Mississippi Executive Director of Environmental Quality
| Mississippi Executive Director of Environmental Quality | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $143,000 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $271,933,537 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Serves at the governor's pleasure |
| Authority: | Mississippi Annotated Code, Title 49, Chapter 2 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by the governor |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Mississippi Executive Director of Environmental Quality
Chris Wells | |
| Other Mississippi Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Executive Director of Environmental Quality • Executive Director of Employment Security • Public Service Commission • Transportation Commission | |
The Mississippi Executive Director of Environmental Quality is a state executive position in the Mississippi state government.
The executive director of environmental quality oversees the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, which was created in 1989 to replace the Mississippi Department of Natural Resources.[1] The department is charged with protecting the environment and administering most U.S. Environmental Protection Agency programs. It also monitors, models, and regulates water use and functions as the state geological survey.[2]
Current officeholder
The current Mississippi Executive Director of Environmental Quality is Chris Wells (nonpartisan). Wells assumed office in 2020.
Authority
In 1989, the Mississippi State Legislature created the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality which replaced the Department of Natural Resources.[1]
The position is established in Title 49, Chapter 2 of Mississippi Code:[3]
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The department shall be headed by an executive director who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The appointment of the executive director shall be made with the advice and consent of the Senate. |
Qualifications
The qualifications for this position are highlighted in Title 49, Chapter 2 of Mississippi Code:[3]
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A master's degree in a field related to natural resources, and at least six (6) years' full-time experience in natural resources, including at least three (3) years of management experience; or A bachelor's degree in a field related to natural resources or administration and at least eight (8) years of full-time work in the field of natural resources, including four (4) years of management experience |
Appointments
The Mississippi Executive Director of Environmental Quality is appointed by the governor.[4]
Vacancies
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that details the process of filling vacancies for a state executive office. That information for the Mississippi Executive Director of Environmental Quality has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Duties
- See Energy policy in Mississippi for information on the state's energy portfolio and goals.
The duties of the executive director are outlined on the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality's website:
...manages a staff of more than 400 and a budget of over $250 million. MDEQ is responsible for protecting the state’s environment and administers most of the U.S. EPA programs, including air, water and waste management activities; monitors, models, and regulates water use; and functions as the state geological survey.[2]
Divisions
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Mississippi Executive Director of Environmental Quality has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
State budget
- See also: Mississippi state budget and finances
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality's budget for fiscal year 2025 was $271,933,537.[5]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $143,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[6]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $129,347, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2021
In 2021, the director received a salary of $129,347, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2020
In 2020, the director received a salary of $129,347, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2019
In 2019, the director received a salary of $129,347, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2018
In 2018, the director received a salary of $129,347, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2017
In 2017, the director received a salary of $129,347, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2016
In 2016, the director received a salary of $129,347, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2015
In 2015, the director received a salary of $129,347, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2014
In 2014, the director was paid an estimated $120,386, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2013
In 2013, the director was paid an estimated $120,386, according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2012
In 2012, the director was paid an estimated $120,386, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Mississippi Executive Director of Environmental Quality has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Recent news
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Contact information
Executive Director
Post Office Box 2261
Jackson, MS 39225
Phone: 601-961-5171
Complaint hotline: 888-786-0661
Fax: 601-961-5794
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, "History," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, "Executive Director," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Mississippi Secretary of State, "Mississippi Law," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "The Constitution of the State of Mississippi," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ State of Mississippi, "Budget Bulletin Fiscal Year 2025," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed February 1, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed February 1, 2021
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