The Public Participation Group FAQs

Public Notices associated to permitting activities and other DEQ realted activites are available through:

• DEQ Public Notices Web Page which is available at http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/public-notices
• Newspapers
• Radio announcements (Hazardous Waste permitting activities only)
• The DEQ permits public notice mailing list (hard copy & email)

Material related to permitting activities includes and is not limited to:

• Application
• Draft permit
• Statement of basis or fact sheet
• Environmental Assessment Statement (IT Questions)
• Correspondence
• All previous information submitted to or generated by DEQ .......etc.

• LDEQ Public Records Center:
  Material associated with the permitting activity is available for review at LDEQ Public Records Center located at 602 North 5th Street, Baton Rouge, LA. Viewing hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (except holidays). Copies of documents that are for public review can be requested through LDEQ Public Records Center at (225) 219-3167/68 or email publicrecords@la.gov.
• Public Library Repositories:
  Based on the media regulations, the material can also be available at different repositories. Check the public notice for specific locations associated with the draft permit repositories.
• LDEQ Website
  The permit and statement of basis/ fact sheet (when applicable) are available online following the notice. 
• The Electronic Document Management System (EDMS)
  Information is also available online on EDMS . By becoming a registered user of the EDMS, you may access records dated January 1, 2000 to the present. The registration process is simple and provides secure access to the system.

For all the major permits, the public is informed of the status of the permit at the following stages:

• Pre-application (Hazardous waste & Solid Waste)
• Application received by DEQ (Hazardous Waste by Public notice)
• The permit application is determined administratively complete
• Draft or proposed permit
• Final decision

The public can participate in the decision by:

• Reviewing the available material
• Submitting written comments during the comment period
• Participating in public hearings and public meetings (pre-application, drafts, etc..)

During the comment period as published in the public notice

For draft / proposed permits or technically complete applications, the comment period is based on the media regulations:

• Air - 30 Days
• Hazardous Waste - 45 Days
• Solid Waste - 30 Days
• Water - 30 Days

• Online at www.deq.louisiana.gov/public-notices 
• By mail to:
  Public Participation Group
  P.O. Box 4313
  Baton Rouge, LA 70821
• Hand delivery to:
  The Galvez Building
  602 N 5t St
  Baton Rouge, LA 70802
• By email: DEQ.PUBLICNOTICES@LA.GOV

• Upon receipt of the comments, the original comments are sent to the Records Management Group and a copy is forwarded to the permit writer and to the Public Participation Group.
• The permit writer reviews the comments and uses any appropriate additional information in updating the draft permit
• The commentor’s name and information is added to the comment data base.
• A final draft of the permit and the response to the public comments is prepared and forwarded to the OES Assistant Secretary for final approval.
• Upon the issuance or denial of the permit, a letter with the final decision, basis of decision and response to the comments is mailed to all those who made comments, those who requested to be notified of the decision, and the applicant / petitioner

• You can add your request to your comments during the comment period
• Include the reason for your request for the hearing
• Identify who you represent (self, group, community, etc..)

Some public hearings are required by regulations while others are granted on a case-by-case basis.

The Assistant Secretary of the Office of Environmental Services (OES) has the authority to approve or deny the request for a hearing.

The approval of the administrative authority for the public hearing is based on the basis of requests and if there is a significant degree of public interest in the proposed action.

The state administrative authority may also hold a public hearing at his or her discretion, whenever a hearing might clarify one or more issues involved in the action.