9-15 NWR EPA Wrist Slap

The Environmental Protection Agency has violated the personal privacy of tens of thousands of farmers and ranchers, according to a unanimous ruling issued by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

The ruling vs. EPA concerned the federal agency's 2013 release to three environmental groups of a vast compilation of spreadsheets containing personal information about farmers and ranchers who raise livestock and poultry in 29 states. The information included the names of farmers, ranchers and sometimes other family members, home addresses, GPS coordinates, telephone numbers and emails. EPA claimed that it was required to disclose the information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

AFBF General Counsel Ellen Steen"This was an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy by a federal agency in violation of law". And Idaho Farm Bureau's Jake Putnam said: "The court's decision is a vindication of the right of farm families to control their own personal information. Farmers and ranchers have a strong privacy interest in their personal information, including their home address, even when they live and work on the farm."

Elsewhere, from myNorthwest.com, Harney County, Oregon Sheriff Dave Ward said that those who took over a national wildlife refuge warned him that his county would be "invaded" by armed citizens if he didn't protect his constituents from the federal government. Ward testified yesterday against seven defendants who took part in the 41-day standoff earlier this year. They're charged with threatening and intimidating federal employees.