Okla. Stat. tit. 27A, § 27A-2202: Legislative findings

A. The Legislature recognizes that historic lead and zinc

mining operations have caused severe environmental degradation in

areas of this state. The Legislature further recognizes that this

degradation has caused the United States Environmental Protection

Agency to place large areas within the state, including entire

municipalities, on its Superfund National Priorities List of the

most seriously contaminated sites in the nation.

B. The Legislature finds that lead poses a unique threat to

children six (6) years of age and younger. During this period of

their development children are particularly vulnerable to

neurological damage caused by lead exposure. The effects of this

childhood exposure can continue throughout their lives.

C. The Legislature hereby finds and determines that, as shown

by studies conducted by the State Department of Health and the

United States Indian Health Service, children six (6) years of age

and younger, living in the vicinity of these former mining areas,

exhibit blood lead levels above the thresholds considered dangerous

to human health, and continued exposure of such children to lead

constitutes a significant danger to the health of such children in

the future. Further, the Legislature hereby determines a need

exists to remedy the problem, by providing incentives for families

with children six (6) years of age and younger to relocate outside

the area of contamination.

D. The Legislature further recognizes that much of the damage

caused by historic lead and zinc mining has resulted in a serious

subsidence risk in the affected areas. The United States Army Corps

of Engineers has identified municipalities within those areas where

the risk of subsidence poses an imminent risk to the public and the

Legislature therefore finds that a need exists to remedy this

problem by expanding the purpose of this act to provide incentives

for those owning or leasing property in the affected areas to

relocate to areas of greater safety.