On Friday, April 10, 2020, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) released its “Temporary Guidance on Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Program”.
This guidance provides a temporary path forward due to the COVID-19 pandemic regarding administrative relief and enforcement discretion for various reporting requirements.
We are all working to adapt to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 outbreak. As we take measures to protect the health and safety of our workforce, sister federal and state agencies, the public and the regulated community, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) continues to perform all of the necessary functions of our mission as an agency.
Within the authorities of the Environmental Quality Act, I announce the following temporary policy regarding DEQ enforcement of environmental legal obligations during this unprecedented time. This policy is consistent with EPA’s March 26, 2020 Memorandum COVID-19 Implications for EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Program and guidance provided by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
This policy does not apply to any criminal violations, activities that are carried out under Superfund and RCRA Corrective Action enforcement instruments, and failure to obtain required permits for the regulated activity.
To view this guidance, please click here.