Opinion ID: 2624422
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The AGRC's Denial of SUWA's Request

Text: ¶ 9 On December 31, 2004, the AGRC responded to SUWA with a denial of all requests. First, the AGRC indicated that it did not have records responsive to SUWA's request for records of Class D roads existing in Emery County prior to 1976. The AGRC also indicated that it did not have records responsive to SUWA's request for plat descriptions of county roads in Emery County, or oral histories or correspondence and communication with the federal government relating to the routes named in the 2004 Notice of Intent. The AGRC also explained that it could not copy the maps requested of Class D roads existing after 1976, but that such records could be obtained from the Department of Transportation. In response to SUWA's request for GIS information, AGRC records, and SGID data, the AGRC provided the following responses. (1) SUWA's request to the AGRC unreasonably duplicated SUWA's request to the Governor and Attorney General. (2) The SGID does not isolate rights-of-way in Emery County, except for the ten roads identified in the 2004 amended Notice of Intent; and, these records are protected as not public and as drafts. (3) The requested records were prepared in anticipation of litigation and therefore are protected as work product and privileged communications. (4) Release of requested records could interfere with the state and counties' investigation and enforcement of its R.S. 2477 rights. ¶ 10 In addition, the AGRC indicated that it had been involved in negotiations with the federal government regarding the quiet title action described in its Notice of Intent. It also notified SUWA that a state court in a case where similar records were requested had found that the records were private, controlled, or protected, information. Finally, the AGRC noted in its response that it maintains a public SGID, which does not designate rights-of-way as R.S. 2477 rights-of-way, but is available to the public through the AGRC's website.