It is hereby found and declared by the Newberry County Council, the governing body of Newberry County, South Carolina, as follows.
(A) The storage, handling, and dispensing of hazardous substances in Newberry 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.
(B) There is the need to utilize and take advantage of the existing database concerning the location and use of hazardous substances in Newberry County.
(C) It is important to identify those facilities that pose a significant risk to the community. This shall be accomplished by determining those facilities that:
(1) Under SARA, Title III, being 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq., annually submit to the local fire services, the LEPC and the SERC, Tier II reports concerning hazardous chemicals which the facility stores; and
(2) Must maintain an underground storage tank operating permit, pursuant to the South Carolina Underground Storage Tank Regulations (SCUSTR 61-92). This determination is to ensure that the locations of these facilities are well known in case of an emergency.
(D) Information provided to the county through implementation of this chapter will be used to protect Newberry County citizens and emergency response personnel from the detrimental effects of the explosion, fire, or release of hazardous materials.
(E) The implementation of a comprehensive hazardous substance response capability in the county necessitates the training of personnel and the purchase of specialized equipment to combat hazardous substance emergencies in Newberry County.
(F) In the event of a hazardous substance 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. 09-22-02, passed 9-18-2002; Am. Ord. 01-13-03, passed 1-29-2003)