12. April. 1999
Melvina Taylor
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) specialist for Ohio
EPA, Region 5
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
sent via FAX
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE +
NORTHEAST OHIO OFFICE
Humanity House
513 West Exchange St.
Akron, Ohio
-
44302
330-253-7151 or 330-253-7204
Fax 330-996-4664
Respectfully,
Co (
oleridge
'rector
Dear Ms. Taylor,
Pursuant to the federal Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. s. 552, I request all documents
(letters, email messages, notes and phone transcripts) between Mr. Timothy Thurlow and all
branches/divisions/agencies/offices/units of the U.S. Army between December 15, 1998 and
April 8, 1999 concerning the Industrial Excess Landfill (IEL) in Uniontown, Ohio.
In particular, I request all such documents between the period January 20 and February 28. This
is roughly the 30-day period requested for an extension by the Office of Regional Council to
comply with an earlier FOIA request by our organization. The reason stated for the extension in a
January 25 letter from Deborah Garber, Chief, Section I Multi-Media Branch II, was "to allow
the attorney assigned time for consultation, which shall be conducted with all practicable speed,
with another agency having a substantial subject-matter interest in your request." As Ms. Garber
stated to me, the attorney referenced in the letter was Mr, Thurlow and the other agency was the
U. S . Army.
I request that all applicable fees be waived. The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is
a religiously-based, non-profit organization. Release of the requested information is in the public
interest since it will contribute significantly to public understanding of government operations
and activities by either confirming or refuting claims by the public, media, public officials and
regulatory staff of the presence of radiation at the site.
If my request is denied in whole or part, I ask that you justify all deletions by reference to
specific exemptions of the act. I will also expect you to release all segregable portions of
otherwise exempt material. I reserve the right to appeal your decision to withhold any
information or to deny a waiver of fees.
I look forward to your reply within 10 business days, as the statute requires.
Thank you for your assistance.
cc: Nancy S. Marks, Senior Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council
The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker social action organization seeking non-violent solutions to
human problems through promoting understanding and peace and helping those ill and oppressed.