As we work together to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect our customers and employees, our goal remains to provide quality service, guidance and resources to the communities we serve. While our offices are closed to the public, our staff is working for you and we are available for your immediate needs. Information is provided below for each of our offices, with links to our website where additional details and contact information can be found. #TeamKentucky #TogetherKentucky
The Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves
All April public events, including the Pine Mountain Nature Summit and the Wildflower Weekend, are cancelled. Hiking trails remain open. To find a natural area, please visit: https://eec.ky.gov/Nature-Preserves/Locations/Pages/default.aspx
The Division of Water
Unless necessary to prevent or mitigate an imminent threat or risk to human health, safety and the environment, inspections will not be conducted at drinking water, wastewater, and healthcare facilities or at any facility that has restricted public access.
Field offices will have at least one employee in the office during the normal office hours of 8:00 – 4:30. All scheduled meetings will be conducted via phone, teleconferencing or video conferencing until further notice. For DOW information, please visit: https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water/Pages/default.aspx
The Division of Compliance Assistance
DCA is waiving late fees for drinking water operating certification renewals that are due on June 30, 2019 through August 31, 2019, and potentially extend to a longer period, to allow operators to get the needed continuing education credits to renew licenses. All training for water, wastewater, and solid waste training events and exams through April are cancelled.
The Public Service Commission
Until further notice, there will be no disconnections for non-payment of service and no late-payment charges for utility customers.
Documents required by 807 KAR 5:001 , Section 7(1 ), and 807 KAR 5:063 may be filed with the Commission by electronic mail at PSCED@ky.gov. An original of the documents exempted from filing in ordering paragraph 3(a), (b), and (c), shall be filed within 30 days of the lifting of the state of emergency.
Division of Waste Management
Unless necessary to prevent or mitigate an imminent threat or risk to human health, safety and the environment, hazardous or solid waste inspections will not be done at the following places: health care facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, pharmacies, medical waste transfer stations, locations that have susceptible populations, and locations that attract large numbers of people.
Meetings with the public will be done via video conferencing, teleconferencing, etc. All public records exchanges will be completed electronically.
Division for Air Quality
Facility inspections will be done on a case-by-case basis according to the on-site visitor policies. Meetings with the public will be done via video conferencing.
Division of Enforcement
Meetings with the public will be done via video conferencing.
The Divisions of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement, Abandoned Mine Lands, Mine Safety, Mine Permits
Business will be conducted by teleconference instead of face-to-face meetings. All branch offices are closed and we request that the public use drop boxes at those locations. Outdoor inspections will be conducted using CDC guidelines.
Mine safety specialists will continue to respond to emergencies, however mine safety classroom training is suspended and a one-month extension of all training expiration dates has been granted. The Division of Mine Permits will cease on-site visits at this time. Information about the programs, including emergency contact information, can be found at https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Mining/Pages/default.aspx.
The Office of the Reclamation Guaranty Fund
Hand-delivered payments are not being accepted at this time. Payments may be made online and through the mail. Visit https://dep.gateway.ky.gov/KRGFPortal/ or call Danielle Crosman at (502) 782-6590.
The Division of Conservation
In-person assistance is not available at this time. Districts needing assistance can reach out to their assigned field representative or email Conservation@ky.gov
The Division of Oil and Gas
Offices are closed to the public. Business, including citizen requests, will be conducted via phone or email. Inspections will be conducted outdoors. Information including emergency contact information can be found at https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Oil-and-Gas/Pages/default.aspx
The Division of Forestry
All business and interactions are being conducted via phone or email. Foresters requested to evaluate a landowner’s property will obtain information from them via phone or email, conduct a solo site visit and convey the results to the landowner via phone or email, along with their written management plan.
Inspections for timber harvests will be conducted independently with follow-up communication via phone or email. Information including emergency contact information can be found at https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Forestry/Pages/default.aspx
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