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Exxon apologizes for Arkansas oil spill

MAYFLOWER, Ark., April 22 (UPI) -- Exxon Mobil issued an apology to Mayflower, Ark., residents affected by an oil spill in March from the Pegasus pipeline.

About 5,000 barrels of oil spilled in Mayflower in late March. Arkansas officials said the spill came from a 22-foot gash in the 60-year-old pipeline.

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Exxon issued a community newsletter to residents updating them on the remediation process. It said marshlands soiled by the spill were being cleaned with special pads and vacuum pumps and that most of the free-standing oil has been recovered.

"Again, we are very sorry for the disruption that we have caused," the newsletter states. "We know this incident has been a disruption to many community members."

Exxon said last week that the all-clear was given in terms of water and air quality. It said more than 80 animals soiled by oil have been released into the wild. The two-page letter features a picture on each page of Exxon "wildlife experts" releasing ducks and turtles into a marshland.

The company last week offered to buy the homes of residents affected by the spill.

The damaged section of the pipeline was removed for testing and replaced. The accident remains under investigation.

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