75-10-902. Intent -- purpose. (1) The legislature, mindful of its constitutional obligations under Article II, section 3, and Article IX of the Montana constitution, has enacted the Montana Megalandfill Siting Act. It is the legislature's intent that the requirements of the Megalandfill Siting Act provide adequate remedies for the protection of the environmental life support system from degradation and provide adequate remedies to prevent unreasonable depletion and degradation of natural resources.
     (2) It is the constitutionally declared policy of this state to maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment for present and future generations, to protect the environment from degradation and prevent unreasonable depletion and degradation of natural resources, and to provide for administration and enforcement to attain these objectives.
     (3) The construction of solid waste facilities that dispose of over 200,000 tons of waste a year (megalandfills) may be necessary to meet increasing state and national needs for solid waste disposal capacity. However, because of the volume of waste processed, megalandfills may adversely affect the environment, surrounding communities, and the welfare of the citizens of this state. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the location, construction, and operation of megalandfills will produce minimal adverse effects on the environment and upon the citizens of this state by providing that a megalandfill may not be constructed or operated within this state without a certificate of site acceptability pursuant to 75-10-916 and a license to operate acquired pursuant to 75-10-221 and 75-10-933.

     History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 468, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 17, Ch. 361, L. 2003.