Use of herbicides in the Luquillo (El Yunque) Forest Reserve (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
| Tracking # |
2024-REE-05419-F |
| Multi Request | Use of herbicides in the Luquillo (El Yunque) Forest Reserve |
| Submitted | June 11, 2024 |
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Communications
From: Kristofer Ríos
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
All records from the U.S. Agricultural Research Station at Mayagüez relating to, mentioning, or describing the use of herbicides and military herbicides, including but not limited to arboricide Picloram in the Luquillo (El Yunque) Forest Reserve between the years of 1961 and 1967. Please also include cross-reference documents.
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,
Kristofer Ríos
From: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Good afternoon,
The original email has been attached, and the requester is copied on this email.
Thank you,
VA FOIA Service
Compliance, Risk and Remediation (CRR)
Office of Information and Technology (OI&T)
Washington, DC 20240
Department of Veteran Affairs
E-Fax: 202-632-7581
FOIA Hotline: 877-750-3642
Vacofoiase@va.gov<mailto:Vacofoiase@va.gov>
From: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Dear Kristopher Rios:
This email acknowledges receipt of your attached Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA), Office of Information Affairs, FOIA Division (OIA-FOIA). Your request was received by this office on June 14, 2024. The request was originally submitted to the Department of Veteran Affairs, who then routed the request to the OIA.
The OIA-FOIA is under the purview of the General Counsel (GC) and serves as the focal point for USDA’s FOIA program. It provides coordination and ensures agency-wide compliance with the FOIA. Additionally, the OIA-FOIA processes requests and appeals on behalf of the Office of the Secretary (OSEC); the Under Secretaries; USDA’s staff offices; and the Research, Education and Economics and Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs mission areas.
The FOIA, 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(A)(i), requires USDA to make a determination in response to a FOIA request within 20 business days from its date of receipt. In unusual circumstances, the Federal agency time limit may be extended by 10 business days as stated in 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(B). If your request seeks numerous records that will necessitate a wide-ranging search, including searches with components and possible consultations with components that have a substantial interest in the determination of this request, USDA will invoke a 10 business day extension for determination of your request. You have the option to narrow the scope of your request to limit the number of potentially responsive records.
Due to the increasing number of FOIA requests received by this office, we may encounter some delay in processing your request. Pursuant to USDA FOIA Regulations, Title 7 CFR §1.6(a), the USDA processes FOIA requests according to their order of receipt.
Provisions of the FOIA allow USDA to recover part of the cost of complying with your request. For purposes of fee assessment, you were categorized as a “all other” requester, pursuant to 7 CFR Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 1, Section (2)(b)(5)(i). For your review and information, a copy of the USDA FOIA Fee Schedule is attached. In accordance with 7 CFR Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 1, Section 3(b), your fees shall be waived where the amount of the fee is $25.00 or less.
A search will be conducted for records responsive to your request. If any responsive records are located, they will be reviewed for determination of releasability. Please be assured that a FOIA analyst will respond to your request as expeditiously as possible. We appreciate your patience as we proceed with your request.
Your request has been assigned FOIA Case No. 2024-REE-05419-F. Please refer to this case number in any future correspondence. If you have any questions regarding the processing of this request, please contact Mr. Nicholas Mantzaris electronically at Nicholas.Mantzaris@usda.gov<mailto:Nicholas.Mantzaris@usda.gov> or USDAFOIA@usda.gov<mailto:USDAFOIA@usda.gov>. For additional information regarding USDA FOIA regulations and process, please refer to the information available on-line at Freedom of Information Act Division | USDA<https://www.usda.gov/ogc/office-information-affairs/foia-division>.
We appreciate the opportunity to assist you.
Sincerely,
Office of Information Affairs
Freedom of Information Act Division
[cid:image001.png@01DABE63.025B0450]
Nicholas Mantzaris
FOIA Analyst - Contractor
Freedom of Information Act Division
Office of Information Affairs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 4049D
Washington, DC 20250
(202) 690-5228
✉ Nicholas.Mantzaris@USDA.gov<mailto:Nicholas.Mantzaris@USDA.gov>
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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From: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Dear Kristofer Rios:
Please see attached the final response letter for your recent FOIA request with the USDA.
The OIA appreciates the opportunity to assist you with this matter.
[cid:image001.png@01DAD2AD.3F8CACD0]
Nicholas Mantzaris
FOIA Analyst - Contractor
Freedom of Information Act Division
Office of Information Affairs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 4049D
Washington, DC 20250
(202) 690-5228
✉ Nicholas.Mantzaris@USDA.gov<mailto:Nicholas.Mantzaris@USDA.gov>
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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From: Kristofer Ríos
Hi,
Thanks so much for your help with this request!
Sincerely,
Kristofer Ríos
From: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Dear Kristofer Rios:
The Office of Information Affairs (OIA) recently received the attached follow-up to your FOIA request (see attached).
The FOIA request was already processed and a final response was provided to you (see final response email attached).
Please let me know if you have any questions.
[cid:image001.png@01DB6CE2.592B9A00]
Nicholas Mantzaris
FOIA Analyst - Contractor
Freedom of Information Act Division
Office of Information Affairs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 4049D
Washington, DC 20250
(202) 690-5228
✉ Nicholas.Mantzaris@USDA.gov<mailto:Nicholas.Mantzaris@USDA.gov>
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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