Questions remain about tree plan at Ottawa County Superfund site

Thursday, July 21st 2005, 5:58 am

By: News On 6

PICHER, Okla. (AP) -- A tree-growing company is planning a pilot project in the Tar Creek Superfund site they hope will remove soil contaminants, but some local officials say they have doubts about whether the plan will work.

Tahlequah-based Agrico Services is still seeking financing for the project and has not started soil testing. Agrico officials say they aren't sure its hybrid Megafolia trees can grow on a 26-acre plot on the southern edge of Picher.

The chairman of the Tar Creek Basin Steering Committee says the company's claims that its tree growing operation could solve Tar Creek's problems are familiar to area residents.

John Sparkman and other critics of the Agrico plan say they're concerned the company's demands for water could lead to more cave-ins within the Superfund site.