This chapter shall be known and may be cited
as the "Toxic/Radioactive Waste Ordinance of Hellam Township, York
County, Pennsylvania of 1995."
The following terms shall have the meanings
defined in this section wherever they are used in this chapter:
ABOVEGROUND FACILITY
A facility above grade level constructed with triple dedicated
engineered barriers isolating the contents from the environment.
ACTIVE INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL PERIOD
The period of time during which active surveillance, monitoring,
and care is maintained, which shall extend to 30 years after the estimated
hazardous life of the waste.
BENEFITS AND GUARANTEES TEAMS
Two separate teams with a minimum of seven individuals on
each team, who shall be appointed by the Township Board of Supervisors
with the assistance and recommendation of the local Clean Air Committee.
Said teams may be deemed a part of said local Clean Air Team, or any
member of that Committee may serve on either team. Said teams shall
avail themselves to consultants who possess the technical and specialized
information deemed appropriate and necessary to perform their function
and role.
BUFFER ZONE
The portion of the waste site that is controlled by the licensee
and that lies under the waste units, and between the waste units and
the site boundary.
CONTAINER
The first sealed leakproof solid enclosure which encompasses
the toxic/radioactive waste, and which may include a means for controlled
bleeding of gaseous decay products into another container.
CONTAINMENT
The isolation of toxic/radioactive waste substances and radiation
from the biosphere by means of engineered barriers and waste site
design.
CONTROLLING OFFICER
An individual who is or shall become a permanent resident
to be chosen by the host municipality whose full compensation shall
be reimbursed to the Township by the operator. The basic minimum qualifications
for employment shall include a graduate degree in environmental sciences/engineering
with experience in monitoring of toxic/radioactive waste. The candidate
shall not be presently or previously employed, directly or indirectly,
by a toxic/radioactive waste generator or transporter. The controlling
officer will be required to remain current and abreast of issues and
information affecting the disposal of toxic/radioactive waste.
FACILITY RECORDS
All information regarding origin, contents, transport, and
other relevant data for all toxic/radioactive waste.
, grout, or other material which is placed in void spaces
between toxic/radioactive waste containers or waste modules within
the waste unit to provide structural strength against subsidence and
collapse.
HAZARDOUS LIFE
The amount of time that it takes for the isotopes in the
radioactive waste or toxicity in other wastes to decay to levels at
the waste site no higher than those measured prior to the site being
used for the storage of toxic/radioactive waste.
LEAKPROOF
The engineered design features which eliminate the inflow
or outflow of solid, liquid, or gas by any means including selective
absorption and adsorption, or ion exchange, except into a container
through a control valve.
MIXED WASTE
Low-level radioactive waste that either:
A.
Contains hazardous waste listed in the Code of Federal Regulations,
40 CFR Part 261, Subpart D; or
B.
Exhibits any of the hazardous characteristics identified in
40 CFR Part 261, Subpart C.
OPERATOR
Any person or entity that stores toxic/radioactive waste
or maintains a toxic/radioactive waste facility or any part thereof
in Hellam Township.
ORDINANCE
The Toxic/Radioactive Waste Ordinance of Hellam Township
of 1995 and any subsequent amendments thereto.
PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION
A public facility which is stocked with historical and current
information related to all forms of toxic/radioactive waste, preservation
of the environment, protection of the people, flora and fauna, and
all matters related to the health, safety, and welfare of the host
municipality. All expenses related to the establishment, operation,
and/or activity of this facility shall be determined by the host municipality
and shall be at the sole expense of the operator.
QUALIFIED INSPECTOR
An individual who is or shall become a permanent resident
and shall have equal or better qualifications as the controlling officer
and shall have full access to any laboratory or technical equipment
required to perform any and all related monitoring of operations,
whose full compensation shall be reimbursed to the host municipality
by the operator.
RADIOACTIVE WASTE
Low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) as defined in Section
11(e)(2) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, codified as amended at
42 U.S.C. § 2014 (e)(2), or in the Pennsylvania Low-Level
Radioactive Waste Disposal Act, Act 1988-12, 1988 Pa. Legisl. Serv.
