PUBLIC NOTICE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PUBLIC NOTICE START DATE: DECEMBER 5, 2025 DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: JANUARY 5, 2026 MDEQ CONTACT: BRAD WARE Miss. Code Ann. Sec. 49-17-421 provides that under the Mississippi Underground Storage Tank (UST) Act, the owner of each underground storage tank available for use in Mississippi shall pay the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) an annual tank regulatory fee. The Commission is charged by law to establish the tank regulatory fee in an amount sufficient to cover the cost of the UST Program. Miss. Code Ann. Sec. 49-17-422 established an Advisory Council to conduct an independent study of the cost of the UST Program. The estimated State Fiscal Year 2027 indicates a fee need of $262 per tank to cover the cost of the UST Program. In lieu of increasing the annual tank fee to $262 per tank, the DEQ will supplement the deficit by using the Mississippi Groundwater Protection Trust Fund to cover the shortfall as outlined in Senate Bill 2158 that was passed during the Mississippi 2022 Regular Session and signed into law by the Governor. The Advisory Council will recommend to the Commission that the tank regulatory fee continue to be set at $150 per tank for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The staff of the DEQ will also report to the Commission that based upon the estimated cost of the program, the current estimate of USTs available for use, and the projected fiscal year 2026 fund balance, the tank regulatory fee of $150 per tank would be adequate. Copies of information relative to the fee development process will be available for public review through Monday, January 5, 2026, at the Freedom of Information Office of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, 515 E. Amite St, Jackson, Mississippi or may be obtained by contacting Ms. Deidre Thompson, Public Records Administrator at (601) 961-5171 or by writing to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 2261, Jackson, Mississippi 39225. For persons with internet access, the information may be found on the DEQ website at https://www.mdeq.ms.gov/about-mdeq/public-notices-and-hearings. Questions regarding the fee development process may be directed to Mr. Brad Ware at (601) 961-5274. Written statements regarding this proposed action will also be made a part of the record to be considered by the Commission if delivered by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 5, 2026, to the attention of Mr. Brad Ware at the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Pollution Control, Groundwater Assessment and Remediation Division, 515 E. Amite St., Jackson, Mississippi 39201 or P.O. Box 2261, Jackson, Mississippi 39225 (for mail only). The only matter under consideration is the setting of the tank regulatory fee. A public hearing will be held if the Commission finds a significant degree of public interest in the proposed tank regulatory fee. Persons wishing to request a public hearing may do so by submitting that request in writing to Mr. Brad Ware at the address listed above. IPL0292609 Dec 1,7 2025