Documents, Sawmill Fire (U.S. Forest Service)

Dear Mrs. Haskins,

After reviewing your recent FOAI request I am referring it to our Region 3 FOIA office for processing. Please contact them directly if you have any questions at r3_foia@fs.fed.us<mailto:r3_foia@fs.fed.us> .

v/r

USFS WO FOIA

Good morning Mrs. Haskins,

Prior to processing your request, could you re-look at the search parameters you have provided? Region 3 includes New Mexico and Arizona, so while we can search for records related to the Sawmill Fire, we will not have records related to the Paradise Fire which occurred recently in CA. For expediency, could you please let us know which offices you would like to have search for records? Are you requesting that we have all the employees in Region 3 conduct an email search? Limit the search to employees involved in the investigation and/or those who work in the Coronado National Forest that were affected by the fire? Are you wanting records related to FS efforts in fighting the fire? Are you interested in the records related to the numerous FOIA requests for the video? The more specific you are in describing exactly which records you are interested in, and which offices you want to conduct the search, the faster and more accurately we will be able to provide the documents you are requesting.

The FOIA specifies two requirements for a request for records to be considered a valid, “perfected” request: (1) It must “reasonably describe” the records requested and (2) it must be made in accordance with the agency’s published FOIA regulations. After careful review of your FOIA request, the Forest Service has determined that your request does not specifically identify the records which you are seeking. Records must be described in reasonably sufficient detail to enable government employees who are familiar with the subject area to locate records without placing an unreasonable burden upon the agency. See 7 C.F.R. § 1.5(b), and Forest Service Handbook 6209.13. Where possible, a requester should supply specific information regarding dates, titles, names of individuals, names of offices, and name of agencies or organizations that may help identify the records. The FOIA does not require an agency to create new records, answer questions posed by requesters, or attempt to interpret a request that does not identify specific records.

In the event that we do not hear from you within 20 business days from the date of this email, we will assume you are no longer interested in this FOIA request, and the case will be administratively closed. Please be advised that this action is not a denial of your request and will not preclude you from filing other requests in the future.

If you have any questions or concerns related to the processing you’re your request, please let me know.

Thank you,

Alisha

Good morning Caroline,

On November 29, 2018, I asked you to clarify the scope of your request. Re-sending your request unchanged does not constitute clarification. Please address the issues as requested previously. Processing will not continue until the scope is clarified as previously addressed. As of November 29, 2018, the processing clock was stopped on your request, and will resume once you address the scope issues in writing.

Please contact me at 505-842-3172 if you would like to discuss any questions related to your request.
Thanks,

Alisha

DearCaroline Haskins, My name isMaria Darby, and I am a Government Information Specialist with Freedom ofInformation staff of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and PlantHealth Inspection Service (APHIS). Ihave been assigned to the above-mentioned Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)request. APHISprocesses FOIA requests by date of receipt, on a first-in, first-outbasis. In an effort to identify andobtain the documents of interest to you, our intake staff previously forwardedyour request to the program office(s) believed to have purview over therecords. When that search has concluded,your case will be assigned a track (simple or complex), based on the complexityand/or volume of the documents identified. Any responsive documents that have been found will then be forwarded tome for review and possible release. Iassure you we will work as quickly as possible to provide you with a thoroughresponse to your request. Ifyou have questions about this e-mail or the processing of your request, pleasecontact me directly at maria.darby@usda.gov or 301-851-4042. Sincerely, Maria Darby

Good morning, Ms. Haskins,

I am the analyst that is assigned to your FIOA Request. The request for documents potentially responsive to your request, is still outstanding with the program office(s) conducting the search. Once the search has concluded and the records returned, your request will be moved in the queue for review and processing. I will work as quickly as possible to provide you with a thorough response to your request. Please contact me directly at maria.darby@usda.gov or 301-851-4042 if you have any questions or concerns about your request.

Warmest Regards,
[cid:image001.png@01DA9BBA.7377BBE0]
Maria E. Darby esq. | Government Information specialist
Legislative and public affairs - FOIA
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Remote worker
maria.darby@usda.gov<mailto:maria.darby@usda.gov>
* 301-851-4042

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