Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(b) (c) On September 17, 2009, American Ecology Corporation (the "Company") issued a press release announcing the approval of a Chief Executive Officer Transition Plan. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

On September 15, 2009, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stephen A. Romano provided the Company's Board of Directors notice of non-renewal of his employment contract expiring on December 31, 2009 and related retirement. The Board of Directors also approved the appointment of James R. Baumgardner as President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2010. Mr. Romano will remain as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Baumgardner, 46, has served as our President and Chief of Operating Officer since January, 2009. Mr. Baumgardner previously served as the Company's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 1999 to 2006. From 2006 to 2008, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer with SECOR International, Inc., a Redmond, Washington based provider of environmental consulting services. Prior to 1999, he held various positions in corporate banking, corporate treasury and investment banking. He holds a Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelors of Sciences from Oregon State University.

The Company intends to enter into a new employment agreement with Mr. Baumgardner prior to his assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2010.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

The following exhibit relating to Item 5.02 shall be deemed to be furnished, and not filed:

99.1 Press release issued by the Registrant on September 17, 2009.

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