FOIALink

THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

5 U.S.C. Sec. 552, As Amended by Public Law No. 104-231, 110 Stat. 2422
(6) (A) Each agency, upon any request for records made under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection, shall--(i) determine within twenty days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the receipt of any such request whether to comply with such request and shall immediately notify the person making such request of such determination and the reasons therefor, and of the right of such person to appeal to the head of the agency any adverse determination; and (ii) make a determination with respect to any appeal within twenty days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the receipt of such appeal. If on appeal the denial of the request for records is in whole or in part upheld, the agency shall notify the person making such request of the provisions for judicial review of that determination under paragraph (4) of this subsection.

This page updated 25 July 1999

Links to sites with information on the Freedom of Information Act

If you have other good links to sites with FOIA information, or have an idea for a FOIA request
please send me an email note.

FOIA's submitted by the
National Gulf War Resource Center, Inc.

Some documents obtained by the NGWRC through the FOIA process have been provided here. Links to the files are within the particular FOIA request. Each scanned image for a specific FOIA is in a zip file. Download the file, unzip it and use image software to view the documents received.

Other documents may be available but are not provided here. What is provided is an email link. Send me an email for the specific documents and I will email them to you. They have been removed to make room for more information.

Updates to this page since 28 February 1999.
1. Request for AR40-14 added.
2. Request for DU Training Material
3. NRC License request updated
4. Request for NRC Exemptions
5. Request for NRC Sanctions
6. Request for PSOB Analysis of OSAGWI DU report

Updates to 28 February 1999.
1. All times for how long requests have been in process have been updated.
2. Soil Sampling Request updated.
3. Trip Report Request updated.
4. NRC Licenses Request updated.
5. VA DU Health Effects Request
6. CHPPM Soil Sampling Request

Complied
This section contains FOIA requests that have been submitted to a Federal Agency, and that Agency has complied with the request and provided the information requested. There may be links within the request to documents posted to this web site, or an indication of whether the information can be obtained via email.

Not Complied
This section contains requests that have been submitted, and these requests have either been partially complied with, or completely ignored by the agency that is responsible for the requested documents.

Complied

A. H. Passarella August 21, 1997
Freedom of Information and Security Review
2C757
1400 Defense
Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1400

This is a request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

Gen. Hartzog, TRADOC, has issued an order to begin training of soldiers concerning the use and hazards associated with Depleted Uranium munitions. I am not aware of the exact date of this order, but believe it to be sometime in the previous 6 months.

I would like to request a copy of that order, and a list of units or commands that received this order.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 10 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe.

Thank you,

Chris A. Kornkven

Dr. Bernard Rostker 8 Jul 97
Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses
Office of the Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense, Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1000

This request is made under the Freedom of Information Act.

Since the Congressional hearing on 26 June 1997 concerning Depleted Uranium use during Operation Desert Storm I have had conversations with three of your special investigators, Mr. Anders, Mr. Pat Williams and Mr. Jeff Prather, looking into the DU exposure issue. This request pertains to one of those conversations.

On 30 June 1997 I had a conversation with Mr. Jeff Prather in which he stated he took part in a “DU working group at Fort Belvoir during the mid eighties”.

I request copies of all documentation submitted to, or produced by, that working group.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 10 working days and would appreciate
hearing from you within that timeframe. Your assistance in expediting this request on humanitarian grounds would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Chris A. Kornkven

On 30 June 1997 I had a conversation with Mr. Jeff Prather in which he stated Mr. Doug Rokke had submitted documentation to your investigative team showing his concerns with Depleted Uranium during and after Operation Desert Storm. Mr. Prather also stated only one of those documents remains classified, which describes damage to the Abrams Main Battle Tank.

I request copies of all documentation submitted to your team by Mr. Rokke, with the understandable exception of the one classified document.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 10 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe. Your assistance in expediting this request on humanitarian grounds would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Chris A. Kornkven

Director, July 27, 1998
Freedom of Information and Security Review
2C757
1400 Defense
Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1400

This is a request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

On or about 16-17 June 1998, LTG (Ret) Dale A Vesser and other staff of the OSA/GWI conducted a “briefing” for Warren Rudman. This request pertains to that meeting.

I request a copy of the transcript of the “briefing”, any documents or information provided during the “briefing”, and any documents used during the briefing.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 10 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe.

