In an effort to help communities address illegal roadside dumping and other environmental crimes, Oklahoma State University Extension is partnering with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful to host an Oklahoma Environmental Law Enforcement Training on Aug. 13 in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

This free, hands-on training is designed for law enforcement officers, waste management professionals, environmental officers, water/wastewater experts, community decision-makers and others interested in learning about environmental crimes in Oklahoma. The training is slated from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Southern Tech College, 2610 Sam Noble Parkway. Participants will break from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch on their own.

“Illegal dumpsites continue to be a problem in Oklahoma,” said Keima Borsuah, OSU Extension assistant state specialist with the Solid Waste Management Program. “They’re dangerous to the environment and can contaminate the soil, groundwater, drinking water wells, streams and rivers, while also creating hazards for children, damaging wildlife habitat and reducing the quality of life for nearby residents and communities.”

The training will be led by Chad Keller, senior environmental specialist and investigator with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. In addition to Borsuah, other speakers include Julie Maher, Ardmore Beautification Council; Candice Runkle, United Electronic Recycling; and Evelyn Schaefer, Keep Oklahoma Beautiful.

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
• Safe Drinking Water Act
• 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.

Participants will receive a certificate of participation. Those in law enforcement will earn eight CLEET credit hours upon completing the class.

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

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communications, program information or reasonable accommodations need to contact Borsuah at least two weeks prior to the event.