Group Files FOIA Request for Gov. Docs on Katrina Responses

Sabrina I. Pacifici's excellent blog beSpacific is reporting that Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington has filed Freedom of Information Act requests to the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of State for records related to hurricane Katrina and emergency preparedness. (beSpacific: Group Files FOIA Request for Gov. Docs on Katrina Responses).

Part of my practice includes advising public bodies on freedom of information requests and I understand the significant consumption of resources that requests -- particularly broad ones -- involve. All I can think is that the resources of these departments would be better served dealing with Katrina at this time, not tracking down and collating documents that are currently being generated. The records aren't going anywhere and there will be ample opportunity to get them when the crisis has subsided.