Responses to Congressional Committees (U.S. Forest Service)
| Tracking # |
2013-FS-HQ-04756-F |
| Submitted | May 6, 2013 |
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Communications
From: Michael Morisy
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
A copy of all responses sent to Congressional committees between Jan.1, 2008 and the date that this request is processed. These communications are stored together and should be easily accessible.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
In the event that fees cannot be waived, 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,
Michael Morisy
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 6, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 6, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 6, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.
Thank you for your help.
From: FS-wo FOIA
Mr. Morisy:
Thank you for your email. The FOIA analyst assigned to your request, Sara Sullivan, is on sick leave. She will contact you as soon as she returns.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Marchak
[Description: Description: Description: cid:0__=0FBBF27CDFD948C08f9e8a93df93869091@local]
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From: FS-wo FOIA
Hello Mr. Morisy:
This email is a follow-up to the email I sent you yesterday regarding your August 4th email. In that email, I noted that the FOIA request was assigned to Sara Sullivan of our staff because I originally thought the request you were inquiring about was the Booz Allen FOIA received by our office on March 15, 2013.
However, a review of our files and a check with the majority of my coworkers shows no evidence that we ever received either the FOIA request in the trailing email nor the request you cited in your August 4 email, nor any of the follow-up emails.
Could you please forward to me the email with the original requests? Did you receive a reply from us? Did we send you a case number? Please let me know. We would like to take care of these requests as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Elizabeth Marchak
[Description: Description: Description: cid:0__=0FBBF27CDFD948C08f9e8a93df93869091@local]
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From: Michael Morisy
Hello,
I have forwarded the original request under separate email.
We never received a reply or case number for this request.
Thank you.
From: USDA Forest Service Office of Regulatory & Management Services (ORMS) FOIA/PA Management Analyst
I have checked our USDA FOIA database and note that you filed a similar FOIA request with FSIS…not FS. The case number was: 2013-FSIS-00300-F. However, I will log this in for FS. Please make sure you send all your FOIA requests to the following email address: wo_foia@fs.fed.us.
Sara L. Sullivan
USDA Forest Service
Office of Regulatory & Management Services (ORMS)
FOIA/PA Management Analyst
Fax (703) 605-5221
WO FOIA Mailbox: WO_FOIA@fs.fed.us
slsullivan@fs.fed.us
Telework Days – 1st wk of payperiod - Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Telework Days – 2nd wk of payperiod – Monday, Thursday and Friday
From: USDA Forest Service Office of Regulatory & Management Services (ORMS) FOIA/PA Management Analyst
This email acknowledges receipt of your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, dated May 6, 2013, which was received in the Washington Office (WO) FOIA Service Center on August 08, 2013. You requested a copy of all responses sent to Congressional committees between Jan.1, 2008 and the date that this request is processed. You also requested a fee waiver. The fee waiver request will be addressed by the FOIA Analyst assigned to process your FOIA request.
I have updated your contact information in our database.
To check on the status of your request, you may contact Elizabeth Marchak via e-mail to emarchak@fs.fed.us. Please reference you assigned case number, 2013-FS-HQ-04756-F.
Sara L. Sullivan
USDA Forest Service
Office of Regulatory & Management Services (ORMS)
FOIA/PA Management Analyst
Fax (703) 605-5221
WO FOIA Mailbox: WO_FOIA@fs.fed.us
slsullivan@fs.fed.us
Telework Days – 1st wk of payperiod - Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Telework Days – 2nd wk of payperiod – Monday, Thursday and Friday
From: Marchak, Elizabeth A -FS
From: Marchak, Elizabeth A -FS
Hello Mr. Morisy:
I have been assigned to handle your FOIA request. Based on the information you have provided us so far, contrary to the statement in your request, it is unlikely that the information you seek is located in one place. To that end, please answer the following questions:
1.What do you mean by "responses?"
2.Which Forest Service entities' responses are you interested in? Please be specific as possible.
