The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky hereby finds, determines, and declares, as follows: (1) That an ever -increasing volume of solid waste both within and outside the Commonwealth is being generated as a result of increasing economic and commercial activity, continuing technological progress, and changes in methods of manufacturing, packaging, and marketing of consumer products, which results in additional solid wastes discarded by the users of these products; (2) That the continued economic and population growth of the Commonwealth has required increased industrial and commercial expansion and has made necessary the demolition of obsolete structures, the construction of new structures, the provision of highways and other avenues of transport ation, and the construction and installation of public works which, together with pre -existing commercial, industrial, and agricultural operations, have resulted in the generation of further volumes of solid waste; (3) That the handling of solid wastes has been primarily carried out through the dumping of wastes on open soil and in landfills, which in some cases are inimical to the public health, safety, and welfare; (4) That by the enactment by the Congress of the United States of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (Public Law 94 -580), as amended, the collection, sanitary disposal, and recovery of solid waste has been determined to be a matter of nationwide importance, recognizing that the management of solid waste should continue to be prim arily the function of state, regional, and local agencies; and that pursuant to this federal law, the Commonwealth has taken and will take certain actions in respect to the planning and implementation of solid waste plans within the guidelines of time requirements set forth in this federal law; (5) That as a result of the conditions described in the foregoing findings, problems of solid waste collection, management, and treatment, and resource recovery activities in connection therewith have become a matter of statewide concern necessitating action by the General Assembly to: (a) Enable responsible planning and management agencies to be created to define solid waste management requirements, with all of the foregoing subject to regulation by the Energy and Environment Cabinet; (b) Assist those units of government primarily responsible for the management of solid waste and the acquisition, financing and operation of facilities to dispose of solid waste to fulfill their functions in a responsible and proper mann er with primary emphasis on the regionalization of these functions; and (c) Reduce the amount of solid waste generated and disposed in Kentucky; (6) That it is the intent of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky that the primary responsibili ty for adequate solid waste collection, management, treatment, disposal, and resource recovery shall rest with combinations of counties and waste management districts, subject to standards set by administrative regulations adopted by the Energy and Environ ment Cabinet. In those cities currently operating solid waste management systems, the city and county may assume joint responsibility of preparing a solid waste management plan. If it is in the best public interest to do so and with the mutual agreement of both the county and city, a county may delegate responsibility for adequate collection, management, treatment, disposal, or materials recovery to a city. This delegation of responsibility is contingent upon the approval of a solid waste management plan by the cabinet. The purpose of delegating responsibilities shall be to effectuate the safe and sanitary management, use, and handling of solid waste, the protection of the health, welfare, and safety of the citizens and inhabitants of the Commonwealth, and f or making the most efficient use of all resources for the benefit of the citizens and inhabitants of the Commonwealth; (7) That the General Assembly recognizes the generation of solid waste is inevitable, but much of it is unnecessary and should be discour aged. However, where solid waste does exist, it should be considered to the extent possible as a valuable resource, and be made use of wherever and whenever desirable and economically justifiable. Therefore, it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to, a bove all things, encourage resource conservation and preservation of our natural resources before waste contributes in a needless fashion to the volumes of solid waste and litter produced by our society; but in dealing with existing solid waste, materials recovery from the solid waste stream is deemed to be the most environmentally sound alternative for handling waste; (8) It is not the intent of this chapter to prohibit or discourage the participation of the private sector in any aspect of solid waste mana gement. Moreover, it is preferable for solid waste management functions to be performed by the private sector when it is in the best interests of the public and conforms with the policies and provisions in this chapter; (9) It is the intent of the General Assembly that counties and waste management districts cooperate to develop and implement the solid waste management plans mandated by KRS Chapter 224 and the administrative regulations adopted by the cabinet with the goal of regionalizing the management of solid waste; (10) It is the intent of the General Assembly that waste requiring disposal in municipal solid waste disposal facilities be reduced and that solid waste be managed in an environmentally protective manner; (11) Notwithstanding any provision of KRS Chapters 82, 83, and 94, it is the intent of the General Assembly that this chapter and KRS 67.083(3)(o) provide counties with authority to develop a solid waste management system for solid waste generated within the ge ographical boundaries of the county, consistent with the provisions of this chapter and KRS Chapter 224. It is further the intent of the General Assembly that cities be authorized to finance, own, and operate solid waste management systems with the consent of the county or by contract with the county, except that in the event a county fails to submit a solid waste management plan pursuant to KRS Chapter 224 cities may proceed to develop solid waste management systems consistent with administrative regulatio ns adopted by the cabinet pursuant to KRS Chapter 224. Cities that develop solid waste management facilities pursuant to this section shall have all the powers and restrictions set forth for counties in KRS 109.041, 109.056, and 109.059; and (12) It is the intent of the General Assembly that waste management districts which are formed and operated under this chapter shall comply with the standards set by administrative regulations adopted by the cabinet pursuant to KRS Chapter 224.
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