Deregulation task force materials (Environmental Protection Agency)
It is a clone of this request.
| Tracking # |
EPA-HQ-2017-006629 |
| Submitted | April 26, 2017 |
MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests like this one. Learn more.
Communications
From: Beryl Lipton
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
Any and all materials related to any and all "deregulation task force" organization, considerations, recommendations, and determinations related to divisions within this agency. On February 28, 2017, President Donald Trump, in a speech before members of Congress, stated: "We have undertaken a historic effort to massively reduce job-crushing regulations, creating a deregulation task force inside of every Government agency; imposing a new rule which mandates that for every 1 new regulation, 2 old regulations must be eliminated...."
By Executive Order, issued February 24, 2017, President Donald Trump ordered that within 60 days of the date of this order, a time period that concludes today, the head of each agency "shall designate an agency official as its Regulatory Reform Officer (RRO)."
Please include all communications, databases, organizational charts, evaluations, reports, audits, or any other materials related to the following elements:
• All organizational and structural materials related to the set up of the task force, including the names of all members and responsibilities.
• All materials related to meetings between members or auxiliary members of the task force, including notes, meeting minutes, agendas
• All available lists and related materials regarding regulations to be kept and regulations to be cut, as well as any notes, reports, or other materials being used to support or inform the assignments
Please provide materials on a rolling basis.
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,
Beryl C.D. Lipton
From: foia_hq@epa.gov
This message is to confirm your request submission to the FOIAonline application: View Request. Request information is as follows: (https://foiaonline.regulations.gov:443/foia/action/public/view/request?objectId=090004d2812bfa1c)
* Tracking Number: EPA-HQ-2017-006629
* Requester Name: Beryl C.D. Lipton
* Date Submitted: 04/27/2017
* Request Status: Submitted
* Description: Requesting any and all materials related to any and all "deregulation task force" organization, considerations, recommendations, and determinations related to divisions within this agency
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 April 26, 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 #EPA-HQ-2017-006629.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
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 April 26, 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 #EPA-HQ-2017-006629.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: FOIA HQ
Jonathan,
Please respond to requester re status of request.
FOIA, Libraries & Accessiblity Division
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(202) 566-1667
-
~WRD000
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 April 26, 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 #EPA-HQ-2017-006629.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
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 April 26, 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 #EPA-HQ-2017-006629.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Farren, Victor
Ms. Lipton,
The Attorney who was assigned you FOIA case, Jonathan Newton, is currently out of the office, returning Tuesday, September 5. I have forwarded your email to him for his response.
Sincerely,
Victor J. Farren
Attorney-Advisor
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of the Executive Secretariat
(202) 564-0808
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 April 26, 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 #EPA-HQ-2017-006629.
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 request, copied below, and originally submitted on April 26, 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 #EPA-HQ-2017-006629.
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 request, copied below, and originally submitted on April 26, 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 #EPA-HQ-2017-006629.
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 request, copied below, and originally submitted on April 26, 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 #EPA-HQ-2017-006629.
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 request, copied below, and originally submitted on April 26, 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 #EPA-HQ-2017-006629.
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 request, copied below, and originally submitted on April 26, 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 #EPA-HQ-2017-006629.
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 April 26, 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 #EPA-HQ-2017-006629.
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 April 26, 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 #EPA-HQ-2017-006629.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Environmental Protection Agency
05/11/2018 01:00 PM
RE: FOIA REQUEST EPA-HQ-2017-006629
Dear Beryl C.D. Lipton,
Thank you very much for your interest in the Environmental Protection Agency. This correspondence references the above Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, which seeks information about Executive Order 13777, “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,” or the “Regulatory Reform Task Force,” or both. Many people and entities have requested information about these records. We appreciate your patience as we process these requests.
I. Interim Response
Today we are releasing 2,427 pages of records to you. The release contains materials responsive to your FOIA request. This release may include additional records that you have not requested; however, the records may be of interest to you. We are releasing these records proactively to you at no cost.
This release includes documents that have been partially withheld. The reasons for the withholdings are printed over the redactions. Should you wish to appeal any withholding determination, you will have the opportunity to do so. We will provide you with appeal rights at the time of the final production.
