More money found for relocation project
More money found for Tar Creek relocation project

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Published: September 3, 2008

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.