(A) Notifications. Law enforcement officers who identify and confirm a clandestine drug lab or operation shall notify the Brown-Nicollet Environmental Health and the Watonwan County department responsible for child protection and vulnerable adults within one business day of identifying and confirming the lab or operation location.
(B) Disposal. Upon identification of a clandestine drug lab or operation, law enforcement agencies may treat, store, transport or dispose of all hazardous material or hazardous waste found at the site in a manner consistent with Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and Watonwan County rules and regulations.
(C) Securing affected areas. The law enforcement agency responding to the clandestine drug lab or operation shall install locks on all entry doors of the affected area of a structure(s) after all occupants and animals have vacated the site.
(D) Warning sign. When the responding law enforcement agency completes its work and is prepared to leave such sites, the agency shall affix a warning sign to all entrances of the affected part of the structure or in a conspicuous place(s) on bare land.
(1) The warning sign shall be consistent with those deemed appropriate by local law enforcement and the Watonwan County Sheriff's Office. The warning sign shall alert visitors or returning occupants that the site is a chemical investigation site public health nuisance, may be dangerous to enter, and must not be entered.
(2) It is unlawful for any person, except authorized Watonwan County personnel, to remove a chemical investigation site public health nuisance warning sign from the posted property. Any person other than a representative of the Brown-Nicollet Environmental Health who willfully removes a warning sign may be charged with misdemeanor interference with performance and duties pursuant to M.S. § 145A.04, subd. 10.
(Ord. 020, fourth series, passed 5-21-2024)