEC: "No Problem Found" With Crane In River

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental officials have dismissed a Dec. 7 complaint about a crane partially submerged in the Nolichucky River after having a telephone conversation with US Nitrogen officials.
Records of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation show that on Dec. 7 an unnamed resident called the agency to express concern about a crane that was partially submerged in overflow from the Nolichucky after heavy rainfall.
According to the department records an agency official then contacted US Nitrogen officials Hollie Binkley and Lori Jones.
According to the records, US Nitrogen officials "stated that the highest water level reached was approximately two-thirds the height of the crane's tires.
"The crane was on wheels, not greased tracks; the housing was never encroached," the brief report continues.
The report adds that the crane was subsequently removed and returned to its owner, C & C Millwright.
The report concluded stating that an inspection of the crane "verified that there were no leaks or releases from this equipment."
The heading on the report states: "Status: No problem found."
Pictures of the partially submerged crane are posted on the website of Save The Nolichucky, a group opposed to the US Nitrogen project.

Date Investigated DEC-07-2015 Status No Problem Found Status Detail Division personnel, BBP, spoke with U.S. Nitrogen Environmental Manager, Hollie Binkley as well as the Project Manager, Lori Jones P.E., who stated that the highest water level reached was approximately 2/3 the height of the crane’s tires. The crane was on wheels, not greased tracks; the housing was never encroached. The crane was removed last week and returned to the local contractor, C & C Millwright, who has conducted an inspection on the crane and verified that there were no leaks or releases from this equipment. Responsible Party Resp Party Phone Date Completed DEC-07-2015 Referred To Date Referred Photos Last updated DEC-07-2015 Complaint Description and Writeup Complaint Description and Writeup Complainant state that as the Nolichucky River flooded last week, a piece of heavy machinery (wheeled crane) was caught in the flood plane and partially submerged and concerned that it might be introducing oil/fuel/hydraulic fluids/etc. into the river.