I understand that our being a non-profit organization under the laws of the Internal Revenue Service, and our provision of this material to help others, may exempt our organization from costs associated with processing Freedom of Information Act requests. We would certainly appreciate consideration of exemption from these costs.

Chris A. Kornkven

A. H. Passarella August 21, 1997
Freedom of Information and Security Review
2C757
1400 Defense
Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1400

This is a request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

In a story published in the Hartford Courant on August 14, 1997, written by Mr. Thomas D. (Denny) Williams, Col. Robert Cherrie stated out of 27 soldiers tested for Depleted Uranium contamination from the 144th S & S National Guard unit, no sldier tested positive.

I request a copy of the report Col. Cherrie cited in claiming no soldiers from that unit were contaminated with Depleted Uranium.

I request documentation showing what type of medical testing was provided in determining these soldiers were not contaminated.

I request a copy of the testing protocol the Department of Defense uses in testing soldiers for contamination of Depleted Uranium.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 10 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe.

Thank you,

Chris A. Kornkven

Freedom of Information Act Officer April 23, 1998
Department of Veterans Affairs
(161F)
810 Vermont Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20420

This request is made under the Freedom of Information Act.

On March 25, 1998 the Department of Veterans Affairs held a satellite teleconference concerning the newly changed Depleted Uranium Protocol.

I request the following concerning that issue.

1. I request a complete copy of the videotape of the teleconference, any transcripts from the TV Broadcast that was produced, and a complete copy of the new Protocol.

2. I request a complete copy of the most recent Minutes of Meeting of the Gulf War Expert Scientific Advisory Committee, as well as a complete copy of the Minutes of Meeting of the Gulf War Expert Scientific Advisory Committee held on November 17 and 18, 1997.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 10 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe.

I understand that our being a non-profit organization under the laws of the Internal Revenue Service, and our provision of this material to help others, may exempt our organization from costs associated with processing Freedom of Information Act requests. We would certainly appreciate consideration of exemption from these costs.

Chris A. Kornkven

Chris Kornkven
11 December 1996

Helen Laskowitz
Chief, Persian Gulf War Veterans Registry
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue
Washington, D.C.

Ms. Laskowitz,

Please consider this request to be made under the Freedom of Information Act.
Per our previous conversation I would appreciate you sending me a print-out of the data the Department of Veterans Affairs has on me in the Persian Gulf War Veterans Registry. During our conversation you mentioned the only data in the registry concerning me is from 30 January 1993. This is the print-out I woud like sent immediately.

My full name is: Chris A. Kornkven, SSN:

I would also appreciate a print-out of the data, once it is updated in the Registry, to include the findings/diagnoses from Houston, Oklahoma City and Madison VAMC’s.
Referring to the message you left on my voice mail today (10 Dec 96), I understand Houston, Oklahoma City and Madison will be submitting corrected code sheets. Again, I would appreciate getting a copy of the data that is currently in the registry, and another copy once it is updated.
If at all possible I would appreciate this first copy faxed to:xxx-xxx-xxxx. Please contact me if there is any delay, or if additional data is needed.

Chris A. Kornkven

Robyn Nishimi, Ph. D. 1 January 1997
Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses
1411 K. Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005

Dr. Nishimi:

The board of the National Gulf War Resource Center appreciates the committee allowing our review and comment on the final report prior to its presentation to the President.

I understand the Committee has submitted the final report to the President, as well as the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services, and request a copy of the report immediately.

I am aware that Mr. Charles Sheehan-Miles has submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for a copy of this report, and feel one provided to his committee on Government Relations will be sufficient.

Thank you for your quick attention on this issue.

Sincerely,

Chris Kornkven

NRC Licenses Request
The below request has been in process since submitting the request on July 27, 1998. As of the date of the update of this page listed above this FOIA has been in process for
216 Days

While we have received responses on this request, they have been in the form of a bill from the NRC for the costs associated with their search and copying, or in the form of a denial of our request for exemption. This request remains open pending the determination of our request for exemption from costs in the amount of $3459.36.
We hope to receive an explanation as well as to why the NRC fails to grant exemption of these costs, when two other Federal Agencies have granted an exemption.

This is the first we have been billed for access to federal data that may pertain to our illnesses.

