Pub. Resources Code, § 48022

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) Pursuant to the legal framework and definitions pertaining to solid waste contained in this division, the board and the local enforcement agencies have general authority and responsibility for responding to environmental conditions at solid waste disposal sites to ensure protection of the public health and safety and the environment.

(b) The definitions of “solid waste,” “solid waste disposal,” and “solid waste landfill” establish some of the parameters for the general authority and responsibility of the board and the local enforcement agencies.

(c) The Solid Waste Disposal and Codisposal Site Cleanup Program established under this article establishes a mechanism for funding the cleanup of solid waste disposal sites and the solid waste at codisposal sites under specified conditions and circumstances.

(d) A burn dump site is a solid waste disposal site and, as such, is a site that is eligible for funding pursuant to the program, provided all other criteria for program eligibility are met.

(e) Pursuant to the Health and Safety Code, the Department of Toxic Substances Control has general jurisdiction, authority, and responsibility regarding hazardous substance release sites.

(f) Pursuant to the Water Code, the State Water Resources Control Board and the regional water quality control boards have general jurisdiction, authority, and responsibility regarding protection of the waters of the state, including, but not limited to, solid waste and hazardous waste discharges.

(g) Most burn dump sites impact multiple media. Burn dump sites usually contain hazardous substances and, therefore, most can be characterized generally as hazardous substance release sites. Burn dump sites also contain predominantly solid waste and, therefore, can be characterized generally as solid waste disposal sites. Some burn dump sites impact, or have the potential to impact, waters of the state.

(h) Burn dump sites are presumed to be solid waste disposal sites, subject to the general authority and responsibility of the board and the local enforcement agencies. In addition to this general presumption, it is the intent of the Legislature to require that the procedures set forth in Section 48022.5 be followed to ensure that hazardous substances and hazardous wastes at burn dump sites are adequately characterized and safely managed and remediated in consultation with, or under the direct oversight of, the department or the appropriate regional water quality control board, or both.