Exhibit 99.1
         Press Release dated October 8, 2001

[AMERICAN ECOLOGY LOGO]  NEWS RELEASE
                         For Immediate Release / Monday, October 08, 2001
                         Contact: Chad Hyslop (208) 331-8400
chyslop@americanecology.com  www.americanecology.com


                  AMERICAN ECOLOGY ANNOUNCES PLANNED MANAGEMENT
                                   TRANSITION

         BOISE, Idaho - Chairman Jack K. Lemley and the Board of Directors of
American Ecology Corporation [NASDAQ: ECOL] today announced a planned transition
of Company management.

         "The Board of Directors and I have reorganized the Company to create
the position of Chief Operating Officer," Lemley stated, adding "The Chief
Executive Officer function is replaced by the Board's Executive Committee."
Lemley will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board and member of its
Executive Committee. Longtime Board member Edward Heil will chair the Executive
Committee.

         "Steve Romano, President of American Ecology's Idaho Operations and
Vice President for Corporate Development, is appointed Chief Operating Officer,"
Lemley announced. Effective immediately, Romano is responsible for day-to-day
operations of American Ecology and its subsidiaries and reports to the Executive
Committee through Heil.

         Jim Baumgardner, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
will also report to the Executive Committee through Heil.



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         "We look forward to Jack Lemley's continued contributions to American
Ecology as Chairman of the Board of Directors," Heil said. "The Board recognizes
Jack's tremendous contributions in saving the Company during the mid-1990s,
returning it to profitability, and placing us firmly on the path to future
growth."

         "I accepted the position of Chairman in 1995 to help turn the company
around and assemble a solid management team," Lemley noted, concluding, "I
believe that has been accomplished and an excellent management team is now in
place."

         Lemley joined American Ecology after a long and distinguished career in
the heavy construction and engineering industry. As CEO of Transmanche-Link from
1989 to 1993, Lemley managed construction of the Channel Tunnel, the largest
privately funded construction project in history. Prior to that, Lemley served
12 years with Morrison Knudsen Corporation as Senior Vice President, where he
managed construction of King Khalid Military City in Saudi Arabia and other
mega-projects around the world. Lemley currently serves on the Board of
Directors of the Idaho Power Company and Applied Power Corporation, and is a
trustee of the University of Idaho and Albertson's College of Idaho.

         Heil has served on the Board of Directors of American Ecology since
1994, and is the Company's largest shareholder. He has also owned and operated
one of the largest solid waste landfills in the midwestern United States and
brings more than 40 years of experience in the construction and waste service
industries.

         Romano has served in capacities of increasing responsibility with
American Ecology and its subsidiaries for more than 12 years. He brings 22 years
of experience in the waste management field with the United States Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, the



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Idaho National Environmental and Engineering Laboratory, and the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources.

         American Ecology Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides
radioactive, PCB, hazardous and non-hazardous waste services to commercial and
government customers throughout the United States, such as nuclear power plants,
medical and academic institutions and petro-chemical facilities. Headquartered
in Boise, Idaho, the Company is the oldest radioactive and hazardous waste
services Company in the United States.

         This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based
on our current expectations, beliefs, and assumptions about the industry and
markets in which American Ecology Corporation and its subsidiaries operate.
Actual results may differ materially from what is expressed herein and no
assurance can be given that the company can successfully implement its growth
strategy or generate future earnings. For information on factors that could
cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to American
Ecology Corporation's Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

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