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Omaha to take over cleanup efforts at lead Superfund site

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The city of Omaha will take over cleanup efforts from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in removing contaminated soil from the lead Superfund site.

The World-Herald reports that after 15 years, the agency is ending the most intensive part of its cleanup efforts. Omaha city officials say they want to use a more down-to-earth approach in reaching out to owners of property with potential lead soil problems.

The agency will continue to fund the cleanup efforts by up to roughly $30 million.

City Planning Director James Thele said the environmental agency has tested around 40,000 properties so far and has cleaned up around 15,000. The city will have around seven years to take care of the last 1,000.

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