§ 10-53. Legislative findings and intent.

(a)

The board of county commissioners finds and declares that the protection of public health and preservation of the soils, groundwaters and surface waters of the county is a matter of the highest urgency and priority and that such protection can only be achieved effectively by maintaining the quality of the environment in as close to a pristine condition as possible.

(b)

The board further finds and declares that the transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of hazardous waste within the county constitutes a unique human health risk, more serious than that posed by nonhazardous solid waste, which risk can only be reduced, but not eliminated, by use of a comprehensive system of regulation.

(c)

The board further finds and declares that:

(1)

The management of hazardous waste within the county by facilities that transport, store, treat or dispose of hazardous waste is a task requiring careful, coordinated, long-range planning.

(2)

Such interests of the county outweigh any economic burden imposed by the board upon those engaged in transporting, storing, treating and handling hazardous waste.

(d)

In order to protect the environment of the county, facilities that transport, store, treat or dispose of hazardous wastes shall be permitted and regulated by the board of county commissioners in order to:

(1)

Prevent discharges to the environment in the county;

(2)

Provide performance standards for hazardous waste management;

(3)

Provide for early detection, containment and recovery of discharges; and

(4)

Provide conditions for construction, operation, maintenance, replacement and closure of hazardous waste storage treatment, disposal systems and the transportation of hazardous wastes.

(Ord. No. 90-59, § III, 11-19-90)