(a) For purposes of this section, “charge” has the same meaning as provided in section 52-557f, except that “charge” does not include tax revenue collected pursuant to title 12 by any owner, as defined in said section 52-557f, “hazardous waste” has the same meaning as provided in section 22a-115, and “pollution” has the same meaning as provided in section 22a-423.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or regulations to the contrary, any municipality with a population greater than ninety thousand people that acquires an easement over property of another that is duly recorded on the land records for the purpose of making the property included in such easement available to the public for recreational use without charge, rent, fee or other commercial service shall not be liable to the state for any fines, penalties or costs of investigation or remediation with respect to any pollution or source of pollution or contamination by hazardous waste on or emanating from such easement area, provided such pollution or source of pollution or contamination by hazardous waste (1) occurred or existed on such property prior to the municipality's acquisition of such easement, and (2) was not caused or created by or contributed to by such municipality or by an agent of such municipality and provided such municipality, or the use of such easement area by the public, does not contribute to or exacerbate such existing pollution or source of pollution or contamination by hazardous waste or prevent the investigation or remediation of such pollution or contamination. Such municipality shall not interfere with, and shall provide access to, other persons who are investigating and remediating any such pollution or source of pollution or contamination by hazardous waste. This section does not limit or affect the liability of the owner or operator of the property on which such easement is located under any other provision of law, including, but not limited to, any obligation to address any such pollution or source of pollution or contamination by hazardous waste, or from any fines or penalties.
(c) Any municipality that acquires an easement for recreational use as provided in subsection (b) of this section shall ensure that any pollution or source of pollution or contamination from hazardous waste, on or emanating from such easement area, does not pose a risk to the public based upon the use of such easement.
(P.A. 11-61, S. 140; 11-141, S. 20.)
History: P.A. 11-61 amended Subsec. (a) to redefine “charge”.