Ark. AG requests preservation of Exxon oil spill records

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel issued a request Tuesday that Exxon Mobil Corp. preserve and maintain all documents related to Friday's extensive oil spill in Mayflower.

McDaniel wrote a letter to Exxon Mobil officials that said his office would open an inquiry into the cause and impact of the oil spill caused by the rupture of Exxon's Pegasus pipeline. The spill allowed thousands of gallons of crude oil to leak into a residential neighborhood near Lake Conway. The oil significantly damaged the environment and property in the area.

"This incident has damaged private property and Arkansas's natural resources," McDaniel said. "Homeowners have been forced from their homes as a result of this spill. Requesting that Exxon secure these documents and data is the first step in determining what happened and preserving evidence for any future litigation."

The letter requests that the oil company require any affected employees and affiliated organization preserve all data compilations, documents, tangible objects or other information related to the pipeline rupture, spill and cleanup efforts. McDaniel said Exxon should take all necessary measures to prevent modification or destruction of the records.

McDaniel anticipates Exxon will comply with his request.

McDaniel's office plans to evaluate all appropriate measures to represent the state and its agencies, including the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.