Since posting this page, the NRC has provided a partial response to our request. Considering the bill for the original request was for up to 14,000 documents, and that officials from the NRC stated they had "up to 14,000 documents responsive" I expect to receive many more pages than the approximately 150 pages I have gotten.

UPDATE! The NGWRC has received over 17,000 pages from the NRC responsive to this request. This information dates from 1961 to 1997. The documentation shows the DOD has extensive knowledge of aerosolization of DU, how much soil, plant and water contamination occurs from firing DU, what medical tests are needed after exposure, what protective methods are required, how much training is provided to those that are truly occupational workers, and that the lungs are the critical organ.

FOIA/Privacy Act Officer July 27, 1998
FOIA/LPDR Branch
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Mail Stop T-6 D8
Washington, DC 20555-0001

This is a request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

This request pertains to the Department of Defense, and its licensing for Depleted Uranium handling, storage, disposal and use.
I request a copy of the actual licenses the Department of Defense may have been issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission pertaining to Depleted Uranium. I also request a copy of documentation submitted to support receiving these licenses. This includes any hazardous warnings or safety related guidelines required by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under this licensing, and any plans, guidelines, or directives, to be used by the Department of Defense concerning handling, storage, disposal or use of Depleted Uranium.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 10 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe.

I understand that our being a non-profit organization under the laws of the Internal Revenue Service, and our provision of this material to help others, may exempt our organization from costs associated with processing Freedom of Information Act requests. We would certainly appreciate consideration of exemption from these costs.

Chris A. Kornkven

PSOB DU Analysis request
As of the date of the update of this page listed above this FOIA has been in process for
25 Days

Honorable Warren Rudman, Chairman May 6, 1999
Presidential Special Oversight Board
1401 Wilson Blvd., 4th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036

Dear Senator Rudman:

This is a request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

The Presidential Special Oversight Board has conducted and written an analysis of the OSAGWI Depleted Uranium Environmental Exposure report.

We request a copy of the PSOB analysis of the OSAGWI DU report.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 20 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe.

I understand that our being a non-profit organization under the laws of the Internal Revenue Service, and our provision of this material to help others, may exempt our organization from costs associated with processing Freedom of Information Act requests. Currently, we are considered exempt from FOIA costs by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. We would certainly appreciate consideration of exemption from these costs.

In order to view this documentation, as soon as possible I would like them mailed to:

N6280 County Road P
Helenville, Wisconsin 53137

Thank you,
Chris A. Kornkven

NRC Sanctions request
As of the date of the update of this page listed above this FOIA has been in process for
25 Days

Director May 6, 1999
Division of
Freedom of Information and Publications Services
Office of Administration
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555

This is a request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

This request pertains to Department of Defense holders of NRC Licenses for Depleted Uranium.

Please provide copies of any sanctions, fines, citations, warnings, or any other type of regulatory action that has been taken against Department of Defense License holders for Depleted Uranium from 1988 to present. This includes any regulatory action taken against any individual member of the Department of Defense.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 20 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe.

I understand that our being a non-profit organization under the laws of the Internal Revenue Service, and our provision of this material to help others, may exempt our organization from costs associated with processing Freedom of Information Act requests. We were previously considered exempt from FOIA costs by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. We would certainly appreciate consideration of exemption from these costs.

In order to view this documentation, as soon as possible I would like them mailed to:

N6280 County Road P
Helenville, Wisconsin 53137

Thank you,
Chris A. Kornkven

AR40-14 Request
As of the date of the update of this page listed above this FOIA has been in process for
55 Days

Department of the Army April 6, 1999
Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Office
SAIS-IDP-F/P, Suite 201
1725 Jefferson Davis Hwy.
Arlington, VA 22202-4102

This is a request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

I request a copy of Army Regulation 40-14 "Occupational Ionizing Radiation Personnel Dosimetry" dated 15 March 1982.

This regulation was revised and republished with a date of 30 June 1995. The new regulation should not be mistaken as the regulation requested. The regulation requested is the version dated 15 March 1982.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 20 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe.

