FOIA - How and Where to Submit a Request
A FOIA Request must be submitted in writing. Verbal requests for records made over the telephone are not considered FOIA requests and will not be processed under FOIA. Also, your request must be submitted to the FOIA Office only. Misdirected requests will not be considered 'received' by the Agency until the FOIA Officer receives the request. Therefore, do not direct or send your request to the media programs or staff.
The Agency is required to respond to requests for RECORDS only. Do not use FOIA to submit questions regarding environmental issues. Region 10 will process and provide records in the possession of Region 10. If you wish to receive records located at EPA Headquarters or in another region, please submit your request there.
HQ and Regional FOIA Contacts
No special form or format is required to submit a request. However, be specific in describing the records you want. A request can be made for copies of specific records/documents, for facility or site files or to schedule a file review. For copies of specific documents, list the title and date of document if known. For records related to a specific facility, provide the site name, location and which program you're requesting the records from (Air, Water, Superfund, RCRA, etc.). To schedule a file review, provide date(s) and time you are available to visit our office.
There are several ways to submit a FOIA request. You may send your request via post mail, fax or e-mail. Address your request to the Region 10 FOIA Officer. Your request must include your full address and zip code, area code and phone number. Because there are fees associated with FOIA, you should include a maximum dollar amount you are willing to pay.
Below are example FOIA requests:
- Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like copies of the following reports: Hazardous Waste Generators report for the states of Oregon and Washington, a list of Superfund sites in the cities of Portland, Oregon and Boise, Idaho and a list of facilities with NPDES permits in the state of Alaska. I am willing to pay fees up to $50.00. If the cost exceeds this amount, please contact me before processing my request. I can be reached at (area code and phone number).
- Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to review and select for copying inspection reports and enforcement actions from the RCRA and Air programs from January 1999 to December 2001, for the ABC Chemical Corp. located at 123 4th Street, Seattle, Washington. I am willing to pay processing fees up to $75.00. Please call me at (area code and phone number) to schedule my file review appointment.
- Through the Freedom of Information Act, I would like copies of the following documents: Record of Decision for the ABC Chemical Corp. dated January 1, 1998; the CERCLA 104(e) letter issued to the ABC Chemical Corp. dated February 1, 1994 and their response to the 104(e) . If the fees for processing my request exceeds $100.00, please contact me. Otherwise, bill me and forward the documents to the address listed on this letterhead.
Requesters may request a fee reduction or fee waiver. For more information or to request a fee reduction/waiver, go to Is There a Processing Fee? or fill out the Fee Waiver Justification Form attached in the On-Line FOIA Request Form.
Option 1: Mail via Postal Service
FOIA OFFICER
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900
ETPA-124
Seattle, Washington 98101
Option 2: FAX
(206) 553-0059
Option 3: On-Line FOIA Form
Return to Region 10 FOIA Homepage