Monday, August 16, 2004

Journalism Groups Join SEJ on Homeland Security Comments   Eleven major journalism groups joined the Society of Environmental Journalists to voice concern over proposed secrecy on environmental impacts of actions by the Department of Homeland Security. SEJ filed official comments July 14, 2004, on a DHS proposal that allowed considerable secrecy in how it carries out the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  After the deadline for comments on the DHS proposal was extended, the Coalition of Journalists for Open Government signed on to an expanded version of the SEJ comments. Among the groups specifically endorsing these comments were the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the Associated Press Managing Editors, the Newspaper Association of America, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the Reporters Committee on Freedom of the Press. Text of comments.   -- "Groups Question Homeland Security Policy," Associated Press via Kansas City Star, Aug. 16, 2004, by Elizabeth Wolfe, free registration required. 9:28:41 PM

Data Challenge Keeps Grass Off Endangered List   The US Fish and Wildlife Service appears to have backed off of a proposal to put the Slickspot peppergrass, a rare plant with no specific use, because of a challenge under the "Data Quality Act," according to the OMB Watcher. Environmentalists and open-government groups have worried that the obscure data law would be used to suppress information or block regulatory action. As reported by OMB Watcher, this case raises interesting questions about how the law can be used to shift the burden of proof and generate new forums of appeal beyond normal regulatory proceedings. The challenger, in this case, was the US Air Force.   -- "Data Quality Challenge Helps Bump Species from Consideration for Endangered List," OMB Watcher, August 9, 2004, published by OMB Watch. 5:14:31 PM

Washington Post: Industries Use Data Law To Evade Regulation   The Washington Post published a 4,600-word feature on the "Data Quality Act," systematically analyzing all major complaints filed under the obscure law. The Post found that it was mostly used by industry groups to thwart government regulations, especially ones posing potential risk to environmental health and safety.   -- "The Fine Print: A Policy Puts Science on Trial; 'Data Quality' Law Is Nemesis Of Regulation," Washington Post, August 16, 2004, by Rick Weiss. 4:43:17 PM