What is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?

Freedom of Information Act - "FOIA" or "the Act" is a law enacted in 1966, that established citizens statutory right to access government records and information upon request. The basic purpose of FOIA is to "ensure an informed citizenry, vital to the functioning of a democratic society, needed to check against corruption and to hold the governors accountable to the governed." Basically, the public or any individual has the right to know or be informed about activities, decisions and policies of U.S. federal agencies. The Act is found at 5 U.S.C. § 552. EPA implements the Act under 40 C.F.R. Part 2.