Dear Ms. Pacheco,

I am requesting under the FOIA any and all records, correspondences, emails, studies, scientific data, scientific evidence, notes, meeting notes or anything that would pertain to this request. The request is being made of Dr. Wayne Wehling, Dr. Robert Flanders, and/or any other Department of Agriculture personnel that had input in the decision establishing the nine butterfly species currently permitted for release in the United States.

This list was originally established in 1997 by a USDA risk assessment committee or other committee along with documented input from several outside scientists and commercial butterfly breeders. Specifically, the information requested pertains to all documentation leading to a USDA document dated August 13, 1997 entitled: "PERMITS FOR INTERSTATE SHIPMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL RELEASES OF LIVING BUTTERFLIES INDIGENOUS TO THE CONTINTENTAL UNITED STATES".

Also requested would be a revision to the document made by C. Roseland that added a restriction limiting the number of butterflies permitted for release at any one time. This revision is dated 10-6-99 and is entitled, "Policy on Butterfly Releases: Exceeding 250 insects per release."

I understand that this information was requested previously but never released. It is important that our Board of Directors receive this information as soon as possible in order to address future regulatory concerns.

Please contact me at 302.235.0712 if you are unclear about the request.

Thank you,

Jonathan M. Timko
IBBA President

• The documentation related to this request was sent on March 22, 2002.
• IBBA requested assistance from the offices of Senator Joseph Biden, Senator Thomas Carper, and Representative Mike Castle in expediting our request. The offices of these legislators have officially contacted USDA to request information and status on our request. Senator Thomas Carper's office contacted the USDA, and the following document was sent to Jon Timko regarding the request (CLICK HERE).
• At least 3 personal contacts were made with USDA by me (JT) regarding the status of our request.

• Pending review of materials