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DEQ Turns 20
In his 1990 State of the State address, Governor Norm Bangerter proposed the formation of a Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The late Senator Steve Rees sponsored the bill creating DEQ—officially inaugurated on July 1, 1991—with the mission of "safeguarding human health and quality of life by protecting and enhancing the environment."
Ken Alkema became the first director of DEQ, to be replaced by Dianne Nielson who served 16 years under Governors Mike Leavitt, Olene Walker, and Jon Huntsman Jr. When Huntsman appointed Nielson as his Energy Advisor, Rick Sprott took the helm, retiring a year later, with Deputy Director Bill Sinclair as Interim Director until a permanent replacement was named. In 2009, Amanda Smith became DEQ's fourth executive director, who also serves as Energy Advisor under Governor Gary Herbert.
Since its inception, DEQ's six Divisions—Air Quality, Drinking Water, Environmental Response and Remediation, Radiation Control, Solid and Hazardous Waste, and Water Quality—have played key roles in protecting and enhancing Utah's environment.
On these panels DEQ showcases 20 "success stories" achieved by its dedicated workforce and its commitment to Utah's environment.
"A healthy environment is essential to Utah's future. To be short-sighted in our management of the environment is to short-change the next generation. In order to highlight the importance of this issue and in the interest of expediting the resolution of the many environmental issues facing the state, I am requesting the creation of a Department of Environmental Quality."—Governor Norm Bangerter
Read what our Divisions have accomplished over these past twenty years:
- Atlas Uranium Mill Tailings in Moab
- Chemical Weapons Storage
- Cleaning Up Geneva Steel
- Eureka Mining Town Gets Cleaned Up
- Great Salt Lake Water Quality
- Indoor Radon Program
- Midvale Slag Cleanup
- Murray Smelter Smokestack Site
- Nuclear Spent Fuel in Utah
- Partnering to Improve Air Quality
- Partners
- Protection From Radiation Sources
- Safe Drinking Water for 20 Years
- Scenic Vistas at Utah's National Parks
- Streamlining Air Emissions Data
- Underground Storage Tank Program
- Urban Redevelopment
- Used Oil Program
- Utah's Ag Water Quality Strategy
- Voluntary Cleanup Program
- Water Quality Hardship Grant Program
If you have questions, comments, or require more information,
contact the DEQ Public Affairs Office (801-536-4480).