3. What Congressional committees are you interested in? Senate side? House side? Both?
4. In seeking responses, are there any specific topics or issues you are interested in? Please list them.
Also, you have requested a Fee Waiver. Attached please find the criteria the Forest Service and other federal agencies use to evaluate whether we can grant you a fee waiver. Please prepare a response that will help us determine whether you qualify for a fee waiver.
Please return your Fee Waiver response and the answers to the questions by Friday, August 16, 2013. If we do not hear from you by then, we will assume you are not interested in pursuing this request and we will close it.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
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From: Michael Morisy
Thanks for your help.
1. I mean responses to inquiries from congressional committees to the US Forest Service.
2. You may limit this request to responses from the USDA Forest Service Legislative Affairs Staff.
3. All committees in both houses.
4. If this request is still not narrow enough, please let me know how these files are organized and I'll try and narrow based on that categorization.
If I am being processed as a media requester, I would like to withdraw my request for a blanket fee waiver.
Best,
Michael
From: Dover, Saundra L -FS
I just received your request. I need a clarification of what you really are requesting.
Is there a subject matter - the person who will be searching the data base need a topic to search for. So what is it you are requesting - you need to be more specific.
This could be a potential large request. How do we break this down to be obtainable in a reasonable amount of time and effort. You have requested records from 2008 to the present.
A copy of all responses sent to Congressional committees between Jan.1, 2008 and the date that this request is processed. These communications are stored together and should be easily accessible.
Please get back to me soon - I will be sending your information to the staffs that will be trying to locate the requested records.
From: Dover, Saundra L -FS
This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
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FW: 2013-FS-HQ-04756-F Michael Morisy New Request for clarification
From: Dover, Saundra L -FS
This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
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FW: 2013-FS-HQ-04756-F Michael Morisy New Request for clarification
From: Michael Morisy
Hello,
We are unable to open the attached message after numerous attempts. Can you please send as a more accessible file type?
Thank you.
From: Dover, Saundra L -FS
From: Dover, Saundra L -FS <sdover@fs.fed.us>
Date: Mon, Sep 9, 2013 at 7:20 AM
Subject: FW: 2013-FS-HQ-04756-F Michael Morisy New Request for clarification
To: "info@muckrock.com" <info@muckrock.com>
Here is the first message.
Saundra Dover
*From:* Dover, Saundra L -FS
*Sent:* Tuesday, August 13, 2013 1:04 PM
*To:* requests@muckrock.com
*Subject:* 2013-FS-HQ-04756-F Michael Morisy New Request for clarification
*Importance:* High
I just received your request. I need a clarification of what you really
are requesting.
Is there a subject matter – the person who will be searching the data base
need a topic to search for. So what is it you are requesting – you need to
be more specific.
This could be a potential large request. How do we break this down to be
obtainable in a reasonable amount of time and effort. You have requested
records from 2008 to the present.
A copy of all responses sent to Congressional committees between Jan.1,
2008 and the date that this request is processed. These communications are
stored together and should be easily accessible.
Please get back to me soon – I will be sending your information to the
staffs that will be trying to locate the requested records.
*Thanks!*
* *
*Sandy*
*Saundra L. Dover
Office of Regulatory & Management Services (ORMS)
FOIA/PA – Government Information Specialist
(O) 202-205-1542 (D) 202-205-1198 Fax: (703) 605-5221
sdover@fs.fed.us**
Telework Days – Monday, Tuesday, [**Wed.--In office], Thursday, **[Fri. In
office]***
* Monday, Tuesday, **[Wed.--In office],
Thursday, **[Fri. – Day Off]***
* *
* *
This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely
for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message
or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law
and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete
the email immediately.
From: Sullivan, Sara L -FS
This FOIA request is assigned to Saundra Dover of this office. She will provide an update to you when she returns to the office tomorrow.
From: Saundra L. Dover
This is my last attempt to contact you.
