Tar Creek | Photo by Martin Lively
#10 Tar Creek, OK
Threat: Mining pollutionIt's past time to clean up toxic pollution at one of the country's largest Superfund sites.
Tar Creek in Oklahoma flows through what was once the richest grasslands of the Southern Plains, but today is one of the country’s largest Superfund sites.
Heavy metals from mining have contaminated the creek for decades, and cleanup efforts continue to fall short, threatening the health of Indigenous communities and other local residents. The Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, state of Oklahoma and tribes must work together to develop a comprehensive solution to clean up the pollution and safeguard public health.
American Rivers appreciates the collaboration and efforts of our partners:
- Local Environmental Action Demanded (LEAD) Agency
- Center for Restoration of Ecosystems and Watersheds, University of Oklahoma
