Thursday, March 25, 2004

Interior Network Back Online   Most parts of the Interior Department are again connected to the Internet, and the DOI's main and bureau Web sites were yesterday made available to the public once more. A principal exception is the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The U.S. Court of Appeals (D.C. Circuit) on March 24, 2004, granted emergency stay of a U.S. District Court injunction which unplugged most of Interior's computer systems on March 15th. Interior release. 2:27:50 PM

Idaho Enviro Groups Sue Forest Service over Trail Info   Two Idaho environmental groups seeking geographical information about trails in the Panhandle National Forest are suing the Forest Service over fees they say thwart legitimate FOIA access. The Lands Council and the Selkirk Conservation Alliance FOIA'd computerized geographic data on snowmobile trails, recreation areas, and old growth stands. The Forest Service refused to provide the information without payment, and the groups say they are legally entitled to waiver of those fees. The Forest Service in this case is extending the realm of information it asks fees for. It cites a requirement for fees in the 1938 Agricultural Adjustment Act, which it says trumps fee waiver provisions under the 1966 Freedom of Information Act.   -- "Environmental Groups Sue Forest Service," Bonner County Daily Bee, March 21, 2004, by Lucy Dukes. 2:13:56 PM

NRDC Files FOIA Suit on Perchlorate Against EPA, DOD, OMB   The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed a lawsuit March 24, 2004, seeking information related to perchlorate contamination of drinking water from the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Defense, and White House Office of Management and Budget.   NRDC had sought documents under the Freedom of Information Act they believe would show "defense industry and White House pressure to delay or kill federal health standards for a chemical that has contaminated drinking water supplies for millions of Americans," according to an NRDC release. NRDC says the agencies have not provided the information it has a legal right to, and filed suit in a federal district court in Los Angeles.   -- NRDC: Release of March 24, 2004, (Contact Daniel Hinerfeld, 310-434-2300; or Elliott Negin, 202-289-2405).   1:19:50 PM