Environmental QualityFrequently Asked QuestionsGeneral1. What sort of environmental issues are you involved in? The division has several regulatory programs under its responsibility. These are: air quality (ozone depleting compounds, wood burning, fugitive dust, smoking and idling vehicles, alternative fuels for vehicles, odors, and control of emissions from businesses and industry); water quality (rivers, lakes, groundwater); solid and hazardous wastes; asbestos; tobacco smoke and sales; community noise; and the cleanup of contaminated sites (remediation). Non-regulatory programs include occupational health, indoor air quality, pollution prevention, energy conservation/climate change, sustainable development, and travel reduction.
top
2. How do you prioritize your involvement in these issues? Priority is given to those activities which: 1) pose an acute threat to public health from environmentally induced effects; 2) are required by either federal, state or local regulations or guidelines; 3) are funded by city, state, federal or other sources; 4) can be resolved at the local level; and 5) will result in a positive contribution to public health and/or the environment
top
3. How can the general public and business find out what information you have and get access to reports you may have published? The division has a comprehensive geographical information system that is used to store and retrieve geographically-based information for property audits, data analysis, and special studies. Most of this information is public and can be accessed by simply calling the office to make an appointment. Often, we require a letter to request such information. If you request information that needs to be compiled, there may be a charge to recover costs. The division also stores its reports in the Government Documents Section of the central branch of the Denver Public Library.
top