It is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination that:

1. It is essential to the maintenance of the public health, welfare and orderly local government that each county to which NRS 244A.455 to 244A.573, inclusive, pertain be empowered to become the master agency within its territory for the collection, disposal and treatment of sewage and wastewater. In addition, it is essential that the master agency be empowered to perform and require compliance with any and all areawide waste management planning which may be required by the State or Federal Government in connection with the exercise or implementation of any of the powers, authorizations and responsibilities provided in NRS 244A.455 to 244A.573, inclusive.

2. Granting to such counties the purposes, powers, rights, privileges and immunities provided in NRS 244A.455 to 244A.573, inclusive, will serve a public use and will promote the health, safety, prosperity, security and general welfare of the inhabitants thereof and of the State.

3. The acquisition, improvement, equipment, maintenance and operation of any project herein authorized is in the public interest, is conducive to the public health, and constitutes a part of the established and permanent policy of the State.

4. The necessity for the County Sewage and Wastewater Law is a result of:

(a) The intense development of residential, commercial, industrial and other human activities in both incorporated and unincorporated areas within such counties;

(b) The ensuing need for extensive, coordinated control, collection, disposal and treatment of all sources of pollution, including but not limited to sewage, wastewater and in place or accumulated pollution sources; and

(c) The ensuing need for areawide waste management planning for such control, collection, disposal and treatment.

5. The Legislature recognizes the duty of such counties as instruments of State Government to meet adequately the needs for such facilities within their boundaries, in cooperation with the State, municipalities and districts within the county and in satisfaction of federal and state requirements and standards relating to pollution.

6. The Legislature recognizes that there may be alternative solutions to the pollution abatement problem in such counties. It is the intention of the Legislature that those charged with the responsibility of correcting the problem be able to avail themselves of all assistance that may develop through advances in technology and changing circumstances and regulations, federal or state, that have an impact on the problem. In construing the powers, authorities and responsibilities conveyed by the Legislature in NRS 244A.455 to 244A.573, inclusive, the economic burden on the citizens of this state and the ultimate feasibility of the projects undertaken shall be carefully weighed in the light of the state of the art and the regulations governing the master agency at the time undertaken. Among the factors which will determine the ultimate resolution of the problem, the protection and the fullest beneficial use of the resource represented by the water shall be given top priority. The Legislature finds that the courses of action that may be developed to find satisfactory solutions are necessary for the preservation of this valuable natural resource of the State and are within the meaning of the second paragraph of Section 3 of Article 9 of the Constitution of the State of Nevada.

7. For the accomplishment of these purposes the provisions of NRS 244A.455 to 244A.573, inclusive, shall be broadly construed.

8. The notices herein provided are reasonably calculated to inform each interested person of the person’s legally protected rights.

9. The rights and privileges herein granted comply in all respects with any requirement imposed by any constitutional provision.

(Added to NRS by 1973, 1726; A 1975, 1336; 1977, 19)