Two environmental activists detained by police at ash spill site

Two environmental activists detained by police at ash spill site

By KRISTYN CADDELL
6 News Reporter 

KINGSTON (WATE) -- Two environmental activists were detained by TVA police Friday as the utility stepped up security around the site of the ash spill at the Kingston Fossil Plant.

"All we are doing was taking pictures," David Cooper, with the non-profit environmental group United Mountain Defense, told 6 News.

Cooper and another activist, Matt Landon, say that's when TVA officials confronted them.

"There was a little pull-off on the road and we pulled over and we were immediately accosted  and told they would be arrested," Cooper said.

The two men say they were then detained by police on Swan Pond Circle. A portion of that road is now blocked off by an increased presence from TVA police.

Just two days ago, 6 News was able to visit that same spot as passers-by stopped to take a look at the spill.

TVA officials tell 6 News the men were in an area that is barricaded and they refused to leave.

"This is an issue of national importance," Cooper replied. "People need to know if the water is safe or not."

Cooper and Landon say they were doing no harm at the site. 

United Mountain Defense is a non-profit based in Knoxville. The volunteers work with coal-impacted citizens in East Tennessee.

"Where are the results from the water sampling?" Landon asked. "If we see them, then we can agree with TVA."

The environmentalists say they were detained by TVA for about an hour and then told to leave the area.

They say they will take the water samples they were able to collect to an independent lab on Monday, and hope to have the results shortly after.