Animal Care Information System
| Tracking # |
2017-APHIS-02191-F |
| Submitted | Feb. 3, 2017 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Joshua Eaton
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
The most recent backup of the database containing the Animal Care Information System made before 11:00 a.m. EST on Feb. 3, 2017, and all associated assets — including, but not limited to, inspection reports, regulatory correspondence, enforcement records (including enforcement records that have not received final adjudication), research facility annual reports, lists of licensees and registrants under the Animal Welfare Act, and lists of designated qualified persons licensed by USDA-certified horse industry organizations.
In the event that the Animal Care Information System was not contained in a database, I request the raw HTML files and all associated assets. In the event that a backup made before 11:00 a.m. EST on Feb. 3, 2017, is not available, I request the current database as of the date your office processes this request. In the event that the database containing the Animal Care Information System and all associated assets is not segregable from a larger database, I request that larger database in its entirety.
I further request expedited processing. The requested documents are urgently needed to inform the public of actual or suspected federal government activity — namely, alleged efforts by the administration of President Donald Trump, reported in by various news organizations, to remove scientific and agricultural data from publicly available agency websites. The news value of these records will be lost without expedited processing.
I am a full-time, professional reporter whose work has appeared at The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Christian Science Monitor, Al Jazeera America, The Intercept, and Teen Vogue. I am also an associate producer at WGBH News, a local NPR affiliate in Boston, Mass. This request is part of the news-gathering process. 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 email 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,
Joshua Eaton
From: Coleman, LaRima - APHIS
Good afternoon Mr. Eaton.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspect Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has received your FOIA request, which includes a request to receive expedited treatment of your request. USDA's regulations state that, among other things,
(c) A requester who seeks expedited processing must provide a written statement that the requester has certified to be true and correct to the best of the requester's knowledge, explaining in detail the basis for requesting expedited processing. The agency will not consider the request to have been received unless accompanied by a written, certified statement, and will be under no obligation to consider the request for expedited processing until it receives such a written, certified statement. 7 C.F.R. §1.9(c).
Should you wish to request expedited treatment of your FOIA request, please provide the certifying statement described above. You can provide the statement as a response to this email.
Thank you,
LaRima L. Coleman
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service
Legislative and Public Affairs
FOIA & Privacy Act Office
Telephone: (301) 851-4106
Fax: (301) 734-5941
Stay Connected with APHIS:
[Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image001.jpg@01CCFD51.C3EFC230]<http://www.aphis.usda.gov/> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image002.png@01CCFD51.C3EFC230] <http://blogs.usda.gov/> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image003.png@01CCFD51.C3EFC230] <http://www.facebook.com/usda/> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image004.png@01CCFD51.C3EFC230] <http://www.twitter.com/usda_aphis> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image005.png@01CCFD51.C3EFC230] <http://www.youtube.com/usdaaphis> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image006.png@01CCFD51.C3EFC230] <http://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/collections/72157625204032244/> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: APHIS Stakeholder Registry] <https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/subscriber/new>
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: Coleman, LaRima - APHIS
Good afternoon Mr. Eaton.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspect Service (APHIS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has received your FOIA request, which includes a request to receive expedited treatment of your request. USDA's regulations state that, among other things,
(c) A requester who seeks expedited processing must provide a written statement that the requester has certified to be true and correct to the best of the requester's knowledge, explaining in detail the basis for requesting expedited processing. The agency will not consider the request to have been received unless accompanied by a written, certified statement, and will be under no obligation to consider the request for expedited processing until it receives such a written, certified statement. 7 C.F.R. §1.9(c).
Should you wish to request expedited treatment of your FOIA request, please provide the certifying statement described above. You can provide the statement as a response to this email.
Thank you,
LaRima L. Coleman
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service
Legislative and Public Affairs
FOIA & Privacy Act Office
Telephone: (301) 851-4106
Fax: (301) 734-5941
Stay Connected with APHIS:
[Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image001.jpg@01CCFD51.C3EFC230]<http://www.aphis.usda.gov/> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image002.png@01CCFD51.C3EFC230] <http://blogs.usda.gov/> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image003.png@01CCFD51.C3EFC230] <http://www.facebook.com/usda/> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image004.png@01CCFD51.C3EFC230] <http://www.twitter.com/usda_aphis> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image005.png@01CCFD51.C3EFC230] <http://www.youtube.com/usdaaphis> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image006.png@01CCFD51.C3EFC230] <http://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/collections/72157625204032244/> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: APHIS Stakeholder Registry] <https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/subscriber/new>
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: Joshua Eaton
In my Feb. 3, 2017, FOIA request (No. 2017-APHIS-02191-F), I requested expedited processing because the requested documents are urgently needed to inform the public of actual or suspected federal government activity — namely, alleged efforts by the administration of President Donald Trump, reported by various news organizations, to remove scientific and agricultural data from publicly available agency websites. The news value of these records will be lost without expedited processing.
