End of mine waste moratorium praised

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2001

Oklahoma's secretary of the environment Brian Griffin praised Neal McCaleb, head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, for helping end a moratorium on the sale of mine waste on tribally owned land at the Tar Creek Superfund site.

The BIA lifted the moratorium to help benefit members of the Quapaw Tribe, on whose land tons of the waste -- known as chat -- is located. A side benefit is that the sale of chat will help clean the site up.

While chat poses threats to children, it can be used safely in driveways and for industrial uses.

Get the Story:
Tar Creek discussion to go to Washington (The Daily Oklahoman 8/30)

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Sale of mine waste cleared for Okla. Tribe (8/22)