Records Previously Released to EPA-HQ-2017-006074:
1. HQ-2017-006074 (180215) Final Production Release in Full.pdf (633 pages) 2. HQ-2017-006074 (180215) Final Production Release in Part.pdf (188 pages)
Records Previously Released to EPA-HQ-2017-010756:
1. HQ-2017-010756 SELC v. EPA 3.15.18 Final Production Release in Full.pdf (1,124 pages) 2. HQ-2017-010756 SELC v. EPA 3.15.18 Final Production Release in Part.pdf (61 pages)
3. HQ-2017-010756 SELC v. EPA 4.16.18 Final Production Release in Full.pdf (301 pages)
4. HQ-2017-010756 SELC v. EPA 4.16.18 Final Production Release in Part.pdf (120 pages)
II. Unusual Circumstances and Extension of Time
To complete your request, EPA will need to search for and collect the requested records from multiple EPA offices that are separate from the Office of the Administrator (AO). As a result of these unusual circumstances, an extension of time to respond to your request is necessary under 40 C.F.R. § 2.104(d).
The AO has received an unprecedented amount of FOIA requests during fiscal year 2017. In fiscal year 2016, AO received only 203 FOIA requests, whereas in fiscal year 2017, AO received 1,043 FOIA requests. This is a 413% increase in FOIA requests from fiscal years 2016 to 2017. We are still processing these requests.
For your information, we use multiple tracks to process requests, but within those tracks we work in an agile manner. The time needed to complete our work on your request will necessarily depend on a variety of factors, including the complexity of our records search, the volume and complexity of any material located, and the order of receipt of your request.
In fiscal year 2017, the average processing time for complex FOIA requests processed by AO was 388 working days. Using this number as instructive to estimate the time to process your request, the new estimated completion date for this FOIA is October 23, 2018.
III. Opportunity to Discuss and Modify
EPA’s FOIA regulations state:
Whenever possible, your request should include specific information about each record sought, such as the date, title or name, author, recipient, and subject matter. If known, you should include any file designations or descriptions for the records that you want. The more specific you are about the records or type of records that you want, the more likely EPA will be able to identify and locate records responsive to your request.
40 C.F.R. § 2.102(c).
We would like to provide you the opportunity to discuss the request with us and clarify or narrow the request. As indicated in 40 C.F.R. § 2.102(c), if you would like to speak with us about your request, please include or be prepared to discuss any specific information about the records you seek, including time-period, authors, or a more detailed description of the records’ subject matter. IV. Publicly Available Information and Next Steps
The following are sources of publicly available information that you can access immediately:
• Our website: https://www.epa.gov/home/advanced-search • FOIAonline for records previously released through FOIA requests: https://foiaonline.regulations.gov/foia/action/public/search/
• EPA MyProperty: https://www3.epa.gov/enviro/facts/myproperty/
• Environmental Topics Information repositories: https://www.epa.gov/environmental-topics/z-index
• Technical/scientific/educational publications: https://www.epa.gov/nscep
• Staff Manuals and Guidance: https://www.epa.gov/foia/national-online-foia-library#admin
• Policy Statements: https://www.epa.gov/foia/national-online-foia-library#statement
• Superfund sites and data: https://www.epa.gov/foia/national-online-foia-library#superfund
If it is possible for us to do so, we will provide you with interim releases as they become available.
If you wish to clarify your request further so that EPA can process your request in a shorter amount of time, or if this release satisfies your request and you would like to close your request, the Office of the Administrator is happy to work with you.
Additionally, you may seek assistance from EPA’s FOIA Public Liaison at hq.foia@epa.gov or (202) 566-1667, or from the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS). You may contact OGIS in any of the following ways: by mail, Office of Government Information Services, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS, College Park, MD 20740-6001; by email, ogis@nara.gov; by telephone, (202) 741-5770 or (877) 684-6448; or by fax: (202) 741-5769.
If you have any additional questions about your request, please contact Christopher Creech at creech.christopher@epa.gov or (202) 564-4286.
Please direct media related inquiries to press@epa.gov. Thank you,
EPA Office of the Administrator
From: Environmental Protection Agency
05/11/2018 05:23 PM
LINKS INCLUDED: RE: FOIA REQUEST EPA-HQ-2017-006629
Dear Beryl C.D. Lipton,
Thank you very much for your interest in the Environmental Protection Agency. This correspondence references the above Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, which seeks information about Executive Order 13777, “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,” or the “Regulatory Reform Task Force,” or both. Many people and entities have requested information about these records. We appreciate your patience as we process these requests.
I. Interim Response
Today we are releasing 2,427 pages of records to you. The release contains materials responsive to your FOIA request. This release may include additional records that you have not requested; however, the records may be of interest to you. We are releasing these records proactively to you at no cost.
This release includes documents that have been partially withheld. The reasons for the withholdings are printed over the redactions. Should you wish to appeal any withholding determination, you will have the opportunity to do so. We will provide you with appeal rights at the time of the final production.
Records Previously Released to EPA-HQ-2017-006074:
1. HQ-2017-006074 (180215) Final Production Release in Full.pdf (633 pages) 2. HQ-2017-006074 (180215) Final Production Release in Part.pdf (188 pages)
The records are available here: https://foiaonline.regulations.gov/foia/action/public/view/request?objectId=090004d28127c1fe.
