Okmulgee Prepares For Industrial Park

Saturday, January 15th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A green Country town is finally rid of hundreds of gallons of potentially fatal chemicals. Environmentalists are in Okmulgee cleaning up a site that is being transformed from an eyesore to an economic hotspot for the city.

Driving through Okmulgee you wouldn't know that 500 gallons of potentially fatal chemicals are being transported out of town. Residents are out and about as usual but keeping an ear out for sirens that will warn them of a hydroflouric acid spill.

"I haven't heard any sirens or anything," says Resident Rashie Grogan. "I hadn't really paid much attention to it."

And neither have Rashie Grogan's neighbors who can look out their front doors and see the old refinery towering over town. The Department of Environmental Quality walked the neighborhoods with fliers this week telling everyone how they're cleaning up the site.

"It just talks about the hazards of the refinery," says Grogan.

And although the odds are better at winning the Texas Lottery, the chemicals that have been sitting there can kill you.

"It can cause breathing problems it can cause your eyes to burn and if enough gas is in the air, it can be fatal," says Mary Calvey, DEQ.

But no one here is expecting any problems as the tank of acid is treated and removed. What they are expecting benefits.

"The final result when all of the clean up is done it to turn this area into a business park in effect what we'll be doing is turning it into an economic engine to create jobs and wealth for the community," says Diana Force.

The Okmulgee Development Corporation says the transformation could take up to five years. They want to make sure the soil isn't contaminated with the acid that has sat idle for so many years. But they're hopeful this weekend's cleanup will be a catalyst in getting new business to Okmulgee soon. The refinery area is closed off through the weekend as the clean up continues.