8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT

OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 2, 2006

AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE	0-11688	95-3889638
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
Lakepointe Centre I,
300 E. Mallard, Suite 300
Boise, Idaho		83706
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(208) 331-8400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Item 3.03. Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders

On January 3, 2006, the Company issued a press release entitled “AMERICAN ECOLOGY ANNOUNCES $0.15 PER SHARE QUARTERLY DIVIDEND”. The press release, dated January 3, 2006, is attached as Exhibit 99 and incorporated by reference herein.

Exhibit 99 Press Release, dated January 3, 2006, entitled “AMERICAN ECOLOGY ANNOUNCES $0.15 PER SHARE QUARTERLY DIVIDEND”

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	AMERICAN ECOLOGY CORPORATION
	(Registrant)
Date: January 3, 2006	By:	/S/ James R. Baumgardner
		James R. Baumgardner
		Senior Vice President and CFO

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit	Description
Exhibit 99	Press Release dated January 3, 2006 titled “AMERICAN ECOLOGY ANNOUNCES $0.15 PER SHARE QUARTERLY DIVIDEND”

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EX-99

Exhibit 99

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Chad Hyslop (208) 331-8400

info@americanecology.comwww.americanecology.com

AMERICAN ECOLOGY ANNOUNCES

$0.15 PER SHARE QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

BOISE, Idaho, January 3, 2006 - American Ecology Corporation [NASDAQ:ECOL] today announced that shareholders of record on January 2, 2006 will receive a $0.15 per common share dividend paid on January 13, 2006. The Company paid $0.15 per share dividends in October and July 2005, and a $0.25 per share dividend in October 2004.

On September 30, 2005 the Company reported approximately 17,636,000 common shares outstanding. The Company estimates that approximately $2.6 million in cash will be paid out for the declared quarterly dividend. At September 30, 2005 the Company reported $23.8 million in cash and short-term investments on hand.

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, refineries and chemical manufacturing 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 management’s 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 will successfully implement its growth plan or declare or pay future quarterly dividends. While the Company intends to pay quarterly dividends, payment of any future dividend is contingent upon the Company’s continued compliance with all terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with its primary bank. No assurance can be given that the Company will continue to comply with this Agreement in order to pay dividends in future periods. For information on other factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to American Ecology Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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