Records Previously Released to EPA-HQ-2017-010756:
1. HQ-2017-010756 SELC v. EPA 3.15.18 Final Production Release in Full.pdf (1,124 pages) 2. HQ-2017-010756 SELC v. EPA 3.15.18 Final Production Release in Part.pdf (61 pages)
3. HQ-2017-010756 SELC v. EPA 4.16.18 Final Production Release in Full.pdf (301 pages)
4. HQ-2017-010756 SELC v. EPA 4.16.18 Final Production Release in Part.pdf (120 pages)
The records are available here: https://foiaonline.regulations.gov/foia/action/public/view/request?objectId=090004d281533657.
II. Unusual Circumstances and Extension of Time
To complete your request, EPA will need to search for and collect the requested records from multiple EPA offices that are separate from the Office of the Administrator (AO). As a result of these unusual circumstances, an extension of time to respond to your request is necessary under 40 C.F.R. § 2.104(d).
The AO has received an unprecedented amount of FOIA requests during fiscal year 2017. In fiscal year 2016, AO received only 203 FOIA requests, whereas in fiscal year 2017, AO received 1,043 FOIA requests. This is a 413% increase in FOIA requests from fiscal years 2016 to 2017. We are still processing these requests.
For your information, we use multiple tracks to process requests, but within those tracks we work in an agile manner. The time needed to complete our work on your request will necessarily depend on a variety of factors, including the complexity of our records search, the volume and complexity of any material located, and the order of receipt of your request.
In fiscal year 2017, the average processing time for complex FOIA requests processed by AO was 388 working days. Using this number as instructive to estimate the time to process your request, the new estimated completion date for this FOIA is October 23, 2018.
III. Opportunity to Discuss and Modify
EPA’s FOIA regulations state:
Whenever possible, your request should include specific information about each record sought, such as the date, title or name, author, recipient, and subject matter. If known, you should include any file designations or descriptions for the records that you want. The more specific you are about the records or type of records that you want, the more likely EPA will be able to identify and locate records responsive to your request.
40 C.F.R. § 2.102(c).
We would like to provide you the opportunity to discuss the request with us and clarify or narrow the request. As indicated in 40 C.F.R. § 2.102(c), if you would like to speak with us about your request, please include or be prepared to discuss any specific information about the records you seek, including time-period, authors, or a more detailed description of the records’ subject matter. IV. Publicly Available Information and Next Steps
The following are sources of publicly available information that you can access immediately:
• Our website: https://www.epa.gov/home/advanced-search • FOIAonline for records previously released through FOIA requests: https://foiaonline.regulations.gov/foia/action/public/search/
• EPA MyProperty: https://www3.epa.gov/enviro/facts/myproperty/
• Environmental Topics Information repositories: https://www.epa.gov/environmental-topics/z-index
• Technical/scientific/educational publications: https://www.epa.gov/nscep
• Staff Manuals and Guidance: https://www.epa.gov/foia/national-online-foia-library#admin
• Policy Statements: https://www.epa.gov/foia/national-online-foia-library#statement
• Superfund sites and data: https://www.epa.gov/foia/national-online-foia-library#superfund
If it is possible for us to do so, we will provide you with interim releases as they become available.
If you wish to clarify your request further so that EPA can process your request in a shorter amount of time, or if this release satisfies your request and you would like to close your request, the Office of the Administrator is happy to work with you.
Additionally, you may seek assistance from EPA’s FOIA Public Liaison at hq.foia@epa.gov or (202) 566-1667, or from the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS). You may contact OGIS in any of the following ways: by mail, Office of Government Information Services, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS, College Park, MD 20740-6001; by email, ogis@nara.gov; by telephone, (202) 741-5770 or (877) 684-6448; or by fax: (202) 741-5769.
If you have any additional questions about your request, please contact Christopher Creech at creech.christopher@epa.gov or (202) 564-4286.
Please direct media related inquiries to press@epa.gov. Thank you,
EPA Office of the Administrator
From: Environmental Protection Agency
This email is about your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, EPA-HQ-2017-006629; it is assigned to the Office of the Administrator for processing.
The Office of the Administrator has experienced a significant increase in FOIA requests since the start of this administration. As of May 7, 2018, your FOIA request, EPA-HQ-2017-006629, is currently 304 in the queue. We are processing all FOIAs within the scope of our resources, given the sharp increase in requests. If possible, we will provide you with interim releases as they become available.
In fiscal year 2017, the average processing time for complex FOIA requests processed by AO was 388 working days. Using this number as instructive to estimate the time to process your request, the new estimated completion date for this FOIA is October 23, 2018.
