OMB Watch Freedom of Information Act Request to EPA - Environmental Right to Know

Environmental Right to Know: News Background Analysis Gov Docs Links

Published: 05/15/2002

Printable Version
Email to a Friend

OMB Watch Freedom of Information Act Request to EPA

On December 20, 2001, OMB Watch submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -- as well as several other federal agencies -- for information removed from its web site post September 11th, and any guidance or criteria used for the removal. The following is a copy of the letter sent to EPA.

December 20, 2001

Betty A. Lopez
Associate Director, FOIA Operations
EPA
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460

Dear Ms. Lopez:

Re: Freedom of Information Request

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, I hereby request a copy of (or access to) all records pertaining to the removal of information from your web site, reading rooms, depository libraries, or any other venue in which the public can retrieve government information, after the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. This includes, but is not limited to, a list of web pages removed by your agency and the general content of those pages, any guidelines used by your agency to determine whether to remove information from the web or in other ways limit public access, and any justification for any decision to remove or limit information.

I am requesting these records for non-commercial use in the public interest, and accordingly, request a waiver of fees. The public should be able to evaluate government decisions to remove information from web sites and other public access points, and any criteria used for removing, or not removing, information. Such disclosure will contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of government.

I will expect a response within 20 working days as provided by law. If my request is denied in whole or in part, I expect a detailed justification for withholding the records. I also request any segregable portions that are not exempt to be disclosed.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Very truly yours,

/s/

Reece Rushing
Policy Analyst