I have sent to you 6 email message regarding your request. I have used many email addresses to try to reach you - no success.
All I am asking you to do is clarify your request.
The two staffs that I have asked to search for records, would like you to send a subject matter. You did not mention a subject matter.
They need to know that information before they start the search.
Thanks!
Sandy
Saundra L. Dover
Office of Regulatory & Management Services (ORMS)
FOIA/PA – Government Information Specialist
(O) 202-205-1542 (D) 202-205-1198 Fax: (703) 605-5221
sdover@fs.fed.us
Telework Days – Monday, Tuesday, [Wed.--In office], Thursday, [Fri. In office]
Monday, Tuesday, [Wed.--In office], Thursday, [Fri. – Day Off]
From: U.S. Forest Service
A fix is required to perfect the request. The request has been rejected as being too vague, burdensome or otherwise unprocessable.
From: Michael Morisy
My sincere apologies for the delay Sandy.
I'm most interested in forest fires and ecoterrorism communications.
If you or the other office have questions, my number is 857-488-3081.
Best,
Mchael
From: Dover, Saundra L -FS
Thanks for getting back to me.
I have submitted your clarification of your request to the two staffs mentioned in my letter.
From: Dover, Saundra L -FS
Due to the lapse in federal government funding, all Forest Service FOIA Service Centers were closed during the furlough period of October 1 to October 17, 2013. Based on this unusual circumstance, I must respectfully request additional business days to make a determination on your FOIA request. I have received some records – waiting for another staff to send me records. Sorry for inconvenience.
Thanks!
Saundra Dover
From: Dover, Saundra L -FS
Two WO staffs have sent me records in response to your FOIA request – I am in the process of reviewing the records
to see if the records are responsive to your request.
So very soon I will have a final response.
Thanks
Saundra Dover
From: Dover, Saundra L -FS
This is your statement:
I'm most interested in forest fires and ecoterrorism communications.
Not sure what you mean -- I am reviewing records – I understand the Forest Fire subject matter –
not sure what ecoterrorism communication entails.
Please explain.
Thanks!
Saundra Dover
From: Michael Morisy
Just anything to do with Forest Service investigations into alleged ecoterrorism groups, such as the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and Animal Liberation Front (ALF), and their acts.
From: Saundra Dover
This is my second attempt to reach you my email. I need you to explain ecoterrorism communication.
Saundra Dover
From: Michael Morisy
Hi,
This was the information I sent yesterday:
"Anything to do with Forest Service investigations into alleged ecoterrorism groups, such as the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and Animal Liberation Front (ALF), and their acts."
I left a voicemail just now, but please call at 857-488-3081 if you need further clarification.
Thanks,
Michael
From: Saundra Dover
I am teleworking today – I will be in the office tomorrow, I will call you.
Thanks!
Saundra Dover
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 6, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2013-FS-HQ-04756-F.
Thank you for your help.
From: Saundra Dover
I am working on the final letter. I went to a CRM person to check again for the records since you clarified your request to now include the subject matter - Fires and ecoterrorism groups. I will have a complete package very soon.
Thanks for patience.
Saundra Dover
From: MuckRock.com
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on May 6, 2013. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2013-FS-HQ-04756-F.
Thank you for your help.
From: U.S. Forest Service
A copy of documents responsive to the request.
From: U.S. Forest Service
A cover letter granting the request and outlining any exempted materials, if any.
From: Saundra Dover
I mailed your package on January 7, 2014.
Let me know if you do not receive your package very soon!!!
Thanks!
Saundra Dover
From: Saundra Dover
This is my second response to you. I have mailed your package to you on December 30, 2013.
Thanks
Saundra Dover
From: Saundra Dover
I sent this message to you on January 14, 2017. Please read your old email messages regarding 2013-FS-HQ-04756-F.
When you continue sending messages regarding a closed request - it appears that I did not respond to your FOIA request.
If you need another copy of the final letter, I could send it to you.
Thanks!
Saundra Dover
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