Venetian transparency: a journalist requests access to files for the Pfas in the Piedmont, the Region sends him the summary

A journalist based in Vicenza has encountered significant challenges while attempting to obtain documents related to the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances (Pfas) in areas affected by infrastructure projects in the Veneto region. Marco Milioni, who works for the media group "Today" and has been investigating pollution caused by Pfas in Veneto for years, submitted a request for access to official records concerning these pollutants in regions impacted by the construction of the Pedemontana Veneta toll road. This project has been highly controversial and has even prompted an investigation by the Vicenza prosecutor's office. However, his efforts have faced resistance from the regional administration. The journalist initially sought detailed documentation regarding the monitoring of environmental conditions in areas where Pfas were detected. Specifically, he requested minutes from meetings held by the "Technical Table for Environmental Monitoring of the Area Affected by the Detection of the Compound Pfba." This table was established in June 2025 following a report from the "Bacchiglione" Basin Council, which identified the presence of Pfba in groundwater. The discovery raised alarms within the Province of Vicenza and led to an investigation by Arpav, the Venetian agency for the environment. Milioni’s request included minutes from meetings involving approximately twenty individuals representing administrative, health, and environmental authorities in Veneto. One such meeting on June 17, 2025, discussed the closure of eight wells drawing water from the aquifer due to excessive levels of Pfas. This information was particularly alarming because the area under consideration also housed construction sites for the Pedemontana, including tunnels in Malo and Sant'Urbano. It suggested a potential link between infrastructure activities and environmental contamination. Despite repeated requests, the Regional Directorate for Environment refused to provide full access to the documents. Instead, they indicated that the involvement of external administrations and participants in the technical table would be necessary, a process they claimed would begin in the following month. This response appeared to delay the release of information rather than facilitate it. Milioni then escalated his request to Governor Alberto Stefani and Secretary for Planning Maurizio Gasparin. Only on May 28 did he receive a ten-page summary of three meetings held in June 2025, October 2025, and February 2026. These summaries lacked names of attendees, their statements, and supporting technical documents, leaving many questions unanswered. Milioni expressed frustration over this partial disclosure, arguing that a summary or excerpt does not constitute a complete response to a request concerning a sensitive and publicly relevant issue. He questioned whether such limited information could truly satisfy the requirements of transparency and public interest. His concerns suggest that certain aspects might be deliberately omitted or downplayed. The situation has drawn attention from legal bodies and professional organizations. Milioni filed a formal complaint with the Public Prosecutor's Office in Venice, which will be reviewed by the office headed by Alessandra Dolci, formerly an assistant prosecutor in Milan. The case may lead to an investigation into possible omissions or negligence. Additionally, Milioni has brought the matter to the attention of the Veneto Press Association, citing a violation of the right to information linked to the civic access mechanism. This mechanism allows citizens to request copies of documents, aiming to enhance transparency in public administration. The controversy highlights broader issues surrounding environmental regulation and the balance between public accountability and bureaucratic discretion. As investigations continue, the outcome may influence future policies regarding access to public records and the handling of environmental concerns in infrastructure development projects. The resolution of this case could set important precedents for how similar situations are managed in the future.