10/16/2002 

Fish Spared In Sludge Release

Staff
Rum Creek

Biologists with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources say after an analysis of a sludge spill in Logan County, they cannot find any dead fish.

Bandmill Coal Corporation was ordered to halt operations last week when an underground pipe carrying coal slurry ruptured and leaked 100,000 gallons of thick coal sludge into the Logan County stream.

Initially, investigators believed the impact would be disastrous to the fish species inhabiting the stream. However, DNR Assistant Chief for Warmwater Fisheries, Brett Preston tells MetroNews that while some fish appeared stressed initially, they seemed to have survived the spill.

Preston says the lack of dead fish isn't unusual for a couple of reasons. The sludge itself carried no chemical toxins and therefore didn't release any toxic substance into the water that would threaten fish. Preston says the bigger concern in a sludge release is a "smothering" effect, where the fish are literally buried in the sludge at the bottom. He says the sludge moved through the fork of Rum Creek, the main arm of the creek, and the Guyandotte River quickly enough to protect those fish.

Preston theorizes either they weathered the storm or managed to get out of the way. Evidence shows most of the suspended material either washed through or settled to the bottom.

The head of fish management in the state says it's impossible to compare this spill to the one in Inez, Ky., that polluted the Tug Fork and Big Sandy waterways. He says the volume of sludge was much lower and moved through the watershed much faster.

Preston is quick to point out however, that though no fish died, the spill had a greater long-term impact on other parts of the ecosystem. The mayfly and crayfish populations took a hit.

Bandmill and parent company Massey Energy have reportedly agreed to help with some remediation work on the stream. The work will involve restoring aquatic habitat for many of the stream's species.

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