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FL-10. Superfund <br />The League continues to support the need for a broad -based tax to be <br />imposed on generators, users, and manufacturers of hazardous materials ao well <br />as on other industrial sources of such materials. Such revenues are critically <br />needed to accomplish hazardous waste site clean-up activities. Concern for <br />needed funding makes it imperative that reliable and stable sources of revenue <br />be provided to assure that the EPA -mandated schedule of clean-up is achieved. <br />Congressional action to improve the level of funding and the federal <br />sharing of clean-up costs for abandoned hazardous waste sites is encouraging to <br />cities. Extension of the 90 percent federal cost share for operation and <br />maintenance of clean• -up sites to include treatment and measures required to <br />restore quality of ground and surface water is a major improvement over current <br />provisions. The inclusion of a more realistic timeline of up to 10 years for <br />such activities strengthens the role of the federal government in restoring the <br />local environment. <br />The right of cities to sue for damages to natural resources and to <br />undertake clean-up activities in advance of approval of plane by the state <br />pollution control agency is responsive to cities' concerns for prompt action and <br />the need to protect local residents. The authority of cities to seek recovery <br />of clean-up costs of previously contaminated property acquired by the city is an <br />eessential protection for innocent third parties. <br />New provisions that mandate a schedule of clean-up activities and <br />establishment of funding for sites operated by the Department of Defense is <br />important recognition of the responsibility of the federal government to remove <br />threats to local residents caused by military production or activities within <br />the city. <br />-83- <br />