PART I. 
PREAMBLE



 



[§342J-1]  Legislative policy; program
priorities.  The legislature finds that hazardous waste must be managed in
a manner that protects the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the
State and protects and conserves the State’s natural resources and
environment.  Accordingly, the hazardous waste management program of this State
shall be a preventive as well as a regulatory program that gives priority to:



(1)  The provision of technical assistance to
generators to ensure the safe and proper handling of hazardous waste;



(2)  The establishment of a public education program
to promote awareness of what constitutes hazardous waste and the dangers of
improper disposal of hazardous waste;



(3)  The promotion of hazardous waste minimization,
reduction, recycling, exchange, and treatment as the preferred methods of
managing hazardous waste, with disposal to be used only as a last resort when
all other hazardous waste management methods are ineffective or unavailable;
and



(4)  The coordination of hazardous waste management
efforts among the counties of this State, taking into consideration the unique
differences and needs of each county. [L 1989, c 212, pt of §5]