Saturday, February 07, 2004

Groups Charges CA Fish & Game Suppressed Biologists' Report   Three conservation groups charged that California's Department of Fish and Game (DFG) suppressed a report by biologists recommending immediate protections for the western burrowing owl under the state's  endangered species law. The Center for Biological Diversity, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, and Defenders of Wildlife obtained the document by requesting it under the California Public Records Act.   The Fish and Game Commission in December 2004 had rejected the groups' petition to protect the owl. The 3 groups charged that DFG political appointees suppressed the opinion of agency biologists and hired outside consultants to come up with the report on which the Commission based its decision. Fuller details. 11:18:35 PM

TOOLBOX: Online Searchable Database of Canadian FOI Requests   US journalists might be envious of Canadian counterparts for having an FOI database this useful -- and easy to use.   The "Access to Information" database is a seachable database of requests for information from Canadian federal institutions under the nation's Access to Information Act (ATIA).   A reporter can use the search engine to identify requests that relate to his or her own subject interests. If the requests are interesting, reporters can contact the agencies involved to get the records yielded by the requests. Browsing the database provides a fascinating picture of what various industries and lawyers are up to -- and trove of potential story ideas.   The database is updated monthly, and is maintained by Alasdair Roberts, a professor situated south of the border at Syracuse University -- although he is actually a Canadian.   Further information on the database, instructions for using it, and the search portal itself are available online. Links to other Canadian FOI resources can be found at the same site. 3:44:56 PM