Investigative Media Alliance v. Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (SPR 20232641)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records November 15, 2023 SPR23/2641 Tori LaBate, Esq. Assistant General Counsel Department of Fisheries and Wildlife One Rabbit Hill Road Westborough, MA 01581 Dear Attorney LaBate: I have received the petition of Investigative Media Alliance (requestor) appealing the nonresponse of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On October 8, 2023, the requestor sought “[a]ll authorizations (land usage agreements, leases, rental contracts, etc.) to use Mass. Wildlife controlled/owned/managed property in the city…of Gardner…and Westminster ... including but not limited to [two identified locations].” Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, the requestor petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/2641, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the Department provided the requestor with a response dated November 3, 2023. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the Department’s lack of a written response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. The requestor may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Investigative Media Alliance 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