Fri, Jul 18 2008
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Published May 21, 2008 10:26 pm - PICHER, Okla. — The addition of $8 million from the Environmental Protection Agency for the government buyout of Picher should be enough to relocate all of the dozens of residents whose homes were destroyed in the May 10 tornado, officials said Wednesday. Officials: Picher tornado victims given priority in buyout By Greg Grisolano ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com PICHER, Okla. — The addition of $8 million from the Environmental Protection Agency for the government buyout of Picher should be enough to relocate all of the dozens of residents whose homes were destroyed in the May 10 tornado, officials said Wednesday. U.S. Sen. James Inhofe said in a statement Tuesday, “I have been assured by Governor (Brad) Henry and the buyout trust (Lead Impacted Communities Relocation Assistance Trust) that these tornado victims will be moved to the top of the buyout list.” State officials said they believe the additional funds will provide more than enough to buy out those affected by the tornado. “It should be enough money,” said Miles Tolbert, Oklahoma secretary of the environment. “The trust has spent on average $62,000 per home. We suspect that $8 million will be enough.” Tolbert said the damage from the tornado has brought more than just funds to help the people of Picher; it has generated national awareness of the problems in the Tar Creek Superfund Site. “For the people impacted by tornadoes, it means that funds will be available to move them out just as quickly as possible,” he said. “For the rest, it underscores on the national level just what the people in Picher are facing.” John Sparkman, executive director of the Picher Housing Authority, praised Inhofe’s efforts. “I think Senator Inhofe has done his part, as he said he would,” Sparkman said Wednesday. “He’s provided the funding.” Sparkman applauded Inhofe’s effort to ensure that tornado victims who lost their homes be given first priority in the buyout in connection with the town’s pollution and cave-in potential caused by its lead-mining history. Dave Bary, a spokesman for the EPA’s Region 6 office, which includes Oklahoma and Arkansas, said the money will be made available in two segments: a $3 million appropriation that previously was available, and a $5 million appropriation of funds that initially were supposed to go toward cleanup in the Superfund site. “We’re on record as saying our priority now is to relocate the residents,” Bary said. “We’re working closely with officials to expedite this buyout and relocation in the aftermath of the May 10 tornado.” Larry Roberts, operations manager for the trust handling the Picher buyout, said he has received at least 80 surveys from storm victims whose homes were lost or damaged beyond repair. “It’s wonderful news,” he said. “This is giving us more money quicker than we anticipated.” 
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