If this document is in electronic format, it can be emailed to:

Kornkven@jefnet.com
Thank you,
Chris A. Kornkven

The below request has been in process since submitting the request on 2 Jul 97. As of the date of the update of this page listed above this FOIA has been in process for
698 Days

This request has been flat out ignored by the DOD and OSA/GWI

Dr. Bernard Rostker 2 Jul 97
Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses
Office of the Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense, Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1000

This is a request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

Since Congressman Shays’ hearing on 26 June 1997 concerning Depleted Uranium use during Operation Desert Storm, I have had conversations with three of your special investigators, Mr. Mike Anders, Mr. Pat Williams and Mr. Jeff Prather, investigating the DU exposure issue. This request pertains to one of those conversations.

On 30 June 1997 I had a conversation with Mr. Jeff Prather in which I mentioned tankers in units of the 24th Infantry Division who carried dosimeters or radiation film badges. Mr. Prather stated it was SOP for them to carry them in the event of a nuclear attack, etc. I understand these devices were collected from the troops after the war.

I request copies of all documentation or reports written concerning the data collected in relation to these dosimeters or film badges carried by line personnel.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 10 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe. Your assistance in expediting this request on humanitarian grounds would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Chris A. Kornkven

The below request has been in process since submitting the request on November 1, 1998. As of the date of the update of this page listed above this FOIA has been in process for
211 Days

You might notice that this request was previously submitted to the DOD on 4 December 1997, which means this request has actually been pending for 543 days. Upon calling a contact listed in a response, I was told they "thought" one of the individuals listed in the original request worked for the Army, so they sent the request to them.
The language in the original request is clear, “the trip report and copies of all documents obtained during the trip made by Mr. Pat Williams and Mr. Chase of the DOD’s Gulf War Illness investigation team"

Director, November 1, 1998
Freedom of Information and Security Review
2C757
1400 Defense
Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1400

Attention: Shirley

This letter is in response to our telephone conversation on October 30, 1998 in which we were discussing FOIA requests from the National Gulf War Resource Center, Inc. Specifically, we were discussing a non-response to a request for a trip report from the staff of OSA/GWI.

I apologize if the request was not adequately worded to determine who should have responded to the request. I have attached the original request for your information.

The original request was for:

“the trip report and copies of all documents obtained during the trip made by Mr. Pat Williams and Mr. Chase of the DOD’s Gulf War Illness investigation team. This trip was made to the home of Captain Doug Rokke, USAR, on October 28, 1997. Also present during the meeting were Mr. Paul Sullivan, Executive Director, National Gulf War Resource Center, Inc., and Mr. Dave Parks, Birmingham News.”

Mr Pat Williams and Mr. Chase are both members of staff from OSA/GWI. The trip report was their report to OSA/GWI concerning their trip on October 28, 1997. I understand other documents that may have been gathered during this investigative trip may not be “owned” by OSA/GWI, but the trip report itself was generated by OSA/GWI, and they should be able to respond to that part of the request.

I would appreciate your sending this request to OSA/GWI so they may respond with the report.

Sincerely,

Chris Kornkven

No Compliance
As stated above, the following requests have been ignored by the agency responsible for the documents requested, or have only partially complied with the request.

The below request was denied by the DOD in which they stated the requested material was Copyrighted.

Dr. Bernard Rostker 8 Jul 97
Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses
Office of the Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense, Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1000

This request is made under the Freedom of Information Act.

In a story first carried by the New York Times on May 14 1997 and again by the Army Times on May 26 1997 by Jack Weible, it is noted that the Pentagon funded studies concerning effects of exposure to nerve agents. These requests pertain to those stories.

1. I request copies of any preliminary or other reports related to chemical exposure research conducted by Dr. Mark Prendergast and/or Dr. Jerry Buccafusco.
2. I request copies of preliminary or other reports related to chemical exposure research conducted at Fort Detrick, MD.
3. I request copies of reports pertaining to chemical agent exposure research conducted at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas.
4. I request copies of the report, or data related to the report, “Behavioral Effects of Low-Dose Nerve Agents.”

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 10 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe. Due to recent medical findings concerning me personally, your assistance in expediting this request on humanitarian grounds would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Chris A. Kornkven

Document Log Request
The below request has been in process since submitting the request on 21 August 1997. As of the date of the update of this page listed above this FOIA has been in process for
642 Days

A. H. Passarella August 21, 1997
Freedom of Information and Security Review
2C757
1400 Defense
Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1400

This is a request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

On or about August 8, 1997, in a conversation concerning Freedom of Information Act requests with Ms. Ann Davis, Cousel for the Office of the Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses (OSA/GWI), Ms. Davis stated that each and every document brought into their offices for investigation is “logged in”.

