Mass Rabbits
| Submitted | June 7, 2018 |
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Communications
From: Joey Del Ponte
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, I hereby request the following records:
All documents, reports, memos, and communications related to New England cottontail Rabbits and Eastern cottontail rabbits, specifically with respect to the growing number of rabbits in Somerville, Cambridge, Back Bay, and South Boston.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. 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.
I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.
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, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Joey Del Ponte
From: Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife)
Dear Mr. Del Ponte:
Thank you for your request. I'd like to discuss this to see if we can narrow it down a bit, as potentially, since you're speaking of two different species with a wide geographic area (one the entire state, the other, unfortunately, more limited) there is the potential for this needing to take a considerable amount of time, which would likely generate a fee. Are you just looking for records/documents relating to populations of Eastern Cottontail and New England Cottontail in Somerville, Cambridge, Back Bay, and South Boston?
Is there a good time to talk? My number is 508 389 6343.
Jim
James Burnham
Program Coordinator
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581
p: (508) 389-6343 | e: james.burnham@state.ma.us
mass.gov/masswildlife<http://www.mass.gov/masswildlife> | facebook.com/masswildlife<http://www.facebook.com/masswildlife>
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~WRD000
From: Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife)
Mr. Joey Del Ponte
MuckRock
DEPT MR 55804
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516
June 27, 2018
RE: February 22, 2016 Public Records Request
Dear Mr. Brown:
By email dated June 7, 2018, you requested "all documents, reports, memos, and communications related to New England cottontail Rabbits and Eastern cottontail rabbits, specifically with respect to the growing number of rabbits in Somerville, Cambridge, Back Bay, and South Boston."
On June 11, 2018 I emailed you in order to discuss the scope of your public records request, and to better understand what information you are seeking. To date, I have not received a response to that email. In order to proceed, we are providing two documents relating to eastern cottontails and New England cottontails. These records are from two sources. First, the New England cottontail information from 2011-2017 is from an annual Federal Aid narrative ("New England Cottontail Performance Reports 2011-2017"). Second, we are providing the rabbit related wildlife nuisance call log information ("cottontail nuisance") we have. If other, or additional, information is being sought, please call me at (508) 389-6343.
No record or portion of a requested record has been redacted or withheld as exempt pursuant to G.L. c. 4 ยง 7(26). Should you wish to challenge DFW's response, you may appeal to the Supervisor of Public Records in accordance with 950 CMR 32.08(1), and you may seek judicial review of an unfavorable decision by commencing a civil action in the superior court.
Sincerely,
James Burnham, Records Access Coordinator
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
James Burnham
Program Coordinator
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581
p: (508) 389-6343 | e: james.burnham@state.ma.us
mass.gov/masswildlife<http://www.mass.gov/masswildlife> | facebook.com/masswildlife<http://www.facebook.com/masswildlife>
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~WRD000
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