COUNTY CONSIDERING DRUG LAB CLEAN UP LAW

A drug clean up law could take affect in early 2004 if Otter Tail County
Commissioners approve the wording as presented by the Public Health
Department Wednesday.

The clean up of clandestine drug lab sites ordinance is designed to protect
residents from health risks associated with the production of illicit drugs
such as meth, and outlines the county's plan to reduce those risks.

A clandestine drug lab operation is the unlawful manufacture of a controlled
substance within any structure, vehicle or appliance, and cleanup means the
proper removal of any substances hazardous to humans and the environment,
according to the ordinance.

One provision of the proposed law concerns providing immediate notification
- within one day of identifying a drug lab site - by law enforcement to
public health officials who are responsible for facilitating clean up of the
hazard. In cases where children are involved, notice must also be given to
child protection authorities.

Public health officials are responsible for notifying and ordering clean up
by the property owner or the occupants of the site, as well as notifying
neighbors who might be affected by the hazards. They also must notify local
and state authorities.

The law also outlines a property owner and/or occupants responsibilities in
such cases. They are required to leave the site and within 10 days take the
following actions:

* let public health officials know the hazardous area or the property has
been vacated and will remain so until the site is deemed safe for
habitation.

* hire an acceptable environmental hazard testing and cleaning firm to
provide a detailed assessment of the contamination; conduct soil testing;
complete a clean up of the site; and provide follow-up testing to ensure the
site is safe.

The clean up is the financial responsibility of the property owner.