Operation Something Bruin (USFW)

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

Any and all copies of the following related to the multi-agency initiative entitled "Operation Something Bruin":
Written correspondence, contracts, agreements between agencies, budgets, investigative reports, press releases, digital media (photos, videos, etc), and internal investigative documents.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, 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,

Donald Triplett III

July 21, 2014

FOIA Appeals Officer
U.S. Department of Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
MS-6556-MIB
Washington, DC 20240

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT APPEAL

To Whom It May Concern:

This is an appeal of a request made to the US Fish and Wildlife Service cited as FWA/LE ADM 4-08-2014-01083. The request was for:

Any and all copies of the following related to the multi-agency initiative entitled "Operation Something Bruin":
Written correspondence, contracts, agreements between agencies, budgets, investigative reports, press releases, digital media (photos, videos, etc), and internal investigative documents.

In the US Fish and Wildlife Service's reply dated July 17th, I received only two "News Releases" related to my request. The cover letter also covered the Office of Law Enforcement documents that might be responsive to my request, but are currently withheld pending an outcome of ongoing court proceedings.

I do not believe that the two news releases provided were the only documents that could be released to me at this time. Other than press releases and investigative documents, I requested correspondence, contracts, agreements between agencies (as there were five agencies involved in this operation), budgets, digital media, and internal investigative documents (by internal, this implies documents related to any internal investigations of officers involved, if any documents exist).

I have knowledge that an enforcement agreement exists between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the US Fish and Wildlife service that would have covered the time period for this operation in question, and I can assume that a similar agreement also exists between the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Furthermore, I have knowledge that any attachments to the said agreement is held exclusively by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and that Georgia does not have a copy of any of the attachments.

However, this enforcement agreement is just another one of several documents I requested. I would also like any correspondence related to the operation (there should be that correspondence exists outside the documents being withheld pending proceedings), copies of any budgets, and digital media (there were postings of pictures and videos on a now defunct website maintained by the agencies involved, so there must be some digital media that is releasable outside of the pending proceedings).

Finally, as noted above, there is a distinction between investigative documents and internal investigative documents. I would like a copy of any memos/correspondence/other documents regarding any internal investigations that may have been conducted regarding the officers involved.

Sincerely,

Donald G. Triplett, III

This is an additional copy of the appeal sent out on July 21st, which as of August 7th had not been received or acknowledge by your department. An additional copy will be mailed as well.

FOIA Appeals Officer
U.S. Department of Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
MS-6556-MIB
Washington, DC 20240
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT APPEAL
To Whom It May Concern:
This is an appeal of a request made to the US Fish and Wildlife Service cited as FWA/LE ADM 4-08-2014-01083. The request was for:

Any and all copies of the following related to the multi-agency initiative entitled "Operation Something Bruin":
Written correspondence, contracts, agreements between agencies, budgets, investigative reports, press releases, digital media (photos, videos, etc), and internal investigative documents.
In the US Fish and Wildlife Service's reply dated July 17th, I received only two "News Releases" related to my request. The cover letter also covered the Office of Law Enforcement documents that might be responsive to my request, but are currently withheld pending an outcome of ongoing court proceedings.
I do not believe that the two news releases provided were the only documents that could be released to me at this time. Other than press releases and investigative documents, I requested correspondence, contracts, agreements between agencies (as there were five agencies involved in this operation), budgets, digital media, and internal investigative documents (by internal, this implies documents related to any internal investigations of officers involved, if any documents exist).
I have knowledge that an enforcement agreement exists between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the US Fish and Wildlife service that would have covered the time period for this operation in question, and I can assume that a similar agreement also exists between the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Furthermore, I have knowledge that any attachments to the said agreement is held exclusively by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and that Georgia does not have a copy of any of the attachments.
However, this enforcement agreement is just another one of several documents I requested. I would also like any correspondence related to the operation (there should be that correspondence exists outside the documents being withheld pending proceedings), copies of any budgets, and digital media (there were postings of pictures and videos on a now defunct website maintained by the agencies involved, so there must be some digital media that is releasable outside of the pending proceedings).
Finally, as noted above, there is a distinction between investigative documents and internal investigative documents. I would like a copy of any memos/correspondence/other documents regarding any internal investigations that may have been conducted regarding the officers involved.
Sincerely,
Donald G. Triplett, III