Exceptional event notifications, demonstrations and correspondence (Minnesota Environmental Quality Board)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. All draft submissions and final submissions of demonstrations of exceptional events related to criteria pollutants, as submitted by state, local, or federal authorities.
2. Any acknowledgement or response from EPA to regarding demonstration submissions or initial notification packages, as described in 40 C.F.R. 50.14 (Table 2).
3. All subsequent responses, decisions and correspondence communicated by the EPA, including approvals, denials or requests for more information, as described in 40 C.F.R. 50.14.

Limitation of Fees
We are entitled to a limitation of fees because we are a member of the news media. 45 C.F.R. § 5.53(b); 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(ii)(II). Accordingly, even if our application for a waiver of all fees is denied, we are entitled to a limitation of fees. As a news media requester, we are “entitled to search time, review time, and up to 100 pages of duplication” and can be charged only duplication fees after the first 100 pages or its cost equivalent. 45 C.F.R. § 5.53(b). We request that the information be provided in its native electronic format, and thus there should be no duplication fees.

Request for Explanation of Withholdings and Redactions
If this request is denied in whole or in part, please provide a reasonable description of any withheld materials and a justification for all such withholdings that includes reference to the specific FOIA exemptions authorizing withholding and specific reasons why such exemptions apply. 45 C.F.R. § 5.31. An agency shall withhold information only if “the agency reasonably foresees that disclosure would harm an interest protected by an exemption” or “disclosure is prohibited by law.” 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(8)(A)(i). We therefore request that if the EPA determines that an exemption applies that it also provide specific reasons why disclosure would harm any interest protected by such exemption. An agency shall also “consider whether partial disclosure of information is possible whenever the agency determines that a full disclosure of a requested record is not possible” and “take reasonable steps necessary to segregate and release nonexempt information.” Id. 552(a)(8)(A)(ii). We therefore request that the EPA release all segregable portions of otherwise exempt material.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days.

Sincerely,

Dillon Bergin

Hi Faith,

I see! Thanks for letting me know. We will work on it. My colleague, Miranda Carruth has gave you a call earlier today as well.

My best,
Dillon Bergin

Hello,

Please see attached form submitted with this request:

---

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. All draft submissions and final submissions of demonstrations of exceptional events related to criteria pollutants, as submitted by state, local, or federal authorities.
2. Any acknowledgement or response from EPA to regarding demonstration submissions or initial notification packages, as described in 40 C.F.R. 50.14 (Table 2).
3. All subsequent responses, decisions and correspondence communicated by the EPA, including approvals, denials or requests for more information, as described in 40 C.F.R. 50.14.

Limitation of Fees
We are entitled to a limitation of fees because we are a member of the news media. 45 C.F.R. § 5.53(b); 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(ii)(II). Accordingly, even if our application for a waiver of all fees is denied, we are entitled to a limitation of fees. As a news media requester, we are “entitled to search time, review time, and up to 100 pages of duplication” and can be charged only duplication fees after the first 100 pages or its cost equivalent. 45 C.F.R. § 5.53(b). We request that the information be provided in its native electronic format, and thus there should be no duplication fees.

Request for Explanation of Withholdings and Redactions
If this request is denied in whole or in part, please provide a reasonable description of any withheld materials and a justification for all such withholdings that includes reference to the specific FOIA exemptions authorizing withholding and specific reasons why such exemptions apply. 45 C.F.R. § 5.31. An agency shall withhold information only if “the agency reasonably foresees that disclosure would harm an interest protected by an exemption” or “disclosure is prohibited by law.” 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(8)(A)(i). We therefore request that if the EPA determines that an exemption applies that it also provide specific reasons why disclosure would harm any interest protected by such exemption. An agency shall also “consider whether partial disclosure of information is possible whenever the agency determines that a full disclosure of a requested record is not possible” and “take reasonable steps necessary to segregate and release nonexempt information.” Id. 552(a)(8)(A)(ii). We therefore request that the EPA release all segregable portions of otherwise exempt material.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days.

Sincerely,

Dillon Bergin

Hi Leonard,

I understand. Please do let me know if you expect my request to incur fees. Please note as well that I am a member of the news media as a Data Reporter for MuckRock, a role in which I write and report with partners across the country such as the Missouri Independent, Cicero Independiente, USA Today and the California Newsroom.

My best,
Dillon Bergin