23 (Purdon) ("LLRWDA"), Low Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Regional Facility
Act, Act No. 1990-107, whichever is more exclusive.
REQUIRED RECORDS
Independent daily water well, surface water, soil, gas and
oil well, plant, and continuous air sampling, as well as human and
animal health survey or tests as shall be recommended or requested
by an individual or recognized health practitioner. Such required
records shall be kept regarding the waste facility, waste site, and
the area within the host as well as affected municipalities. Such
data collection shall commence with the siting and be required and
directed by the host municipality. A copy of these records shall be
made available through the public access to information. Any costs
associated with such required records shall be borne by the operator.
REQUIRED SERVICES
Fully funded and appropriately trained fire, emergency, medical,
support, transportation, development, maintenance, and environmental
resources personnel, along with necessary staff, facilities and equipment
and other benefits deemed necessary which shall be provided at the
sole expense of the operator for the welfare of the host and affected
municipality residents. Such benefits shall be fully in place and
functioning prior to the operation of the disposal facility, free
to the recipients, and shall continue through the active institutional
control period.
SIGNIFICANT THREAT
A threat of causing injury by the following conduct: violating
any federal or Pennsylvania environmental quality standard; contaminating
groundwater, surface water, flora, fauna or air so as to pose an immediate
hazard to human health by exposure to substances that cause human
life-shortening injuries; e.g., a long-latency cancer, or disabilities,
or that causes killing of fish or wildlife; threatening the viability
of an endangered species or any species placed on a "threatened" of
"special concern" list; contributing to an accumulation of hazardous
toxic substances in fish or wildlife, so that such fish or wildlife
are rendered unfit for human consumption; or disrupting a food chain
in an ecosystem.
TOWNSHIP
Hellam Township, York County, Pennsylvania.
TRIPLE-DEDICATED ENGINEERED BARRIER
The three leakproof structures, referred to in this chapter
as a container, waste module and waste unit, each of which independently
insures the containment of toxic/radioactive waste from the environment
for the hazardous life of the waste.
WASTE FACILITY
The containers, waste units, administrative and support facilities,
other buildings, equipment, and engineered features on a site where
toxic/radioactive waste is stored, including all improvements thereon.
WASTE MODULE
A second leakproof engineered structure harboring the containers
within a hazardous waste unit.
WASTE SITE
The land on which the hazardous waste facility is located,
including the buffer zone.
WASTE UNIT
A third leakproof engineered structure which contains hazardous
waste modules.
WELL SAMPLING
The number of test wells to be drilled at appropriate depths
around the perimeter of the waste site as well as public and all private
wells of residents of the host or affected municipalities.
This chapter is adopted and enacted pursuant
to the authority granted to the Township by all relevant state and
federal law including but not limited to the following:
A. Pennsylvania Constitution, Article I, Section 27;
B. The provisions of the Second Class Township Code,
Article VII, as codified in 53 P.S. § 65701 et seq., authorizing
the Township to enact ordinances dealing with, inter alia, the protection
of the health of Township residents, regulation of refuse materials
and nuisances, and promotion of public safety;
C. Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Act, 35 P.S. § 4001
et seq.;
D. Pennsylvania Local Tax Enabling Act, 35 P.S. § 6901
et seq.;
E. Appalachian States Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact
Act 1985, 35 P.S. § 7125.1 et seq.;
F. Pennsylvania Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal
Act ("LLRWDA"), 35 P.S. § 7130 et seq.;
G. Clean Air Amendments of 1977, 42 U.S.C. §§
7416 and 7422;
H. Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendment of 1985
and in effect as of January 1, 1986;
I. Pennsylvania Act 107, July 1990.
In the event Hellam Township is not the host
municipality, but becomes an affected municipality as defined in LLRWDA
Section 103 and Section 318, and in the absence of an equally stringent ordinance for
protection in said host municipality; this chapter shall take precedence
and become in effect and govern in all respects as it relates to the
health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Hellam Township and
their environs.