§ 25197

(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares as follows:

(1) The United States Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that 90 percent of the 9 to 10 million metric tons of hazardous waste produced in California each year is improperly disposed.

(2) Approximately 50 percent of California’s drinking water comes from underground water supplies which are highly susceptible to contamination from hazardous waste.

(3) Prosecution for violators of hazardous waste laws requires a specialized team of investigators and attorneys to detect, investigate, and prosecute these violators.

(b) It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature in enacting this article to increase the effectiveness of local and state hazardous waste enforcement activities.

(Amended by Stats. 1987, Ch. 984, Sec. 1.)