MAYFLOWER, Ark. – The devastation caused by a Mayflower oil spill 11 years ago is one step closer to being resolved with a proposed settlement between Arkansas agencies and Exxon Mobil Pipeline Co. in federal court Monday.
On Tuesday, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission gave a preview of how some of that money could be spent.
Mayflower oil spill: five years later
Officials said $1.8 million would be spent to restore the wildlife to its natural state. Spokesman Trey Reid says four goals can be achieved with input and consent from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Environmental Quality.
AGFC said most of the money would go toward purchasing 40 acres of forest habitat comparable to that affected by the spill and managing it in good condition for wildlife. Four acres would be converted into a wet soil space to provide habitat for migratory birds.
“There were impacts on some aquatic species, including some reptiles, like turtles and snakes and things like that. “Some migratory birds died in the spill,” Reid said.
Almost a year later, authorities talk about the Mayflower oil spill
AGFC also sought input from fishermen affected by the spill and wants to spend money on infrastructure, fishing and public access improvements to Lake Conway. Finally, a few hundred thousand can reimburse accounts used for the work hours of staff responding to the disaster.
“We expect this to be published in the federal register very soon, hopefully within the next two weeks,” Reid said.
Once published, 30 days of public comments will be opened.
Tanya Wally has lived on this corner of Lake Conway for decades. She said she remembers when more than 200,000 gallons of crude oil gushed from the 850-mile-long Pegasus pipeline and spilled from a Mayflower neighborhood toward her home. According to her, even 11 years later things are different.
“We used to have egrets there all the time. They’re not back there anymore. “We don’t see many ducks anymore,” Wally said.
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He said he would like to see more work done to recover wildlife. She believes a more thorough examination of the soil below the surface is a smart use of money to ensure all the oil has been removed.
“I don’t think it’s come to light, so I think it needs to be dredged,” Wally said. “I’m all for wetlands and all that. I’m fine with that. I just think if you don’t fix what’s underneath, it’s not going to help anything.”
This is not the first settlement Exxonn Mobil has had regarding the spill. In 2017, Exxon Mobil agreed to pay an undisclosed amount of money to affected Mayflower homeowners. That was after already paying more than $5 million in settlements with the government. The oil company never admitted responsibility for the failure of the Pegasus line.
Details on the company’s efforts to clean up after the Mayflower oil spill
Energy Transfer purchased the Pegasus pipeline from Exxon Mobil after the spill. It was built in the 1940s. Central Arkansas Water has fought to keep the pipeline inoperable. CAW spokesman Doug Shackelford said they were told in 2022 there were no plans to return the pipeline to service.
“I’m not aware of any changes to that, but Energy Transfer could bring the pipeline back online any time they decide to do so,” Shackelford said.
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