(a) The General Assembly finds:(1) that low-level radioactive wastes are produced in this State with even greater volumes to be produced in the future;(2) that such radioactive wastes pose a significant risk to the public health, safety and welfare of the people of Illinois; and(3) that it is the obligation of the State of Illinois to its citizens to provide for the safe management of the low-level radioactive wastes produced within its borders.(b) The Agency has attained federal agreement state status and thereby has assumed regulatory authority over low-level radioactive waste from the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission under Section 274b of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2014) . It is the purpose of this Act to establish a comprehensive program for the storage, treatment, and disposal of low-level radioactive wastes in Illinois. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the program provide for the management of these wastes in the safest manner possible and in a manner that creates the least risk to human health and the environment of Illinois and that the program encourage to the fullest extent possible the use of environmentally sound waste management practices alternative to land disposal including waste recycling, compaction, incineration and other methods to reduce the amount of wastes produced, and to ensure public participation in all phases of the development of this radioactive waste management program.Amended by P.A. 103-0569,§ 35, eff. 6/1/2024.Amended by P.A. 095-0777,§ 35, eff. 8/4/2008. P.A. 90-29, eff. 6-26-97.