For Citizens Archives

May is Air Quality Awareness Month and the start of ozone season. This is the time of year when knowing about air quality is most important because of the increased possibility of ozone formation on hot, dry summer days. An easy way to keep informed about air quality is through the EnviroFlash notification system. EnviroFlash is a free e-mail alert system that delivers air quality information straight to an inbox or phone. To subscribe, citizens can fill in basic information such as the frequency with which they would like to receive notifications, e-mail address and ZIP code. The subscriber will then receive alerts either daily or when ozone or particle pollution is expected to be unhealthy. Another benefit to subscribing to EnviroFlash is that DEQ will send out manual emails to subscribers when there is an event such as a fire that affects the air quality.

St. Charles, St. James and St. John parishes are holding a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, Saturday, April 14, at two locations. In Destrehan, residents can drop off their waste at Jerusalem Shriners Hall, 1940 Ormond Boulevard, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and in Laplace, Plaza Laplace Shopping Center, 1921 Airline Hwy (New Wine Ministries parking lot) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All residents of those parishes are invited to bring household hazardous waste to either location so the waste can be disposed of properly.

Monday, March 19, scientists from the Department of Environmental Quality participated in a meeting with the Jackson Parish Watershed District to discuss the status of Caney Lake, located near Chatham in Jackson Parish.

The Greater Baton Rouge Household Hazardous Materials Collection Day and Paint Swap was held on Saturday, March 10. East Baton Rouge residents brought household hazardous materials and leftover paint to Memorial Stadium parking lot. More than 430 residents dropped off recyclables.

Today, Secretary Peggy Hatch of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality was joined by Senator Mike Walsworth, chair, Senate Environmental Quality Committee, to recognize environmental achievements at the 2012 Environmental Leadership Program Awards ceremony. New and existing members of ELP were commended for their voluntary pollution prevention efforts, community environmental education and outreach initiatives. The ceremony highlighted projects that went above and beyond regulatory compliance to substantially improve the quality of the environment. In 2012, the ELP enrolled 15 new members.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality will conduct a watershed-based survey of the Upper Bayou Terrebonne in an effort to collect water discharge data. Starting in February, DEQ environmental scientists will visit facilities along Bayou Terrebonne from Thibodaux to the Inter Coastal Water Way in order to ensure that all facilities have current and appropriate water discharge permits. The project is being conducted in collaboration with the Upper Bayou Terrebonne Watershed Task Force.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality recently selected Webster Parish as the next stop for its drinking water protection campaign, "Protect Drinking Water One Drop at a Time." The program's goal is to increase the public's awareness and participation in protecting their area's drinking water.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has recently launched an online suggestion form for use by the public for the purpose of submitting ideas to the department.