Communications refering to Forest Degradation
| Tracking # |
2025-EPA-01060 |
| Submitted | Nov. 5, 2024 |
MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests like this one. Learn more.
Communications
From: Kristen Axtman
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
All communications, which may include, but should not be limited to, emails, correspondence, memos, and transcriptions of telephone calls., containing the words "Forest Degradation."
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 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Kristen Axtman
From:
Dear Kristen Axtman,
Thank you for submitting your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Your FOIA request was received by EPA's National FOIA Office. Case Number 2025-EPA-01060 has been assigned to the request you submitted.
In all future correspondence regarding this request, please reference your case number.
Regards,
EPA National FOIA Office
From:
Dear Kristen Axtman,
The status of your FOIA request #2025-EPA-01060 has been updated to the following status 'Received'. To log into the PAL Application click on the Application URL below.
https://foiapublicaccessportal.epa.gov
Sincerely,
EPA National FOIA Office
From: Environmental Protection Agency
11/08/2024
Kristen Axtman
MuckRock News DEPT MR 175959
263 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Emailed to: requests@muckrock.com
RE: Need More Information - EPA FOIA Request Number 2025-EPA-01060
Hello Kristen Axtman:
This email concerns the above-referenced Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National FOIA Office (NFO) on 11/07/2024. You are seeking the following: "I hereby request the following records:All communications, which may include, but should not be limited to, emails, correspondence, memos, and transcriptions of telephone calls, containing the words 'Forest Degradation.'"
After review of your FOIA request, we determined your request does not reasonably describe the records you are seeking in a way that will permit EPA employees to identify and locate them. For example, as submitted your request is overly broad and does not include specific information about each record sought, such as the date, title or name, author, recipient, and subject matter. For your request for communications containing the words "Forest Degradation," please clarify which EPA staff and/or program offices you are requesting communications for. Additionally, please clarify the date range that you are requesting a search of records for. While the Freedom of Information Act does not require you to explain the reason for your request for records, if you can provide clarifying information on the purpose of your request, this will also support the agency with narrowing the scope of the search to identify records that you are seeking.
EPA’s FOIA regulations state: “Whenever possible, your request should include specific information about each record sought, such as the date, title or name, author, recipient, and subject matter. If known, the requester should include any file designations or descriptions for the records that the requester wants. The more specific the requester is about the records or type of records that the requester wants, the more likely EPA will be able to identify and locate records responsive to the request.” 40 C.F.R 2.102 (c) The FOIA does not require an agency to create new records, answer questions posed by requesters, . or attempt to interpret a request that does not identify reasonably described records
We would like to provide you with the opportunity to clarify the records that you are seeking so that EPA can process your request. As indicated in 40 C.F.R. § 2.102(c), please include any specific information about the records, including time period, authors, or a more detailed description of the records' subject matter. Please contact Lee Hagy at hagy.lee@epa.gov with your clarification or let us know if youwould like to schedule a time to discuss your request over the phone.
. If we do not hear back from you, EPA may issue a final determination to close out your request. Please note that you are not prohibited from submitting additional Freedom of Information Act requests in the future. Please reply within 20 calendar days from the date of this email by November 28, 2024
For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.epa.gov/foia. If you need any further assistance or would like to discuss any aspect of your request, you may seek assistance from EPA’s FOIA Public Liaison at hq.foia@epa.gov or call (202) 566-1667. You may also seek assistance from the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS). You may contact OGIS in any of the following ways: by mail, Office of Government Information Services, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001; email: ogis@nara.gov; telephone: (202) 741-5770 or (877) 684-6448; or fax: (202) 741-5769. We look forward to your prompt reply.
Sincerely,
National FOIA Office
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
From: Environmental Protection Agency
11/22/2024
Kristen Axtman
MuckRock News DEPT MR 175959
263 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Emailed to: requests@muckrock.com
Follow Up - RE: Need More Information - EPA FOIA Request Number 2025-EPA-01060
Hello Kristen Axtman:
I am following up on my below correspondence from November 8, 2024, requesting clarification from you about your request. We would like to provide you with the opportunity to clarify the records that you are seeking so that EPA can process your request.
Please reply to Lee Hagy at hagy.lee@epa.go v or let us know if you would like to schedule a time to discuss your request over the phone b y Thursday, November 28, 2024 . If we do not hear back from you, EPA may issue a final determination to close out your request.
Thank you,
National FOIA Office
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
11/08/2024
Kristen Axtman
MuckRock News DEPT MR 175959
263 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Emailed to: requests@muckrock.com
RE: Need More Information - EPA FOIA Request Number 2025-EPA-01060
Hello Kristen Axtman:
This email concerns the above-referenced Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National FOIA Office (NFO) on 11/07/2024. You are seeking the following: "I hereby request the following records: All communications, which may include, but should not be limited to, emails, correspondence, memos, and transcriptions of telephone calls, containing the words 'Forest Degradation.'"
After review of your FOIA request, we determined your request does not reasonably describe the records you are seeking in a way that will permit EPA employees to identify and locate them. For example, as submitted your request is overly broad and does not include specific information about each record sought, such as the date, title or name, author, recipient, and subject matter. For your request for communications containing the words "Forest Degradation," please clarify which EPA staff and/or program offices you are requesting communications for. Additionally, please clarify the date range that you are requesting a search of records for. While the Freedom of Information Act does not require you to explain the reason for your request for records, if you can provide clarifying information on the purpose of your request, this will also support the agency with narrowing the scope of the search to identify records that you are seeking.
EPA’s FOIA regulations state: “Whenever possible, your request should include specific information about each record sought, such as the date, title or name, author, recipient, and subject matter. If known, the requester should include any file designations or descriptions for the records that the requester wants. The more specific the requester is about the records or type of records that the requester wants, the more likely EPA will be able to identify and locate records responsive to the request.” 40 C.F.R 2.102 (c) The FOIA does not require an agency to create new records, answer questions posed by requesters, or attempt to interpret a request that does not identify reasonably described records
We would like to provide you with the opportunity to clarify the records that you are seeking so that EPA can process your request. As indicated in 40 C.F.R. § 2.102(c), please include any specific information about the records, including time period, authors, or a more detailed description of the records' subject matter. Please contact Lee Hagy at hagy.lee@epa.gov with your clarification or let us know if you would like to schedule a time to discuss your request over the phone.
. If we do not hear back from you, EPA may issue a final determination to close out your request. Please note that you are not prohibited from submitting additional Freedom of Information Act requests in the future. Please reply within 20 calendar days from the date of this email by November 28, 2024
For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.epa.gov/foia. If you need any further assistance or would like to discuss any aspect of your request, you may seek assistance from EPA’s FOIA Public Liaison at hq.foia@epa.gov or call (202) 566-1667. You may also seek assistance from the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS). You may contact OGIS in any of the following ways: by mail, Office of Government Information Services, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001; email: ogis@nara.gov; telephone: (202) 741-5770 or (877) 684-6448; or fax: (202) 741-5769. We look forward to your prompt reply.
Sincerely,
National FOIA Office
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
From: Environmental Protection Agency
Kristen Axtman If you need any further assistance or would like to discuss any aspect of your request, you may seek assistance from the National FOIA Office at FOIA_HQ@epa.gov.
MuckRock News DEPT MR 175959
263 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
SENT TO EMAIL ADDRESS: requests@muckrock.com
RE: EPA Freedom of Information Act Request - 2025-EPA-01060Hello Kristen Axtman,
Final Response Letter
Please see the enclosed final response letter for your EPA FOIA request number 2025-EPA-01060.
Sincerely,
National FOIA Office
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
