 Henryetta mayor Jennifer Clason was presented a certificate recognizing the cleanup of lead and asbestos at the old armory building. Kelly Dixon, ODEQ Land Protection Division head made the presentation prior to a meeting Tuesday outlining the cleanup at the Shurden-Leist industrial park. |
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| In August, the cleanup and maintenance of the old Eagle Picher smelter site will be taking center stage. Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Oklahoma Department of Quality (ODEQ) will be on hand to answer questions from the public about the site. That meeting will be held Aug. 25 at the civic center. That public gathering was the reason for an hour-long meeting Tuesday with both agencies talking to city officials. "We want to dispel any rumors or misconceptions out there about the (Shurden-Leist) park," said city manager Ted Graham. |
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Kelly Dixon, ODEQ land protection division director, said work is underway now to prepare maps and handouts describing the project. She said those handouts would be written in layman terms. A video outlining the cleanup will be shown. "Our idea is not to be taking public comments. It is more a venue to present information and invite people to mingle and talk with ODEQ and EPA," she added. She told the group similar sites are, "all over the country and have been used for other development." |
| Eastern Oklahoma Family Health is looking at the site for construction of a new facility that could employ up to 30 people. Brian Daniel, who was involved in the cleanup with ODEQ, said there will be a 10 to 15 minute presentation then those attending will be able to visit individually with both agencies at separate booths. "We are talking about the central plateau of the 70-acre area," Daniel said. He explained some 30 acres is available for reuse and lies along a roadway running down the middle of the property. He went on to explain that part of the old smelter site has a 12 inch soil cap covering much of the dirt that had been exposed to smoke and dust from the smelter operations. He pointed out the most contaminated refuse from the site was gathered and put in a clay lined consolidated area north of the main part of the site. "We referenced it as a grave," said Gayle Machetta who served on the city council when the cleanup was accomplished. "I promise you it is six feet underground." Dixon pointed out any issues with water runoff from the Shurden-Leist site was discounted. "The metals are not very soluble. They don't travel very far." She said the cap above the most contaminated area cuts down on water infiltration and, since groundwater was not used not he site, there was no contamination. Daniel pointed out the nearest well is a privately-owned facility located some two miles south. |
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Another area of concern for the city is the Iron and Metal site on West Main. "There's a lot of people interested and we would like to get rid of it," Henry Koelzer said. He brought up the issue of a creek running through the junk yard. "We don't know what's in it. Kids jump in the stream in hot weather." Kelly explained her office has been working with EPA since last fall. "We asked them to do an assessment." Most recently, she said the results from a visit to the Iron and metals site has been turned over to their enforcement group. |
| "A letter has gone to the owner of record. They have 30 days to respond." That deadline will be up about the middle of August. "One of our problems is it is privately owned. "If it goes for back taxes, it might be owned by the county and that would open other avenues." According to city officials, the property taxes have not been paid for several years. Brent Jenson expressed some of the frustration felt by other residents. "If I burn something I'm not supposed to, I can get fined by DEQ and EPA. If we do a study on that large a scale, how come no one told them to clean it up but they can come to my property and tell me to clean up and give me a ticket?" "This is why we are pushing the EPA," Dixon said. She explained her agency has statutes covering nuisances that are broad in scope. "As a city, we are ready for that man to be in trouble," replied Jenson. How can a person who doesn't live here but has a disaster for out children and get away with it?" "We need the EPA. They have broad enforcement abilities," said Dixon. She explained one worry is the state could go to court and win a summary judgement but still be unable to get any money to clean up the property. A cleanup was accomplished earlier this year on old smelter debris on the northeast side of town. Daniel said the cleanup on Dewar Avenue resulted in several piles of debris hauled off and covered. "That was funded from money in a SARCO bankruptcy settlement." |
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