Searchable archives of the biweekly WatchDog TipSheet's story ideas, articles, updates, events and other information with a focus on freedom-of-information issues of concern to environmental journalists in both the U.S. and Canada are posted here on the day of publication. Includes a database of State FOI Resources and Actions. Journalists are eligible for a free email subscription; send name and full contact information to the SEJ office. WatchDog TipSheet is also available via RSS feed. 
Latest WatchDog TipSheet Items
August 25, 2010
Coast Guard Spill-Response Database Offers Near-Real-Time Story Leads
August 25, 2010–The National Response Center, a single call-in facility for the reporting of all kinds of oil and chemicals leaks, spills, and discharges, puts all the data online in a form than can be queried or downloaded.Is 3/4 of White House Credibility on Gulf Spill Impacts Now Gone?
August 25, 2010–Obama administration officials are publicly refusing to disclose data backing up an August 4 report announcing that some three-fourths of the BP oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico was "gone.".PEER Petitions NOAA To Un-Muzzle Agency Scientists
August 25, 2010–Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility says if NOAA repealed its Don't-Tell press policy, agency scientists would again be able to freely talk to the taxpayers about tax-funded research.Poynter Webinar on Oil Spill Coverage: There's Still Time
August 25, 2010–The August 24, 2010 Webinar for journalists offered tips for better coverage of the Gulf oil spill and related issues. You can replay it online.Will Feds Shut Down Independent Research on Gulf Spill Impacts?
August 25, 2010–USFWS officers and DHS agents are not allowing independent academic researchers to study damage from the BP oil spill to natural resources from public lands and waters, saying they are justified by the "Natural Resource Damage Assessment" process under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and "national security," respectively.August 11, 2010
Appeals Court Nixes Permits for Free Speech in National Parks
August 11, 2010–A federal appeals court has ruled that the National Park Service is violating the First Amendment with its current rules requiring permits for demonstrations, gatherings, and public "expressions of views" on National Park System lands.Deep-Sixing the Facts? — Congress Blinds, Hamstrings Oil Spill Commission
August 11, 2010–Before leaving town for its August vacation, Congress stripped $12 million for the commission from an appropriations bill and denied that panel the subpoena power it needs to find out what happened or what should be done to prevent another spill.EPA Gets TRI Data Out Quickly This Year
August 11, 2010–The early release includes only about 80% of the total expected submissions. Updates should be available in August and September, and the agency will release its analysis later in 2010.EPA Offers Air, Water, Sediment, Waste Data from Gulf Oil Spill
August 11, 2010–Reporters can find most of the environmental monitoring data EPA has collected on one webpage in a form that can be queried or downloaded.Fla. Scientists Say Obama Admin Tried To Squelch Oil Plume Findings
August 11, 2010–St. Petersburg Times' Craig Pittman reports the scientists' announcement in May that research boats had discovered a 6-mile long underwater oil plume was greeted with shushing from the Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
