130A-310.22. Contracts authorized.

(a) The Department is authorized to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with the United States and to engage in any activity otherwise authorized by law to identify, investigate, evaluate, and clean up any site or facility covered by CERCLA/SARA including but not limited to performing preliminary assessments, site investigations, remedial investigations, and feasibility studies; preparation of records of decision; conducting emergency response, remedial, and removal actions; and engaging in enforcement activities in accordance with the provisions of CERCLA/SARA.

(b) The Department may make all assurances required by federal law or regulation including but not limited to assuring that the State will assume responsibility for the operation and maintenance of any remedial action for the anticipated duration of the remedial action; assuring that the State will provide its share of the cost of any remedial action at a site or facility which was privately owned or operated; assuring that the State will provide its share of the cost of any removal, remedial planning, and remedial action at a site or facility owned or operated by the State or a political subdivision of the State; assuring the availability of off-site treatment, storage, or disposal capacity needed to effectuate a remedial action; assuring that the State will take title to, acquire an interest in, or accept transfer of any interest in real property needed to effectuate a remedial action; assuring that the State has adequate capacity to meet the assurances required by CERCLA/SARA (42 U.S.C. 9604(c)(9)); assuring access to the facility and any adjacent property including the securing of any right-of-way or easement needed to effectuate a remedial action; and assuring that the State will satisfy all federal, State, and local requirements for permits and approvals necessary to effectuate a remedial action.

(c) Each contract entered into by the Department under this section shall stipulate that all obligations of the State are subject to the availability of funds. Neither this section nor any contract entered into under authority of this section shall be construed to obligate the General Assembly to make any appropriation to implement this Part or any contract entered into under this section. The Department shall implement this Part and any contract entered into under this section from funds otherwise available or appropriated to the Department for such purpose.