The following are some sources of publicly available information that you can access immediately and which may contain information responsive to your request: • Our website: https://www.epa.gov/home/advanced-search
• The EPA newsroom: https://www.epa.gov/newsroom
• FOIAonline for records previously released through FOIA requests: https://foiaonline.regulations.gov/foia/action/public/search/
• Frequently requested records: https://www.epa.gov/foia/national-online-foia-library#request
• MyProperty: https://www3.epa.gov/enviro/facts/myproperty/
• Technical/scientific/educational publications: https://www.epa.gov/nscep
• Superfund sites and data: https://www.epa.gov/foia/national-online-foia-library#superfund
• Historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2017 https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/
If you wish to clarify your request, so that once we reach the request in the queue, it might be processed in a shorter amount of time, please contact Breanne Vander Naald, Vandernaald.breanne@epa.gov. If you are no longer interested in the requested records, please let us know so that we can remove your request from the queue. Please be sure to include your tracking number, EPA-HQ-2017-006629, in the email subject to ensure a timely response.
In addition to seeking assistance from the contact above, you may seek assistance from the EPA’s FOIA Public Liaison at hq.foia@epa.gov or (202) 566-1667, or from the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS). OGIS’s services are described on their website, https://www.archives.gov/ogis. You may contact OGIS in any of the following ways: by mail, Office of Government Information Services, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road-OGIS, College Park, MD 20740-6001; email: ogis@nara.gov; telephone: (202) 741-5770 or (877) 684-6448; or fax: (202) 741-5769.
Thank you,
Breanne Vander Naald
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 April 26, 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 #EPA-HQ-2017-006629.
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 April 26, 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 #EPA-HQ-2017-006629.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Environmental Protection Agency
Good Afternoon Mr. Lipton,
This correspondence concerns your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, EPA-HQ-2017-006629. I am an Attorney-Advisor with EPA's Office of General Counsel, and I am processing your FOIA request. On May 11, 2018, you should have received correspondence via FOIAonline from EPA to notify you that records responsive to your request had been released along with a link to those records. For your reference, those records were released under EPA-2017-006074 and EPA-HQ-2017-010756.
I am reaching out to you to inquire whether you've had the opportunity to review those records, and, if so, whether that release satisfies your request. If you are no longer interested in the requested records, please let me know. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a call, my number is (202) 564-1154, and you may also email me at vandernaald.breanne@epa.gov<mailto:vandernaald.breanne@epa.gov>.
Thank you,
Breanne Vander Naald
Breanne Vander Naald
Attorney-Advisor
Office of General Counsel
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. | WJCN 7409E
(202) 564-1154
From: Environmental Protection Agency
The FOIA request - EPA-HQ-2017-006629 has been supplemented with additional supporting files. Additional details for this item are as follows:
* Tracking Number: EPA-HQ-2017-006629
* Requester: Beryl C.D. Lipton
* Submitted Date: 07/07/2018
* Description: Requesting any and all materials related to any and all "deregulation task force" organization, considerations, recommendations, and determinations related to divisions within this agency
From: Environmental Protection Agency
EPA-HQ-2017-006629 has been approved for an interim release.
Records were released to the public as a result of this request. You may retrieve these records immediately using the following link: Over the next 2 hours, these records are also being added to FOIAonline's search pages, further enabling you to retrieve these documents associated with your FOIA request at any time. View Records (https://www.foiaonline.gov/foiaonline/action/public/submissionDetails?trackingNumber=EPA-HQ-2017-006629&type=request)
From: Environmental Protection Agency
The FOIA request EPA-HQ-2017-006629 has had its Tracking Number changed to EPA-2017-006629. This is normally due to the request being transferred to another agency (for example, EPA to Dept. of Commerce) or to a sub-agency to process it. Additional details for this request are as follows:
* Old Tracking Number:
EPA-HQ-2017-006629
* New Tracking Number:
EPA-2017-006629
* Requester Name:
Beryl C.D. Lipton
* Date Submitted:
07/07/2018
* Long Description:
Requesting any and all materials related to any and all "deregulation task force" organization, considerations, recommendations, and determinations related to divisions within this agency
From: Environmental Protection Agency
EPA-2017-006629 has been processed with the following final disposition: Partial Grant/Partial Denial.
Records were released to the public as a result of this request. You may retrieve these records immediately using the following link: Over the next 2 hours, these records are also being added to FOIAonline's search pages, further enabling you to retrieve these documents associated with your FOIA request at any time. View Records (https://www.foiaonline.gov/foiaonline/action/public/submissionDetails?trackingNumber=EPA-2017-006629&type=request)
Files
pages