Region 2

It is EPA policy to make the fullest possible disclosure of information to any requester without unnecessary expense or delay. Before making a request under the FOIA, please make sure the information you seek is not already available on the Region 2 Web site.

The Freedom of Information Act of 1966 firmly establishes the public's right to federal government documents. It generally says that any person has a right, enforceable in court, to obtain copies of documents maintained by the executive branch of the federal government with the exception of those records, or portions thereof, that are protected from disclosure by any of nine exemptions or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions.

Throughout its history, FOIA has been modified to reflect both substantive and procedural reform. For example, the Act was significantly changed to embrace the new electronic era and elevate the use of technology by requiring agencies to make available to the public as much information as possible through their Web sites ("electronic reading room").

Much EPA information is already available to the public without having to make a FOIA request. Look here first:

• The electronic reading room contains documents that are automatically available to the public, as well as those that are frequently requested or popular topics. Please check the reading room for the information you are looking for before submitting a FOIA.
  
  
• EPA offers several different options to submit a FOIA request including, online webform, e-mail, facsimile, and mail.
  
  
  
• Important Information and Databases:
  • Government Funded Science
  • Hazardous Waste Cleanup Information
  • Hazardous Waste Information
  • Air Monitoring Information
  • Waste Water Permit Information
  • Grants Information
  
  
  
• EPA works closely with other agencies that have similar or overlapping missions.
  • US Army Corps of Engineers
  • US Coast Guard
  • US Department of Homeland Security
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service
  • New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
  • Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board [en Español]
  • US Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources