Kirtland Air Force Base Jet Fuel Spill [EPA]
| Tracking # |
EPA-R6-2017-009685 |
| Submitted | July 21, 2017 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Rich Jones
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
Any and all relevant and adjacent documents, memorandum, digital and analog communications, phone records, invoices, PowerPoint presentations, written reports, emails, letters to and from the public, letters to and from the press, communications with any other federal or local agencies, including the United States Air Force, communications with other EPA regions, and any other related files referring to the Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill, dating back until January 1, 1999. Please also forward a copy of this request to all other relevant EPA regions.
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,
Rich Jones
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=090004d28145135c)
* Tracking Number: EPA-HQ-2017-009685
* Requester Name: SRich Jones
* Date Submitted: 07/21/2017
* Request Status: Submitted
* Description: Requesting any and all relevant and adjacent documents, memorandum, digital and analog communications, phone records, invoices, PowerPoint presentations, written reports, emails, letters to and from the public, letters to and from the press, communications with any other federal or local agencies, including the United States Air Force, communications with other EPA regions, and any other related files referring to the Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill, dating back until January 1, 1999. Please also forward a copy of this request to all other relevant EPA regions.
From: Terry, Martha E. (HQ-NN000)
For requester Ansel Halliburton.
From: r6foia@epa.gov
The FOIA request EPA-HQ-2017-009685 has had its Tracking Number changed to EPA-R6-2017-009685. 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-2017-009685
* New Tracking Number: EPA-R6-2017-009685
* Requester Name: SRich Jones
* Date Submitted: 07/21/2017
* Long Description: Requesting any and all relevant and adjacent documents, memorandum, digital and analog communications, phone records, invoices, PowerPoint presentations, written reports, emails, letters to and from the public, letters to and from the press, communications with any other federal or local agencies, including the United States Air Force, communications with other EPA regions, and any other related files referring to the Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill, dating back until January 1, 1999. Please also forward a copy of this request to all other relevant EPA regions.
From: r6foia@epa.gov
07/25/2017 11:14 AM FOIA Request: EPA-R6-2017-009685
Dear Mr. Jones:
The EPA Region 6 office received your FOIA Request: EPA-R6-2017-009685 in which you requested the following:
Requesting any and all relevant and adjacent documents, memorandum, digital and analog communications, phone records, invoices, PowerPoint presentations, written reports, emails, letters to and from the public, letters to and from the press, communications with any other federal or local agencies, including the United States Air Force, communications with other EPA regions, and any other related files referring to the Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill, dating back until January 1, 1999. Please also forward a copy of this request to all other relevant EPA regions.
As submitted, your request is not a proper FOIA request because it does not reasonably describe the records sought as required by both the FOIA statute and the Agency's regulations. See 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(3)(A); 40 C.F.R. § 2.102(c). In order for us to process your request, you 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).
Your assistance with the following questions are needed. Where did the Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill occur? When did it occur? Which federal or local agencies' correspondences are requested? Please be specific with the name of these agencies. Please provide a contact phone number. Please also provide your organization or describe whether this request is being made for personal use or business use. We need your decision on whether you are requesting publicly available information only or would you like a denial log of confidential business information (CBI). If there is any confidential business information found, please tell us if would you like to have this CBI substantiated at an additional expense. CBI substantiation is generally at minimum a one year process and an estimated additional $1,000 dollars. If documents are withheld under any other FOIA exemptions, please inform us if you require a denial log when any documents are withheld under any other non-CBI exemptions. If you request a denial log, please note it may take longer to process your FOIA request.
In addition, you may wish to obtain records from the Air Force at http://www.foia.af.mil/ . (http://www.foia.af.mil/)
Please contact me with clarifying information before August 09, 2017. In the meanwhile your FOIA request is currently on hold. We will assume you are voluntarily withdrawing your FOIA request if we do not receive a response before August 09, 2017.
Sincerely,
Nancy Ho
EPA Region 6 FOIA Team
From: Rich Jones
Hello, Nancy.
Here are the answers to your question:
> Where did the Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill occur?
The Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill occurred at Kirtland Air Force Base. The Kirtland Air Force Base is headquarted at 2000 Wyoming Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123. Public reporting so far estimates that 6 to 24 million gallons of extremely carcinogenic, ethylene dibromide containing jet fuel has been released into the soil at the site over the past few decades, making it the largest toxic contamination of an aquifer in United States history.
> When did it occur?
It began in the 1950s and occurred continuously until it was discovered in the mid 1990s.
> Which federal or local agencies' correspondences are requested? Please be specific with the name of these agencies.
Specifically, the Bernalillo County city council, the New Mexico Environment Department, the Albuquerque Water Utility Authority and the United States Air Force, particularly the staff of the base itself.
> Please provide a contact phone number.
I can be reached at this email address.
> Please also provide your organization or describe whether this request is being made for personal use or business use.
This request is being made as part of a non-profit public investigation through the transparency service MuckRock. All documents released will be made directly available to the public.
> We need your decision on whether you are requesting publicly available information only or would you like a denial log of confidential business information (CBI).
I am only seeking information that legally belongs to the public.
Thank you!,
Rich Jones
From: r6foia@epa.gov
07/25/2017 02:29 PM FOIA Request: EPA-R6-2017-009685
Dear Mr. Jones:
The EPA Region 6 office received your clarifications for FOIA Request: EPA-R6-2017-009685. Please confirm that the following accurately captures your revised FOIA request.
Requesting only publicly available information between EPA Region 6 and the Bernalillo County city council, the New Mexico Environment Department, the Albuquerque Water Utility Authority and the United States Air Force regarding Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill, dating back until January 1, 1999. The Kirtland Air Force Base is headquarted at 2000 Wyoming Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123. Public reporting so far estimates that 6 to 24 million gallons of extremely carcinogenic, ethylene dibromide containing jet fuel has been released into the soil at the site over the past few decades, making it the largest toxic contamination of an aquifer in United States history. It began in the 1950s and occurred continuously until it was discovered in the mid 1990s.
Please provide the name of the organization you are affiliated with.
Your request will begin being processed once we receive your confirmation.
Sincerely,
Nancy Ho
EPA Region 6 FOIA Team
From: r6foia@epa.gov
08/09/2017 02:53 PM FOIA Request: EPA-R6-2017-009685
Dear Mr. Jones:
Please see attached letter regarding your FOIA Request: EPA-R6-2017-009685.
In the meanwhile, we would like to inform you that may also wish to obtain records from the New Mexico Environment Department which may have records related to your request. See the following link:
https://www.env.nm.gov/public-record-request/
Sincerely,
Nancy Ho
EPA Region 6 FOIA Team
From: r6foia@epa.gov
EPA-R6-2017-009685 has been processed with the following final disposition: Request withdrawn.
From: Rich Jones
I do not withdraw my request. The name of the organization I am affiliated with is MuckRock. Please complete the request.
Thank you,
Rich Jones
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 July 21, 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-R6-2017-009685.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: R6 FOIA
Dear Mr. Jones,
Your FOIA request was closed in August 2017 with that includes the following correspondence.
An email was sent to you from the FOIAonline system on July 25, 2017 providing you the opportunity to clarify the records that you are seeking so that EPA can process your request. We
have not received additional information from you. Therefore, EPA Region 6 is administratively closing your FOIA Request as withdrawn. You may resubmit a complete FOIA request at any
time at https://foiaonline.regulations.gov/foia/action/public/home . If you decide to resubmit the FOIA request, please clarify and be specific with the type of information you are looking for.
There is no charge to re-submit your FOIA request using the link above. You need to provide a fee commitment though for the actual processing search/review needed that we will bill you after your FOIA request is complete.
In addition, we had also previously asked you to provide clarification on July 25, 2017 that includes the following:
The EPA Region 6 office received your clarifications for FOIA Request: EPA-R6-2017-009685. Please confirm that the following accurately captures your revised FOIA request.
Requesting only publicly available information between EPA Region 6 and the Bernalillo County city council, the New Mexico Environment Department, the Albuquerque Water Utility Authority and the United States Air Force regarding Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill, dating back until January 1, 1999. The Kirtland Air Force Base is headquarted at 2000 Wyoming Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123. Public reporting so far estimates that 6 to 24 million gallons of extremely carcinogenic, ethylene dibromide containing jet fuel has been released into the soil at the site over the past few decades, making it the largest toxic contamination of an aquifer in United States history. It began in the 1950s and occurred continuously until it was discovered in the mid 1990s. Date range of records requested is (fill in the blank).
Please provide the name of the organization you are affiliated with.
Please provide a phone number where we may reach you.
Please provide the type of records you are looking for … for example, violation, Enforcement, Superfund, sample results for (please list name of contaminants), remedial actions.
Please re-submit your FOIA request providing us with the additional information that we need in order to begin processing it.
Sincerely,
Nancy Ho
EPA Region 6 FOIA Team
From: requests@muckrock.com [mailto:requests@muckrock.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2017 4:01 AM
To: R6 FOIA <R6FOIA@epa.gov>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information Request #EPA-R6-2017-009685
October 18, 2017
Environmental Protection Agency
National Freedom of Information Officer
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (2822T)
Washington, DC 20460
This is a follow up to request number EPA-R6-2017-009685:
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on July 21, 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-R6-2017-009685.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
---
On Sept. 18, 2017:
I do not withdraw my request. The name of the organization I am affiliated with is MuckRock. Please complete the request.
Thank you,
Rich Jones
---
On Aug. 9, 2017:
EPA-R6-2017-009685 has been processed with the following final disposition: Request withdrawn.
---
On Aug. 9, 2017:
08/09/2017 02:53 PM FOIA Request: EPA-R6-2017-009685
Dear Mr. Jones:
Please see attached letter regarding your FOIA Request: EPA-R6-2017-009685.
In the meanwhile, we would like to inform you that may also wish to obtain records from the New Mexico Environment Department which may have records related to your request. See the following link:
https://www.env.nm.gov/public-record-request/
Sincerely,
Nancy Ho
EPA Region 6 FOIA Team
---
On July 25, 2017:
07/25/2017 02:29 PM FOIA Request: EPA-R6-2017-009685
Dear Mr. Jones:
The EPA Region 6 office received your clarifications for FOIA Request: EPA-R6-2017-009685. Please confirm that the following accurately captures your revised FOIA request.
Requesting only publicly available information between EPA Region 6 and the Bernalillo County city council, the New Mexico Environment Department, the Albuquerque Water Utility Authority and the United States Air Force regarding Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill, dating back until January 1, 1999. The Kirtland Air Force Base is headquarted at 2000 Wyoming Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123. Public reporting so far estimates that 6 to 24 million gallons of extremely carcinogenic, ethylene dibromide containing jet fuel has been released into the soil at the site over the past few decades, making it the largest toxic contamination of an aquifer in United States history. It began in the 1950s and occurred continuously until it was discovered in the mid 1990s.
Please provide the name of the organization you are affiliated with.
Your request will begin being processed once we receive your confirmation.
Sincerely,
Nancy Ho
EPA Region 6 FOIA Team
---
On July 25, 2017:
Hello, Nancy.
Here are the answers to your question:
> Where did the Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill occur?
The Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill occurred at Kirtland Air Force Base. The Kirtland Air Force Base is headquarted at 2000 Wyoming Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123. Public reporting so far estimates that 6 to 24 million gallons of extremely carcinogenic, ethylene dibromide containing jet fuel has been released into the soil at the site over the past few decades, making it the largest toxic contamination of an aquifer in United States history.
> When did it occur?
It began in the 1950s and occurred continuously until it was discovered in the mid 1990s.
> Which federal or local agencies' correspondences are requested? Please be specific with the name of these agencies.
Specifically, the Bernalillo County city council, the New Mexico Environment Department, the Albuquerque Water Utility Authority and the United States Air Force, particularly the staff of the base itself.
> Please provide a contact phone number.
I can be reached at this email address.
> Please also provide your organization or describe whether this request is being made for personal use or business use.
