Maryland
Public Information Act requests
A listing says a record exists. The reports and letters are in the file. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) takes requests for its files under the Maryland Public Information Act (PIA), which it says grants the public a broad right of access to public records while protecting legitimate governmental interests and the privacy rights of individuals.
In a Phase I ESA
ASTM E1527-21 does not name a records request among its standard record sources. MDE's Oil Control Program remediation page says complete program files can be requested through the Public Information Act, and its Open MDE page links the PIA page for filing a request.
MDE's PIA page gives these steps.
- Who may ask. MDE says anyone: citizens, corporations, associations, public interest groups, private individuals and universities.
- Before filing. MDE says you might not need a formal request and gives 410-537-3000 for a call. It asks that you not submit requests by email, so that it can track and respond to them in a timely manner. It says processing might take 30 days.
- How to file. MDE's page links Submit a Request.
- What to include. MDE says identifying the records is the requester's responsibility. It asks for the type of record, the name of the facility, the site address including zip code, the subject area, the date the record was created, the permit number if known, and the originator.
- What happens next. MDE says it logs the request, acknowledges it by letter, sends it to the appropriate programs, and then notifies you by mail whether pertinent records exist. It cannot give status reports until its search is complete. If records exist, you contact the appropriate PIA liaison to schedule a file review. MDE says its files are predominantly "working" files that stay in the programs until the day of the appointment, and that because of the time required to search, gather and prepare files, walk-in requests cannot be accommodated. Whenever possible, records are provided in electronic format.
- Timing. MDE says it acknowledges a request by mail within 10 days of receipt and generally has 30 calendar days to provide a response.
- Fees. MDE says fees are generally limited to standard charges for direct document search, review and duplication, and that it waives charges for the first two hours of search time. It notifies the requester if fees are likely to exceed $25, and for estimates over $250 it requires a deposit. Requests for a fee waiver or reduction are made in writing.
- What may be withheld. MDE says certain records are privileged by law and must be withheld, such as attorney-client advice, medical records, personnel records, and trade secrets and confidential commercial or financial information. It says others may be withheld, such as investigatory records and inter- and intra-agency memoranda and letters. A requester who is denied is notified of the specific statutory provisions and of the procedures for challenging the denial.
MDE also says it will notify a requester if files have been lost or destroyed in accordance with its filing and retention schedules.
Information available without a request
MDE's PIA page lists places to look first. Among them are the Oil Control Program Case Information search and the Open MDE page. See the Oil Control Program remediation sites page for the case search.
Sources
Maryland Department of the Environment pages, read October 8, 2026. The pages show no modified date.