Mr. Laverone, of California, Mr. Forsyth, Mr. Garwood, Mr. Milam, Mr. Wilder, Mr. Heortman, and Mr. Dalton submit to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee

A BILL

To increase funding for programs to clean up closed military bases within the United States.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled, and signed into law by the President of the United States of America.

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Bill may be cited as the "Military Installation Cleanup Act."

SECTION 2: DEFINITIONS

1.) HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AND MATERIALS are defined as toxic chemicals and unexploded ordinance found on former military installations.

SECTION 3: FINDINGS

The Congress of the United States finds the following:

1.) That unexploded explosive devices and corrosive and toxic substances are present on many military bases closed between 1990 and 2000.

2.) That these devices and substances are extremely harmful to people, as well as other living things.

3.) That, due to strained resources and environmental issues concerning these facilities, the process of cleaning up defunct military installations can take as long as twenty (20) years.

4.) That the pace at which cleanup is taking place is impeeding the development of businesses and housing on former military property, and that said property remains a danger to civilians living nearby.

SECTION 4: FUNDING

Upon approval, the Congress of the United States shall appropriate 180 million dollars to the United States Department of Defense for the purpose of decontaminating former military property and for the removal and disposal of explosive devices found on former military property. In addition, the Congress shall set aside 120 million dollars for the purpose of hiring a private contractor to assist in the decontamination process.

Also upon approval of this bill, Congress shall appropriate 160 million dollars to Department of the Interior programs for restoring protected habitiats within said installations.

SECTION 5: PROTECTED HABITATS

Upon approval, the Congress of the United States shall authorize private and military cleanup services to enter and disrupt habitats containing Proctected and Endangered wildlife and plants. This shall only be authorized for areas defined by Superfund as Remedial Investigation/Feasiblility Study Sites, as well as any area where signifigant contamination or high concentrations of explosives are located.

Restoration of protected habitats shall come under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior upon complete decontamination of the area.

SECTION 6: ENACTMENT

This act shall go into effect immediately upon approval by the COngress and the President of the United States.

Aye

Aye

aye

aye.

Aye

Nay

Aye

aye

AYE

Aye

Aye

AYE

Aye

Rep. Dave Anderson
Republican
11th District
New Jersey

Aye