Area History.

LEAD Agency began the process of applying for an EPA Community Change Grant. If awarded the Riverview Park would be transformed into a nature preserve and community gathering place.

FERC announces the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) IS RESPONSIBLE for upstream flooding in Miami, Oklahoma.

LEAD's Summer Youth Activist Camp created a petition advocating for FERC & EPA to work together to better protect upstream communities from flooding, and they won! LEAD's efforts in conjunction with the campers' petition resulted in FERC & EPA Region 6 entering into a cooperative agreement regarding dam-relicensing.

LEAD Agency releases the Tar Creek floodplain map to the public, warning of health risks from direct contamination and flooding, which threatens to bring toxic waste straight to residents’ backyards. The Tar Creek Conference continues to bring together scientists, tribal leaders, government agencies, and local residents to discuss environmental issues.

Martin Lively becomes the new Grand Riverkeeper

LEAD Agency partners with the American Geophysical Union’s Thriving Earth Exchange to create a GIS map of the Tar Creek floodplain, revealing the extent of contamination from toxic mining waste.

Rebecca and Earl are individually honored with the Terry Backer award at the Waterkeeper Alliance annual conference

Rebecca becomes the official Tar Creekkeeper with Waterkeeper Alliance

Final buyouts completed. 842 offers are given, mostly for residential properties despite objections from residents.

Picher struck by EF4 tornado, resulting in the deaths of 7, injuring 150, and destroying more than 100 homes

First buyout begins. With growing awareness around the health implications at the Superfund site, Governor Brad Henry announces a $5 million buyout plan for families with children younger than 6. Inhofe opposes the buyout.

Earl Hatley becomes first Grand Riverkeeper with The Waterkeeper Alliance.

The first Tar Creek Conference is held by the LEAD Agency, bringing together scientists, tribal leaders, government agencies, and local residents to discuss environmental issues.

The Local Environmental Action Demanded (LEAD) Agency is founded by Rebecca Jim and Earl Hatley to address environmental contamination in the region

Lead studies. Government researchers estimate that approximately 34 percent of Quapaw children have concentrations of lead in their blood exceeding 10 μg/dL, the “level of concern” at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the time.

Superfund designation. The EPA forms an initial Superfund National Priorities List and includes Tar Creek.

Dire signs of pollution. Acid mine water begins to discharge from the mine workings through bore holes, mine shafts, and air vents and enter Tar Creek. At EPA meeting in Picher, Ok George Mayer complains about mine discharge on property in Commerce. Horses stained with orange.

Rebecca Jim enters the Tar Creek area to work to work as Indian Counselor for Miami Public Schools

Mining operations cease. After decades of declining production, the last mine operators leave. Groundwater reenters the mines, becoming acidic and laced with heavy metals

Peak production. More than $1 billion of ore is produced at Tar Creek in the first half of the 20th century.

Picher is founded as a mining town, home to the world's largest lead and zinc mines.

First mining camp at Tar Creek established as prospectors begin to strike rich ore deposits, Quapaws lease land to mining companies, Peoria Tribe establishes a reservation in Ottawa County.

Lead and zinc deposits found in the area, leading to the boom of mining operations.