The people living in Picher and other parts of Tar Creek didn’t know how dangerous the mounds of waste were. By 1967 the mines had closed, but the piles of waste remained. The toxins leach through the ground, turning the soil and water a rusty orange, the dust getting into pipes, houses, and drinking wells. „The groundwater ran into the wells, it had lead content in it,“ McWatters says. „Over the years, it got into the children.“ (…)
The Quapaw are hoping to eventually clear the entire 103 square kilometre site and create a wetland. Tribal members say they’re the best people for the job, because of their connection to the land.