April 15, 2007

On April 14-15 heavy rains in eastern Kentucky brought massive amounts of mud, rocks and trees off TECO mining sites down into the creek and road along Island Creek in Pike County. The biggest slide ruptured a buried gas line, creating a dangerous situation for local residents.

The worst slide actually came off an area that is supposed to have been "reclaimed." But toxic runoff from an underground mine operation had killed some of the vegetation that was helping to hold the mining waste in place. Local resident and KFTC member Doug Justice had warned the coal company weeks ago, before the heavy rains, that this area was going to slide. Nothing had been done.

Taxpayers paid for county workers to clear the slide off the road. Unfortunately, they just pushed the debris right over into the creek, backing up water for about 50 feet.

Another potentially dangerous slide has started up the road, coming off an improperly constructed valley fill. A local resident reported to the state three weeks ago that this fill was breaking. Nothing has been done.

According to resident Rully Urias, the slide already has taken out some trees. The coal company seems to think trees are going to hold back the slide. "It's just hanging." said Urias.

"I've seen a mudslide before and there's no stopping it. The trees aren't going to hold it back" said Urias. "It's going to put my aunt [the closest house] in danger, and it could come down and get us if we have another heavy rain."

This is not the first time major mudslides have disrupted life in the Island Creek community. In 2005 massive amounts of mud and rock washed off TECO's mine site burying the county road and trapping residents. Local resident Doug Justice ended up having to open the road at his own expense.

Doug Justice clearing the road after the 2005 mudslide