Tulsa World: Changes approved for Tar Creek removal

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Changes approved for Tar Creek removal

By SHEILA STOGSDILL World Correspondent
Published: 11/12/2009 5:01 PM
Last Modified: 11/12/2009 5:01 PM

MIAMI, Okla. - The Lead-Impacted Communities Relocation Assistance Trust approved several changes regarding a construction company's removal of Tar Creek residences.

The trust authorized the approval of making any changes needed in the demolition contract with Twin Bridges Construction Company during Tuesday's meeting.

A 2006 Army Corps of Engineers study showed the abandoned lead and zinc mines underneath Picher and the nearby communities of Cardin and Hockerville had a high risk of caving in, prompting a federally funded buyout.

The trust also authorized hiring an asbestos contractor to examine the 200 remaining properties for contamination.

Currently the trust is paying $14-a-square-foot to Twin Bridges Construction Company to remove the asbestos, said Larry Roberts, Trust Operations Manager.

The trust also voted to rebid the second phase of the demolition contract on the remaining properties. It is expected advertisements for the second phase will begin after Jan. 1. In the first phase, 319 properties were destroyed by Twin Bridges Construction Company, he said.

The trust also voted to hire a legal contractor to determine what steps are need to dispose of the property and to hire a project manager to make sure the demolition process stays on target.

Roberts said all appraisals are expected to be approved by Dec. 8.

The 40-square-mile area of Picher, Cardin, Quapaw, North Miami and Commerce was put on the Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund site in 1983 decades after the mining companies pulled out leaving countless environmental and medical problems.

By SHEILA STOGSDILL World Correspondent

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parksport, (11/12/2009 5:26:21 PM)

This EPA Superfund site is going to be a super mess for many more decades.

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