Asian Giant Hornets (Washington State Department Of Agriculture)

Dear Jason Koebler,

Thank you for your interest in public records of Washington Department of Agriculture.  Your request has been received and is being processed.  Your request was received in this office on July 21, 2021 and given the reference number R002553-072121 for tracking purposes. Record Desired:  To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Widespread news reports and agency releases show that there has been the spread and distribution of "Asian Giant Hornets" / "Murder Hornets" in the last year. Earlier this year, a joint press conference was held about eradication efforts: https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=32279

Therefore, I request the following information:

- Any lab reports, internal communications, analyses, warnings, or other guidances about the Asian Giant Hornets.
- Any case reports about Asian Giant Hornet sightings or suspected sightings
- Any sightings / emails / audio recordings / photos / videos from the public about Asian Giant Hornets sent through "agr.wa.gov/hornets, via email at hornets@agr.wa.gov, or by calling 1-800-443-6684"
- Any forensic analysis or communication with law enforcement (state, local, or national) about Asian Giant Hornets.
- Any presentations or other documents prepared about Asian Giant Hornets
- Any photos or video related to Asian Giant Hornets

Please search from May 1, 2020 until the day this request is processed.

This request is being made for use on Motherboard, VICE Media's science and technology website. It is not for commercial purposes.

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,

Jason Koebler

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/ Date From: Date To: Report Number:
Your request will be forwarded to the relevant division(s) to locate the information you seek and to determine the volume and any costs associated with satisfying your request. You will be contacted about the availability and/or provided with copies of the records in question.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you'll receive an email when your request has been completed.   Again, thank you for using the Public Records Center.

Washington State Department of Agriculture

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RE: WSDA Public Records Request of July 21, 2021, Reference # R002553-072121
Dear Jason Koebler,
The Washington State Department of Agriculture received a public records request from you on July 21, 2021. Your request mentioned: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Widespread news reports and agency releases show that there has been the spread and distribution of "Asian Giant Hornets" / "Murder Hornets" in the last year. Earlier this year, a joint press conference was held about eradication efforts: https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=32279

Therefore, I request the following information:

- Any lab reports, internal communications, analyses, warnings, or other guidances about the Asian Giant Hornets.
- Any case reports about Asian Giant Hornet sightings or suspected sightings
- Any sightings / emails / audio recordings / photos / videos from the public about Asian Giant Hornets sent through "agr.wa.gov/hornets, via email at hornets@agr.wa.gov, or by calling 1-800-443-6684"
- Any forensic analysis or communication with law enforcement (state, local, or national) about Asian Giant Hornets.
- Any presentations or other documents prepared about Asian Giant Hornets
- Any photos or video related to Asian Giant Hornets

Please search from May 1, 2020 until the day this request is processed.

This request is being made for use on Motherboard, VICE Media's science and technology website. It is not for commercial purposes.

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,

Jason Koebler

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/
We are now searching for and gathering the records, you requested. I will be checking these records to make sure they do not contain any information considered confidential (statutorily exempt) and therefore unavailable for public inspection under Washington law. Accordingly, I require additional time to respond pursuant to RCW 42.56.520.

I estimate that by 8/27/2021, I will send you copies of the records which respond to your request.

Charges may apply for copies of responsive records. If there is a charge, I will provide an invoice that is due upon receipt.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Pamela Potwin
Public Records Officer
360-902-1935

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: WSDA Public Records Request of July 21, 2021, Reference # R002553-072121
Dear Jason Koebler,
The Washington State Department of Agriculture received a public records request from you on July 21, 2021. Your request mentioned: “To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Widespread news reports and agency releases show that there has been the spread and distribution of "Asian Giant Hornets" / "Murder Hornets" in the last year. Earlier this year, a joint press conference was held about eradication efforts: https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=32279

Therefore, I request the following information:

