Illegal dumpsite full of trash. — Oklahoma State University Extension will partner with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development to host a free Oklahoma Environmental Law Enforcement Training Seminar on Feb. 29 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Shutterstock)

Environmental law enforcement is focus of free seminar

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Media Contact: Patricia Gedon | Sr. Communications Specialist | 405-744-3625 | trisha.gedon@okstate.edu

To help combat the issue of illegal roadside dumps, Oklahoma State University Extension is partnering with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development to host an Oklahoma Environmental Law Enforcement Training Seminar in Stillwater.

What: Law enforcement professionals, city officials, tribal environmental representatives, county commissioners and anyone interested in learning about environmental law enforcement are invited to participate in the free workshop. Chad Keller, senior environmental specialist with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, will instruct the class. He has been an investigator with the DEQ for 29 years and is a sergeant with the Criminal Investigation Unit.

When and where: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Feb. 29, Meridian Technology Center for Business Development, 1414 S. Sangre Rd., Stillwater, Oklahoma. Testing and certification will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. There is a one-hour break from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch on your own.

Why: Roadside dumpsites are not only unsightly and illegal, but they also wreak havoc on the environment. These sites can cause contamination of soil, groundwater, drinking water wells, streams and rivers. Other side effects include possible injury to children playing in or around the site, damage to plant and wildlife habitats, and a decrease in the quality of life for nearby residents and the local community. Participants will gain expertise in environmental crime investigations involving the following topics and more:

Dealing with hazardous waste
Danger at environmental crime scenes
Oklahoma and Federal Clean Air Acts
Open burning
Responding to crime scenes
Oklahoma’s littering and dumping laws

Participants will also learn more about identifying resources for improving local enforcement programs and have an opportunity to network with others involved in law enforcement.

For more information or to register for the free workshop, contact Keima Borsuah at 405-744-9827 or keima.kamara@okstate.edu.