TULSA -- Two members of Oklahoma's congressional delegation have secured an additional $9.5 million to relocate residents living in the Tar Creek Superfund site.
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The funds are expected to narrow the amount needed to finish the voluntary move.
"By working together, we can ensure Oklahoma will no longer have the distinction of hosting one of the most severe Superfund sites in the country," said Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., who was joined by Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., on Tuesday in making the announcement.
Boren said the money will provide those living within the 40 square-mile area "the opportunity for a brighter future."
"I would like to thank the residents for their patience during this process."
Of the money announced Tuesday, $3.5 million is part of a recent earmark Inhofe obtained, and the rest is being provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through a change in the law that is expected to make future earmarks unnecessary.
An Inhofe aide said more money will be needed but not much more.
Inhofe and EPA officials continue to work together to ensure funding for the project to relocate residents from lead-polluted and undermined homes in Ottawa County.
EPA has worked with federal, state and tribal partners for more than two decades to clean up the Tar Creek site.
The area in far northeastern Oklahoma's Ottawa County includes the communities of Cardin, Hockerville and Picher. It was the site of decades of lead and zinc mining and has been plagued by mine collapses, open mine shafts, acid mine water that stains Tar Creek orange and mountains of lead-contaminated mine waste.
Local children repeatedly test high for dangerous levels of lead in their blood.
The region suffered another blow this past spring when an EF4 tornado flattened most of Picher, resulting in seven deaths.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
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The problem is (like most similar sites) the damage was done before we really knew about the effects, or had laws to manage them. It's been at least a good 40 years since the site was really damaged like this. At that time we were still learning about evnironmental impacts.
This picture is the first I've seen of the area. Can somebody please explain to me how a town/county/state allow such a mess to stockpile? The ill effects of lead poisoning and associated sicknesses have been known for decades. Decades! This state ought to be ashamed of itself for it's lack of concern....and now the whining to have the Feds bail you out once again takes center stage.....how typical of this state....
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