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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> <head><script type="text/javascript" src="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=7YQSqjSh" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.usgs.gov/foia/","20100106182820","https://web.archive.org/","web","https://web-static.archive.org/_static/", "1262802500"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=p7PEIJWi" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1"/> <title>FOIA (Freedom of Information Act)</title> <meta name="description" content="FOIA Electronic Reading Room"/> <meta name="keywords" content="U.S. Geological Survey, USGS, foia, freedom of information act"/> <meta name="author" content="USGS, GIO"/> <meta name="publisher" content="USGS - U.S. Geological Survey"/> <meta name="created" content="20030114"/> <meta name="revised" content="20061218"/> <meta name="expires" content="Never"/> <meta name="review" content="20071218"/> <style type="text/css">  </style></head> <body> <head> <link href="/web/20100106182820cs_/http://www.usgs.gov/styles/common.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"> <link href="/web/20100106182820cs_/http://www.usgs.gov/styles/custom.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"> </head> <body>  <div id="usgscolorband"> <div id="usgsbanner"> <div id="usgsidentifier"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/"><img src="/web/20100106182820im_/http://www.usgs.gov/images/header_graphic_usgsIdentifier_white.jpg" alt="USGS - science for a changing world" title="U.S. Geological Survey Home Page" width="178" height="72"/></a></div> <div id="usgsccsabox"> <div id="usgsccsa"> <br/><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/">USGS Home</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/ask/">Contact USGS</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/search/">Search USGS</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="usgstitle"> <p>U.S. Geological Survey</p> </div>  <div id="topnav"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod/" title="Browse and download maps, images, and publications">Maps, Imagery, and Publications</a> <a href="/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/hazards/" title="Earthquakes, Floods, Hurricanes, Landslides, Tsunamis, Volcanoes, Wildfires">Hazards</a> <a href="/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/" title="The latest news from the USGS">Newsroom</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://education.usgs.gov/" title="Educational resources, data, lesssons, and more">Education</a> <a href="/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/ohr/" title="The latest openings at the USGS">Jobs</a> <a href="/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/aboutusgs/working_with_us/partnerships.asp" title="Partnerships with the USGS">Partnerships</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://library.usgs.gov/" title="The largest earth science library in the world!">Library</a> <a href="/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/aboutusgs/" title="Who we are and what we do">About USGS</a> <a href="/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/rss/" title="RSS feeds, podcasts, and other data resources">Podcasts/RSS <img src="/web/20100106182820im_/http://www.usgs.gov/images/icons/rss_icon_12.gif" alt="" width="12" height="12" border="0" class="img-absmiddle"/></a> </div> <br> <a name="content"></a> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="20" width="100%" summary="This table shows the introduction for the USGS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Electronic Reading Room. The right column is the navigation bar and the left column contains basic information" dir="ltr" title="USGS, Freedom of Information Act, Electronic Reading Room"> <tr> <th id="header1"></th> <th id="header2"></th> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td headers="header1" width="70%"> <h1>U.S. Geological Survey<br/>Freedom of Information Act<br/>Electronic Reading Room</h1><p></p> <img src="/web/20100106182820im_/http://www.usgs.gov/foia/books.jpg" alt="image of an aisle of a library stack" width="200" height="100" align="left" border="0"></img> <p><strong>Background</strong></p> <p>The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552, as amended, is based on the principle of openness in government and generally provides that any person has a right, enforceable in court, of access to Federal agency records, except to the extent that such records (or portions thereof) are protected from disclosure by one of nine exemptions or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions. Under the spirit and provisions of the FOIA, Federal agencies are to make their records available to the public to the greatest extent possible.</p> <p>FOIA requests for a copy of U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) records can be made by any individual or public or private organization other than a Federal agency. The request must: (1) be in writing or by e-mail to foia@usgs.gov, (2) specifically cite the Freedom of Information Act, (3) reasonably describe the records sought, and (4) indicate a willingness to pay fees, (specify the amount they are willing to pay) or ask for a fee waiver. The request will be sent to the USGS FOIA Officer, Mail Stop 807, National Center, Reston, VA 20192.