FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 28,2004)--A Pike County coal company has been cited for allegedly causing a black water spill that fouled more than eight miles of a creek in eastern Kentucky earlier this week.

The Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet today issued a Notice of Non-compliance and an Imminent Danger Cessation Order to the Johns Creek Processing Company for the discharge that apparently occurred last Sunday. EPPC field staff had been investigating the discharge since Monday, when it was first observed in Johns Creek.

The company was cited for allowing black water to leave a permitted area and for failing to timely report the spill. EPPC field staff are continuing to investigate the spill.

LaJuana S. Wilcher, secretary of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, has established a task force to study a recent series of black water incidents. The task force, which will hold its first meeting next month, is made up of representatives from the coal industry and environmental organizations.