65-3458. Burial prohibited; exceptions; procedure. (a) The underground burial of hazardous waste produced by persons generating quantities of such waste greater than those specified in K.S.A. 65-3451, and amendments thereto, is prohibited except as provided by order of the secretary of health and environment issued pursuant to this act. Such prohibition shall not be construed as prohibiting (1) mound landfill, (2) aboveground storage, (3) land treatment, (4) underground injection of hazardous waste or (5) on-site disposal or consolidation of solid and hazardous wastes, including soils, sediments and debris, if the wastes are generated as the result of a clean-up, approved by the secretary, at the site, which may include adjacent or nearby property under separate ownership that is part of the approved clean-up. Any existing hazardous waste facility which utilizes underground burial shall cease such practice and, with the approval of the secretary, shall implement closure and postclosure plans for all units of the facility in which hazardous wastes have been disposed of underground.

(b) (1) The secretary shall decide whether or not an exception to the prohibition against underground burial of hazardous waste shall be granted for a particular hazardous waste. No decision to grant an exception shall be rendered unless it is demonstrated to the secretary that, except for underground burial, no economically reasonable or technologically feasible methodology exists for the disposal of a particular hazardous waste. The procedures for obtaining an exception to the prohibition against underground burial of hazardous waste shall include a public hearing conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas administrative procedure act and such other procedures as are established and prescribed by rules and regulations adopted by the secretary. Such rules and regulations shall include requirements for the form and contents of a petition desiring an exception.

(2) Within 90 days after submission of a petition desiring an exception, and if the secretary decides to grant an exception to the prohibition against underground burial of hazardous waste, the secretary of health and environment shall issue an order so providing. Any action by the secretary pursuant to this section is subject to review in accordance with the Kansas judicial review act.

History: L. 1985, ch. 219, § 1; L. 1986, ch. 318, § 107; L. 1988, ch. 356, § 211; L. 2000, ch. 103, § 12; L. 2010, ch. 17, § 151; L. 2014, ch. 26, § 1; July 1.