(a) Through extensive legislation since 1989, the State of Arkansas has made significant strides toward a comprehensive and regionalized approach to solid waste management. The General Assembly recognizes the need to develop viable facilities for managing and disposing of the state's solid waste. This subchapter should be construed as a complement to the state's overall regionalization strategy by encouraging an equitable and efficient dispersal of solid waste management facilities to serve the needs of all citizens.
(b) The General Assembly also acknowledges that, while solid waste management facilities are essential, certain types of solid waste management facilities impose specific burdens on the host community. National trends indicate a tendency to concentrate high impact solid waste disposal facilities in lower-income or minority communities. Such high impact solid waste disposal facilities may place an onus on the host community without any reciprocal benefits to local residents. The purpose of this subchapter is to prevent communities from becoming involuntary hosts to a proliferation of high impact solid waste management facilities.