This request is being made as part of a non-profit public investigation through the transparency service MuckRock. All documents released will be made directly available to the public.
> We need your decision on whether you are requesting publicly available information only or would you like a denial log of confidential business information (CBI).
I am only seeking information that legally belongs to the public.
Thank you!,
Rich Jones
---
On July 25, 2017:
07/25/2017 11:14 AM FOIA Request: EPA-R6-2017-009685
Dear Mr. Jones:
The EPA Region 6 office received your FOIA Request: EPA-R6-2017-009685 in which you requested the following:
Requesting any and all relevant and adjacent documents, memorandum, digital and analog communications, phone records, invoices, PowerPoint presentations, written reports, emails, letters to and from the public, letters to and from the press, communications with any other federal or local agencies, including the United States Air Force, communications with other EPA regions, and any other related files referring to the Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill, dating back until January 1, 1999. Please also forward a copy of this request to all other relevant EPA regions.
As submitted, your request is not a proper FOIA request because it does not reasonably describe the records sought as required by both the FOIA statute and the Agency's regulations. See 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(3)(A); 40 C.F.R. § 2.102(c). In order for us to process your request, you 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).
Your assistance with the following questions are needed. Where did the Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill occur? When did it occur? Which federal or local agencies' correspondences are requested? Please be specific with the name of these agencies. Please provide a contact phone number. Please also provide your organization or describe whether this request is being made for personal use or business use. We need your decision on whether you are requesting publicly available information only or would you like a denial log of confidential business information (CBI). If there is any confidential business information found, please tell us if would you like to have this CBI substantiated at an additional expense. CBI substantiation is generally at minimum a one year process and an estimated additional $1,000 dollars. If documents are withheld under any other FOIA exemptions, please inform us if you require a denial log when any documents are withheld under any other non-CBI exemptions. If you request a denial log, please note it may take longer to process your FOIA request.
In addition, you may wish to obtain records from the Air Force at http://www.foia.af.mil/ . (http://www.foia.af.mil/)
Please contact me with clarifying information before August 09, 2017. In the meanwhile your FOIA request is currently on hold. We will assume you are voluntarily withdrawing your FOIA request if we do not receive a response before August 09, 2017.
Sincerely,
Nancy Ho
EPA Region 6 FOIA Team
---
On July 25, 2017:
The FOIA request EPA-HQ-2017-009685 has had its Tracking Number changed to EPA-R6-2017-009685. 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-2017-009685
* New Tracking Number: EPA-R6-2017-009685
* Requester Name: SRich Jones
* Date Submitted: 07/21/2017
* Long Description: Requesting any and all relevant and adjacent documents, memorandum, digital and analog communications, phone records, invoices, PowerPoint presentations, written reports, emails, letters to and from the public, letters to and from the press, communications with any other federal or local agencies, including the United States Air Force, communications with other EPA regions, and any other related files referring to the Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill, dating back until January 1, 1999. Please also forward a copy of this request to all other relevant EPA regions.
---
On July 24, 2017:
For requester Ansel Halliburton.
---
On July 21, 2017:
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=090004d28145135c)
* Tracking Number: EPA-HQ-2017-009685
* Requester Name: SRich Jones
* Date Submitted: 07/21/2017
* Request Status: Submitted
* Description: Requesting any and all relevant and adjacent documents, memorandum, digital and analog communications, phone records, invoices, PowerPoint presentations, written reports, emails, letters to and from the public, letters to and from the press, communications with any other federal or local agencies, including the United States Air Force, communications with other EPA regions, and any other related files referring to the Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill, dating back until January 1, 1999. Please also forward a copy of this request to all other relevant EPA regions.
---
On July 21, 2017:
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
Any and all relevant and adjacent documents, memorandum, digital and analog communications, phone records, invoices, PowerPoint presentations, written reports, emails, letters to and from the public, letters to and from the press, communications with any other federal or local agencies, including the United States Air Force, communications with other EPA regions, and any other related files referring to the Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel spill, dating back until January 1, 1999. Please also forward a copy of this request to all other relevant EPA regions.
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,
Rich Jones
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