EPA Superfund Site

TAR CREEK (OTTAWA COUNTY)

OK | EPA ID OKD980629844

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of October 2024, the Tar Creek Superfund Site (Site) is considered Human Exposure Not under Control because people may be exposed to lead in soils, chat piles, chat bases, and mill ponds. Tribal members live throughout the area and utilize plants grown on or animals feeding near contaminated areas as a part of their tribal way of life. In addition to these exposures, there are adolescent recreators and families that continue to trespass and use the contaminated areas for recreational purposes. The contaminated area is vast and it is not possible to prevent all access to the mining waste. Consequently the EPA is implementing the cleanup of contaminated source areas and conducting multiple community outreach efforts to educate people with respect to avoiding exposure to the contamination. These actions will significantly reduce the exposure of Tribal members and trespassers to the contamination.

The voluntary buyout the EPA implemented under the Record of Decision for Operable Unit 4 (Mining Waste) in the former mining towns of Picher, Cardin, and Hockerville was completed in 2011. This effort relocated more than 700 residences. With this milestone achieved the continued remediation of residential properties, and the continued outreach efforts in adjacent communities that are within the Site's boundary, the EPA views the exposure to Site contamination to be under control in these areas.

With regard to potential human health risks related to surface water and sediment exposure, EPA is working with partners to address these concerns. EPA Regions 6 and 7 are working closely with the 3 states (Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas), nine Tribes (Quapaw Nation, Peoria Tribe, Ottawa Tribe, Miami Tribe, Eastern Shawnee Tribe, Wyandotte Nation, Seneca-Cayuga Nation, Modoc Tribe, and Cherokee Nation), and the community to develop and complete a human health risk assessment and characterization report. This Operable Unit 5 (Surface Water and Sediment) effort includes seven watersheds covering approximately 437 square miles and 119 river miles within Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and 8 tribal areas.