Idaho's environmental laws, rules, and programs are most effective when they are understood, implemented, and integrated into the daily lives of our citizens. DEQs ability to provide leadership in protecting public health and the environment is enhanced by public understanding and awareness of the department's resources and programs. Public outreach is key to attaining these goals. That's where DEQ's Environmental Outreach and Assistance program comes in. This group is responsible for communicating DEQ's message to stakeholders, the regulated community, and the general public, in a user-friendly way.

Examples of public outreach activities include presentations to school children, businesses, local and state leaders, and community groups; technical assistance visits to businesses and industries; participation in community events; development and dissemination of written publications; and information-sharing via the agency's Web site.

The Technical Publications group is also part of the Outreach and Assistance program. Technical writers/editors produce and edit documents on scientific and engineering topics for DEQ.

The Information Technology Office directly supports DEQ's core business functions by ensuring that critical tools are available to DEQ programs, thereby allowing programs to concentrate on protecting human health and the environment. This group's responsibilities are divided between the Software Development and Network Support Teams. 

The Software Development Team's responsibilities include developing environmental data management systems and applications; using technology to improve DEQ information management and business processes; managing data in a manner that will reduce data redundancy, improve data access, and improve data quality; and coordinating information management initiatives that may be agency-wide, statewide, regional or national.

The Network Support Team's responsibilities are to maintain and support DEQ's email system, develop and maintain the internal and wide area network (and policies and procedures), ensure connectivity to the World Wide Web, support and maintain DEQ's server and database environment, and provide end-user support through the help desk.