(a) Any person or corporation responsible for causing or allowing an unauthorized spill, release or discharge of material into or upon the environment is liable to the City for disaster services rendered, and all incidental and related costs. The costs shall be paid by the person or entity responsible for causing or allowing the unauthorized spill, release or discharge of materials into or upon the environment that requires emergency action to protect the public health or safety or the environment.
(b) If an unauthorized spill, release or discharge occurs from a motor vehicle or train being operated by, or on behalf of, a common carrier by motor vehicle, contract carrier by motor vehicle, private motor carrier, or railroad, a claim or civil action shall be submitted to or brought against, as appropriate, and the costs of the emergency action shall be recovered from the motor carrier or railroad regardless of whether the motor carrier or railroad was responsible for causing or allowing the unauthorized spill, release or discharge to occur.
(c) Cost recoverable under this chapter shall accrue commencing with the first notification to the City of an incident involving, or which may involve, or subsequently proves to involve an unauthorized spill, release or discharge.
(Ord. 62-1989. Passed 11-13-89.)