(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), an operator of a solid waste disposal site may submit a solid waste assessment questionnaire to the appropriate regional board at least 24 months prior to the site’s solid waste water quality assessment test due date as established pursuant to Section 13273. The regional board shall require the operator to submit any additional information, as needed, or require onsite verification of the solid waste assessment questionnaire data in order to render a decision pursuant to subdivision (c).

(b) Any solid waste disposal site which is larger than 50,000 cubic yards or is known or suspected to contain hazardous substances, other than household hazardous wastes, shall be prohibited from submitting a solid waste assessment questionnaire under this section.

(c) The regional board shall complete a thorough analysis of each solid waste assessment questionnaire submitted pursuant to this section by a date 18 months prior to the solid waste assessment test due date. Based upon this analysis, the regional board shall determine whether or not the site has discharged hazardous substances which will impact the beneficial uses of water. If the regional board determines that the site has not so discharged hazardous substances, the regional board shall notify the operator that the operator is not required to prepare a solid waste water quality assessment test pursuant to Section 13273.

(d) If the regional board does not make the determination specified in subdivision (c), the operator shall submit all, or a portion of, a solid waste water quality assessment test. The regional board shall notify the operator of this determination and indicate if all, or what portion of, a solid waste water quality assessment test shall be required. The operator shall submit the solid waste water quality assessment test, or a portion thereof, by the date established pursuant to Section 13273.

(e) The state board shall develop a solid waste assessment questionnaire and guidelines for submittal no later than three months after the effective date of this statute adding this section. The questionnaire shall contain, but not be limited to, a characterization of the wastes, size of the site, age of the site, and other appropriate factors.

(f) Those operators of solid waste disposal sites listed by the state board pursuant to Section 13273 in Rank 3 and seeking an exemption under this section shall submit their solid waste assessment questionnaire no later than July 1, 1988. If the regional board does not make the determination specified in subdivision (c), the regional board shall require the operator to submit all, or a portion of, a solid waste water quality assessment test by July 1, 1990.

(Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 932, Sec. 2. Effective September 22, 1987.)