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Department for Natural Resources
Company Cited For Substandard Water Discharge In Floyd County
The Kentucky Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement (DMRE) has cited Frasure Creek Mining for a substandard water discharge on Oct. 26 near the community of Allen in Floyd County.
A citizen reported seeing discolored water entering the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River and notified the DMRE Regional Office in Prestonsburg and the Kentucky Division of Water’s Emergency Response Team.
Inspection personnel from the Division of Water and DMRE determined that the water originated from an unauthorized discharge pipe in a sediment pond that is part of a closed circuit system of ponds at Frasure Creek Mining.
The discharge created a plume that stretched for some 14 miles – from a half-mile above the community of Allen to the town of Auxier.
Water samples were taken and the company was issued an imminent-danger closure order requiring immediate action to stop the discharge. In addition, a notice of noncompliance was issued for violating water quality standards and sediment control requirements. The discharge was stopped at approximately 12:15 p.m. EDT – less than two hours after the plume was reported.
The company is currently addressing the problem affecting the closed circuit system of ponds. DMRE is in the process of assessing civil penalties for the violations.
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