Mitigation Plans under the Exceptional Events Rule (New Mexico Environment Department)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. All draft and final mitigation plans and packages created by state, local, or tribal agencies, as required by the EPA under the Exceptional Events Rule , according to https://www.epa.gov/air-quality-analysis/additional-areas-subject-mitigation-plan-requirements-under-exceptional-events.
2. Any acknowledgement or response from the EPA to mitigation plans or packages.
3. All subsequent responses, decisions and correspondence communicated by the EPA about mitigation plans, including approvals, denials or requests for more information.

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.

Limitation of Fees
We are also 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.

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 15 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Dillon Bergin

Hello!

We were grateful to receive your communication on May 25, 2023, indicating that a response would be ready by June 12. We are writing to follow up on that communication.

Thank you very much for your work and attention to this matter,

Dillon Bergin

Hi Laurie,

I'm sorry; I don't see the emails. Did you send them as an attachment?

Molly Peterson & Dillon Bergin

Hello Laurie,

Thank you for your continued partnership on this request. Please know that we are unable to access the Kiteworks login. Please advise at your earliest convenience.

Thank You,

MuckRock Staff

Good Afternoon,

Please know that we are unable to access the Kiteworks login. I have attached a screenshot for you to review what we experience upon entering in our email address. Please let us know what we can do to expedite this process. If possible, you may attach the responsive documents to your reply email.

Thank You,

MuckRock Staff