In the event of pollution incidents, including unpermitted discharges, spills of oil or other hazardous materials, where legal action against the discharger or person responsible for a spill may result, the investigator shall obtain the following:
(1) Names, addresses, telephone numbers and positions of all persons who may be responsible for or have knowledge of the discharge or spill.
(2) Signed statements, wherever possible, indicating where, when and how the discharge or spill occurred and the extent of the discharge or spill. (In cases where a witness will not sign a statement, his oral statement should be immediately reduced to writing and should be submitted with the investigator's written report).
(3) Samples of discharge or spilled materials, as well as comparative samples from affected and unaffected water in proximity to the discharge or spill. Sample containers are to be immediately and indelibly labeled with the appropriate sample number by the collector and a chain of custody record attached. (See section 20-115).
(4) Photographs at the scene to illustrate the source and extent of pollution. Polaroid photographs of good quality are preferable as evidence and should be immediately labeled with the location, date, time, a short description of what is being illustrated, and signed by the photographer. If possible, the signature of a witness at the scene should also be obtained for corroborative purposes.
(5) License number and other registration of vehicles or vessels involved in pollution incidents. Drivers or operators should be identified, and a record made of their names, addresses, employers and identification.
(6) Field notes made at the scene. (Since these can be used on the witness stand, the investigator should complete them at the scene and, if possible, have a witness at the scene initial or sign them. Field notes should also contain a sketch of the site with appropriate labeling).
(Prior Code, § 16-106; Ord. No. 96-83, 12-31-1983; Ord. of 9-22-1992)