Skip to content

Case Detail

[Subscribe to updates]
Case TitleMeader v. United States Bureau of Land Management et al
DistrictDistrict of Arizona
CityPhoenix Division
Case Number2:2014cv01612
Date Filed2014-07-16
Date Closed2014-09-05
JudgeSenior Judge James A Teilborg
PlaintiffNorman Meader
Case DescriptionNorman Meader submitted a FOIA request to the Bureau of Land Management for records regarding agency recommendations for routing of the SunZia transmission line. The agency acknowledged receipt of the request, but told Meader that the subject matter was too broad. He narrowed the scope of the request to what recommendations each field office gave to the director. The agency indicated that because of the large number of responsive records, it would require Meader to pay $250 to cover expected costs. Meader agreed to pay the $250. However, the agency released only 20 pages, claiming those were the pages that most closely matched his criteria, and assessed $210 in search fees. Meader requested a fee waiver, which was denied by the Arizona office. His subsequent appeal to the Interior Department remained unanswered at the time of his suit. Meader then filed a FOIA request for all records the agency had reviewed as potentially responsive to his original request but had not disclosed. The agency responded that 1,321 pages would be made available if Meader paid $183 in duplication fees. Meader paid the fee under protest, but the agency still had not provided the records by the time Meader filed suit.
Complaint issues: Fees - Advance Payment, Failure to respond within statutory time limit

DefendantUnited States Bureau of Land Management named as: Bureau of Land Management
DefendantUnited States Department of the Interior named as: U.S. Department of Interior
Documents
Docket
Complaint
Complaint attachment 1
User-contributed Documents
 
Docket Events (Hide)
Date FiledDoc #Docket Text
2014-07-161COMPLAINT. Filing fee received: $400.00, receipt number 0970-10672952 filed by Norman Meader. (submitted by Erik Ryberg) (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(REK) (Entered: 07/17/2014)
2014-07-162SUMMONS Submitted by Norman Meader. (submitted by Erik Ryberg) (REK) (Entered: 07/17/2014)
2014-07-163Corporate Disclosure Statement by Norman Meader. (submitted by Erik Ryberg) (REK) (Entered: 07/17/2014)
2014-07-164Filing fee paid, receipt number 0970-10672952. This case has been assigned to the Honorable James A. Teilborg. All future pleadings or documents should bear the correct case number: CV-14-01612-PHX-JAT. Notice of Availability of Magistrate Judge to Exercise Jurisdiction form attached. (REK) (Entered: 07/17/2014)
2014-07-175STANDARD TRACK ORDER. Signed by Senior Judge James A Teilborg on 7/17/2014. (TLB) (Entered: 07/17/2014)
2014-07-176SUMMONS Submitted by Norman Meader. (Attachments: # 1 Summons other summons for 2nd defendant)(Ryberg, Erik) (Entered: 07/17/2014)
2014-07-187Summons Issued as to United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of the Interior. (Attachments: # 1 Summons)(REK). *** IMPORTANT: When printing the summons, select "Document and stamps" or "Document and comments" for the seal to appear on the document. (Entered: 07/18/2014)
2014-08-218STIPULATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO ANSWER COMPLAINT . (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Smart, Adam) (Entered: 08/21/2014)
2014-08-229ORDER pursuant to 8 Stipulation For Extension of Time To Answer Complaint, Defendants shall have an extension of time to answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's Complaint to and through 9/22/2014. Signed by Senior Judge James A Teilborg on 8/22/2014. (TLB) (Entered: 08/22/2014)
2014-08-2710NOTICE of Settlement by United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of the Interior. (Smart, Adam) (Entered: 08/27/2014)
2014-08-2811ORDER that the Clerk of Court shall, without further notice, DISMISS this entire case on October 27, 2014, with prejudice, and shall enter judgment accordingly, unless prior thereto a party files a request for reinstatement on the Court's trial calendar. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that all deadlines are vacated. Signed by Senior Judge James A Teilborg on 8/28/2014. (KMG) (Entered: 08/28/2014)
2014-09-0512STIPULATION of Dismissal by United States Bureau of Land Management, United States Department of the Interior. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Smart, Adam) (Entered: 09/05/2014)
2014-09-0513ORDER Pursuant to the Stipulation of the parties (Doc. 12 ) and the Court finding good cause therein, IT IS ORDERED that the above captioned case is hereby dismissed with prejudice and all further proceedings are vacated. Signed by Senior Judge James A Teilborg on 9/5/2014. (KMG) (Entered: 09/05/2014)
Hide Docket Events
by FOIA Project Staff
Skip to toolbar