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Utah Department of
Environmental Quality
After a year long effort, the Department of Environmental Quality’s Leadership Development Group in January released the first-ever Utah Report on the Environment for 2006.
The report highlights the environmental progress made in air, land and water quality over the last few decades. It also includes discussions on the environmental challenges facing the state, such as mercury contamination that affects all aspects of Utah’s landscape. More importantly, it highlights the successes of environmental improvements as a result of partnerships with local governments, individuals and businesses.
The Leadership Group is comprised of an employee from each Division. Under the leadership of Brad Johnson, director of the Division of Environmental Response and Remediation, the group led efforts to produce the report intended to provide the general public with an understanding about Utah’s environment while hopefully shaping discussions with elected leaders on the challenges ahead.
The report was edited by Donna Kemp Spangler, public information officer for DEQ. “Donna facilitated the group’s understanding of the presentation of the report, and the preparation and design that contributed to the public’s understanding of the information,” said Dianne Nielson, executive director of DEQ.
“Our objective with this project was to find something unique that would be an ongoing improvement to DEQ that wouldn’t end up collecting dust on a shelf,” said Harry Campbell, environmental engineer with the Division of Water Quality. “Our group took the leading role in producing the first DEQ annual report. Subsequent DEQ annual reports will likely follow the pattern of this one.”
Other members are: Jon Black, environmental engineer with the Division of Air Quality; Jeff Emmons, environmental scientist with the Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste; John Hultquist, a section manager for the Division of Radiation Control; Kate Johnson, environmental scientist with the Division of Drinking Water; and Jason Wilde, environmental scientist with the Division of Environmental Response and Remediation (DERR).
It wasn’t an easy process. Each member drafted sections of the report, by sometimes having to work with other sections within their Divisions in order to gather appropriate information. Then, mid way through the process, Wilde, an enlisted serviceman, was deployed to Afghanistan leaving others to pick up where he left off.
“I think this was a valuable exercise for everyone involved,” added Brad Johnson. “We all learned a lot about each Division and how to better communicate to the general public.”
Kate Johnson agreed. “I thought it went well,” she said. “We ended up with a product we can all feel proud of.”
The group hired graphic artist Larry Clarkson of Clarkson Creative to design the report. “I was very impressed,” he said. “It was well written and I learned a lot about the current state of the environment. It was a fun project for me.”
This group is part of an overall Leadership Development Training program intended to provide the skills to employees to prepare them for a leadership position.
Besides a group project, participants must prepare a brown bag presentation, complete leadership development classes and provide book reports on selected works that focus on leadership skills. Completion of the course takes two years. New classes begin in January of each year.
“The group project was a good one. I’m truly happy to be apart of this project,” said Hultquist. “A State of Environment report is something of value to the public and community that helps citizens of Utah understand who we are and what we do. I only hope readers will provide their comments and feedback to help DEQ to develop an even better one in 2007.”
The report is available on the Internet at www.deq.utah.gov/envrpt.