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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 AYqXdtgSH1pxrELmlfCxy00ZqPMSsA9KgRo6TeP6lPeCUkklgJbiRQvc0ewW7hSl
 nc3qQKzylLP48lccJW0edw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-05-004100.txt : 20050611
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-05-004100.hdr.sgml : 20050611
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050531115251
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-05-004100
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050525
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050531
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050531

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000742126
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REFUSE SYSTEMS [4953]
		IRS NUMBER:				953889638
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		805 W IDAHO
		STREET 2:		STE 200
		CITY:			BOSIE
		STATE:			ID
		ZIP:			83702
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2083318400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		805 W IDAHO
		STREET 2:		STE 200
		CITY:			BOISE
		STATE:			ID
		ZIP:			83702

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Swope Richard T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001321603

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-11688
		FILM NUMBER:		05866139

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2083318400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 E. MALLARD, SUITE 300
		CITY:			BOISE
		STATE:			ID
		ZIP:			83706
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-05-25</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000742126</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ECOL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001321603</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Swope Richard T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 E. MALLARD, SUITE 300</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOISE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>ID</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>83706</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Richard T. Swope</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-05-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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