The SEJ WatchDog Alert

The WatchDog Alert (formerly WatchDog TipSheet from 2008-2019) was a regular source of story ideas, articles, updates, events and other information with a focus on freedom-of-information issues of concern to environmental journalists in both the United States and Canada.

WatchDog was compiled, edited and written by Joseph A. Davis, who directs the WatchDog Project, an activity of SEJ's Freedom of Information Task Force that reports on secrecy trends and supports reporters' efforts to make better use of FOIA.

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Latest WatchDog Alert Items

September 5, 2012

TOOLBOX: EPA Environmental Impact Statement Database

If you are hunting stories — or useful background for a story under way — you may find a useful tool in EPA's online, searchable Environmental Impact Statement database.

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August 22, 2012

House Considers Quashing Report on Carcinogens

For years, scientists at the National Toxicology Program have published the "Report on Carcinogens," which lists chemicals known to (or believed to) cause cancer. The "12th Report on Carcinogens" was released on June 10, 2011 — will there be a 13th? Some House Republicans want to stop updating and publication of the report.

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Database on Environmental Treaties an Aid for Reporters on Environmental Stories

There are well over a thousand binational or multinational environmental agreements, usually technical and obscure. However, environmental reporters would do well to know about them — to shed light on local stories and to find national or international news. Here's help.

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Two Dead as FDA Refuses To Name Farm That Recalled Melons

The Food and Drug Administration is so far refusing to name a Southwestern Indiana farm that voluntarily recalled its cantaloupes after a Salmonella outbreak last month that killed two people and sickened some 150.

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Will Security Lapse Bring Another EPA Data Blackout?

More than a decade ago, on February 17, 2000, the entire EPA website was taken down for two weeks because of data security concerns raised by the House Energy Committee. There are faint hints that such events may be in the offing again.

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Going to Tampa or Charlotte? Some Resources for Reporters

You wouldn't think you would get arrested for trying to cover the 2012 Democratic convention in Charlotte, NC, September 4 or the Republican convention in Tampa, FL, August 27. But such things have happened before, and reporters have available some resources to support their rights.

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August 8, 2012

Toolbox: Hazmat Table a Key Tool for Environmental Reporters

What's in that derailed railcar or overturned tanker truck? The answer is often visible on a hazmat placard affixed to the vehicle (we suggest binoculars). The placard often includes a "UN number" which you can look up in the "Hazardous Materials Table" published in the Code of Federal Regulations, among other places.

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Senate Balks at Limiting Drinking Water Reports

A bid to drop the legal requirement that drinking water utilities mail annual "Consumer Confidence Reports" reports on any contaminants in water delivered to customers fell short in the Senate June 21, 2012. An amendment, by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA), would have allowed utilities to deliver the CCRs to their customers online, rather than via US Postal Service.

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Reporters Committee Gets New Director

Bruce D. Brown, a former reporter and media lawyer, will be the new executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press — a key advocate for press freedom and freedom of information in the United States.

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Some Unpublished CRS Reports on Environmental Topics: Published

Topics of the latest reports, published by the Federation of American Scientists, include Arctic changes, mountaintop mining controversies, pollution control law enforcement, climate change, midnight rulemaking, scientific papers/security risks, oil sands enviro issues, and fracking/drinking water.

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The SEJ WatchDog Alert

Latest WatchDog Alert Items

September 5, 2012

TOOLBOX: EPA Environmental Impact Statement Database

August 22, 2012

House Considers Quashing Report on Carcinogens

Database on Environmental Treaties an Aid for Reporters on Environmental Stories

Two Dead as FDA Refuses To Name Farm That Recalled Melons

Will Security Lapse Bring Another EPA Data Blackout?

Going to Tampa or Charlotte? Some Resources for Reporters

August 8, 2012

Toolbox: Hazmat Table a Key Tool for Environmental Reporters

Senate Balks at Limiting Drinking Water Reports

Reporters Committee Gets New Director

Some Unpublished CRS Reports on Environmental Topics: Published

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