Tar Creek Buyout Continues Amid Funding Concerns

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A state official says he's concerned money will run out for the federal buyout of homes in the Tar Creek Superfund site in northeastern Oklahoma. <br/>The area is contaminated

Thursday, May 10th 2007, 9:59 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A state official says he's concerned money will run out for the federal buyout of homes in the Tar Creek Superfund site in northeastern Oklahoma.
The area is contaminated after decades of lead and zinc mining and many buildings are in danger of collapsing into the underground mines.

The federal government has set aside about $19 million dollars to buy about 700 buildings.

J.D. Strong of the state's secretary of the environment's office says he's worried the money may not be enough to buy out all home and business owners.

But a spokesman for U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe says Inhofe is making it a priority to be sure there's enough money to buy out all who want to leave the area.