34A-16-49. Legislative findings. The Legislature hereby finds that:

(1) The high and increasing cost of owning, operating, and closure of solid waste facilities, and the financing thereof, and the increasing federal and other regulatory requirements pertaining to such solid waste facilities, has created an urgent demand for action by counties, municipalities, and others in this state;

(2) Such urgent demands, together with high and increasing costs and regulatory requirements, may result in the inability of various counties and municipalities to respond in a timely manner and thereby endanger the health and safety of the citizens of this state;

(3) Such high and increasing costs require new methods for the financing of solid waste management facilities;

(4) It is, accordingly, in furtherance of the interest and welfare of all citizens of South Dakota that regional recycling and waste management districts be permitted to be formed by counties and municipalities of this state in a timely manner for the purpose of financing solid waste management facilities and closing existing facilities and, to this end, it is intended that this chapter be liberally construed to accomplish these purposes;

(5) There is an immediate need to protect the public peace, health, and safety of the state by authorizing the formation of regional recycling and waste management districts to respond to such urgent demands, high and increasing costs and regulatory requirements imposed by the federal government in connection with such matters, and in order to protect municipalities and counties, and their residents, from the financial burdens of such regulations and the potential health consequences which may result if adequate and modern solid waste management facilities are not constructed, operated, and maintained; and

(6) That the foregoing urgent demand, high and increasing costs and regulatory requirements pose an immediate threat to the existing public institutions of this state and to the public health and safety of this state and its people.Source: SL 1993, ch 259, § 50.