DEQ Communications Section / Media Affairs

As part of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s, Office of the Secretary, the Communications Section, serves as a centralized source of information to media outlets such as newspapers, broadcast news networks, radio and online news services. 

Our Mission
The staff of the Communications Section is dedicated to providing reporters, writers, photographers and producers with accurate information.

Resource for Media
If you are a member of media, please contact this office to ensure your questions are answered by your deadline. The staff can assist with answering questions about DEQ’s activities or any questions concerning the environment. The staff can provide an expert on most topics concerning the environment. In addition, we frequently offer a photo gallery of images for download to illustrate the work of the agency.

About Us
The Communications team consists of a communications director, two public information officers and a graphic designer. The team has years of combined experience in the journalism field and in graphic design.

The Communications Sections routinely distributes information, press releases, public service announcements, a quarterly newsletter, informational packets and other correspondence. The team is also responsible for media relations at events. Our team works with several groups to plan ceremonies, special events, public service announcements and content for the Web site. This section produces the agencies annual report and a quarterly e-newsletter, Discover DEQ.

Website
The Communications Section is responsible for maintaining the DEQ Web site, www.deq.lousisiana.gov, in conjunction with the agency’s webmaster and web team.

News Releases
The staff members are responsible for posting news releases concerning the agency’s activities. This information can be found on the homepage under Latest News. Additional new releases and information can be found on the main header under the News Tab. This tab contains current and archived DEQ new releases dating back to 2001, media advisories, fact sheets, public alerts, Hurricane Katrina and Rita information, event calendar, photo gallery and messages from the secretary. DEQ is a member of Louisiana.gov News, the official state website, which features up-to-the-minute news from participating state agencies.

Events Calendar
This service provides a monthly listing of calendar items including, deadlines, meetings, workshops, presentations and office closures.

Public Records Request and Electronic Document Management System
Public records request should be directed to Records Management at 225-219-3168. You may either make a public records request online or visit one of our Public Records Centers. The EDMS contains all official records that have been created or received by DEQ and is available on our Web site.

Contact Us
Office hours are from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
To ensure your story deadline is met timely, please remember to call us directly at the numbers below or by email to sectcommunications@la.gov. If you are not a member of a media and have general inquires please contact our customer service center at 225-219-5337 or 225-219-LDEQ.

   

Rodney Mallett,Press Secretary  

225-219-3964
Jean Kelly, Public Information Officer 225-219-3966
Tim Beckstrom, Public Information Officer  225-219-3967
Emily Scott, Graphic Designer   225-219-3968
   
Fax Number        225-219-3971
                                                                                
Physical Address
Galvez Building
602 North 5th Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9396

Mailing Address
Office of the Secretary
Attn: Communication Section
P.O. Box 4301
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4301

Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality 602 N. Fifth Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Call or e-mail a hotline · Office Address/Phone listing · Locate a DEQ employee
Call 1-866-896-LDEQ or e-mail our Customer Service Center with questions or comments