The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), invites the public to review and comment on the Draft Addendum to the Partial Tar Creek Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment (RP/EA) and Farmland Industries Pipeline Oil Spill RP/EA (referred to as Draft Addendum RP/EA) from May 12 to June 10, 2021.
One alternative in the Draft Addendum RP/EA proposes using restoration funds to expand Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) in Oklahoma though property acquisition. The funds for the expansion total approximately $215,000 paid to FWS from damages at the Tar Creek Superfund site in Northeastern, Oklahoma and the Farmland Oil spill in Osage County, Oklahoma. The majority of both of these settlements were used per the original RP/EAs for each settlement.
The settlement for the Tar Creek Superfund site was paid by two mineral extraction corporations, Eagle Picher (EP) and LTV Steel mining (LTV) companies, for releasing heavy metal contamination. These releases injured endangered bats, migratory birds and their habitats. There is approximately $205,000 remaining the EP/LTV settlement. The settlement for the Farmland Oil spill injured migratory birds and their habitats. There is approximately $10,000 remaining funds from the Farmland Oil Spill settlement.
FWS proposes to purchase property from willing sellers inside the approved acquisition boundary of the Refuge to preserve endangered bat and migratory bird habitat. The karst caves on and around the Refuge are valuable habitat for the endangered Ozark big-eared and Gray bats. The surface area on and surrounding the Refuge is located along the Central Flyway for migratory birds.
Members of the public can download the Draft Addendum RP/EA from this link: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/oklahoma/nrdar.htm or contact Suzanne Dunn at Suzanne_Dunn@fws.gov or (918) 521-5879 to obtain a hard copy.
