Public Utility District #1 of Lewis County (“District”), in accordance with the Washington State Public Records Act RCW 42.56, allows for the inspection or copies of records unless specifically exempted by law. After submitting a request, you may be contacted to clarify your request or to coordinate delivery of records.

Public records are any writing prepared, owned, used, or retained by us, regardless of physical form, that reflect the conduct or performance of the utility. Also, a valid public record request seeks a specific and identifiable public document. This does not include a general request for information. If you are not aware of the title of a specific record, please provide additional information such as subject matter, dates, location or the persons/issues involved, and the account numbers which will help staff locate records responsive to your specific request.

How to Submit a Public Records Request

There are several ways in which you can submit a records request.

Online

Submitting an online public records request is the preferred and most efficient method.

The District accepts new requests via the GovQA portal. GovQA is a web-based records center used for tracking and delivery of records requests. Click “My Records Center” to log in and/or create an account. To view requests you have previously submitted click “My Requests.” To initiate a new request, click on “Submit a Records Request.”


September 1, 2023
Important Notice for Anonymous Requests Submitted through the GovQA Portal

Requests submitted through the GovQA portal between June 24, 2023, and September 1, 2023, in which no contact information was provided have been released to the Public Records Archive.  Communications from the District relating to anonymous requests may be located within the request.  Per WAC 44-14-030 persons submitting requests should include contact information.  If a requestor refuses to identify themselves or provide sufficient contact information, the District will respond to the extent feasible and consistent with the law.  By not providing contact information, the anonymous requestors are responsible for retrieving and responding to District responses posted to the Public Records Archive.  Anonymous requestor inquiries and responses for clarification for requests submitted during the above time frame should be sent to LCPUD’s Records email.


GovQA-Portal-For-Website

Please note: Use of this portal is best supported by the Chrome browser.

Alternatives

Requests may also be submitted by completing the Lewis County PUD Records Request Form (PDF) and presenting it:

  • In person to any customer service staff person, Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm at 321 NW Pacific Avenue, Chehalis, WA 98532;
  • By mail: Lewis County PUD, PO Box 330, Chehalis, WA 98532;
  • By E-Mail
  • By phone: (360) 345-1605

More Information About Public Records Requests

What are the fees?

The District reserves the right to charge fees to the requestor in accordance with the amounts provided in RCW 42.56.120 and as amended by the Legislature. Please review the fee schedule below for typical fees as allowed under RCW 42.56. The District may use any other method authorized by the Public Records Act for imposing charges for public records including, but not limited to, charging a flat fee or charging a customized service charge. No fee shall be charged for the inspection of public records or locating public documents and making them available for copying, with the exception of the customized service charge allowed in RCW 42.56.120. The District may waive charges assessed for records when the Public Records Officer determines collecting a fee is not cost effective.

Records Fees

What information should I include in my request?

It’s helpful to include as much information as you can, such as document titles, specific dates, times, addresses, and case numbers. This allows District staff to more effectively locate documents pertaining to your request.

Example Requests

Under the Public Records Act, I am requesting records from the Operations Department documenting tree trimming occurrences between January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019.

Under the Public Records Act, please provide Accounting records documenting purchases of fleet vehicles between March 1, 2018 and May 15, 2020.

What if my request is for a variety of records

If your request contains a variety of records from multiple departments, please select which departments you believe will have records, or “Unknown/I don’t know”. The Public Records Officer will help to determine which departments need to receive the request.

What happens to my request?

The processing of your request or official response to your request may take up to 5 business days. If your request is not complicated and records are readily available, it may be processed at the time it is received.

What is third party notification?

If records contain information that may affect others and may be exempt from disclosure, the District may send a notice to those parties informing them of the request prior to providing the records to the requestor.

When is a request considered abandoned?

If a requestor fails to fulfill their obligations to inspect, respond to clarification for unsearchable requests from District staff, or make any payment within 30 calendar days, the District may close the request and consider it abandoned.

Who Do I Contact for More Information?

Taresa Robertson, Public Records Officer
Public Records Officer Email
(360) 345-1605