Environmental degradation and disrupted social fabric in the Tar Creek Basin

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: This longitudinal qualitative research project examined residents' conflicting interpretations of environmental harm and health impacts in the Tar Creek Superfund site. Data collection spanned several years and included in-depth interviews with 50 respondents conducted in two waves, non-participant observation and document analysis.

Findings and Conclusions: Research findings indicate that residents living with the same objective environmental conditions can differ in their interpretation of environmental threats and health impacts. In the Tar Creek Basin residents were subjected to conflicting information regarding the extent of environmental damage, the degree of environmental exposures and the seriousness of environmental health impacts. Findings highlight the complex nature of contested environmental illness claims and point to a number of salient issues around which residents disagree. During the initial phase of data collection, community relations were heavily strained over conflicting interpretations of environmental risks and a proposal for a complete buyout of the area. In more recent years, animosity within the community centered on the voluntary buyout program, the loss of community and the economic implications associated with relocation.