Environmental disaster in the nation’s heartland: Tar Creek and the ghost town of Picher Oklahoma

When
October 21, 2024
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location
2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220
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Speaker: Robert Horn --- Bob Horn is a lifelong resident of northeast Oklahoma and has seen the damage done to the environment due to mining in the area. He has a BS in Psychology from Oklahoma State University and has worked in financial data processing for 38 years. His home is less than a mile from Tar Creek, one of the most polluted streams in the country. (Sponsored By: Ruth Schmidt)(ID: 1919)

Picher, Oklahoma is often referred to as the most toxic town in America and it is a 21st century ghost town. It is the site of one of the largest EPA superfund sites in the country due to decades of lead and zinc mining that has left the land unstable and contaminated the soil and ground water. The government bought out all the homeowners because it was cheaper than trying to clean up the area. All that remains are empty buildings and huge chat piles. This talk will cover the history of mining in the area, how it became so contaminated, as well as what is being done to clean up the area.

The Scientech Club provides a forum for weekly presentations and discussions in science, technology, and other topics. The Club meets most Mondays at the Northside Events Center and Social Club (2100 E. 71st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46220.