Environmental Audit Program

LDEQ's voluntary environmental self-audit program was established to enhance protection of human health and the environment and increase environmental compliance at regulated entities.

This program reflects the engagement and consultation LDEQ had with members of the regulated community and their associations, environmental groups, and other stakeholders as part of our study and we provided opportunties for public comment prior to this establishment.

General Audit Program Overview:

1. Submission of Notice of Audit. A regulated entity shall notify the Department of the intent to conduct a voluntary audit via the Department approved NOA Form. The NOA must be submitted along with the $1,500 non-refundable, non-transferable fee (see link below). LAC 33:I.7009.A.1.c requires the NOA to be submitted by certified mail or other means approved by the Department.
   • Notice of Audit Form 
   • Audit Payment Information-Online Payment 
2. Audit. Must be completed within the required regulatory period or within a specified period approved by an extension.
3. Submission of a Disclosure of Violation (DOV). A regulated entity must submit a DOV within 45 days after discovery of a violation, if applicable. The DOV is required for penalty mitigation eligibility (see link below). LAC 33:I.7009.A.2.a requires the DOV be submitted by certified mail or other means approved by the Department.
   • Disclosure of Violation Form 
4. End of Audit. End of audit letter sent to regulated entity documenting the end of the audit period.
5. Final Determination/Audit Case Closure. Will provide regulated entity with any actions for mitigation, if applicable.

Voluntary Self-Audit Regulations Overview:

• (Legislation pdf): LAC 33:I.Chapter 70. Voluntary Environmental Self-Audit Regulations 
• (LDEQ's Overview Document pdf): Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality: Environmental Self-Audit Program Explained 

The Regulations provide the following:

1. procedures for conducting voluntary environmental self-audits;
2. submission of the results of voluntary environmental self-audits;
3. incentives in the form of reduction or elimination, or both, of civil penalties for violations disclosed to the Department in a voluntary environmental self-audit;
4. corrective action for violations discovered as a result of a voluntary environmental self-audit;
5. submission to the Department of the plans to correct violations discovered during a voluntary environmental audit; and
6. a fee for reviewing voluntary environmental self-audit reports and actions taken to correct the violations reported.

Additionally, the Regulations must also identify violations that are not eligible for relief under this program, establish a fee for reviewing environmental self-audits & corrective actions, and establish a period of prescription.

Exclusions and Confidentiality statements are provided at the link below.

• Exclusions and Confidentiality

LDEQ will post the final decisions regarding audits at the link below.

• Final Audit Determinations

Office of Environmental Compliance

Enforcement Division

P.O. Box 4312

Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4312

Attention: Audit Section

Please contact _DEQ_ENFSelfAudit@la.gov for all non-payment audit questions.