Utah DEQ News

Logan First PM2.5 Nonattainment Area in Utah to Meet Federal Standard

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that the Logan PM2.5 nonattainment area meets the conditions for attainment. This determination makes it the first PM2.5 nonattainment area in the state to reach attainment since the standard was tightened 12 years ago.

monitoring

Monitoring Matters: How Air-Quality Monitoring Helps Utah’s Air

Air monitoring is the beginning–and the end–of everything we do at the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to protect and improve Utah’s air.

Fireplace

Wood-Burning Restrictions Go into Effect November 1, 2018

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality (DAQ) reminds residents that wood-burning restrictions go into effect November 1, 2018, and urges Utahns to use online and mobile tools to monitor daily PM2.5 levels.

New Funding Helps Researchers in Quest for Air Quality Solutions

Harnessing the broad knowledge base of Utah’s researchers and scientists, DEQ has refined and improved its list of research goals and priorities. The new list represents the kind of research topics that will make the most impact on understanding and improving air quality.

Board Denies EnergySolutions Request for Exemption for Depleted Uranium Munitions

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s Waste Management and Radiation Control Board denied EnergySolutions’ request for an exemption to state regulations requiring a performance assessment prior to the disposal of depleted uranium (DU).

Funding Collaboration Helps With Centro Civico Cleanup

Although the cleanup at the Centro Cívico seemed pretty straightforward, navigating a solution required DEQ employees to solve problems, actively engage stakeholders, and address public concerns with a professional and fair approach.

Wood Stove Rebate Program Will Help Reduce Emissions

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Utah Clean Air Partnership (UCAIR) will launch the Wood Stove Conversion Assistance Program on Oct. 22, 2018. The program was developed to incentivize residents to convert their fireplace or wood stove into a natural-gas or propane device.

ULend Helps Improve Utah Air Through Applied Technology

By Jared Mendenhall The Uinta Basin drew little interest from European settlers when they reached the Great Basin. In fact, the Deseret News reported that the basin was a “vast contiguity of waste…valueless excepting for nomadic purposes, hunting grounds for Indians and to hold the world together.” This all changed in 1948 when oil was …

Snow Blower Exchange Helps You Clean Your Driveway and Our Air

DEQ, Rocky Mountain Power, and UCAIR are partnering for the first-annual 2018 Electric Snow Blower Exchange. The Exchange will offer 432 electric snow blowers at a discounted price to encourage the use of clean-emissions snow blowers during the inversion season. Registration begins October 1, 2018, and ends October 11, 2018.

Panguitch Lake Closed Due to High Toxin Levels

The Southwestern Utah Health Department has issued a Danger Advisory/Closure for Panguitch Lake based on extremely high toxin levels in the lake from an ongoing cyanobacteria bloom. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) contacted livestock operators in the area to recommend they prevent their cattle from drinking water from the reservoir and downstream sources.

Public Comments

Make Your Voice Heard and Your Comments Count

Public participation matters! The Utah Department of Environmental Quality is committed to using the public notice and comment process to improve its decisionmaking. Here are some tips for making effective comments on agency permits, rules, and decisions.

Tips on Protecting Your Lungs During Wildfires

Wondering what steps they can take to protect their health from wildfire smoke? Attached is a helpful graphic with a few tips on ways to ensure you and your loved ones can breathe easily.

Get Into the River

“Get Into The River Festival” Celebrates the Jordan River Parkway

Come join the fun at the fifth-annual Get Into The River Festival at the Jordan River Parkway. From nature walks to cleanup efforts to canoeing to a neighborhood barbeque, there’s something for everybody at this monthlong celebration of the Jordan River.

Utah’s Air: Double-Punch of Ozone and Wildfires this Summer

How did Utah’s air this summer compare with other years? Not the worst, but not the best. Wildfires and ozone meant more air pollution than previous years.

Going Green at Work: Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference

Although many of us make environmentally friendly choices at home, we don’t always stop to consider the many ways we could go green in our workplace. DEQ offers you some simple tips to help make your workplace a little “greener.” Going green at work is easier than you think!

Jordan River

Warning Advisory for HABs Issued for Jordan River and Canals

The Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) has issued a Warning Advisory for the Jordan River and its canals after samples showed levels of anatoxin-a that exceed the recreation health-based threshold. Health officials advise people to stay out of the water and keep dogs from entering or drinking river water. Toxins present at this level have not been shown to present a health threat to people kayaking or boating on the surface of the river, but recreationists are advised to avoid areas of scum.