CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Independent gubernatorial candidate Denise Giardina charged Gov. Cecil Underwood and Rep. Bob Wise of remaining silent while one of the region's worst environmental disasters is occurring on West Virginia's border.

        Ms. Giardina said West Virginia's major-party gubernatorial candidates have failed to comment on a 250 million-gallon release of sludge from a coal dam break in eastern Kentucky.

A coal truck (right foreground) hauls “coarse refuse coal,” a mining byproduct, from the edge of the impoundment pond that leaked at the Martin County Coal Co. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        The release has turned sections of the Tug Fork and the Big Sandy rivers black and has forced officials to seek alternative sources of water for thousands of residents.

        “I'm tired of coal companies running our lives,” Ms. Giardina said. “And I'm tired of politicians who won't say anything.”

        Wise spokesman Mike Plante said, “tragedies like this underscore the importance of tough standards and frequent inspections of these dams.”

        The state is monitoring the situation and working to provide water to residents, said Rod Blackstone, Mr. Underwood's campaign spokesman.

        “Right now is the time for action. ... There will be plenty of time for outrage later,” Mr. Blackstone said.

        The spill occurred Oct. 11 when the roof of a former underground mine caved in under a coal slurry pond operated by Martin County Coal Corp. near Inez, Ky. The slurry broke out of old work ings and into two nearby streams that feed the Tug Fork and Big Sandy rivers, which border West Virginia. Officials said the slurry cannot be detected in the Ohio River.

        Officials in Fort Gay were trying to connect to the Louisa, Ky., water plant so it could stop hauling water to the Wayne County community.

        Bob Kelly, an EPA on-site coordinator in Fort Gay, said the Big Sandy River's condition had changed little visibly in the past two weeks.

        The river has been described as a thick black milk shake.

        Ms. Giardina said there are West Virginia coal impoundment dams that could break just as easily.

        At least 45 dams in southern West Virginia, eastern Kentucky and Virginia have a high potential to break into nearby underground mines, according to a review by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration.

        “I'm calling for an immediate investigation of every sludge impoundment in West Virginia,” said Ms. Giardina.

        “And I strongly oppose West Virginia paying any cleanup costs,” she said.

        Mr. Blackstone said the governor, “would expect a public accounting based on the expenses the state has occurred as a result of this.”
       
       

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