Utah DEQ News

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.

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 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.

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.

That “Idle-Free” Thing: Change is in the Air

Idle-Free awareness continues to grow in Utah as more cities adopt idle-free ordinances and residents change their driving habits. Kids spearheaded the Idle-Free movement, but all of us can make a difference by spreading the word and raising awareness about the benefits of being idle-free.

Lindon Marina Closed due to Harmful Algal Bloom

The Utah County Health Department (UCHD) closed Utah Lake’s Lindon Marina today due to high cyanobacteria and toxin levels. Samples collected by the Division of Water Quality on August 14, 2018, showed cyanobacteria cell count-concentrations exceeding the recreation health-based threshold for a Danger Advisory and toxin levels for microcystin coming in just below the threshold for a Danger Advisory.

Lincoln Marina and Lincoln Beach Closed Again due to Harmful Algal Bloom

The Utah County Health Department (UCHD) has closed Lincoln Marina and Lincoln Beach after test results showed very high cyanobacteria cell counts and high microcystin levels from a persistent harmful algal bloom that has plagued the area for much of the summer. A Warning Advisory for the rest of the lake remains in place.

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