"Federal environmental officials have completed part of a massive cleanup of lead from Omaha properties that began 15 years ago."

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday that it is ready to remove 1,154 properties from a list of 11,425 properties included in the Omaha Lead Superfund Site. Those properties will be officially taken off the list once authorities have found that all hazardous materials have been removed and are no longer a threat to people or the environment.

Karl Brooks, the EPA's regional administrator for the area that includes Nebraska, said the announcement was a significant step for the country's largest Superfund site cleanup.

"This is a sign that we are beginning to see the end of the work that we have been doing for nearly 15 years in Omaha," he said."

Erin Golden reports for the Omaha World-Herald June 4, 2013. [2]