Entity: Department of the Interior

No Records Response from USGS Regarding Communications with Industry Groups

September 25, 2019
The United States Geological Survey stated that it had no records of communications with industry groups. American Oversight filed this request following a change in computer-generated models that the agency uses to model climate change.

FOIA to DOI Seeking Communications Between Joe Balash and Oil Search Ltd.

September 19, 2019
FOIA request to the Department of the Interior seeking communications between former Assistant Secretary Joe Balash and his new employer, Oil Search Ltd. American Oversight seeks information with the potential to reveal, at a minimum, whether and to what extent the former Assistant Secretary afforded his new employer any preferential access or treatment in his official capacity, where he was responsible for land and minerals management. The public deserves confidence that DOI’s decisions relating to mining and energy have been made without undue outside influence.

FOIA to BLM Seeking Records Regarding the Communications and Activities of Acting Director Pendley

September 19, 2019
FOIA request to the Bureau of Land Management seeking records relating to communications between Acting Director Pendley and industry interests, as well as ethics determinations relating to Acting Director Pendley.

News Roundup: Remain in Mexico’s Harmful Effects and Trump’s Dangerous Impatience

August 30, 2019
Immigration officials frequently don't offer language assistance to asylum-seekers forced to return to Mexico, and Trump's rush for a border wall before 2020 raises concerns.

FOIA to DOI Seeking Communications with Trump Campaign Interests

August 30, 2019
FOIA Request to Department of Interior seeking communications from agency officials to President Trump’s reelection campaign or other interests supporting the president’s reelection.

No Records Response from DOI Regarding Communications with Lobbyist Matthew Schlapp Concerning Health and Trade Issues

August 30, 2019
The Department of the Interior stated that it had no communications with Matthew Schlapp or with his lobbying firm Cove StrategiesÑwhich has registered new clients since President Trump took office and has contacted agencies regarding trade and casino issues.

FOIA to USGS Seeking Communications with Industry Groups

August 28, 2019
FOIA request to the Department of the Interior's U.S. Geological Survey seeking communications from political appointees to industry groups.

News Roundup: Political Appointees, Lobbyists and Those In Between

August 23, 2019
This week, we sued the VA for failing to preserve emails that top VA officials sent from personal email accounts to three members of Mar-a-Lago.

Complaint: Western Values Project v. DOI — David Bernhardt’s Communications with Former Employers and Clients

August 21, 2019
Lawsuit filed by American Oversight on behalf of Western Values Project against the Department of the Interior for communications between Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and his former clients during his career as a lobbyist for the oil and gas industry.

FOIA to DOI Seeking Communications with Former Secretary Zinke

August 21, 2019
FOIA to the Department of the Interior seeking email and WhatsApp communications between senior officials and former Secretary Ryan Zinke.