On September 25, 2024, the EPA received notification from
the National Response Center regarding abandoned 55-gallon steel drums near
Flat Rock Creek in Tulsa, Oklahoma. EPA conducted a Removal Site Evaluation
(RSE) of three dump locations at 4223 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in Tulsa,
OK, from September 28, 2024, to October 25, 2024. During the RSE, EPA
conducted an inventory of 103 of the 109 drums and performed Hazard
Categorization (HAZCAT) of the substances in the drums. Six of the drums were
empty and not analyzed. Any leaking drums were placed into overpacks and
relocated into secondary containment. The drums were then covered and contained
with poly and tarps to prevent rainwater, and orange construction fencing and
caution tape was placed around the dump areas and secondary containment to warn
off passersby. EPA continued to visit the site at least two times a week
to maintain secondary containment, with more frequent visits occurring during
inclement weather.
From the HAZCAT results, EPA determined that of the 103
drums, 42 contained substances that were non-hazardous. The contents of 61
drums exhibited characteristics of hazardous substances.
On April 29, 2025, EPA authorized an Action Memorandum for a
time-critical removal action (TCRA) to install a gate system at both entry
points to prevent future dumping at the site, as well as remove and dispose of
the 109 drums and contaminated soil.
From June 23 to July 13, 2025, EPA completed the following:
- Installed gates to limit access and deter future dumping along Martin Luther King Jr Blvd and at the northeast corner of the property.
- Overpacked 103 drums and placed them in Conex boxes to await disposal.
- Excavated soil six inches below surface level from the original dump sites.
- Placed orange construction fencing around excavated areas while awaiting sampling results to confirm removal of impacted soil.
On August 14-15, 2025, EPA transported five roll-off bins of
contaminated soil to an approved disposal facility.
On August 26-29, 2025, EPA transported the 103 drums to the
approved disposal facility. EPA also backfilled the excavated areas with
crushed rock and removed two of the three Conex boxes.
On September 2, 2025, EPA removed the final Conex box
marking the completion of all site activities.
Click here to view the StoryMap.
