Tar Creek relocation gets $8M

By Sheila Stogsdill

Published: May 21, 2008

PICHER — The Tar Creek buyout program has received $8 million to assist tornado victims, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe and Gov. Brad Henry announced Tuesday.

"This $8 million in federal funds will be first used to assist the victims of the May 10 tornado in the Picher area,” Inhofe said in a prepared statement.

Seven people died as a result of an EF-4 tornado that hit Picher. Federal and state damage assessment teams said 167 homes were damaged, including 114 that were destroyed and 30 that had major damage.

Inhofe said the Lead Impacted Communities Relocation Assistance Trust will move the tornado victims to the top of the buyout list.

"We are overwhelmingly grateful as a trust for the work of Senator Inhofe and Governor Henry in securing this funding so quickly,” said Dr. Mark Osborn, trust vice chairman.

The trust will use the money to benefit the people affected by the tornado, he said.

The funding is made available in two Environmental Protection Agency segments, one for $3 million and another for $5 million, he said.

The $3 million is available to the state through funds that Inhofe specifically directed for relocation in previously passed appropriations. The additional $5 million is available through federal superfund program resources to the state for the purpose of Tar Creek relocation efforts included in the Water Resources Development Act, Inhofe said.

"At a critical time for the residents of Picher, everyone worked together to secure the resources necessary to quickly complete the relocation effort,” Henry said.

After the environmental dangers of Tar Creek and the deadly May 10 tornado, it would have been unconscionable to ask the people of Picher to wait months or years on a buyout program, he said.

"They survived the nightmare, and we hope they can emerge from these trying times and ultimately make a better life for themselves and their families,” Henry said.

Comments