More than a year ago, more than a billion gallons of toxic coal sludge burst out of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Kingston power plant.  And, more than a year later, authorities are still working to clean it up.

The EPA just announced it will close about six miles of the Emory River to all traffic and recreation until the middle of May so it can bring in some heavy duty dredgers.  Millions of dollars are being spent on the effort; you can check out the extent of it here.

Who knows if and when the rivers will ever truly come back?  Nature is resilient, but you have to wonder how much it can take.

photo: TVA spill clean up in progress, courtesy EPA