Frank Lautenberg: “I am pleased to join Chairman Baucus in sponsoring legislation that will reform the Superfund hazardous waste site…”

“I am pleased to join Chairman Baucus in sponsoring legislation that will reform the Superfund hazardous waste site cleanup program and promote economic redevelopment in our communities. As chairman of the Senate Superfund Subcommittee, and representing the State that has the most Superfund sites in the country, I believe this legislation will provide both environmental and economic benefits to the communities, businesses, environmentalists, State, and local governments who are affected by the program--and whose recommendations are reflected in this bill. Mr. President, the Environmental Protection Agency has so far discovered over 1,300 Superfund sites around the Nation. Some 73 million Americans live within 4 miles of those sites, and numerous studies have shown that people living near these sites suffer significantly higher risks of cancer, birth defects, and other serious health problems. Their problems are only compounded by the economic devastation that these communities face, as property values are devalued and they are unable to leave the very sites that are poisoning them. My home State of New Jersey, unfortunately, has the most Superfund sites of any State in the Nation. Our industrial legacy has caused contamination that threatens our fragile drinking water sources and stalls the economy of our State. This situation cries out for relief. And the Superfund law was supposed to provide that relief.”