Publication Items

Spy Agency To Release Trove of Satellite Photos — But Can Public See Them?

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is about to release millions of feet of film containing aerial images that have been declassified. Such images have in the past been a boon to environmental research. It remains to be seen whether the contractors will charge prices that effectively prevent use by journalists and the public.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Natural Resources
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Spy Agency To Release Trove of Satellite Photos — But Can Public See Them?
Safety Board Objects to Shutdown of Gulf Rig Tests

According to the AP, the Chemical Safety Board, which has been monitoring the testing, wanted further tests to confirm whether a fundamental design flaw may have contributed to failure of the blowout preventer's control pods
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Disasters
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Safety Board Objects to Shutdown of Gulf Rig Tests
Sunshine Week Focuses on Freedom of Information and "Local Heroes"

Sunshine Week is spearheaded by the American Society of News Editors with funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Gridiron Club — with collaboration by a large number of coalition member groups.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Government
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Sunshine Week Focuses on Freedom of Information and "Local Heroes"
Is Corporate Ghostwriting of Journal Articles a Threat to Environmental Information?

Before picking up stories based on journals in the environmental sciences, reporters might pause to ask about those journals' policies on transparency and potential conflict of interest. And then ask about enforcement, and any relevant conflict declarations on the article in question.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Health
Economy & Business
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Is Corporate Ghostwriting of Journal Articles a Threat to Environmental Information?
Utah Governor Signs Controversial Bill Cutting Public Access to Info

Former National Freedom of Information director Coalition Charles N. Davis said the bill "puts Utah in a class of one, alone in an anti-democratic zone in which the governors enjoy almost carte blanche over what information they deign to share with the rabble.”
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Government
Region:
Mountain West (CO ID MT NV UT WY)
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Utah Governor Signs Controversial Bill Cutting Public Access to Info
Supreme Court Strikes Down Misuse of FOIA 'Personnel' Exemption

In the case of Milner v. Department of the Navy, the court rejected an expansive interpretation of the FOIA exemption on personnel matters. And in another FOIA case decided March 1, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations do not have a right of personal privacy that can prevent the federal government from disclosing records about them.
SEJ Publication Types:
WatchDog TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Laws & Regulations
Government
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Supreme Court Strikes Down Misuse of FOIA 'Personnel' Exemption
Feds Unveil New Rural Atlas

USDA's atlas provides data, at the county level, on scores of agricultural, demographic, and economic topics. Or on the national map, pick any given category and get an initial feel for national patterns, then click on individual counties for more detail. All data can be downloaded so you can work with it any way you want, and maps can be downloaded for your use.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
People & Population
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Feds Unveil New Rural Atlas
Local Hunting, Fishing, and Recreation Projects Get Funded

States and territories have just been allocated about three-quarters of a billion dollars for their use in building facilities, providing services, and conducting planning and research related to fishing, hunting, wildlife conservation, and recreational opportunities. This is a gold mine for local environmental stories.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Wildlife
Natural Resources
Fish & Fisheries
Biodiversity
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Local Hunting, Fishing, and Recreation Projects Get Funded
Oil Fracking Poses Similar Concerns As Gas Fracking

EPA is conducting a study of fracking, no matter where it is used (e.g., gas shale, oil shale, coalbed methane, tight sands). Public comment is being allowed as the agency's Science Advisory Board meets March 7-8, 2011, to review the draft study plan. Initial study and research results are possible by the end of 2012, and a report may be published some time in 2014.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Environmental Health
Energy & Fuel
Health
Pollution
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Oil Fracking Poses Similar Concerns As Gas Fracking
Proposed Rule for Power Plant Toxics Due March 16

The consent decree that established the March 16 release date also mandates that a final rule be published by Nov. 16, 2011 (nine years later than the deadline dictated by the Clean Air Act). Here are several tools you can use to get a handle on the power plants and their emissions in your audience area prior to release of the rule.
SEJ Publication Types:
TipSheet
Topics on the Beat:
Pollution
Laws & Regulations
Energy & Fuel
Visibility:
Public
- Read more about Proposed Rule for Power Plant Toxics Due March 16

Publication Items

Spy Agency To Release Trove of Satellite Photos — But Can Public See Them?

Safety Board Objects to Shutdown of Gulf Rig Tests

Sunshine Week Focuses on Freedom of Information and "Local Heroes"

Is Corporate Ghostwriting of Journal Articles a Threat to Environmental Information?

Utah Governor Signs Controversial Bill Cutting Public Access to Info

Supreme Court Strikes Down Misuse of FOIA 'Personnel' Exemption

Feds Unveil New Rural Atlas

Local Hunting, Fishing, and Recreation Projects Get Funded

Oil Fracking Poses Similar Concerns As Gas Fracking

Proposed Rule for Power Plant Toxics Due March 16

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