FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST November 26,2018

United States EPA FOIA Office

Department of EPA Community Involvement
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Dear Stephanie Brown:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. 5 U.S.C. §552.

By this letter, I am requesting documents related to Bountiful County regarding reports of

environmental impacts, cleanup/restoration efforts, environmental initiatives, and any records
about pollution generating facilities within this community. From the years, 2005 to 2018. EPA’s
2016 Region 4 Superfund Report expresses making a visible difference in its communities and
advancing environmental justice. Also, an EPA action memo concerning Burlington Cheraw
Industries, located near Bountiful County, a community neighboring the Bottoms, is under
Action Memo for remediation. The Bottoms is situated in Region 4 and within proximity to
Burlington Cheraw Industries, but not mentioned within both documents. There is great need for
prompt and timely disclosure of the documents I requested to adequately inform the Bountiful
County residents and add to the public debate.

Additionally, I am making this request as a community leader within the Bountiful County and
on behalf of its residents. The information will actively inform our community on matters
affecting our public health, environmental safety, family well-being, and provide information to
conduct further research. Through media coverage, non-profit inquiry, individual concerns, and
newspaper publications, the environmental issues affecting Bountiful County has garnered a
national agenda to protect residents. We have already publicly commented and informed our
state representatives of our environmental circumstances affecting our community. These
requested documents will highlight some of the issues already in legal dispute, provide clarity to
our contentions, contribute to the public dialogue, assesses pollution quality standards, and might
prove useful to future legal matters.

We plan for the requested documents to be available to the public, and nearby University of
Vermont Environmental Legal and Science Center to conduct further research. As Bountiful
County are in a legal dispute, these materials will not be utilized for commercial gain. I also
request that any applicable fees be waived to obtaining the documents. For our request, meets the
statutory criteria for the waiver of fees because “in the public interest…furnishing the
information can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public," 5 U.S.C. §
552(a)(4)(A).

To reiterate, I nor the other residents of the Bountiful County intend to use the information for
financial again but only to broaden the on-going legal matter. If the fee waiver is somehow
denied, while I will invoke my right to appeal the decision, I am willing to pay $25 to handle
costs incurred from search and duplication of our requested materials. I hope that this letter is
demonstrative and qualifying for a full waiver of fees that will allow the requested materials to
be sent at no charge.

The documents requested are not meant to be exclusive, though not specifically requested, if any
other materials have a relationship to our subject it should also be released.

If accesses to any of the requested materials are denied, the language of FOIA notes if only
portions of the requested records are exempted from release, the remaining files must be
released. Therefore, l request that I receive all non-exempt parts which are capable of being
separated and that the deleted materials be described in detail, as to give reason to the statutory
basis of such denial and justifications as it applies. Also, please state your reasons for denying
your discretionary powers to release the requested documents for the interest of the public. We
feel, in case of an appeal, such statements will assist in determining if a failure to release
requested information was a warranted determination. Written justification might also avoid
unneeded litigation with the EPA. As mentioned, the residents of the Bountiful and I reserve our
right to appeal the withholding or deletion of any information. We expect that you will provide
the office address where an appeal can be sent and received.

Lastly, I anticipate you will make the materials requested available within the prescribed period
of FOIA. That access to documents will be granted within 20 working days from the date you
receive this letter. As statutorily mandated, failure to respond in a timely fashion will be viewed
as a denial of this request and an appeal may be filed. Thank you for your consideration, and
speedy reply in advance! If there are any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email
me at ricardoedwards@vermont.edu or call (706)-575-5904.

Sincerely,

Ricardo J.J. Edwards Jr.

12 Main St
Bottoms, SC
111.222.3333
info@ctb.com