LDEQ’s Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) - official records created or received by LDEQ; documents unavailable online can be access via Public Records Request or by visiting one of LDEQ’s Public Records Centers, located at LDEQ Headquarters in Baton Rouge, or anyone of LDEQ’s Regional Offices
Water quality: https://waterdata.deq.louisiana.gov/
Air quality: https://airquality.deq.louisiana.gov/
“The Public Participation Group (PPG) is a part of the Public Participation & Permit Support Division within the Office of Environmental Services. PPG is responsible for issuing public notices and conducting public hearings and meetings associated with permitting activities related to the four categories of media (Air, Hazardous Waste, Solid Waste, and Water).” (https://www.deq.louisiana.gov/page/the-public-participation-group)
“The Louisiana Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program is designed to ensure the accuracy, precision, and reliability of the data generated, as well as the use of the department-approved methodologies in the generation of that data. Laboratory data generated by commercial environmental laboratories that are not accredited under these regulations will not be accepted by the department in accordance with LAC 33:I.4501.A.2. Whenever samples are subcontracted to another environmental testing laboratory, the original laboratory shall maintain a verifiable copy the results with a chain of custody. The subcontracting procedure may not be used to circumvent proper accreditation or any state requirements. The original laboratory is responsible for ensuring that the secondary laboratory used is properly accredited for the scope of testing performed in accordance with LAC 33:I.5307.D.” (https://www.deq.louisiana.gov/page/la-lab-accreditation)
However, the 2021 Louisiana State Legislative Auditor found that “based on the data reliability testing we performed, some of the information DEQ collects regarding self-monitoring reports, such as postmark date and review date, is incomplete” (9). Based on findings from this report, the state auditor recommended DEQ make inspections less predictable; require photographs or other evidence*; and make more timely reviews of self-monitoring reports (rather than waiting years to review them).
* In January 2019, the EPA’s Inspector General and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor were notified by DEQ that compliance inspections had been falsified (Louisiana Legislative Auditor, 2021)
Louisiana Legislative Auditor. 2021. “Monitoring and Enforcement of Air Quality. Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.”
