EXHIBIT 99
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2005
Contact: Chad Hyslop (208) 331-8400
chyslop@americanecology.com     www.americanecology.com
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              KENNETH C. LEUNG APPOINTED TO AMERICAN ECOLOGY BOARD

     BOISE, Idaho - Rotchford L. Barker, Chairman of the Board of Directors of
American Ecology Corporation [NASDAQ: ECOL], today announced that Kenneth C.
Leung was appointed to serve as the 9th member of the Corporation's Board of
Directors.  The Corporation bylaws provide for up to 9 Directors.

     Leung, 60, joins Barker, David B. Anderson, Roy C. Eliff, Edward F. Heil,
Stephen M. Schutt, Richard Riazzi, General Jimmy D. Ross (USA Retired) and
President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen A. Romano on the Board.

      "We're pleased to be able to immediately draw upon Ken's investment
banking and environmental business experience," Barker stated.

     Leung, currently a Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of the
Environmental Opportunity Funds at Sander Morris Harris Group, brings over 30
years experience in investment and the environmental industry.  Leung is a
contributing writer to several environmental publications and a frequent speaker
at environmental and financial conferences.  Before joining Sanders Morris
Harris in 1995, Leung was a Managing Director at Smith Barney and held senior
positions at F. Eberstadt & Company, Chemical Bank, and Chase Manhattan Bank.
Leung is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Synagro Technologies,
Inc., and SystemOne Technologies.

     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,
steel mills, medical and academic institutions and petro-chemical



facilities.  Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, American Ecology 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, generate future earnings, or prevail in pending litigation. 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, and most recent Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
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