DEQ could get long-awaited report on Tar Creek soon

<br>TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality could get a long-awaited White House study of Tar Creek later this month. <br><br>Scott Thompson, director of the DEQ's land

Thursday, September 12th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality could get a long-awaited White House study of Tar Creek later this month.

Scott Thompson, director of the DEQ's land protection division, said federal sources have a draft of the report. Thompson said he hopes the DEQ will get a copy within two weeks.

DEQ officials wanted to wait for the report's release before trying to solve the problems stemming from contamination left by lead and zinc mining operations in the northeast Oklahoma region.

The lead contamination that remains has been a major public health concern for Ottawa County children.

When ingested by young children, lead impairs the development of their central nervous systems.

Some residents have criticized the DEQ for how it's spending the $4 million in state funding for Tar Creek projects. Several have accused the DEQ of squandering the money set aside by the state Legislature.

John Sparkman, a member of the Tar Creek Basin Steering Committee, said residents have been waiting for 20 years as the Environmental Protection Agency spent $100 million for remediation efforts at the Superfund site.

Sparkman said instead of waiting for a study that will cover only technical issues, he would like to see the state match federal funds for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to launch a comprehensive plan for the area.

``It is time to start managing the process and fund the first phase of the feasibility study instead of finding reasons to remain idle,'' said Sparkman, who is also executive director of the Picher Housing Authority.

Other residents have suggested that the corps be named the federal lead agency for the Superfund site, Sparkman said.

``The Corps is the only federal agency associated with the Superfund site that has shown a continued interest in developing a comprehensive plan to access the multiple issues facing area residents,'' according to a letter signed by Sparkman and six area mayors.

The letter was sent Aug. 28 to U.S. Rep. Brad Carson, D-Okla.