Prince George's County, Maryland, USA
Interior Nat Harbor

Department of the Environment Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) Requests

Maryland's Public Information Act (MPIA), codified at Md. General Provisions Code Ann. §4-101 et seq., grants the public the right to access records that are in the possession of State and local governmental agencies without unnecessary cost and delay. The MPIA also explains that some requests for information must be denied, while others may be subject to discretionary exceptions.

The MPIA requires each governmental unit that maintains public records to identify a custodian of records. A member of the public should contact the custodian to request a public record.

You may submit a Maryland Public Information Act request through our online portal or track a previous online request.

Visit the MPIA Online Portal

The Prince George's County Department of the Environment (DoE) is committed to transparency, accountability, and providing public access to government records in accordance with the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA), Maryland General Provisions Article, Title 4 (GP §§ 4-101 through 4-601).

The MPIA provides members of the public the right to inspect or obtain copies of many public records maintained by County government, subject to certain exemptions established by State law. The Department strives to respond to requests promptly while protecting confidential information that is exempt from disclosure.

Before You Submit An MPIA Request

Many Department of the Environment’s records and datasets are already available online at no cost. Before submitting an MPIA request, please review the County's publicly available resources to determine whether the information you need is already available.

Available resources include:

Reviewing these resources may provide the information you need without the time or cost associated with an MPIA request.

What Is A Public Record?

Under the Maryland Public Information Act, a public record generally includes documentary material made or received by the Department in connection with the transaction of public business, regardless of format, including:

  • Electronic records
  • Emails
  • Reports
  • Maps
  • Photographs
  • Databases
  • Contracts
  • Correspondence
  • Audio or video recordings
  • Other documentary materials maintained by the Department

Some records, or portions of records, may be exempt from disclosure under Maryland law, including records protected by privacy laws, the attorney-client privilege, confidential commercial information, personnel records, investigatory records, and other statutory exemptions.

How To Submit An MPIA Request

To help us process your request as efficiently as possible, please include:

  • Your name and contact information.
  • A clear description of the records you are requesting.
  • Relevant dates or date ranges.
  • Addresses, locations, project names, permit numbers, case numbers, or other identifying information, when applicable.
  • Whether you wish to inspect the records or receive copies.

Requests that clearly identify the records sought help reduce processing time and may reduce applicable fees.

MPIA requests should be submitted through the Prince George's County MPIA Portal (Home · Prince George's County MPIA Portal) or directed to the Department's designated Custodian of Records at DOE-MPIA@co.pg.md.us in accordance with County procedures.

Response Time

In accordance with Maryland General Provisions Article § 4-203, the Department will acknowledge receipt of your request and respond within the timeframes established by Maryland law.

Depending on the scope and complexity of the request, the Department may:

  • Provide the requested records;
  • Grant access for inspection;
  • Inform you that additional time is necessary to process the request;
  • Request clarification if additional information is needed; or
  • Deny all or part of the request if the records are exempt from disclosure under applicable law, identifying the legal basis for the denial.

Fees

Maryland law permits governmental agencies to recover certain costs associated with processing MPIA requests.

Fees may include:

  • Search and retrieval time exceeding the first two hours of work, which are provided without charge unless otherwise authorized by law.
  • Costs associated with reviewing and preparing records for disclosure, when permitted.
  • Duplication or reproduction costs for paper or electronic records.
  • Costs associated with specialized media or large-format documents.

If estimated fees exceed the amount established by County policy, you may receive a cost estimate before work continues. Payment may be required before records are released.

Whenever practical, the Department will work with requesters to narrow or refine requests to reduce processing time and costs.

Tips For Faster Processing

You may receive your records more quickly by:

  • Requesting specific records instead of broad categories.
  • Providing approximate dates.
  • Including addresses, project names, permit numbers, or property information.
  • Limiting requests to records maintained by the Department of the Environment.
  • Checking publicly available online resources before submitting your request.

Records That May Not Be Available

Although the Maryland Public Information Act provides broad access to government records, certain records must or may be withheld under State law. Examples include:

  • Personnel records
  • Medical information
  • Records protected by attorney-client privilege
  • Trade secrets and confidential commercial information
  • Certain law enforcement or investigatory records
  • Records made confidential by federal or State law

If access to a record is denied, the Department will identify the applicable legal authority and provide information regarding available review or appeal procedures, as required by law.

Need Assistance?

If you are unsure whether an MPIA request is necessary or need assistance identifying available public information, please contact the Department of the Environment before submitting your request. Staff can often help determine whether the information you seek is already publicly available or recommend the most efficient way to obtain it.

The Department of the Environment is committed to providing public access to information in a manner that is timely, transparent, and consistent with the Maryland Public Information Act.