Congressmen Darrell Issa and Elijah Cummings have proposed a new bill to enhance the ability of private parties to obtain documents through the Freedom of Information Act. The bill, entitled The Oversight and Implementation Act of 2015 (H.R. 653), would limit the ability of federal agencies to withhold information only when the agency reasonably foresaw that disclosure would cause specific identifiable harm and would place the burden on the agency to support the withholding. To avoid the need for redundant requests for documents, it also would require agencies to post all releasable information requested three or more times online in a publicly accessible format. It also imposes a 25 year sunset on the commonly used “deliberative process” exemption under FOIA. In addition, the proposed legislation would provide 90 days to file an appeal if a FOIA request is denied and a right to seek mediation services and dispute resolution before having to file a claim in court.
Temporary Reprieve From Wildfire Insurance Coverage For Forest Service Campground and Day Use Permits
The US Forest Service recently issued a letter asking Regional Foresters to consider requests from holders of campground and day use permits for a one