(a) There is hereby created and constituted a department to be known as the Department of Environmental Quality, with the organization, powers, and duties defined in this Article and other applicable provisions of law.

(b) The provisions of Article 1 of this Chapter not inconsistent with this Article shall apply to the Department of Environmental Quality. (1989, c. 727, s. 3; 1997-443, s. 11A.119(a); 2015-241, s. 14.30(u).)