The Rhea County Sheriff’s Department along with Tennessee State Park Rangers, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and the Tennessee 12th Judicial District Attorney’s office are actively and aggressively investigating the illegal dumping of waste on the Soak Creek River section of Piney River Resource Management Area. The Sheriff’s Office is not releasing any further details at this time, however, the investigation comes after a video went viral on Facebook reportedly showing the aftermath of an illegal dump of human waste.
On May 13th, a post on the Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail Facebook page announced that the area by the yellow gate and beyond is CLOSED due to contamination and vandalism. This is the beginning of the Soak Creek River section that begins on Shut In Gap Road in Spring City and runs to Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area. Also closed are the Lower Piney River section and the entire Piney River Resource Management Area. (Photo courtesy Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail Facebook page.)
