Public Records Requests

The Placer County Air Pollution Control District (District) often receives requests to view public records held by us and/or to make copies of those records. Pursuant to the California Public Records Act (PRA), Government Code Section 6250 et seq, it is the District’s policy to provide access to such public records and to make copies upon request. As used in this policy, the phrase public records is as defined in Government Code section 6252(e) and includes any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public’s business, which has been prepared, owned, used, or retained by the District, regardless of physical form or characteristics.

The Summary of the California Public Records Act 2004 (PDF), prepared by the Office of the Attorney General, California Department of Justice, provides details on the PRA. It is the District’s intention and desire to conform to the provisions of the PRA. Please bring to the District’s attention any identified deviation from the provisions of the PRA. A copy of this guide, Requests for Public Information under the Public Records Act (PDF), is downloadable and is also available free of charge upon request to any person requesting copies of District’s records.

How to Request Access to Review Public Records

The Request

The public can request to view public information using the online request form, in writing, verbally, by fax or by email to the District. The online request form is the District’s preferred method of receiving and responding to public records requests, though the other means are also acceptable.

Written requests should be identified as a request for public information under the Public Records Act and directed to the Air Quality Permit Technician. Written requests should be mailed to:
Placer County Air Pollution Control District
110 Maple Street
Auburn, CA 95603

You may also make a request verbally, in person or by phone at 530-745-2330. These requests will be noted by District Staff and responded to in the proper manner. The District fax number is 530-745-2373, if you choose to use this method for your request.

Request Details

Public records requests should describe the requested records with sufficient detail to enable District Staff to identify and locate the information sought. To the greatest possible extent, please include the following and similar information so that the District may respond to your request:

  • Company and/or Individual Names
  • Dates of Correspondence
  • Descriptions
  • Names
  • Permit Numbers
  • Reports
  • Street Addresses
  • Submittals

The request must also contain an address, phone number, and/or email address so the District can reach you. Requested records that can be disclosed will be made available for review and duplication.

Inspection of Records

Public records are open to inspection during District office hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, Monday through Friday, except for state and District holidays or mandatory furlough days. However, for the most efficient processing, the District requests that you make an appointment so District Staff can have the records available and provide space for you to review them.

Copies

When viewing public records, if you want copies, you will be asked to mark each page to be copied with a colored post-it note and return the file or files intact to the Air Quality Permit Technician. Copies are to be provided at the charges for copying set forth by Placer County Code Section 2.116030, Fees for Copies, which includes a charge of $0.50 for the first page and $0.25 per page after that. Additional copies/pages of the same document will be billed at $0.10 per page. Pursuant to the PRA, payment shall be collected before the copies are released. Charges are waived for documents that are to be provided in an electronic format and already exist in that format.

The copy charges may be applied to records that do not already exist in an electronic format, such that they will need to be scanned if an electronic copy is to be provided. If electronic copies cannot be provide via email or online, and are to be transferred to CDs, DVDs, or other data storage media, the District may charge to recover the cost of the media provided. You will be advised of the duplication costs, or that duplication costs have been waived, before copies are made. If there is a large volume of material requested and to be produced such that it is unduly burdensome for the District to provide copies, you will be notified that you may make other arrangements to review and have the documents copied at your expense. (California First Amendment Coalition v. Supreme Court (3rd District 1998) 67 Cal.App.4th 159, 166.)

Response Time

The Public Records Act requires the District to respond to requests for public information within 10 days. The response will tell you whether the information you request is available, how you can view it or get copies, the cost of providing the copies, which (if any) of the records are not subject to disclosure, and how to make an appointment, if needed.

Occasionally, unusual circumstances will require more than 10 days, but not more than 14 additional days, to respond to a request. In this case, you will be notified before the 10 day time limit. Unusual circumstances are defined in the PRA as the following, but only to the extent reasonably necessary for the proper processing of the particular request:

  • The need to search for and collect the requested records from field facilities or other establishments that are separate from the office processing the request.
  • The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a voluminous amount of separate and distinct records that are demanded in a single request.
  • The need for consultation, which shall be conducted with all practicable speed, with another agency having substantial interest in the determination of the request, or among two or more components of the agency having substantial subject matter interest therein.

Definitions

  • "District" means the Placer County Air Pollution Control District or any employee authorized to act on its behalf.
  • "Emission Data" means measured or calculated concentrations or weights of air contaminants emitted into the ambient air. Data used to calculate emission data are not emission data.
  • "Person" includes any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or association.
  • "Production Data" means information disclosing the actual quantity of material used to produce an article having commercial value, as well as information disclosing the actual quantity produced.
  • "Public Record" includes any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public's business, which has been prepared, owned, used, or retained by the District, regardless of physical form or characteristics.
  • "Writing" means handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostating, photographing, photocopying, transmitting by electronic mail or facsimile, and every other means of recording upon any tangible thing, form of communication or representation, including letters, words, pictures, sounds, or symbols, or combination thereof, and all papers, maps, magnetic or paper tapes, photographic films and prints, magnetic or punched cards, discs, drums, and any record thereby created, regardless of the manner in which the record has been stored.