Office of Environmental Assessment

The Air Planning and Assessment Division (APAD) evaluates and protects the quality of Louisiana’s air resources. APAD develops and maintains the State Implementation Plan (SIP), which outlines strategies to meet all federally mandated ambient air quality standards. The division compiles and reports statewide emissions inventories for both criteria and toxic air pollutants to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and works closely with regulated industries, trade organizations, and state and federal partners to ensure accurate, up-to-date data. This information supports the creation of effective environmental regulations, air quality models, and progress reports demonstrating emission reductions needed to meet national standards. APAD operates a statewide ambient air monitoring network, performs quality assurance checks, and tracks long-term air quality trends. The division also manages two Mobile Air Monitoring Labs for real-time field sampling and oversees the federally required vehicle Inspection and Maintenance program in areas not meeting ozone standards. Additionally, APAD participates in transportation conformity analyses, develops motor vehicle emissions budgets, reviews federal-aid projects for air quality compliance, and oversees the motor vehicle emissions inspections and maintenance program — all to ensure cleaner air and a healthier environment for Louisiana communities.

The Remediation Division (RD) protects Louisiana’s soil, groundwater, and surface water by addressing both past and potential future releases of contamination. The division investigates, evaluates, monitors, and cleans up environmental impacts at active facilities and abandoned sites, including hazardous and solid waste locations, Superfund and Brownfields sites, and large industrial facilities such as chemical plants and refineries. All cleanup activities meet state health-based standards to ensure that people and the environment remain protected. RD’s work helps return contaminated or underused properties to safe, productive use—often facilitating redevelopment and economic growth while conserving undeveloped land. RD also conducts environmental assessments that support real estate transactions, helping businesses and lenders confirm environmental compliance before property sales. Through its efforts to clean up contamination, prevent future releases, and restore natural resources, the Remediation Division

The Underground Storage Tank Division (USTD) protects Louisiana’s soil, groundwater, and surface water by preventing and addressing contamination from underground storage tank (UST) sites. The division investigates, monitors, evaluates, and cleans up both active and closed UST facilities, ensuring all remediation meets state health-based standards to protect human health and the environment. With approximately 10,000 USTs at 3,800 facilities across the state, USTD enforces federal and state regulations that require proper construction, operation, and monitoring to prevent leaks and ensure rapid detection if leaks occur. Regular inspections, conducted at least every three years as mandated by the Federal Energy Act of 2005, verify compliance and trigger cleanup actions when needed. By addressing past contamination and preventing future releases, USTD safeguards Louisiana’s natural resources while enabling safe property use and supporting economic growth for current and future generations.

The Water Planning and Assessment Division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) evaluates the overall quality of the state’s water resources, establishes and reviews water quality standards, and supports environmental restoration and protection efforts. These standards are designed to safeguard the uses of Louisiana’s waters while avoiding unnecessary treatment costs for businesses, industries, and municipalities, and they serve as the foundation for water quality assessments, pollution allocations, and permit limits. Using ambient monitoring data, the Division conducts assessments to determine if water bodies are impaired and reports findings every two years in the Integrated Report. In addition, the Division develops protection plans, programs, and projects that help stakeholders, local communities, organizations, and citizens plan and implement restoration and protection actions that may qualify for federal funding.