I certify that this request for expedited processing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Joshua Eaton
From:
Mr. Eaton -
Attached is the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's(APHIS) response to your request for expedited processing of your February 3, 2017, FOIArequest, which has been assigned tracking number 2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Please advise if you have any questions or concerns.
LaRima L.Coleman U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service Legislative and Public Affairs FOIA & Privacy Act Office Telephone: (301) 851-4106 Fax: (301) 734-5941 Stay Connected with APHIS:
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 Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Coleman, LaRima - APHIS
Good morning Mr. Eaton,
Unfortunately, the agency is still searching for records that are responsive to your request. As soon as those records are provided, I will continue the processing of your request as expeditiously as possible. In the interim, please feel free to contact me for status updates as necessary. Have a great weekend.
LaRima L. Coleman
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service
Legislative and Public Affairs
FOIA & Privacy Act Office
Telephone: (301) 851-4106
Fax: (301) 734-5941
Stay Connected with APHIS:
[Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image001.jpg@01CCFD51.C3EFC230]<http://www.aphis.usda.gov/> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image002.png@01CCFD51.C3EFC230] <http://blogs.usda.gov/> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image003.png@01CCFD51.C3EFC230] <http://www.facebook.com/usda/> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image004.png@01CCFD51.C3EFC230] <http://www.twitter.com/usda_aphis> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image005.png@01CCFD51.C3EFC230] <http://www.youtube.com/usdaaphis> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: cid:image006.png@01CCFD51.C3EFC230] <http://www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/collections/72157625204032244/> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: APHIS Stakeholder Registry] <https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/subscriber/new>
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 Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Coleman, LaRima - APHIS
Good afternoon,
Unfortunately the program office is still searching for the information that is responsive to your request. To date, we (the FOIA Office) have not yet received any responsive records. I have sent a message requesting the status to the appropriate official in charge of searching for responsive records. As soon as I receive a response from them, I will provide you with an estimated by which I believe we can issue a response to your request.
As always, please contact me if you have any further questions or concerns.
LaRima
-
~WRD000
From: Joshua Eaton
Thanks for the update, and for staying on top of this!
Best,
Joshua
From: Coleman, LaRima - APHIS
No problem.
-
~WRD000
From: Joshua Eaton
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service
Good morning:
Your FOIA request is still pending at this time. I do not believe that any further clarification is needed, however, I will confirm that with the appropriate parties. Unfortunately, one of them is out of town this week so I will speak with her next week. I will contact you if further clarification is indeed needed. In the interim, please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
LaRima
-
~WRD000
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service
Good afternoon,
Your FOIA request is still pending at this time. We are awaiting the completion of the program office’s search for responsive records. We will advise you once the records are received.
Thank you,
LaRima
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service
Good afternoon. Your request is still pending at this time. I can provide a better estimated completion date once the program office(s) complete its search for responsive records.
LaRima
-
~WRD000
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service
My apologies for the delay. Unfortunately, the program office has not completed its search for responsive records. As always, feel free to contact me with additional questions or concerns. Additionally, I will advise you when the program office provides us with the records that are responsive to your request.
Thanks,
LaRima
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service
Good morning.
My apologies for the delay in responding to your request for a status update. Because of the nature of your request, the FOIA Office, Animal Care and other program offices are still meeting to determine how to properly provide you with the best response to your request. As soon a decision is made on your request for access to the ACIS database, I will contact you.
In the interim, if you have any other questions or concerns, please let me know.
Thanks,
[cid:image001.png@01D59934.55B8EF30]
larima l. coleman | government information specialist
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service | unit 50, Room 2b-03.17
4700 Riverdale Road | Riverdale, MD 20737
larima.l.coleman@usda.gov<mailto:larima.l.coleman@usda.gov>
• 301-851-4106 | [cid:image002.gif@01CE4D6F.6BB18DF0] 301-734-5941
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on Feb. 3, 2017. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #2017-APHIS-02191-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service
Good morning,
Please be advised that your request has been administratively closed. On February 5, 2019 and February 13, 2019, a member of our staff contacted you to inform you that the public search tool necessary for accessing the animal welfare database was restored to our website and asked that you respond to the email for further clarity. The second email advised that if you did not respond by March 7, 2019, we would close your request administratively. You did not respond and your request was closed.
Unfortunately, on November 12, 2019, I inaccurately responded to your email and advised that the request was still pending. This was an error. Again, your FOIA request has been closed.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
LaRima
-
~WRD000
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