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The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is responsible for protecting the state’s air, land, and water. Our mission is to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of present and future generations of Mississippians by conserving and improving our environment and fostering wise economic growth through focused research and responsible regulation.

MDEQ Executive Director Gary Rikard is appointed by the Governor. The Governor also appoints the seven members of the Commission on Environmental Quality who serve seven-year staggered terms. The Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit Board takes action on permits administered through MDEQ.

The agency consists of four offices each headed by a director:

Office of Pollution Control

- Surface Water Division
- Air Division
- Groundwater Assessment and Remediation Division
- Field Services Division
- Environmental Permits Division
- Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Division
- Emergency Services

Office of Land and Water Resources
- Surface Water
- Permitting and Monitoring
- Ground Water
- Water Resources Data Management
- Water Well Drillers Licensing
- Dam Safety

Office of Geology
- Surface Geology Division
- Environmental Geology Division
- Flood Mapping of Mississippi
- Geospatial Resources Division
- Mining and Reclamation Division
- Coal Mining Division

Office of Administrative Services
- Accounting
- Budgeting
- Human Resources
- Payroll
- Purchasing
- Grants Administration
- Information Technology Division
- Support Services

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