"EPA has changed some of its Freedom of Information Act practices and will now provide requesters more time to clarify their inquiries.

Those requesting agency records under the public records law will have 20 days to respond to questions from FOIA officers, according to an internal EPA email. Also, requests will no longer be summarily closed without a determination from the agency.

'When you seek clarification, please do not communicate to the requester that their request will be considered 'voluntarily withdrawn,'' said Timothy Epp, acting director of EPA's national FOIA office, in the Sept. 12 email to colleagues.

'If a requester fails to provide additional information, and if the deadline has passed, you may send a final determination that includes the standard language for any denial of a FOIA request concerning appeal rights and availability of the public liaison for dispute resolution.'"

Kevin Bogardus reports for Greenwire October 14, 2019. [2]