Thu, Nov 26 2009
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Published May 10, 2009 09:39 pm - REECE, Kan. — The federal stimulus package is giving Treece residents hope that some of the money can be used for a buyout of the town. Their neighbors in Picher, Okla., are being relocated under a federal program, but a leader of the buyout effort in Treece said she hopes the town can avoid the problems of the Picher buyout.  Kansas congressional delegation seeks funds for Treece buyout w/ Sen Brownback letters By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com TREECE, Kan. — The federal stimulus package is giving Treece residents hope that some of the money can be used for a buyout of the town. Their neighbors in Picher, Okla., are being relocated under a federal program, but a leader of the buyout effort in Treece said she hopes the town can avoid the problems of the Picher buyout. The Kansas congressional delegation on April 21 sent a letter to Lisa Jackson, administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency, asking the EPA to use federal stimulus money to relocate Treece residents. The letter was developed in response to a letter from the Treece mayor and City Council to U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan. Treece, like Picher, is part of the former Tri-State Mining District, and has been contaminated with waste from decades of lead and zinc mining. The letter from the congressional delegation references the $10 million to $25 million allocated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for removal of lead-contaminated soil in Treece, Baxter Springs and other areas in Cherokee County. The letter states that while the cleanup money is appreciated, the greatest threat in Treece is the danger from cave-ins. “Less than one mile from Treece is (Picher), which is experiencing similar challenges,” the letter states. “In addressing the situation (in Picher), EPA Region 6 provided the funding to expedite the buyout and relocation of residents. We strongly encourage EPA Region 7 to utilize the ARRA funding to assist with relocating citizens of Treece.” The letter, signed by Brownback, U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts and U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, all Kansas Republicans, suggests there are better uses for the cleanup money. “While removing contaminated soil is to be commended, this action does not offer a long-term solution to an area affected by subsidence,” the letter says. “Unfortunately, it is unlikely many areas of the Cherokee County Superfund Site will be returned to productive use. The most accountable and transparent action would be to relocate the town of Treece to an area suitable for raising families, expanding businesses and living a healthy life.” Brownback didn’t return calls seeking comment. Gayla Woodcock, one of the leaders of the Treece buyout effort, said this is the only sign of hope the effort has had in more than a year. “It’s a good sign,” Woodcock said. “We would love to get something out of our properties and get out of the mess we’re in.” Woodcock said the City Council drafted a letter to Brownback after learning that additional stimulus money was being allocated for mine-waste cleanup. She said it’s not good use of taxpayers’ money. 
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