The Talawanda Brownfield site lies within and adjacent to a portion of the broader Talawanda wetland area, which feeds into Talawanda Lake No. 1. Located approximately four miles north of McAlester, Oklahoma, Talawanda One is notable as the oldest reservoir in the state, constructed in 1902. For many years, the area also hosted an unnamed fish hatchery, likely established during the 1930s, possibly by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) a key program of the New Deal era focused on public infrastructure and employment.
The site includes several ponds and wetlands that naturally drain into Lake Talawanda No. 1. An old shooting range is situated on the western portion of the property along Water Works Road. Recognizing the environmental and historical significance of the area, the Choctaw Nation Brownfields Program, in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has conducted comprehensive site assessments and is currently evaluating appropriate cleanup and remediation alternatives.
Project Update
Two Phase II Environmental Site Assessments have been completed. An Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives has been completed. CNO Brownfields has begun a targeted risk analysis for lead found in soils at the site. The targeted risk analysis will determine whether any further actions are needed within a currently closed area for safe reuse.