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ADEQ outlines agency structure, EPA delegations and Volkswagen settlement plans
Summary
Becky Keogh and Julie Link told the Senate committee that the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality administers multiple EPA‑delegated programs, is integrating an Office of Energy, and expects to administer Volkswagen settlement funds once a court approves the state program.
Becky Keogh, director of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, presented an overview of ADEQ’s organization, permitting priorities and outreach to the General Assembly. Keogh said ADEQ’s structure includes offices for water quality, air quality, land resources and a newly added Office of Energy; she described efforts to streamline permitting and reduce average days to permit issuance.
Keogh told senators ADEQ will administer Volkswagen settlement monies and is preparing a proposed Arkansas program for court approval. She emphasized the agency’s mix of federal pass‑through funds and permitting fees rather than reliance on state general revenue.
Julie Link, ADEQ deputy director and associate director of the Office of Law and Policy, told the committee Arkansas qualifies for all 13 EPA‑delegated program areas and is in EPA Region 6. Link said maintaining delegated authority requires technical, legal and lab capacity and quarterly reporting to EPA.
During Q&A, Senator Hammer asked whether ADEQ would be the permitting agency for a reported mining proposal; Keogh said the site appeared to be on federal land (a national forest), so federal authorization via the Department of Interior would be required first — if mining proceeds, ADEQ’s mining and stormwater permitting programs would apply, but no permit applications had yet been filed with ADEQ.
Keogh and Link offered committee members data resources and district‑specific permit lists and said ADEQ’s field offices and inspectors are available to assist local officials.
