The ADEQ Legal Division provides support for the regulatory divisions regarding
compliance with state and federal laws in permitting and enforcement activities.
The division pursues formal enforcement cases -- usually through a consent administrative
order -- and represents the agency in appeals of permitting, enforcement and rulemaking
decisions.
Staff attorneys also prepare emergency orders, negotiate consent orders, file
motions for restraining orders and permanent injunctive relief and prepare requests
for search warrants.
Formal enforcement cases handled by the Legal Division have increased significantly
since the mid 1980s, not necessarily due to an increase in noncompliance, but because
of more aggressive efforts by the agency, fewer referrals to the EPA and recent
state statutory authority to impose stiffer penalties.
Our Searchable Database of Consent Administrative Order
(CAO) Information is online in the PDF format.
The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality believes that voluntary compliance
with environmental laws, regulations, and permit requirements is necessary to effectively
protect human health and the environment of the state. ADEQ also believes that voluntary
compliance can be achieved through the adoption and implementation of regularly
scheduled, systematic, and objective self-policing activities known as environmental
audits or environmental management systems designed to monitor and maintain compliance
with state law and regulations. In an effort to encourage members of the regulated
community to adopt and implement environmental management systems, ADEQ adopts this
Environmental Self Disclosure Incentive Policy.
Contact Information
Mission Statement
To provide vigorous representation and knowledgeable counsel for the Department's
pursuit of environmental protection.