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.
“I’d rather give it to some of these homeowners behind on their mortgage payments,” she said, referring to the national housing crisis. “The EPA is just wasting money.”
She said Picher residents had to wait 10 years before a federal buyout was approved.
“I hope and pray it doesn’t take us that long,” Woodcock said.
She said she hopes Treece can avoid some of the problems Picher residents have had. Many Picher residents claim that the Lead-Impacted Communities Relocation Assistance Trust didn’t offer them fair prices for their property. Lawsuits have been filed.
“My land, that’s been awful,” Woodcock said.
Officials with EPA Region 7 in the past have said they don’t have the authority to do a buyout. So far, that position hasn’t changed. Gene Gunn, branch chief for the EPA Region 7 office, said he had received the letter from the congressional delegation.
“The response is still in preparation,” Gunn said.
“A buyout certainly isn’t part of our plan at this point.”
He said the cleanup of Treece, Baxter Springs and other areas of Cherokee County must be finished, then there is cleanup of Spring River and Tar Creek to consider.
“Our position is the mine-waste cleanup is going to have to happen,” Gunn said.
Woodcock said she has been dealing with government entities for a few years now, and she still doesn’t know how the system works.
“I know it’s a hurry-up-and-wait game,” she said. “Who knows what tomorrow’s going to bring?”
Moving costs
Previous estimates have said the cost for relocating all Treece residents would be $7 million. The Picher buyout has a $60 million price tag.
Local News
<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/extra.gif" border=0> Kansas congressional delegation seeks funds for Treece buyout <font color="#ff0000">w/ Sen Brownback letters</font>
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