Open Records Request
The Mission of the Office of Open Records is to implement and enforce the state’s Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) and serve as a source for citizens, agencies, public officials and members of the media in obtaining public records of their government. As part of that mission, the Office of Open Records has developed this Citizen's Guide to the RTKL, providing a basic overview.
Agencies are to ensure that citizens are provided access to records to which they are entitled. Equally important, Requesters are to use good judgment in seeking records from the public body and not use this law to harass or overburden a public body from performing its other functions. The Office of Open Records encourages patience and a spirit of cooperation among all parties.
For more information on PA Open Records and PA Right to Know Law click here
HOW TO FILE A REQUEST
A requester can file a Right-to-Know request in four ways: (PA RTK Form Uniform Request)
1. Fax
2. Electronic mail
3. In person
4. U.S. Mail
Send Requests to:
Monroe County Conservation District
8050 Running Valley Road
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Email: [email protected]
If you have any questions or need more information please contact the Office of Open Records at 717-346-9903 or visit http://www.openrecords.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx#.VyoFVYQrLct for more information.
RECORDS COVERED BY THE RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW
Make sure when you file a RTK request, you are seeking records and not just asking questions. The law governs the release of records, not answering questions.
A record is defined as “any information regardless of its physical form or character that documents a transaction or activity of an agency AND is created, received, or retained pursuant to law OR in connection with a transaction, business or activity of an agency” (emphasis added).
Records can take many forms, including papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, film or sound recordings, information stored or maintained electronically, and data-processed or image-processed documents. Note that e-mails can also be a form of public records, subject to any exceptions.
EXCEPTIONS: CERTAIN INFORMATION PROTECTED FROM DISCLOSURE
All agency records are subject to the Right-to-Know Law. However, not all records are public records. The law contains 30 exceptions, cited in Section 708, that permit an Agency to withhold records. An Agency may deny release of a record if it falls within one of the 30 exceptions designed to protect information that is confidential or may jeopardize safety or investigations. Types of records that can be withheld include records related to personal or public security, DNA/RNA records, autopsy records, Social Security numbers, personal financial information, personal email addresses, marital status, identity of a covert law enforcement officer, home address of judges or law enforcement, confidential source records, and victim information. Other laws also make certain records non-public.
Download a full copy of the PA Office of Open Records Citizen's Guide (PDF) revised August 2015 here
Agencies are to ensure that citizens are provided access to records to which they are entitled. Equally important, Requesters are to use good judgment in seeking records from the public body and not use this law to harass or overburden a public body from performing its other functions. The Office of Open Records encourages patience and a spirit of cooperation among all parties.
For more information on PA Open Records and PA Right to Know Law click here
HOW TO FILE A REQUEST
A requester can file a Right-to-Know request in four ways: (PA RTK Form Uniform Request)
1. Fax
2. Electronic mail
3. In person
4. U.S. Mail
Send Requests to:
Monroe County Conservation District
8050 Running Valley Road
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Email: [email protected]
If you have any questions or need more information please contact the Office of Open Records at 717-346-9903 or visit http://www.openrecords.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx#.VyoFVYQrLct for more information.
RECORDS COVERED BY THE RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW
Make sure when you file a RTK request, you are seeking records and not just asking questions. The law governs the release of records, not answering questions.
A record is defined as “any information regardless of its physical form or character that documents a transaction or activity of an agency AND is created, received, or retained pursuant to law OR in connection with a transaction, business or activity of an agency” (emphasis added).
Records can take many forms, including papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, film or sound recordings, information stored or maintained electronically, and data-processed or image-processed documents. Note that e-mails can also be a form of public records, subject to any exceptions.
EXCEPTIONS: CERTAIN INFORMATION PROTECTED FROM DISCLOSURE
All agency records are subject to the Right-to-Know Law. However, not all records are public records. The law contains 30 exceptions, cited in Section 708, that permit an Agency to withhold records. An Agency may deny release of a record if it falls within one of the 30 exceptions designed to protect information that is confidential or may jeopardize safety or investigations. Types of records that can be withheld include records related to personal or public security, DNA/RNA records, autopsy records, Social Security numbers, personal financial information, personal email addresses, marital status, identity of a covert law enforcement officer, home address of judges or law enforcement, confidential source records, and victim information. Other laws also make certain records non-public.
Download a full copy of the PA Office of Open Records Citizen's Guide (PDF) revised August 2015 here
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Technical Section
Monday through Friday: 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. Phone: (570)629-3060 • Fax: (570)629-3063 |
Environmental Education Center
Monday through Friday: 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. Some Saturdays 9a.m. - 1p.m. Phone: (570)629-3061 • Fax: (570)629-3063 |
8050 Running Valley Road
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
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