In recognition of Earth Day, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has released Wyoming’s State of the Environment Report for 2018.The report highlights DEQ’s ongoing work, achievements, and insight into the department’s four primary responsibilities: air, land, waste, and water.
“From improving our air quality monitors, reclaiming historic abandoned mines, achieving high compliance rates by the regulated community, and improving our ground and surface water throughout the state, DEQ continues to be a leader in environmental stewardship and protection,” said Todd Parfitt, DEQ Director.
Some key achievements and statistics in the report include:
- Since 2008, air pollution from major industrial facilities has been reduced by over 50,000 tons (equivalent to the pollution from 5.4 million passenger cars in a year),
- 25,000+ acres of abandoned mines have been reclaimed since 1977,
- as of December 2018, 1,290 contaminated storage tank sites have been cleaned up,
- and since 1999, more than 187 miles of streams and river segments have been restored through voluntary and incentive-based programs to protect and restore the quality of Wyoming’s surface waters.
According to Parfitt, this report will be developed every year and released on Earth Day.
“Earth Day is a perfect time to release this document and show how far we have all come within the state to better protect our natural resources,” said Parfitt. “Even with the tremendous work of DEQ staff, state and local parties, the regulated communities, and our many stakeholders, there are still many areas where we can improve.”
Wyoming’s State of the Environment Report can be viewed by clicking here.
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