 OAKLAND, Calif. (KCBS) -- Members of California's Congressional delegation are shining a spotlight on what they say is a slow-down in efforts to clean up toxic sites in the Bay Area. That was the focus of a field hearing from the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee. Senator Barbara Boxer convened the hearing at Oakland City Hall, saying the Bush administration must do more to clean the Bay Area’s 33 super-fund sites.
”The pace of clean up under super-fund in this administration has slowed to a crawl. It’s half the pace that went on during the Clinton administration,” said Boxer.
Oakland congress member Barbara Lee says many poor and minority communities often bear additional burdens from toxic substances.
”A recent report by the Alameda County Public Health Department found that an African American born in West Oakland has a life expectancy 15 years less than a white person born in the Oakland Hills. That is a shame and a disgrace,” said Lee.
(MGO) |
KCBS' Chris Filippi reports
