WatchDog TipSheet

The Labor Department's Mine Safety and Health Administration finally released its Freedom of Information Act annual reports — after fighting veteran FOIA requester Mike Ravnitsky for some 18 months.

A series of drinking-water contamination incidents have raised doubts about EPA's safety claims regarding hydraulic fracturing in domestic gas wells. And it's hard for people to get to the bottom of those claims when the identity of the chemicals injected during the process is protected as a "trade secret."

The Freedom of Information Act is still one of the most powerful tools in a reporter's toolbelt. Here's our short list of useful FOIA helpers.

Twelve states sued EPA Oct. 28, 2007, over the agency's cutbacks in data available to communities about the toxic threats presented to them by nearby industrial plants.

SEJ President Timothy B. Wheeler testified before a full committee oversight hearing of the House Natural Resources Committee, that a proposed rule governing photography in National Park System units and Wildlife Refuges could restrict media access to these public lands and limit their coverage of natural resource issues.

EPA still has not complied with requests from two Congressional investigating committees for documents on its decision to deny California and some 16 other states waivers allowing them to regulate tailpipe greenhouse emissions.

EPA says it can tell you how much of the herbicide atrazine may be in your drinking water - but you will have to swear not to tell anyone.

The New York City Council is considering a bill that would make it illegal for a citizen to test - without police permission - the environment for toxic or pathogenic conditions.

Omnibus 2008 Appropriations Bill (PL 110-161) signed by President Bush Dec. 26, 2007, ordered him to reopen EPA libraries shuttered by his administration and earmarked some $3 million to restore them.

The Interior Department is responding to allegations of corruption and political interference with wildlife law enforcement by clamming up.