WDFW Public Record Requests

[olyguy79]

FOIA is for federal agencies
PDR is for WA state agencies

Some WA agencies will only accept your request if you actually say PDR, if you say FOIA they'll say they're not governed by FOIA.

Amazing how using the correct verbiage is the main barrier to information many times.

When i was researching information for the Archery Club it was so much easier to ask for information in person since I was a layperson and knew none of the technical terms. It was harder because I had to meet up at thier convience  but worth the effort.

As it should be.

If you get a ticket for speeding but the officer accidentally wrote the statute for running a stop sign, the government will have to amend the citation or the judge can dismiss the case and the government can issue a citation with the correct statute. The judge isn't going to say "well you know what the officer means..." Well shouldn't citizens be held to the same standard? If someone calls up WDFW (or any state agency) and says I want to FOIA xyz I see no problem with the agency saying sorry we aren't obligated to follow FOIA.

There's a lot of internet wannabe "experts" who see one thing and assume it applies to everything. People assume FOIA is for all government, nope just federal. Probably cause is needed for an arrest, sorry nope it's probable cause. We elect representatives to a "state congress", nope WA doesn't have a congress it has a state legislature. And so on.....

[Bob33]

There's a lot of internet wannabe "experts" who see one thing and assume it applies to everything. People assume FOIA is for all government, nope just federal. Probably cause is needed for an arrest, sorry nope it's probable cause. We elect representatives to a "state congress", nope WA doesn't have a congress it has a state legislature. And so on.....

There are also a lot of well meaning people who don't file FOIA/PDR requests every day. Many may file only one in their lifetime. I would certainly expect a higher degree of knowledge from someone writing a traffic ticket to someone doing something he's never done before, and probably never will again.

Yes, they can be treated by government agencies like idiots and ignored for not using the proper language. Is that the type of government we want?

[Special T]

My research was made easier by my easy going attitude and flexible schedual.

My point is that using the correct terminology makes the process easier face to face and very difficult if you don't know it in writing. Everyone that helped me was polight and professional despite my ignorance. Acknoleging your personal shortcomings, face to face contact, and polight mess goes a long way.

You only get to play hard nosed super sluth when you know the verbiage, how the system works, and your pretty sure you know the answer but need physical proof for a lawsuit.  If you have to ask about doing a FOIA request you not a super sluth.

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[Special T]

There's a lot of internet wannabe "experts" who see one thing and assume it applies to everything. People assume FOIA is for all government, nope just federal. Probably cause is needed for an arrest, sorry nope it's probable cause. We elect representatives to a "state congress", nope WA doesn't have a congress it has a state legislature. And so on.....

There are also a lot of well meaning people who don't file FOIA/PDR requests every day. Many may file only one in their lifetime. I would certainly expect a higher degree of knowledge from someone writing a traffic ticket to someone doing something he's never done before, and probably never will again.

Yes, they can be treated by government agencies like idiots and ignored for not using the proper language. Is that the type of government we want?

The issue of written requests is a benifit and hindrance. Written responce s are binding so they must me super careful. After talking with a agency employee and interpreting my polight butchering of terms, I was given thier email to request in writing the documentation. I did it on my phone and had a copy in less than 30 min.

Just like some people Visio cops to document, civil service folks want documentation to prove they filled the letter of the law.

FYI I've always found that buying a friend of a friend a cold one, explaining the situation and what documents or verbiage to use is the best $ ever spent!

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