Status of the state's Tar Creek buyout program

Families in the Tar Creek Superfund site are closer than ever to moving. Governor Brad Henry's $5-million buyout is moving full-steam ahead. <br/><br/>About sixty families with children ages six-and-under

Monday, April 11th 2005, 6:23 am

By: News On 6

Families in the Tar Creek Superfund site are closer than ever to moving. Governor Brad Henry's $5-million buyout is moving full-steam ahead.

About sixty families with children ages six-and-under applied for relocation assistance and most have accepted the state's offers, based on appraisals of homes in similar-sized towns. Once a family accepts the buyout, theyâ€™ll have 90 days to find a home in a community outside the superfund site.

More than $2-million in checks could start going out to families in Picher and Cardin as early as May.

Purchase prices range from about $17,000 to more than $220,000, at an average of $48,000 per household. The federal government's $100-million project to remove lead-tainted dirt from yards cost an average of $71,000 per property.