The Hill
EPA release of farmers' personal information appalling
By Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio)
04/18/13  

Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that they mistakenly released personal information of thousands of farmers to environmental groups in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. This breach of confidentiality resulted from the agency’s desire to appease environmentalists, and I am appalled that the EPA would be so careless with the personal information of these hardworking farmers. 

In 2011, the EPA proposed a rule that requires Contained Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO’s) owners to provide the EPA with specific information, such as their location and personal contact information. In July of 2012, the EPA withdrew this rule due to privacy concerns; however, the EPA continued to collect this data using information collected on the state level. This information was released as a result of three environmental groups’ FOIA request. 

Rather than ensuring that all personal information was redacted before being released to the public, the EPA only redacted information from ten of thirty states. This information included the personal home addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of these farmers. The EPA requested the information back after it had been released; however, that request was basically null and void because it had already been made public. 

This incompetent, or deliberate, release has placed the CAFOs and their owners at the risk of possible vigilantes. I have written to EPA demanding that they perform a thorough investigation of this careless mistake and hold those responsible fully accountable… 

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