On August 12, 1997, in another conversation with a Mr. Menig (?) of the OSA/GWI offices concerning Freedom of Information Act Requests, it was again stated by him that each and every document brought into the offices were “logged in”.

I request a full and complete copy of any type of log or documentation used in tracking documents, reports, videos, pictures or other materials or information used by the OSA/GWI.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 10 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe.

Thank you,

Chris A. Kornkven

Soil Sampling Request
The below request has been in process since submitting the request on July 27, 1998. As of the date of the update of this page listed above this FOIA has been in process for
309 Days

While we have received a minimal response on this request, it in no way pertains to what was requested.

Shortly after posting this page, I have received information that is responsive to this request from one agency. The information I expected from a different agency has not been provided. I have submitted a subsequent request directly to the agency responsible for the information.

Director, July 27, 1998
Freedom of Information and Security Review
2C757
1400 Defense
Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1400

This is a request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

The Department of Defense has previously conducted collection of samples and testing or measurements of those samples for Depleted Uranium contamination or the presence of radiation in the Middle East, most notably in Kuwait. This request pertains to that activity.
This information may be readily available at the OSA/GWI.

I request a copy of the sampling and test methods used for this activity, and any results obtained from this activity.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 10 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe.

I understand that our being a non-profit organization under the laws of the Internal Revenue Service, and our provision of this material to help others, may exempt our organization from costs associated with processing Freedom of Information Act requests. We would certainly appreciate consideration of exemption from these costs.
Thank you,

Chris A. Kornkven

CHPPM Soil Sampling Request
I have submitted this request directly to CHPPM since DOD provided information from another agency, and not from CHPPM.
CHPPM does have information pertaining to this request since I have some of it posted to my web site, and Bernard Rostker has previously referred to it.
I have yet to receive any response that they have received this request.
As of the date of the update of this page listed above this FOIA has been in process for
105 Days

United States Army Center for Health Promotion February 15, 1999
and Preventive Medicine
5158 Blackhawk Road
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5422

This is a request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

I request all interim or final reports, memoranda, and sample results, concerning air and soil sampling for oil smoke and depleted uranium contamination conducted in the Middle East such as CHPPM Project Number 47-EM-8111-98. I also request correspondence to the Office of the Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses concerning these operations.

This request has been electronically mailed to CHPPM PAO, as well as faxed to: 410-436-8513.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 10 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe.

I understand that our being a non-profit organization under the laws of the Internal Revenue Service, and our provision of this material to help others, may exempt our organization from costs associated with processing Freedom of Information Act requests. Currently, we are considered exempt from FOIA costs by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. We would certainly appreciate consideration of exemption from these costs.

Thank you,

Chris A. Kornkven

Trip Report Request
The below request has been in process since submitting the request on December 4, 1997. As of the date of the update of this page listed above this FOIA has been in process for
543 Days

While we have received items responsive to parts of this request, other parts have been totally ignored.

The item in number 1 has been ignored, those responsible for the documents have stated that we need to contact one of the individuals involved and request he authorize the report be released. It is up to the DOD to contact that individual, who I have spoken with. The individual states, until I had spoken with him, the DOD had never attempted contacting him to request authorization for release.

UPDATE! The above individual has given authorization to OSAGWI over three months ago to release the requested documents. OSAGWI has yet to provide the documents.

The items in numbers 3, 6 and 7 have been ignored.

A. H. Passarella December 4, 1997
Freedom of Information and Security Review
2C757
1400 Defense
Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1400

This is a request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

I request copies of the following:

1. The trip report and copies of all documents obtained during the trip made by Mr. Pat Williams and Mr. Chase of the DOD’s Gulf War Illness investigation team. This trip was made to the home of Captain Doug Rokke, USAR, on October 28, 1997. Also present during the meeting were Mr. Paul Sullivan, Executive Director, National Gulf War Resource Center, Inc., and Mr. Dave Parks, Birmingham News.

