(a) It is declared to be the public policy of the State of Georgia, in furtherance of its responsibility to protect the public health, safety, and well-being of its citizens and to protect and enhance the quality of its environments, to institute and maintain a comprehensive state-wide program for the management of regulated substances stored in underground tanks.

(b) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources shall be designated as the state agency to administer the provisions of this chapter. The director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources shall be the official charged with the primary responsibility for the enforcement of this chapter. In exercising any authority or power granted by this chapter and in fulfilling duties under this chapter, the director shall conform to and implement the policies outlined in this chapter.

(c) It is the intent of the General Assembly to create an environmental assurance fund which, in addition to those purposes set forth in subsections (f) and (g) of Code Section 12-13-9, may also be used by owners and operators as an alternate to insurance purchased from insurance companies for purposes of evidencing financial responsibility for taking corrective action and compensation of third parties for bodily injury and property damage caused by sudden and nonsudden accidental releases arising from operating underground storage tanks.