Voluntary remedial actions; liability exemption

A. (1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, any person who is not otherwise a responsible person under Part I of this Chapter shall not be liable under Part I for the discharge or disposal or threatened discharge or disposal of the hazardous substance or waste if the person undertakes and completes a remedial action to remove or remedy discharges or disposals and threatened discharges or disposals of hazardous substances and wastes at an identified area of immovable property in accordance with a voluntary remedial action plan approved in advance by the secretary following public notice and the opportunity for a public hearing in the affected community to inform the residents about the plan. The public notice shall appear in the local newspaper of general circulation in the parish where the property is located. The notice shall be at least four by six inches in size. (2) In addition, persons owning immovable property contiguous to the property subject to the voluntary remedial action plan shall receive notice of the plan prior to approval by the secretary, by means of certified mail to the person or persons listed as the owner on the assessor's rolls for the parish in which the property is located and as of the date that the remediation plan is submitted. B. The exemption from liability provided under this Section also applies to discharges or disposals or threatened discharges or disposals of hazardous substances and hazardous wastes at the identified property that are not required to be removed or remedied by the approved voluntary remedial action plan if the requirements of R.S. 30:2286 are met. C. No provision of this Part shall exempt any person who undertakes or completes a voluntary remedial action plan from any liability which he would otherwise have under any federal rule or regulation. D. Nothing in this Part shall affect the liability of any person with respect to damage caused to third parties.