Martin County Coal Martin County Coal SpillSpill

Martin County Coal Martin County Coal Corp.Corp. Located in Martin County, near Located in Martin County, near

Inez, Kentucky.Inez, Kentucky. In a declining industry, MCCC is In a declining industry, MCCC is

still one of the largest producers still one of the largest producers in the state, turning out 3-5 in the state, turning out 3-5 million tons of coal per year.million tons of coal per year.1 1

Martin County Coal Corp.Martin County Coal Corp. (cont.)(cont.)

The mine has been an asset to the The mine has been an asset to the people of Eastern Kentucky for people of Eastern Kentucky for years, creating jobs and aiding the years, creating jobs and aiding the small town economy. small town economy.

In the fall of 2000, however, MCCC In the fall of 2000, however, MCCC had an accident that was had an accident that was detrimental to the environment and detrimental to the environment and the people of Eastern Kentucky. the people of Eastern Kentucky.

The Spill The Spill

On October 11, 2000, one of On October 11, 2000, one of MCCC’s coal slurry impoundments MCCC’s coal slurry impoundments released nearly 300 million gallons released nearly 300 million gallons of sludge into surrounding streams. of sludge into surrounding streams.

20 miles of adjacent streams and 20 miles of adjacent streams and flood plains were covered in 8 feet flood plains were covered in 8 feet of slurry, killing all aquatic life. of slurry, killing all aquatic life.

Source: http://www.kellyswebdesign.com/coalslurryspill/

The Cause The Cause

After approval from the Mine After approval from the Mine Safety and Health Administration Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for construction of the (MSHA) for construction of the impoundment, MCCC did not impoundment, MCCC did not follow through with the approved follow through with the approved plan.plan.

This lead to erosion of the barrier This lead to erosion of the barrier wall and eventually collapse. wall and eventually collapse.

The Reaction The Reaction

Governor Patton declared a State Governor Patton declared a State of Emergency in 10 surrounding of Emergency in 10 surrounding counties. counties.

MCCC had to ship in bottled water MCCC had to ship in bottled water to the many residents that had to the many residents that had polluted tap water. polluted tap water.

The Reaction (cont.)The Reaction (cont.)

Polluted soil was removed from the flood Polluted soil was removed from the flood plains and replaced with clean soil. plains and replaced with clean soil. Residents appreciated the gesture, but Residents appreciated the gesture, but complained that the new soil was hard complained that the new soil was hard and unfertile. and unfertile.

Kentucky began a review of 118 coal Kentucky began a review of 118 coal impoundments to ensure safety. impoundments to ensure safety.

Engineers must now perform additional Engineers must now perform additional inspections and reviews of inspections and reviews of impoundments.impoundments.

CostsCosts

MCCC has paid 58 MCCC has paid 58 million dollars so million dollars so far in costs far in costs resulting from the resulting from the spill. spill.

The EPA issued an The EPA issued an administrative administrative order holding MCCC order holding MCCC entirely responsible entirely responsible for cleanup.for cleanup.

Source: http://www.kellyswebdesign.com/coalslurryspill/ColdwaterBranchSlurrySpill4.jpg

Stakeholder Fee (in million dollars) Reason

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

.225 Fish Replacement

Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet (NREPC)

1.75 Civil Penalties

NREPC 1.0 Damages to Kentucky’s Environment

NREPC .5 Response Costs

State of Kentucky 3.25 Damages to State of Kentucky

West Virginia Department of Environmental

Protection

.6 Damages to West Virginia’s Environment

Penalties paidPenalties paid

Source: State of Kentucky’s environment (2000-2001)

PreventionPrevention

To help prevent disasters, such as To help prevent disasters, such as this one, from ever happening this one, from ever happening again, there are two viable again, there are two viable options to consider. options to consider.

Prevention (cont.)Prevention (cont.)

In the aftermath of In the aftermath of the Martin County disaster, the Martin County disaster, new focus has been placed new focus has been placed on the rules and on the rules and regulations of the MHSA. regulations of the MHSA. In regards to approval In regards to approval plans for new plans for new impoundments, annual impoundments, annual inspections are performed inspections are performed to ensure safety and any to ensure safety and any corrective action is corrective action is executed immediately. As executed immediately. As long as these new rules long as these new rules are strictly enforced, we are strictly enforced, we should continue to see a should continue to see a decline in toxic spills in decline in toxic spills in Kentucky.Kentucky.

Toxic and Hazardous Spills in Kentucky

010002000300040005000

YearN

umbe

r of

Sp

ills

number of spills

Source: State of Kentucky’s Environment (2000-2001)

Prevention (cont.)Prevention (cont.)

The next option is creating a coal The next option is creating a coal slurry pipeline to pump the waste slurry pipeline to pump the waste away from the mountains to away from the mountains to treatment facilities in a safe area.treatment facilities in a safe area.

Prevention (cont.)Prevention (cont.)

On the surface, pipeline use appears to On the surface, pipeline use appears to be the best option, but there are 3 be the best option, but there are 3 obstacles in the way. obstacles in the way. – Funding would make the project nearly Funding would make the project nearly

cost prohibitive. cost prohibitive. – Water would be contaminated and Water would be contaminated and

impoundments would still be needed as a impoundments would still be needed as a source for water.source for water.

– Legal problems would exist with land Legal problems would exist with land owners, in the way of the pipeline, holding owners, in the way of the pipeline, holding out for maximum compensation.out for maximum compensation.

Conclusion Conclusion

Due to the overwhelming number of Due to the overwhelming number of challenges that the pipeline would face challenges that the pipeline would face to become a reality, it remains an to become a reality, it remains an unrealistic goal, leaving the best option unrealistic goal, leaving the best option to be increased regulation and to be increased regulation and inspections, along with improved inspections, along with improved enforcement, as is already being done.enforcement, as is already being done.

They have already shown improvement They have already shown improvement and should continue to do so. and should continue to do so.

The EndThe EndGroup Leader: Group Leader: Greg MadisonGreg MadisonEditor & Chief:Editor & Chief: Kristi SpencerKristi SpencerVisual Design: Visual Design: Brody RuihleyBrody Ruihley

Visual Design:Visual Design: Kyle Jaracz Kyle Jaracz

We love Frankie!!!We love Frankie!!!