2. The “safety message” issued by the Operations Support Directorate on 141130Z Oct 93. The subject of this message is Medical Management of Unusual Depleted Uranium Exposures, and concerns specimen collection and handling regarding exposures to Depleted Uranium. These specimens were to be addressed to the Commander, U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.

3. A copy of the report issued by the U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency. A Dr. Heller prepared the report, with Mr. Dennis Drock listed as the point of contact at: 410-671-2024 ext. 5207.

4. The message issued by the Operations Support Directorate dated 012225Z Jul 93. The subject of this message is Depleted Uranium (DU) Contamination Training. This message was issued to the Commander, TRADOC, Ft. Monroe, VA.

5. The memorandum issued by the Deputy Secretary of Defense on 8 Jul 93 with the subject DU Contamination.

6. The report produced by Commander, TRADOC, Ft. Monroe, VA to the Department of the Army, on the training plan and milestones concerning training for DU contamination.

7. The message dated 261400Z Jul 93 issued by Commander, TRADOC, Ft. Monroe, VA to the Commandant of the Chemical School, Ft. McClellan, AL and to the Commandant, USAOCS, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. The subject of the message was Depleted Uranium (DU) Training.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 10 working days and would appreciate hearing from you at the below address within that timeframe.

I understand that our organization being a non-profit organization under the laws of the Internal Revenue Service, and our provision of this material to help others, may exempt our organization from costs associated with processing Freedom of Information Act requests. We would certainly appreciate consideration of exemption from these costs.

Chris A. Kornkven

UPDATE: Since submitting this request, I have received telephone calls from the FOIA office handling this request for the VA. In one conversation, he stated they had "up to one thousand pages responsive". Since that time, another phone conversation took place with this office who then stated they had nothing responsive "because OSAGWI owns all the documents we have." The VA then sent the FOIA to OSAGWI, who finally responded to the request. What was provided was their DU Fact Sheet, their Environmental Exposure report, an email from OSAGWI to Dr. McDiarmid about misinformation, and a cover letter stating that about 30 pages were being denied by LTG Vesser. This response ignored was was requested, and shows why Bernard Rostker should be removed.

VA DU Health Effects Request
This FOIA, has had no response that it has even been received by the VA, although I have faxed it to them more than once.
The below request has been in process since submitting the request on July 27, 1998.

As of the date of the update of this page listed above this FOIA has been in process for
308 Days

Since posting this page, I have been informed by the VA FOIA official handling this request that I would receive "up to 1,000 pages that are responsive" by the first of the week of 15 February 1999.
Rather than receive these documents, the VA has decided to play games with it, sending me a letter dated 16 February 1999 that they do not own any of the documents that may be responsive, and they were referring my request to OSA/GWI.

I have received no response from OSAGWI or the Pentagon Office of Freedom of Information and Security Review.
I have since submitted another request (see below) to the VACO.

Freedom of Information Act Officer July 27, 1998
Department of Veterans Affairs
(161F)
810 Vermont Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20420

This request is made under the Freedom of Information Act.

This request pertains to the VA’s Baltimore Depleted Uranium Program.

Please provide all copies of any correspondence between Dr. Melissa McDiarmid of the DU Program, or any staff member of the Baltimore DU Program, to Dr. Bernard Rostker, Office of the Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Gulf War Illnesses (OSA/GWI), or to any staff member of the OSA/GWI.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 10 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe.

I understand that our being a non-profit organization under the laws of the Internal Revenue Service, and our provision of this material to help others, may exempt our organization from costs associated with processing Freedom of Information Act requests. We would certainly appreciate consideration of exemption from these costs.

Chris A. Kornkven

VA DU Health Effects Request II
As of the date of the update of this page listed above this FOIA has been in process for
96 Days

UPDATE! Since submitting these requests, I have since been informed by both the VACO and the VA in Maryland that they have no documentation responsive to this request.

Freedom of Information Act Officer February 24, 1999
Department of Veterans Affairs
(161F)
810 Vermont Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20420

This request is made under the Freedom of Information Act.

This request pertains to the VA’s Baltimore Depleted Uranium Program.

I request all copies of any correspondence from the Department of Veterans to the Department of Defense concerning any findings made in the Depleted Uranium program at the Baltimore VAMC. This program is headed by Dr. Melissa McDiarmid.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 20 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe.

