A Word About the County Environmental Health Act (CEHA)
Administered by the Bureau of Local Each day, the Department of
Environmental Protection's (DEP) environmental control efforts
are supported through partnerships with county health agencies.
This partnership was formalized in 1978 by the State Legislature
through passage of landmark legislation called the County
Environmental Health Act (CEHA). The Legislature recognized that
many environmental issues are regional in nature and county
health departments are among the most efficient health units in
the State. This Act authorized the Department to certify local
health agencies to essentially "stand in our shoes" in
administering delegated environmental programs. Since that time,
local health officials have enforced state environmental laws
and enhanced our pollution control efforts in a number of
significant ways. More importantly, these health county agencies
represent our vital link to communities, since they serve as the
"frontline" in responding to loc