It is hereby found and declared by Greenville County Council:
(1) The storage, handling and dispensing of hazardous substances in the County has the potential for creating a dangerous situation that may adversely affect the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the County;
(2) There is the need to utilize and take advantage of the existing data base concerning the location and use of hazardous substances in the County;
(3) It is important to identify those facilities that pose a significant risk to the community. This shall be accomplished by determining those facilities that under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (“SARA”), Title III, annually submit to the local fire services, the LEPC and the SERC, Tier II reports concerning hazardous chemicals which the facility stores.
(4) Information provided to the County through the implementation of this article will be used to protect County citizens and emergency response personnel from the detrimental effects of the explosion, fire, or release of hazardous substances.
(5) The implementation of a hazardous substances user fee will generate the funds necessary to provide a county-wide comprehensive response capability to the hazardous substances problem, and such fee is authorized by S.C. Code § 4-9-30(5), which section permits the County to establish uniform user fees.
(6) The implementation of a comprehensive hazardous substances response capability in the County necessitates the training of personnel and the purchase of specialized equipment to combat hazardous substances emergencies in the County.
(7) In the event of a hazardous substances emergency, it is necessary to be able to provide proper and effective planning and response which specifically addresses the particular hazardous substance or substances being released.
(Ord. 4295, § 1, passed 6-16-2009)