[*** YOUR ADDRESS ***]

[*** DATE ***]

[*** NAME OF BUREAUCRAT OR FOIA OFFICER - OPTIONAL ***]

FOIA Officer

[*** ADDRESS OF FOIA OFFICER ***]

By Certified Mail - Return Receipt Requested

Re: Freedom of Information Act Request

This is a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. Section 552, on behalf of the [*** NAME OF GROUP such as "Friends of Big Sur," ***] for records relating to, constituting, discussing, concerning, or mentioning [*** DESCRIPTION OF THE DOCUMENTS - such as " the Forest Service's decision to approve the Los Padres Forest Management Plan, the environmental impacts of that decision, or the propriety of that decision." ***]

[*** ADD A FEE WAIVER REQUEST, IF YOU OR YOUR GROUP QUALIFIES]

[We request that you waive any fees associated with this request as provided by the Freedom of Information Act. Friends of Big Sur is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization which uses research, public education, and the law to protect the Los Padres National Forest. Friends of Big Sur routinely disseminates information about Los Padres National Forest and the National Forest Service's management of Los Padres National Forest to the general public in many ways, including through press releases, our Newsletter, fliers, action alerts, and news stories.

Friends of Big Sur will analyze the requested documents to help the public understand the Service's decision-making processes relating to Los Padres National Forest.

Friends of Big Sur will also analyze the requested documents to help the public in understanding the Forest Service's decision-making processes and policies concerning its management of other Forest areas. The requested documents are not in the public domain and no commercial benefit will accrue to Friends of Big Sur from the release of the requested information.]

[*** NAME ***]

This sample letter is Courtesy of Earthlaw -- Environmental Law In the Public Interest and HOPE -- Helping Our Peninsula's Environment.