For Immediate Release
October 16, 2000
Contact: Ray Bowman, Emergency Information Officer (502) 607-5721 
             Mark York, Natural Resources  (502) 564-3350

Governor Issues State of Emergency in Martin County Spill; Surveys Damage From the Air

Frankfort, Ky. - Governor Paul E. Patton has issued an Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency in the wake of last Wednesday’s failure of a Martin County coal slurry impoundment.  An estimated 210 million gallons of the material was accidentally released into Cold Water Branch and the Big Sandy Branch of Wolf Creek.

According to the Executive Order, public water supplies are experiencing water shortages that are resulting in the disruption of essential services, such as drinking water, basic sanitation and fire protection.  Governor Patton stated, “These conditions are endangering the public health and safety, and could result in potential environmental damages.  We want to do all we can to ensure that the people, the wildlife and the natural beauty in these affected areas are safe from harm.”

The declaration covers the counties of Boyd, Bracken, Carter, Fleming, Greenup, Lawrence, Lewis, Martin, Mason, and Robertson, all lying within the Big Sandy and Ohio River watersheds.  The Kentucky Division of Emergency Management is charged with coordinating response and relief activities of all state agencies and private relief organizations in response to this emergency.

Governor Patton visited the Martin County site Monday afternoon, then traveled on to Louisa in Lawrence County to further survey the damage caused by the slurry plume and inspect efforts underway to ease the effects of the release.  One such effort is a proposed temporary pipeline to provide clean water to Louisa from the Levisa Branch of the Big Sandy River.

The Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet is also directed by the Executive Order to take necessary actions to conserve water resources in the two watersheds.

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