xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b015_0647_0780_001
Please find attached a FOIA request dated Oct. 5, 2015. Let me know if you have any trouble opening the file.
Thanks much,
Ryan Felton
Journalist
Detroit, MI
734.353.2221
ryanfelton.tumblr.com
Twitter: @ryanfelton13
Ryan Felton
Journalist
Detroit, MI
734.353.2221
ryanfelton.tumblr.com
Twitter: @ryanfelton13
xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b015_0647_0780_002
Pursuant to the state Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et. seq.) I request access to and copies of
the following:
e Any and all communications that pertain to the quarterly test results from December 2014 of the
water in the City of Flint between any and all employees of the Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality that were made between Dec. 1, 2014 and Jan. 1, 2015;
e@ Any and all records dated between Dec. 1, 2014 and Jan. 1 2014 that pertain to the routine
quarterly testing of water in the city of Flint that was conducted in December 2014.
For the purposes of this request, “records” should include information of any kind, including letters,
memoranda, notes, applications, completed forms, studies, reports, reviews, guidance documents,
policies, documents, databases, drawings, graphs, charts, photographs, minutes of meetings, electronic
and magnetic recordings of meetings. In addition, “communications” should include any correspondence,
telephone conversations, telefaxes, and emails -- as well as any other compilation of data from which
information can be obtained. Without limitation, the records requested include records at any stage of
development, whether proposed, draft, pending, interim, final or otherwise. All such records are included
in this request if they are in the possession of or otherwise under the control of the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality.
In order to help to determine my status for purposes of determining the applicability of any fees, you
should know that I am a journalist with the Guardian, and this request is made as part of news gathering
and not for commercial use.
T understand that a fee will be assessed for copies of public records in the amount prescribed under state
law. I am willing to pay fees for this request up to a maximum of $100. If you estimate that the fees
will exceed this limit, please inform me first. Fees must be limited to the actual costs of labor and
copying, and the means for copying must be the most economical available, pursuant to MCI 15.234(1)
and (3). Fees may only be assessed based on procedures and guidelines published by the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality. Also, I request a waiver of all fees for this request. Disclosure of
the requested information to me is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to
public understanding of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in my
commercial interest.
Should you decide to invoke a FOIA exemption, or any other exemption under statute, as the basis for
withholding any record responsive to this request, please include in your full or partial denial letter
sufficient information for me to appeal the denial pursuant to MCL 15.235(4)(a). To comply with legal
requirements, the following information must be included:
xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b015_0647_0780_003
e Basic factual material about each withheld item, including the originator, date, length, subject
matter, and location of each item; and
e Explanations and justifications for denial, including the identification of the category within the
governing statutory provision under which the documents (or portion thereof) was withheld and a
full explanation of how each exemption fits the withheld material.
If you determine that portions of a record requested are exempt from disclosure, please redact the exempt
portions and provide the remainder of the record to me.
T also request that records be provided in electronic format wherever possible, including but not limited to
records that are stored or maintained, so as to reduce and avoid labor and printing costs related to
photocopying records. I will provide a media storage device for the records at my expense.
Further, I understand that under state law, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has five
(5) business days to respond to this request, and may issue a notice extending the time for ten (10)
additional business days. Please produce the requested records on a rolling basis; at no point should the
search for — or deliberation concerning — certain records delay the production of other documents.
Tf you find this request is unclear, please contact me immediately so I can clarify the request to simplify
your compliance efforts.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Ryan Felton
(734) 353-2221
[email protected]
xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b015_0647_0780_004
Prysby, Mike (DEQ)