Clean air. Clean water. Clean soil. What would Lexington and Fayette County be without them?
That's why environmental services is such an important part of what we do at DEEM. Our goal is to enhance quality of life by safeguarding the natural environment and promoting awareness among businesses, citizens and government. It's our job to investigate spills and accidents when they occur and ensure the environment is returned to a safe and normal condition.
Reporting Chemical Spills and Environmental Complaints
In Case of a Chemical Spill: If you witness a hazardous materials release, REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY BY CALLING 911 and follow these safety tips:
In case of a hazardous material emergency:
If you witness a hazardous materials release, report it immediately by calling 911.
Do not enter the area contaminated by the hazardous material or cloud.
Avoid any contact with the hazardous material or cloud.
If you hear a warning signal or siren, turn on your radio or television for emergency information. Follow all instructions carefully.
If asked to evacuate or shelter in place, do so immediately as outlined in this brochure.
After a hazardous material emergency:
Do not return to the evacuated area until authorities say it is safe.
Persons or property exposed to hazardous materials may be contaminated.
If contaminated by hazardous material, seek medical help immediately by calling 911.
Follow decontamination instructions given by authorities to clean up property or the environment.
Don't wait! Prepare for hazardous material emergencies:
Stay alert for warnings from the Emergency Alert System (EAS), outdoor warning sirens, Cable Interrupt System, NOAA weather radio, local T.V. and radio stations.
Teach your family how to evacuate or shelter in place.
Learn where hazardous materials are handled, stored, or transported near you.
Know how to use and store chemicals properly.
Learn the meanings of the labels on the sides of chemical containers and trucks.
Environmental Ordinances
Like any community, Lexington-Fayette County has rules and regulations aimed at keeping our environment clean, healthy, safe, and enjoyable.
Click below to learn more about the environmental ordinances that apply to our community.
If you have any questions, please contact us at (859) 258-3784.
Records Requests
DEEM maintains files for all properties that have been investigated for environmental problems, as well as those known to contain underground storage tanks or extremely hazardous substances. DEEM makes these files available for review by the public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
To review any of our files, please follow these steps:
STEP 1: Send us a signed letter stating who you are and the addresses of the properties you wish to view. Our address is 166 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Lexington, Kentucky, 40507. You can also fax it to us at (859) 252-8689.
STEP 2: Allow three (3) business days for staff to pull and preview all relevant files
for these addresses. Our office will notify you in writing when they are ready. If no file exists, you will also be notified in writing.
STEP 3: Come into the DEEM office to review the files. Our staff will
also make copies for you at a cost of 10 cents per page
If you have any questions, contact us at (859) 258-3784.
In Case of Environmental Concerns: If you witness someone polluting or have any environmental concerns, you can fill out the form below. You can also call LexCall at 859-425-2255 or call DEEM directly at (859) 258-3784. Please remember that we can only investigate problems within Fayette County or those that have a direct impact on Fayette County residents.
ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTS
An ecological footprint is a measure of how much of the earth’s resources you use as you go about your life.
More information.
The average ecological footprint in the United States is 24 acres per person. However, there are only 4.5 biologically productive acres per person in existence. At this rate, we would need 6 planets to survive.
Take this
quiz to find out how many planets would be needed to service your needs!
Instructions For Completing The Environmental Complaint Form: If you want to email us about a concern, please fill out what you can on the following form and click “SEND.” Your report will be emailed directly to our environmental services staff, who will then conduct an investigation and respond appropriately. Note that you can submit a report anonymously, but it helps if we can contact citizens in case we need additional information.
