(a)  For purposes of this article, and unless the context indicates otherwise, “county” means a county that notifies the department that it will prepare a county hazardous waste management plan in accordance with this article and receives a grant pursuant to Section 25135.8. “County” also means any city, or two or more cities within a county acting jointly, which notifies the department that it will prepare a county hazardous waste management plan in accordance with subdivision (c).

(b)  A county may, at its discretion, and after notification to the department, prepare a county hazardous waste management plan for the management of all hazardous waste produced in the county. A county hazardous waste management plan prepared pursuant to this article shall serve in lieu of the hazardous waste portion of the county solid waste plan provided for in Article 2 (commencing with Section 66780) of Chapter 2 of Title 7.3 of the Government Code. The county hazardous waste management plan shall be prepared in cooperation with the affected cities in the county and the advisory committee appointed pursuant to Section 25135.2, in accordance with the guidelines adopted by the department pursuant to Section 25135.5, and in accordance with the schedule specified in Section 25135.6.

(c)  On or before March 31, 1987, every county shall notify the department and the cities within the county whether the county has elected to prepare a county hazardous waste management plan pursuant to this article. A city, or two or more cities acting jointly, located within a county which elects not to prepare a county hazardous waste management plan or which fails to make an election, on or before March 31, 1987, to prepare a plan, may, at the city’s or cities’ discretion, elect to undertake the preparation of the plan. The city or cities shall be deemed to be acting in place of the county for purposes of this article and may apply for funding to pay the cost of preparing the plan pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 25135.8. However, the city or cities may not receive funding pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 25135.8, unless the proposal to prepare a county hazardous waste management plan by the city or cities is approved by a majority of the cities within the county which contain a majority of the population of the incorporated area of the county and the proposal is received by the department on or before June 30, 1987.

(d)  The county hazardous waste management plan authorized by subdivision (b) or (c) shall serve as the primary planning document for hazardous waste management in the county and shall be prepared as a useful informational source for local government and the public. The plan shall include, but is not limited to, all of the following elements:

(1)  An analysis of the hazardous waste stream generated in the county, including an accounting of the volumes of hazardous wastes produced in the county, by type of waste, and estimates of the expected rates of hazardous waste production until 1994, by type of waste.

(2)  A description of the existing hazardous waste facilities which treat, handle, recycle, and dispose of the hazardous wastes produced in the county, including a determination of the existing capacity of each facility.

(3)  An analysis of the potential in the county for recycling hazardous waste and for reducing the volume and hazard of hazardous waste at the source of generation.

(4)  A consideration of the need to manage the small volumes of hazardous waste produced by businesses and households.

(5)  A determination of the need for additional hazardous waste facilities to properly manage the volumes of hazardous wastes currently produced or that are expected to be produced during the planning period.

(6)  An identification of those hazardous waste facilities that can be expanded to accommodate projected needs and an identification of general areas for new hazardous waste facilities determined to be needed. In lieu of this facility and area identification, the plan may instead include siting criteria to be utilized in selecting sites for new hazardous waste facilities. If siting criteria are included in the county hazardous waste management plan, the plan shall also designate general areas where the criteria might be applicable.

(7)  A statement of goals, objectives, and policies for the siting of hazardous waste facilities and the general management of hazardous wastes through the year 2000.

(8)  A schedule which describes county and city actions necessary to implement the hazardous waste management plan through the year 2000, including the assigning of dates for carrying out the actions.

(e)  In addition to the elements of the plan required by subdivision (d), a county may include a description of any additional local programs which the county determines to be necessary to provide for the proper management of hazardous wastes produced in the county. These programs may include, but are not limited to, public education, enforcement, surveillance, transportation, and administration.

(f)  The inclusion of an element in a county hazardous waste management plan pursuant to subdivision (d) or (e) does not authorize the county to adopt a program which the county is not otherwise authorized to adopt under any other provision of law.

(Amended by Stats. 1987, Ch. 1167, Sec. 1.)