I'm sure that there will be a significant backlog due to the letters the TTB sent out. This is a burden that they created for themselves. They chose to kick down doors in FLA. They chose to arrest hobbyists (rather than real moonshiners). They chose to beat their chests by publishing their exploits in their newsletter. They chose to further harass hobbyists with letters that threaten $500K/10 year punishment. They chose to include the newsletter (now strutting like street-corner whores). And they chose to point recipients to their website.

So if you received a letter, you should automatically apply for your AFP. Use the written form and mail it in ... what do you care if it takes longer? It'll take them longer as well ... and paper has a cool way of piling up on desks. And even if you think you will be denied, send in an application anyway. After all, you're just an honest person who wants to make clean energy and follow the rules. Force them to handle your application ... to make a determination and provide a detailed reason why you were denied. And if you're denied a permit, complain to your representative. Do things in writing/email and keep all of your documentation.

Now here's the good part: those same regulations that apply to us also apply to them. So I'll tell you what, if anything is not handled by-the-book, call your representative and complain, then follow-up with a letter/email. If you don't receive a notice of receipt within 15 days, complain to your representative. If you don't receive your permit or a detailed reason for denial after 45 days, complain to your representative. If you don't receive notice of receipt within 15 days of an ammendment, complain to your representative. If you are denied and you are not provided a detailed reason for the denial, in writing, complain to your representative.

Given the current environment in DC these days, I'm sure that at least one of our reps will be more than happy to jump in to kick ass and take names. They are mostly a pack of wolves, many of which would love to take credit for uncovering yet another agency that doesn't follow its own rules.

Bury the TTB in their own regulations ... let the TTB live with the unintended consequence of their own actions. We've read how condenscending Mr. Hogue was with Congressman Whittman's aide ... who knows? Maybe we'll get to see how tough he is when he's testifying before a House Sub-committee!

--JB

Despite the opine of jackasses, the paper form isn't denied because it has "more" than the online form does - It does not.

And the people at the TTB didn't know any more than this was a courtesy letter (if you can call it that). We have heard that from a congressman who asked directly and what I heard directly. Whoever "hinted" there is more to come should STFU and stop scaring people. The TTB is counting on state govts to spend their monies to enforce.

File a paper form, it will take you about 2 hours to collect the required proofs (proof of land ownership, drawing and ID's) and mail it. They will not reject it unless you don't qualify (No external plant or a previous misdemeanor or felony). They did not reject mine, or three others I know used the paper form. The other point the misinformed is missing about the paper form is you can claim it's submitted while the backlog makes it impossible to satisfy the requests. Doing it online gives them a break and can burn thru quicker.

Misinforming people is more a piss off than the letter. KM, if you are really going to quit, please do so and leave us the alone.