CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Aug. 26, 2026 – Governor Mark Gordon (R-WY) announces the retirement of Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Director Todd Parfitt, who will depart on Oct. 1, following more than 14 years of distinguished leadership and 32 years of dedicated public service to the State of Wyoming. Appointed Director in 2012, Parfitt has […]
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has released its Fiscal Year 2027–2028 Strategic Plan, outlining the agency’s goals, priorities, and performance measures that will guide its work to protect, conserve, and enhance Wyoming’s environment over the next two years. “This Strategic Plan reflects our continued commitment to protecting Wyoming’s natural resources while supporting responsible […]
CHEYENNE, WYOMING – The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ), in collaboration with state partners, wants to reassure residents and visitors that Lake DeSmet remains open for swimming, boating, and other recreation activities. Although a Bloom Advisory was recently issued following confirmation of a harmful cyanobacteria bloom (HCB) near the Mikesell-Potts Recreation Area, blooms are […]
CHEYENNE, WYOMING – The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Solid and Hazardous Waste Division (SHWD) is recognizing June 15–19, 2026, as Solid Waste & Recycling Workers Week, honoring the dedication and essential service of the men and women who manage Wyoming’s waste and recycling systems. Solid waste and recycling workers play a critical role in […]
CHEYENNE, WYOMING – The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality’s Water Quality Division (WDEQ/WQD) released results from its 2021 probabilistic water quality survey of the Snake and Bear River Basins, revealing that 73% of assessed perennial streams are in “least-disturbed” biological condition. The report highlights that these basins fare better than national estimates (28%), recording far fewer […]
CHEYENNE, WYOMING – The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is proud to announce that the Water Quality Division’s (WQD) Lander Surface Water Monitoring Team has been selected as the 2025 Team of the Year for their outstanding contributions to water quality protection, field monitoring excellence, and collaborative scientific work across Wyoming. Led by David Waterstreet, […]
CHEYENNE, WYOMING – The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is proud to announce that Richard McPeek, Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Project Manager based in the agency’s Lander office, has been selected as the 2025 Public Servant Award recipient. McPeek is recognized for his leadership, technical expertise, and steadfast commitment to advancing some of Wyoming’s most […]
CHEYENNE, WYOMING — The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is pleased to award the 2026 Excellence in Mining Reclamation Award for the coal category to the Cordero Rojo Mine (Permit No. 237). The DEQ Excellence in Mining Reclamation Awards are given annually to Wyoming coal and noncoal mine operators who demonstrate outstanding achievement in a […]
CHEYENNE, WYOMING — The Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah Departments of Environmental Quality have announced the results of the 2021 Tri-State Bear Survey (TBS), a water quality assessment of perennial streams and rivers within the Upper and Central Bear River Basin. This collaborative effort leveraged a probabilistic survey design to provide a statistically unbiased representation of the […]
CHEYENNE, WYOMING – With summer upon us and more people heading to Wyoming’s lakes and reservoirs to recreate, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ), the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH), and the Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB), in collaboration with partners, remind the public to avoid and keep animals away from harmful cyanobacteria blooms (HCBs) and […]