PRESS RELEASE

DEQ responding to assess the impact of Hurricane Ike
Department of Environmental Quality News Update
BATON ROUGE , La. (September 16, 2008) - In the wake of Hurricane Ike, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is working with federal, state and local agencies to conduct numerous inspections in the southwest portion of the state. Assessment teams went out with State Police as soon as the winds subsided to assess the extent of the damage. Assessments are being made along the coast and in affected parishes. These assessments are focused on sites that could potentially be hazardous to human health and the environment.

Inspection and assessment teams are looking at wastewater treatment systems to minimize the exposure of citizens to sewage; industrial facilities that use hazardous materials in processing; underground storage tanks to be sure they are not leaking; superfund sites; and sites where radiation threats are possible.

Right after landfall, DEQ personnel began telephoning and contacting local officials and government to discuss if they were operational and what assistance was needed. DEQ personnel are working in conjunction with staff from the State Police, Environmental Protection Agency, Coast Guard, National Guard, the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinators office and other state agencies to ensure the safety and well being of Louisiana citizens.

 “Again, as after Hurricane Gustav, the team effort to ensure public safety and environmental safety, has been ongoing,” said DEQ Secretary Hal Leggett. “All of our partners are helping to work with issues that still persist after Gustav and to identify new problems associated with Hurricane Ike. DEQ is deploying its resources in priority areas and its staff are working to facilitate responses as quickly as possible.”

For pictures and more information, please go to www.deq.louisiana.gov.

###