Our land is a vital part of our environment, the ground being as important to human health and development as the air we breathe and the water we drink. Without the proper regulation of waste -- not just the garbage we throw out but the byproducts of businesses and industrial development -- the land can become severely damaged. The land is connected to our waterways, our food sources, and our areas of recreation. Any release of dangerous materials in these environments could put Hoosier health at risk for years.
The Office of Land Quality (OLQ) aids in the fulfillment of IDEM’s mission by serving as the main line of defense in protecting the health of the environment outside the purview of the Office of Water Quality and the Office of Air Quality. The areas overlap in many ways, but OLQ focuses on Animal Farms, Environmental Cleanups, Managing Waste, and Storage Tanks.