Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the agency in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania responsible for protecting and preserving the land, air, water, and public health through enforcement of the state's environmental laws. It was created by Act 18 of 1995, which split the Department of Environmental Resources into the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Its current secretary is Jess Shirley.
Logo of the DEP | |
| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | July 1, 1995 |
| Preceding agency |
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| Jurisdiction | State government of Pennsylvania |
| Headquarters | Rachel Carson State Office Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. 40°15′45″N 76°52′46.5″W |
| Agency executive |
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| Website | www.dep.pa.gov |
The Department of Environmental Resources was created by Act 275 of 1970, which abolished the Department of Forest and Waters. The Department of Forest and Waters was created by the General Assembly in 1901.
The Department of Environmental Protection is charged with the responsibility for development of a balanced ecological system incorporating social, cultural, and economic needs of the commonwealth through development and protection. The department is responsible for the state's land, air, and water management programs, all aspects of environmental protection, and the regulation of mining operations.