Geraldine Mullaly v. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (SPR 20231615)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records July 27, 2023 SPR23/1615 Rachel Cohen Records Manager Department of Environmental Protection 1 Winter Street Boston, MA 02108 Dear Ms. Cohen: I have received the petition of Geraldine Mullaly appealing the nonresponse of the Department of Environmental Protection (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On June 12, 2023, Ms. Mullaly requested the following records relative to the Swansea Water District: [1.] application to renew permits in the Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope Bay Shore Basin submitted to MassDEP by May 31, 2018, [2.] confirmation that the terms and conditions of the expiring permit continue in force and effect, [3.] copy of MassDEP permit renewal, or denial of renewal application. Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Ms. Mullaly petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/1615, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the Department intends on providing a written response to Ms. Mullaly. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Ms. Mullaly with a response to the request, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law, and its Regulations within 10 business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Ms. Mullaly may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Rachel Cohen SPR23/1615 Page 2 July 27, 2023 Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Geraldine Mullaly