Director denies Woods' DEQ appeal after in‑camera review, rules some drafts protected

Misty Woods asked the director to independently review 21 pages that the Division of Environmental Quality had withheld as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Woods said she was not seeking to disclose material that would legitimately interfere with the investigation but asked the director to apply segregation rules so releasable portions could be produced.

DEQ attorney Krieger said the criminal division maintained the disputed records as part of an ongoing investigation and that the records were submitted to the criminal division for that purpose. The director conducted an in‑camera review and concluded that pages 1–6 do not appear to be protected by the investigative exemption (30510) but are properly classified as draft records under section 30522 and therefore may remain withheld. The director found the remainder were related to an active criminal investigation and that releasing them would reasonably be expected to interfere with that probe.

The director denied the appeal, citing the ongoing investigation, and will issue a written order within seven business days. Woods was advised she may appeal the decision to district court within 30 calendar days.