ExxonMobil: No "unacceptable" environmental effects from oil spill, AGFC disagrees

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) - ExxonMobil released{}a report claiming that{}there are no environmental effects resulting from last year's massive oil spill in Mayflower. But one local agency says the oil giant is overreaching.

Exxon has been making similar claims since the oil spill on March 29th of last year. But now the oil giant officially stands by its initial{}claims that there is no need for concern.

In a lengthy report, released{}Monday by Exxon, they collected data on the soil, water and air. They say several times throughout the report that there are no "unacceptable" ecological and environmental risks in the drainage ways, Lake Conway or a nearby cove where much of the oil leaked into. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has been working closely with ExxonMobil since the oil spill. Channel 7 spoke with one official there who said that Exxon's data seems to be correct but their conclusion that there are no current or future effects from the spill is flawed.

"We let them know through a disclaimer in our approval letter that, while we don't dispute the data, we would not necessarily use the same conclusions and interpretations that they do," said Rick Chastain, deputy director for AGFC.

A resident of Faulkner County who has{}also looked into the health effects of the oil spill says what other residents are seeing and experiencing contradict Exxon's claims.

"We're still getting reports from residents they're nauseated and when those airboats start coming through they start smelling some of the odor still," said April Lane.

Channel 7 received this statement from Exxon:

"ExxonMobil continues to work under the direction of{}ADEQ on effective means of remediation in the cove. These discussions are a normal part of this ongoing process and we will be here until the job is done."

Click here to see the full report on the ADEQ's website.