I understand that our being a non-profit organization under the laws of the Internal Revenue Service, and our provision of this material to help others, may exempt our organization from costs associated with processing Freedom of Information Act requests. Currently, we are considered exempt from FOIA costs by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Defense and previously by the Department of Veterans Affairs. We would certainly appreciate consideration of exemption from these costs.

Thank you,

Chris A. Kornkven

DU Training Material Request
As of the date of the update of this page listed above this FOIA has been in process for
34 Days

Department of the Army April 27, 1999
Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Office
SAIS-IDP-F/P, Suite 201
1725 Jefferson Davis Hwy.
Arlington, VA 22202-4102
Page 1 of 2 pages.

This is a request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

1. I request a copy of the five part videotaped series with the title, TREATMENT OF PERSONNEL WOUNDED BY DEPLETED URANIUM MUNITIONS, TRAINING FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.

This video tape training was available for satellite broadcast as of December 28, 1998, with listings of the products available at:

http://dodimagery.afis.osd.mil/dvi/Top/davis/

2. I request a copy of the videotapes DEPLETED URANIUM TRAINING FOR CCEP HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, (PART ONE) and (PART TWO), which is also listed at the above web site address. It was available as of July 2, 1998.

3. I request a copy of DEPLETED URANIUM (DU) HAZARD AWARENESS also listed at the above internet web address.

4. During a briefing on military training on the hazards of depleted uranium provided by Ms. Dee Morris of OSAGWI at the Pentagon on April 15, 1999, Ms. Morris stated that training is currently available for Initial Entry Personnel, personnel involved in Battle Damage Assessment and Repair and personnel in the Nuclear Biological and Chemical Field.

I would like a copy of the training material available to each of these three personnel categories.

5. Ms. Morris further stated that "there is a video available on the streets" for Army medical personnel. I request a copy if this video tape.

Page 2 of 2 pages

In order to view this documentation, as soon as possible I would like them mailed to:

N6280 County Road P
Helenville, Wisconsin 53137

Thank you,
Chris A. Kornkven

NRC Exemptions request
As of the date of the update of this page listed above this FOIA has been in process for
25 Days

Director May 6, 1999
Division of
Freedom of Information and Publications Services
Office of Administration
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555
Page 1 of 2 pages

This is a request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

This request pertains to Department of Defense recipients of NRC Licenses for Depleted Uranium.

In June 1995, the Department of Defense re-wrote Army Regulation 40-14, Occupational
Ionizing Radiation Personnel Dosimetry. Within this regulation are the following quotes:

"This regulation applies to Department of the Army (DA) and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) installations and activities . This includes the Army National Guard of the United States (ARNGUS), U.S. Army Reserve (USAR), and civilians under contract with the DA or DLA who perform tasks involving occupational exposure to DA and DLA controlled radioactive material or radiation-producing devices. This publication is not applicable during mobilization or anytime the U.S. Army adopts a state of readiness directly preparatory to actual or imminent armed conflict in a geographical zone where peacetime occupational radiation exposure conditions cannot reasonably be construed to prevail."

And

"b. This regulation does NOT apply to the following: (1) Personnel exposed to ionizing radiation and radioactive materials resulting from the use of ionizing radiation sources and devices in geographical areas or zones where— (a) Hostile fire or combat already exists or is strongly anticipated to occur, or (b) Combat missions are intentionally going to be conducted by Department of De-fense personnel."

Please provide copies of all exemptions, or applications for exemptions from NRC Regulations or guidelines, the Code of Federal Regulations or other federal laws, or NRC Licensing requirements that the Department of Defense has received or applied for from

Page 2 of 2 pages

1988 to the present. These applications would have been made by NRC Depleted Uranium License holders of the Department of Defense or its agenices, to the NRC.

I understand the time permitted for a response under the Freedom of Information Act is 20 working days and would appreciate hearing from you within that timeframe.

I understand that our being a non-profit organization under the laws of the Internal Revenue Service, and our provision of this material to help others, may exempt our organization from costs associated with processing Freedom of Information Act requests. Currently, we were previously considered exempt from FOIA costs by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. We would certainly appreciate consideration of exemption from these costs.

In order to view this documentation, as soon as possible I would like them mailed to:

N6280 County Road P
Helenville, Wisconsin 53137

Thank you,
Chris A. Kornkven