Public Participation & Permit Support Division

The Public Participation and Permit Support Division (PPPSD) consists of two sections: Permit Support & LELAP and Notifications & Accreditations.

Permit Support and LELAP Section (PLS)

Public Participation Group (PPG)

The LDEQ’s PPG keeps the citizens of Louisiana informed, involved, and able to be a part of the environmental decisions that affect their lives in all activities associated with the issuance of the air, hazardous waste, solid waste and water permits and radiation certification, as well as public involvement in other areas at LDEQ requiring public participation.  With extensive knowledge of the Louisiana Environmental Code of regulations, the Revised Statutes, and Federal regulations, the LDEQ’s PPG coordinates activities to promote public involvement in the LDEQ’s environmental decisions. The PPG works with the different entities of the LDEQ as well as the public, news media, and permitted facilities to provide public information through public notices, public hearings, meetings, and review material.  The PPG also handles public comments, questions, and requests regarding public participation information. 

Permit Application Administrative Review Group (PAAR)

The PAAR Group supports the Office of Environmental Services (OES) by receiving and analyzing all incoming documents to ensure they are properly handled. As a part of this process, PAAR conducts all initial administrative reviews of all applications. Certain permit actions such as Expedited Permit Processing Requests and Name and Ownership Changes (NOC) for permits are processed within the group. PAAR ensures that all applications are administratively complete and collects fees where required before forwarding applications to the appropriate permit section for technical review and processing. PAAR creates the initial permit activity in LDEQ’s data management system and ensures that all documents are submitted to the records management section. This ensures that all documents are made a part of the public record in a timely manner. PAAR assists the public by routinely answering questions and directing them to information resources needed to complete their environmental permit application. 

Database Support Group (DSG)

The DSG is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Master File data for the database. Database personnel ensure the standardized definition of Agency Interest (AI) Definition Types and utilize these AI Definition Types when entering AI information into the database. Database personnel are responsible for creating new AIs, processing change requests, many data entry projects, and assign air permit numbers.

The DSG also develops and maintains the Standard Requirements Library (RL), reference tables, and security levels for the database. They also assist in testing, database mapping, and training as it relates to the database. Team members review federal and state regulations and policy and translate them into database standard requirement language for use by LDEQ personnel in permits, surveillance checklists, and enforcement documents. Reference tables contain coded and descriptive information that provide system functionality and drop-down data windows lists (i.e., parishes, lat/long coordinate systems, parameters, monitoring methods, units) in the database. Reference table values are needed to support online permitting, online data submittals, and database mapping as it relates to the database.

Louisiana Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (LELAP)

The LELAP accredits and audits commercial environmental laboratories to confirm approved methods and quality to ensure accuracy, precision, and reliability of data provided to the LDEQ. The LDEQ will not accept environmental laboratory data generated by laboratories that are not accredited under Louisiana regulations in accordance with LAC 33:4501.A.2. 

Also, LELAP is one of only 13 accreditation bodies recognized by The NELAC Institute (TNI).

Click the button below to learn more about the LDEQ's Louisiana Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (LELAP), including a list of accredited environmental laboratories and available scopes of accreditation.

Notifications and Accreditations Section (NAS)

Waste Notifications and Reporting (WNR) Group

The Waste Notifications and Reporting (WNR) group ensures Annual Hazardous Waste (HW) Report information submitted by Large Quantity Generators and Treatment, Storage and Disposal facilities (TSDs) is properly maintained by managing the process for the information upload into the EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Information database.

The WNR also processes all Hazardous Waste notifications for Large Quantity Generators, Small Quantity Generators, Very Small Quantity Generators, Transporters, and other notifications required by regulation.  The WNR prepares the annual Hazardous Waste Import/Export Report for the Legislature.

The WNR responds to questions from the public and fulfills public information requests regarding these reports. The group conducts several workshops a year for the regulated community and interested public to update them on any changes in processes, reporting issues, or software updates.

The group also maintains the RCRA Info database for HW Generators/Transporters/TSDs and issues HW ID numbers. Regulated entities submit the required information using notification forms. Click the button below to learn more about HW notifications. 

Certifications and Accreditations (CAA) Group

Asbestos and Lead-Based Paint

CAA oversees providers of asbestos and lead-based paint training courses, verifies qualifications of individuals conducting training courses, and accredits asbestos and lead workers to ensure that they are trained to follow proper work practice controls to protect the public from asbestos and lead-based paint exposure.

CAA also reviews asbestos and lead-based paint project notifications to ensure contractors are licensed.

CAA isssues Asbestos Disposal Verifications Forms (ADVFs) and uses manifests to ensure proper handling of asbestos-related waste by approved transporters and landfills.

In addition, CAA reviews Asbestos Management Plans for schools and State buildings to ensure safety of children and adults learning and working in these buildings. Click the buttons below to learn more about asbestos and lead notifications and accreditations.

Solid Waste

Certifications and Accreditations Group (CAA) registers Solid Waste (SW) Generators and Transporters, maintains a list of registered SW transporters, and conducts certification testing for Louisiana SW Operators. Click the button below to learn more about SW notifications activities.