ON JANUARY 26, 2005, A 22-INCH PIPELINE OWNED BY MID VALLEY BURST NEAR THE BANK OF THE KENTUCKY RIVER IN THE VICINITY OF PERRY PARK, OWEN COUNTY, KENTUCKY. OFFICIALS SAID THE PIPELINE FAILED AT A WELDED JUNCTION WITHIN 50 FEET OF WHERE THE LINE WAS BURIED UNDER THE RIVERBANK. THIS SECTION OF PIPELINE WAS 52 YEARS OLD. DURING THE RESPONSE TO THE SPILL AND CLEAN UP, MID VALLEY ORIGINALLY ESTIMATED THAT APPROX 1,500 BARRELS (63,000 GALLONS) OF OIL HAD BEEN DISCHARGED. MID VALLEY LATER CHANGED ITS ESTIMATE TO APPROX 1,960 BARRELS (82,320 GALLONS). FINALLY, ON MARCH 18, 2005, MID VALLEY INDICATED THAT THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF OIL DISCHARGED INTO THE KENTUCKY RIVER AS A RESULT OF THE SPILL WAS 6251 BARRELS (262,542 GALLONS). THE OIL SLICK AT ONE POINT STRETCHED UP TO 12 MILES LONG ON THE KENTUCKY AND OHIO RIVERS. THE SUNOCO DEFENDANTS ARE THE OPERATORS OF THE MID VALLEY PIPELINE.
RESIDENTS IN THE VICINITY OF THE SPILL COMPLAINED OF HEADACHES AND NAUSEA AS A RESULT OF INHALING FUMES FROM THE SPILL. LOUISVILLE'S WATER COMPANY DETECTED OIL AT ITS WATER INTAKES ALONG THE OHIO RIVER AFTER THE PIPELINE RUPTURED. AN ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGE TO WILDLIFE IS INCOMPLETE BUT SIX CANADA GEESE AND ONE BEAVER WERE REHABILITATED AND RELEASED AFTER ENCOUNTERING OIL.
THE KENTUCKY DEPT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION'S (KYDEP) DIVISION OF WATER ISSUED A NOTICE OF VIOLATION (NOV) TO MID VALLEY ON JANUARY 31, 2005, FOR THE JANUARY 26, 2005, SPILL. THE NOV INCLUDED MID VALLEY'S POLLUTION OF KENTUCK