Permit Assistance

Understanding environmental laws and which permits are required for a particular business can be a daunting task. We believe early discussions with all permitting programs help both DEQ and businesses come to a mutual understanding of facility operations, permit needs, and timelines for obtaining the permits. To facilitate this understanding, DEQ has established a Permitting Assistance & Public Outreach Team (PAPOT) of permit experts from each DEQ permitting program.

Each DEQ division with permitting authority has at least one representative on the Permit Assistance Team.

Understanding DEQ's Tiered Permit Application Process

Under the Oklahoma Uniform Environmental Permitting Act (27A O.S. § 2-14-101, et seq) all DEQ permits fit into an application category, or Tier, established by the Environmental Permit Process rules of OAC 252:4-7.

Tier determinations vary by permit type, Air, Water, Solid Waste, etc. Each permit determination considers data on a facility’s potential to impact, the projected rate of a pollutant released, expected level of public concern, and/or federal classification for a regulated pollutant “proposed to be accepted, stored, treated, disposed, discharged, emitted, or land applied” (released). See the OkUEPA OS §27A-2-14 for greater detail. Note that certain permit types have additional federal requirements that are not listed in the OkUEPA. More detailed information, including some common federal requirements, may be found in DEQ’s user-friendly Permit Assistance Guide downloadable from our website. An abridged description of the OkUEPA tiers and steps is below.

• Tier I permits: issued for a type of activity or facility that has a low-level* source of regulated  pollutant release or low potential to impact a site.  The Tier I permit process does not include a public review opportunity and permits are issued or denied internally by DEQ.
  
  
• Tier II permits: issued for the renewal of a facility's existing Tier III operating permit, or a facility that permits a moderate* source of regulated pollutant release or moderate potential to impact a site. The Tier II permit process includes the opportunity for Public Review of the application and draft permit, a public comment period, and, if requested, a formal Public Meeting prior to permits being issued or denied by DEQ. (Tier II applications and draft permits are downloadable from our website and hardcopy made available at a local library or city/county offices -- Sign up to get DEQ notifications!)
  
  
• Tier III permits: issued for a new source facility that permits a significant* source of regulated pollutant release or has significant potential to impact a site. The Tier III permit process includes the same public opportunities as the Tier II process with the additional opportunity for an Administrative Permit Hearing, if requested and deemed warranted by the DEQ Executive Director.  (Tier III applications and draft permits are downloadable from our website and hardcopy made available at a local library or city/county offices -- Sign up to get DEQ notifications!)

* Varies by permit type and regulated pollutant

**NEW** Note for Clean Air Act Permits: In order to meet the minimum federal public participation requirements for state air pollution control programs, certain additional steps apply to the AQD permitting process. See OAC 252:4-7-13(g)

We encourage the public to participate in our permitting process by providing comments on proposed permits.
Click here for a list of permits that are currently open for public review.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact:

Owen Mills, Director
Permitting Assistance & Public Outreach Team
office: (405) 702-7105