§22-19-1. Findings; purpose.

The Legislature recognizes that large quantities of hazardous waste are generated within the state, and that emergency situations involving hazardous waste can and will arise which may present a hazard to human health, safety, or the environment. The Legislature also recognizes that some hazardous waste has been stored, treated or disposed of at sites in the state in a manner insufficient to protect human health, safety or the environment. The Legislature further recognizes that the federal government has enacted the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, which provides for federal assistance to respond to hazardous substance emergencies and to remove and remedy the threat of damage to the public health or welfare or to the environment, and declares that West Virginia desires to produce revenue for matching the federal assistance provided under the federal acts. Therefore, the Legislature hereby creates a hazardous waste emergency fund to provide state funds for responding to hazardous waste emergencies, responding to releases of hazardous substances into the environment, matching federal financial assistance for restoring hazardous waste sites and other costs or expenses incurred in the administration of this article.