In August 2002, the state of Kentucky settled with the Martin County Coal Corporation for $1 million in damages to natural resources of the Commonwealth. Recently, as a result of efforts initiated by the KY State Environmental Quality Commission, and as a result of a legislative act by Kentucky’s General Assembly, $150,000 of the settlement was released to the Martin County Project Team at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). The purpose of the Memorandum of Agreement between EKU and the state of Kentucky is to conduct a systematic assessment of the public water system with full citizen oversight and participation.