- Any lab reports, internal communications, analyses, warnings, or other guidances about the Asian Giant Hornets.
- Any case reports about Asian Giant Hornet sightings or suspected sightings
- Any sightings / emails / audio recordings / photos / videos from the public about Asian Giant Hornets sent through "agr.wa.gov/hornets, via email at hornets@agr.wa.gov, or by calling 1-800-443-6684"
- Any forensic analysis or communication with law enforcement (state, local, or national) about Asian Giant Hornets.
- Any presentations or other documents prepared about Asian Giant Hornets
- Any photos or video related to Asian Giant Hornets

Please search from May 1, 2020 until the day this request is processed.

This request is being made for use on Motherboard, VICE Media's science and technology website. It is not for commercial purposes.

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,

Jason Koebler

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/
This letter is to seek clarification related to records that you are seeking from the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

The number of responsive records which respond to your request number in the thousands specifically, emails from the public reporting potential sightings. which turn out to be false. There are an estimated 100,000 emails and attachments for the time frame you reference. These records alone will result in copying fees of over $1,000.

With this information I am writing to see if you'd like to further narrow the scope of your request to records related to confirmed sightings only. If we don't receive a response to narrow the scope, we will assume you wish to proceed with your original request. I will then send you a down payment invoice that will need to be paid before any records are provided.

Upon receipt of your clarification, the Washington State Department of Agriculture will further respond to your public records request as required by law, including providing you with an estimate of costs associated with producing copies of the requested records.  If no response is received by 7/28/2021, I will send you the down payment invoice referenced above.
Please respond to this email with the information requested.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 360-902-1935.
Sincerely,

Pamela Potwin
Public Records Officer
360-902-1935

--- Please respond above this line ---

RE: WSDA Public Records Request of July 21, 2021, Reference # R002553-072121
Dear Jason Koebler,
The Washington State Department of Agriculture received a public records request from you on July 21, 2021. Your request mentioned:
“To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Widespread news reports and agency releases show that there has been the spread and distribution of "Asian Giant Hornets" / "Murder Hornets" in the last year. Earlier this year, a joint press conference was held about eradication efforts: https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=32279

Therefore, I request the following information:

- Any lab reports, internal communications, analyses, warnings, or other guidances about the Asian Giant Hornets.
- Any case reports about Asian Giant Hornet sightings or suspected sightings
- Any sightings / emails / audio recordings / photos / videos from the public about Asian Giant Hornets sent through "agr.wa.gov/hornets, via email at hornets@agr.wa.gov, or by calling 1-800-443-6684"
- Any forensic analysis or communication with law enforcement (state, local, or national) about Asian Giant Hornets.
- Any presentations or other documents prepared about Asian Giant Hornets
- Any photos or video related to Asian Giant Hornets

Please search from May 1, 2020 until the day this request is processed.

This request is being made for use on Motherboard, VICE Media's science and technology website. It is not for commercial purposes.

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,

Jason Koebler

Upload documents directly: https://https://www.muckrock.comhttps://www.muckrock.com/
WAC 16-06-200, states that the department may charge for the costs of reproducing records.  You can log into the Public Records Center to view your invoice which details the reproduction costs of the records you requested.
Please send a check payable to the Washington Department of Agriculture, to the address on the invoice. Please include a copy of the invoice with your check. Failure to do so will delay delivery of the records.
I will send you the records you requested, once we receive full payment. If payment is not received by 8/27/2021, I will assume you no longer wish to receive these records and will close your request.
If you wish to revise your request to limit the scope of the records requested, please respond to this email with your revisions.  For your information, our agency has an internet page dedicate to the Asian Giant Hornet.  You may wish to retrieve records already available to the public at  https://agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/insects/hornets

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 360-902-1935.

Sincerely,
Pamela Potwin
Public Records Officer
360-902-1935

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RE: WSDA Public Records Request of July 21, 2021, Reference # R002553-072121
Dear Jason Koebler,