Looking Ahead: Safeguarding Mississippi for the Next Generation
By Chris Wells, Executive Director, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
As we mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we at the Mississippi Department of
Environmental Quality pause not just to reflect—but to look forward.
While the impacts of the storm remain forever etched in our memories, our focus at MDEQ is on the future: building a more resilient coast, safeguarding our natural resources, and ensuring that every Mississippian—today and tomorrow—benefits from a clean, healthy environment and a thriving economy.
Over the last two decades, Mississippi has made significant strides in coastal restoration. The investments made after Katrina—and later through Deepwater Horizon restoration funding—have laid the groundwork for long-term environmental health, sustainable growth, and stronger coastal communities. MDEQ has led efforts to restore significant ecosystems, improve water quality, and build infrastructure that supports both environmental and economic resilience.
But our work is not limited to the Gulf Coast, and it is far from finished. Challenges -both expected and unexpected-will continue to surface.
That’s why MDEQ continues to prioritize science-based decision-making, innovative restoration projects, and partnerships across local, state, and federal levels. We are preparing not just for the next natural (or man-made) disaster but for a stronger Mississippi statewide.
What we have strived for, and we will continue to work toward, is a state where families can live, work, and play—confident in the quality of their air, land, and water. A place where nature and economy thrive side by side.
This significant anniversary is a reminder of how far we’ve come. But more importantly, it’s a call to continue our work to ensure that the legacy we leave is not just one of recovery— but one of strength, sustainability, and forward momentum.
At MDEQ, it’s what we do.
Join us as we reflect on the lessons learned and progress made in the two decades since Hurricane Katrina. In this special conversation, former Executive Director Mr. Charles Chisolm shares his firsthand insights on resilience, recovery, and the road ahead.
