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September 6, 2005
Here Is The Text of a FOIA Request I Faxed to DHS this Morning. (I'm Not Holding My Breath...)
Departmental Disclosure Officer
The Privacy Office
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Arlington, VA 22202
Re: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST
Dear Sir or Madam:
I request production of any and all documents in the possession of the Department of Homeland Security pertaining to "Purple Crescent," a DHS-cosponsored exercise held in New Orleans, Lousiana in October 2003, and to "Purple Crescent II," a DHS-cosponsored exercise held in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 27, 2004.
"Purple Crescent" modeled a terrorist attack against the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
"Purple Crescent II" modeled a hurricane followed by a terrorist attack on computer networks.
I request a waiver of search and duplication fees because disclosure of the information sought is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. Specifically, the requested documents, which I intend to write about and publish on my weblog, http://www.isthatlegal.org, will assist the public in understanding the types of preparations that DHS was engaged in for the City of New Orleans in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
I also request that this FOIA request be expedited because the matter involved is one of exceptional need or urgency. Specifically, there is currently intense public debate about the degree of preparedness of various federal, state, and local agencies for catastrophic flooding of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The prompt dissemination of information about DHS's specific disaster scenarios for New Orleans ("Purple Crescent" and "Purple Crescent II") is crucial to an accurate public understanding.
Sincerely,
Eric L. Muller
George R. Ward Professor
University of North Carolina School of Law
CB #3380
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
(919) 962-7067
Posted by Eric at September 6, 2005 11:51 AM
Comments
AWESOME! If you could, any information you can get/are willing to share in this area, I'd really appreciate. As a resident of Houma, living in Kenner, and Loyola Law 3L, I was actually looking into legal career opportunities in the Coastal Management/Restoration area prior to Katrina. I have quite a few sites that I located (but obviously have not had the opportunity to review recently) on these areas that I'm sure discuss the probabilities and research on damage, etc. if you're interested in them. If you don't have it from my postings to the Loyno blog, my e-mail is kasliner@hotmail.com.
Posted by: Kas Liner at September 6, 2005 12:47 PM
You might also want to request info on Hurricane Pam.
Posted by: Roch101 at September 6, 2005 2:28 PM
Excellent work! Thank you.
Posted by: David Marshall at September 6, 2005 6:39 PM
Eric:
I have access to some inexpensive scuba gear. Let me know if you want it.
Posted by: marietta at September 6, 2005 8:55 PM
I wonder if anyone at FEMA/DHS requested deployment of DoD resources, which they were authorized to do. See 44 CFR ยง 206.34:
During the immediate aftermath of an incident which may ultimately qualify for a Presidential declaration of a major disaster or emergency, when threats to life and property are present which cannot be effectively dealt with by the State or local governments, the Associate Director may direct DOD to utilize DOD personnel and equipment for removal of debris and wreckage and temporary restoration of essential public facilities and services.
Posted by: BTD Venkat at September 7, 2005 3:37 AM