Public Records Request
The Recreation and Conservation Office values your right to access public records. Washington law requires that, on request, the office make identifiable, public records available for inspection and copying.
How Do I Make a Public Records Request?
You must make your request in writing and then send it to the Recreation and Conservation Office. There are several options for this.
Online: You may use our online form.
E-mail, fax, mail, or hand-delivery: Write your request, preferably on Form RCO 010 (Download printable form) and then.
- FAX: 360-902-3026
- Mail:
Recreation and Conservation Office
P.O. Box 40917
Olympia, Washington 98504-0917
- Hand deliver:
Recreation and Conservation Office
Natural Resources Building, 2nd Floor
1111 Washington Street S.E.
Olympia WA 98501
How Long will it Take for you to Respond?
RCO will respond within five business days of receiving your request. Our response will either:
- Include the requested records.
- Acknowledge the request and, if necessary, ask for clarification.
- Give a reasonable estimate of how long it will take to provide the record.
- Deny the request and cite the legal reason for the denial.
What will it Cost?
Inspecting records is free. The records are available for inspection and photocopying (excluding legal holidays) Monday through Friday, 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. and from 1 P.M. to 4 P.M. Please make an appointment by calling 360-902-3000 or for the hearing impaired, TTY 360-902-1996.
If you want copies of the records, the law allows state agencies to charge for the actual costs of producing public records. In some instances, advance payment may be required.
- Black and white copies, letter or legal size: 15 cents a page
- CD or DVD: Actual costs incurred by agency
- All other formats and mailing costs: Actual costs incurred by agency
Information about Projects
One of the most common requests is for information about a funded project. Most of the information is available online through the PRISM database. PRISM includes the application, contract, location, project status, who is doing the work (sponsor), cost, and more. You also may run reports to learn about many projects in an area or program. Access is free.
What Records are Exempt from Disclosure?
Only records that are exempt by law may be withheld from disclosure. Common exemptions include the following.
- Archaeological Site Records: Maps or other information identifying location of site or sites. [Revised Code of Washington 42.56.300]
- Preliminary Documents: Preliminary drafts, notes, recommendations, and intra-agency memorandums in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated or recommended UNLESS cited publicly or within an official public record. [Revised Code of Washington 42.56.280]
- Personal Information: Information not related to disciplinary action or performance as a state employee (e.g., payroll records, examination questions, medical condition information, Social Security number, residence address, personal phone numbers, and personal e-mail addresses). [Revised Code of Washington 42.56.230, 42.56.250, 42.56.210(1)]
- Real estate appraisals: Real estate appraisals relative to the acquisition of property, until the prospective sale is abandoned or completed. [Revised Code of Washington 42.56.260]
- Farm Plans: Farm plans developed by conservation districts, unless permission to release the farm plan is granted by the landowner or operator who requested the plan, and farm plans developed under chapter 90.48 Revised Code of Washington and not under the federal clean water act, 33 U.S.C. Sec. 1251 et seq. [Revised Code of Washington 42.56.270]
For More Information
Rebecca Connolly, Public Records Officer
Telephone: 360-902-2637
TTD: 360-902-1996
