The Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Commission was established to protect and maintain the state’s air and water resources. Operating on a combination of federal and state funds, the commission’s purpose was to insure the control of actual or potential polluters, educate the public on environmental issues, and respond to pollution emergencies.
Although the Air and Water Pollution Control commissioners were active in the agency’s administrative and enforcement affairs, the commission should be reorganized to increase its technical expertise. This reorganization also would correct the overlapping of authority between the commission and the Oil and Gas Board, whose supervisor is a member of the commission.
Personnel as a whole were equipped adequately, although more safety equipment was needed in the air division. The commission should give more attention to the needs of the air pollution division. In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s annual review indicated that the Air and Water Pollution Control Commission was performing in accordance with nationally recognized standards.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.