Wyoming Administrative Code Agency 020 - Environmental Quality, Dept. of
The Wyoming Administrative Code, Agency 020, pertains to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). This is a very extensive and critical part of Wyoming's regulatory framework, as the DEQ is the primary state agency responsible for protecting, conserving, and enhancing Wyoming's land, air, and water resources.
The administrative code for the DEQ is structured into several sub-agencies or divisions, each addressing a specific environmental area. This reflects the broad scope of the DEQ's responsibilities.
Here's a breakdown of the typical sub-agencies/divisions and the types of regulations you'd find under each:
Sub-Agency 0001 - Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program: Rules governing the reclamation of lands and waters disturbed by historical mining operations that are no longer active, often funded through federal programs.
Sub-Agency 0002 - Air Quality: This division's rules are crucial for maintaining Wyoming's air quality. They include:
Ambient Air Quality Standards: Limits on pollutants in the ambient air.
Emissions Standards: Limits on emissions from various industrial and commercial sources.
Permitting Requirements: Procedures for obtaining permits for new sources of air pollution or modifications to existing ones.
Monitoring and Reporting: Requirements for businesses to monitor and report their air emissions.
Visibility Impairment/PM Fine Control: Regulations to address haze and fine particulate matter.
Smoke Management and Open Burning: Rules for controlling smoke from activities like agricultural burning.
National Acid Rain Program: Implementation of federal acid rain regulations.
Sub-Agency 0003 - Hazardous Waste: Regulations aligned with federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for the management of hazardous waste, including:
Identification of Hazardous Waste: Criteria for determining what constitutes hazardous waste.
Generators, Transporters, and Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs): Requirements for each stage of hazardous waste management.
Permitting: Rules for facilities that treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste.
Manifesting and Recordkeeping: Tracking hazardous waste from "cradle to grave."
Sub-Agency 0004 - Industrial Siting Council: Rules governing the review and approval process for the siting of large industrial facilities (e.g., power plants, large-scale energy projects) to assess their environmental and socio-economic impacts. This often includes requirements for:
Application information and procedures.
Public hearings and participation.
Impact assessment and mitigation.
Bonding and financial assurances.
Sub-Agency 0006 - Land Quality - Coal: Specific regulations for coal mining operations, covering aspects like:
Permitting: Detailed requirements for obtaining permits for surface and underground coal mining.
Reclamation: Standards for reclaiming mined lands to their pre-mining or higher use.
Bonding: Financial assurance requirements to ensure reclamation is completed.
Blasting: Regulations for blasting activities.
Exploration: Rules for exploration activities related to coal.
Sub-Agency 0007 - Land Quality - Non Coal: Regulations for mining of minerals other than coal (e.g., trona, uranium, aggregates), with similar focus on permitting, reclamation, and environmental protection.
Sub-Agency 0009 - Solid Waste Management: Rules for the safe and proper management of solid waste, including:
Landfill Design and Operation: Standards for the construction, operation, and closure of solid waste landfills.
Waste Transfer Stations: Regulations for facilities that consolidate waste.
Recycling Programs: Any state-level requirements or incentives related to recycling.
Sub-Agency 0011 - Water Quality: These rules are essential for protecting Wyoming's surface and groundwater resources. They include:
Water Quality Standards: Numeric and narrative standards for various pollutants in different types of water bodies.
Discharge Permits (NPDES equivalent): Requirements for obtaining permits for discharging pollutants into state waters.
Groundwater Protection: Rules to prevent contamination of groundwater.
Stormwater Management: Regulations for managing stormwater runoff.
Drinking Water Systems: Standards for public drinking water supplies.
Sub-Agency 0012 - Voluntary Remediation Program: Rules for a program that allows parties to voluntarily clean up contaminated sites.
Sub-Agency 0013 - Uranium Recovery: Specific regulations related to the mining and processing of uranium.
Sub-Agency 0014 - Storage Tanks: Rules for underground and aboveground storage tanks to prevent leaks and spills of petroleum products and hazardous substances.
Where to Find the Full Text:
The most authoritative and current source for the Wyoming Administrative Code, including all chapters under Agency 020 (DEQ), is the Wyoming Legislature's official website:
Wyoming Administrative Rules System: Navigate to You can search by agency number (020) or by the agency name "Environmental Quality, Dept. of" to find all the relevant sub-agencies and their associated chapters.
You can also find these regulations on legal information websites such as Justia Regulations or Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute (LII), but always confirm with the official state source for the most up-to-date version.
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) official also provides a wealth of information, including summaries of regulations, public notices for rule changes, and often direct links to the relevant chapters of the administrative code on the Legislature's site. Each division within the DEQ (Air Quality, Water Quality, Land Quality, etc.) typically has its own section on the website where you can find specific regulatory details.
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