291.001 Declaration of policy. The legislature finds that hazardous wastes, when mismanaged, pose a substantial danger to the environment and public health and safety. To ensure that hazardous wastes are properly managed within this state, the legislature declares that a state-administered regulatory program is needed which:
(1) Relies upon private industry or local units of government to provide hazardous waste management services.
(2) Requires the transportation, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes to be performed only by licensed operators.
(3) Requires generators of hazardous waste to utilize operators licensed to transport, treat, store or dispose of hazardous wastes.
(4) Does not interfere with, control or regulate the manufacturing processes which generate hazardous wastes.
(5) Ensures the maintenance of adequate records on, and the reporting of, the disposition of all hazardous wastes either generated in or entering this state.
(6) Encourages to the extent feasible, the reuse, recycling or reduction of hazardous wastes.
(7) Provides adequate care and protection of disposal facilities after the facilities cease to accept hazardous wastes.
(8) Provides members of the public and units of local government an opportunity to review and comment upon the construction, operation and long-term care of hazardous waste management facilities.
(9) Meets the minimum requirements of the resource conservation and recovery act.
History: 1995 a. 227 s. 647.
The right to a decent burial: Hazardous waste and its regulation in Wisconsin. Harrington, 66 MLR 223 (1983).
Changes in the ownership of hazardous waste disposal sites: Original and successor liability. Kelly. 67 MLR 691. (1984).