Reports of dead fish in the Chattooga River have prompted a visit by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division.

Over the past weekend, Chattooga County EMA Director Pamela Vaughn, along with administration from Mount Vernon Mills, met with EPD officials concerning the ammonia situation and how it may have affected the Chattooga River.  The EPD was responding due to a notification of the spill by Airgas – the company with the truck that was leaking the ammonia on June 26th.

Officials inspected the river from the Trion Golf Course down to the bridge below the Trion Wastewater Treatment Plant.

There have been reports of around 30 dead fish being sighted along the river in recent days.  Officials say that hot temperatures and drought conditions mean that fish could have already been stressed.

Trion Mayor Lanny Thomas told WZQZ News on Monday evening that officials with Mount Vernon Mills and the Town of Trion will continue monitoring the river.  Mayor Thomas said, “It is our desire to keep our river clean”.