The Northeastern Oklahoma Mining Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Site (NOMNRDAR Site) is a result of release of hazardous substances in the Tri-State Mining Region, located in southeast Kansas, southwest Missouri, and northeast Oklahoma. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in accordance with the CERCLA, included the Tar Creek Superfund site in Oklahoma on its National Priorities List in 1981. Three other associated Superfund sites, located in Kansas and Missouri, are also listed on the National Priorities List. Surface water generally contains elevated concentrations of dissolved metals, including lead, zinc, and cadmium. Tailings piles known as “chat piles” are laced with heavy metals and are a source of contamination to surrounding soils, surface water, sediments, and ground water. Trust natural resources potentially affected by contaminants at the NOMNRDAR Site include federally-listed threatened and endangered species, migratory birds and their habitat, and State and Tribal resources, including, but not limited to, soils, sediment, surface water, ground water, plants, animals, and cultural resources.