Hey Cosmo Skunkmaster - You're right, public employees don't have to disclose everything over the phone whenever someone calls - BUT - unless someone is being a pest, the public interest, and likely the intent of the Freedom of Information Act and the Public Disclosure Act, is best served when public employees provide as clear and accurate information as possible to whoever asks for it.

In my mind there are only two exceptions, the most important being information developed for litigation purposes that is legally protected from disclosure and then the aforementioned public pest that occasionally prevents employees from tending to their work. I strongly doubt Bob's request falls in that catagory. Since Bob's questions pertain to run strengths, over and under harvests, and the disparity between treaty and non-treaty catches, the only legitemate reason for not answering Bob's questions is that the Department must be preparing a legal case regarding the tribes' steelhead harvests, right? Form your own opinions, folks.

Methinks our public servants dislike disclosure of poor public decision making. Who wouldn't, that's human nature. However, that doesn't discount the public's right to know.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.