</p> <p><strong>Process</strong></p> <p>Upon receipt, the FOIA Officer will direct the request to the appropriate USGS FOIA Representative. The FOIA representative or an assigned liaison officer will respond to the request no later than 20 workdays after receipt, as required by the FOIA statute. When it is necessary to forward a request to another installation such as a field office for response, the time limit begins upon receipt by the field office. A time extension, not to exceed an additional 10 workdays, may be taken in certain circumstances. However, the requester must be notified in writing that an extension is being taken, the reason(s) for taking the extension, and the anticipated date of the FOIA response.</p> <p>A FOIA response must advise the requester of the records that the bureau intends to disclose or to withhold, the exemption(s) authorizing the withholding (including a citation or summary of each exemption), and a strong justification for withholding the record(s). Normally the records to be disclosed will be provided with the response letter. If the records are not provided with the letter, they will be sent as soon as possible thereafter.</p> <p><strong>USGS Uses Multi-track Processing of FOIA Requests</strong></p> <p>In accordance with 43 CFR 2.26, the USGS uses three processing tracks based on the amount of time required for a request to be processed: Simple, 1-5 workdays, Normal, 20 workdays, and Complex, over 20 workdays. For more information see <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.doi.gov/foia/policy.html">http://www.doi.gov/foia/policy.html</a>.</p> <p><strong>Denials</strong></p> <p>Headquarters USGS FOIA responses involving a denial or partial denial of records must be coordinated with the FOIA Officer. In the central, eastern and western regions, denials are usually signed by the Regional Geospatial Information Officer (RGIO), after consultation with the regional solicitor. A denial or partial denial letter will contain a paragraph advising the requester of the right to file an appeal with the Department of the Interior's FOIA Appeals Officer.</p> <p><strong>Contact</strong></p> <p>If you have questions on the USGS FOIA process, please contact:</p> <p style="margin-left:3.5em"></p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/mailto:foia@usgs.gov">USGS FOIA Officer</a><br/> Mail Stop 807<br/> National Center<br/> USGS<br/> Reston, VA 20192 <p style="margin-left:3.5em"></p>FOIA Requester Service Center<br/>(303) 202-4692 <p style="margin-left:3.5em"></p>FOIA Public Liaison<br/> 703-648-7159 or 703-648-7063</td> <td headers="header3" width="30%"><p></p> <table border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="100%" bgcolor="#FFFFCC" summary="This table is the navigation bar to FOIA related information" dir="ltr" title="Navigation Bar"> <tr> <th id="header3"></th> </tr> <tr> <td headers="header3"> <h4>Department of the Interior</h4> <ul><li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.doi.gov/foia/index.html">Department of Interior FOIA</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.doi.gov/foia/handbook_2004.pdf">Department of the Interior's (DOI) Freedom of Information Act Handbook, 383 DM 15*</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.doi.gov/foia/2009/FOIA%20%20Search%20and%20Review%20Fees%20chart%20Aug%201%202009.pdf">DOI Search and Review Fees</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.doi.gov//foia/foitabl.htm">DOI Guide for Obtaining Information</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.doi.gov/foia/readroom.html">DOI Electronic Reading Room</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.doi.gov/foia/frrindex.html">DOI Index of Frequently Requested Documents Under the FOIA</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.doi.gov/foia/contacts.html">DOI FOIA Contacts</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.doi.gov/foia/report.html">DOI FOIA Annual Report</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.doi.gov/foia/exec_order.html">DOI FOIA Improvement Plan (EO 13392)</a></b><p></p></li></ul> <h4>U.S. Geological Survey</h4> <ul><li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/usgs-manual/313/318-1.html">Survey Manual 318.1 - Freedom of Information Act - General</a>, provides USGS Guidance on the Freedom of Information Act.</b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/foia/officers.html">List of USGS FOIA Contacts</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/aboutusgs/organized/org_chart.asp">USGS Organization Chart</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/aboutusgs/organized/key_officials.asp">USGS Directory of Key Officials</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/phonebook/employee">USGS Phone Book</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/ask/">Contact USGS</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/aboutusgs/who_we_are/laws.asp">Laws, Policies, and Guidelines Governing USGS Activities</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/stratplan/">USGS Science Strategy</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/info_qual/">Guidelines for Ensuring the Quality of Information Disseminated to the Public</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/usgs-manual/">U.S. Geological Survey Manual</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/usgs-manual/95imlist.html">Instructional Memoranda</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/aboutusgs/">About USGS</a></b></li></ul> <p></p><h4>Other Resources</h4> <ul><li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/index.html">Department of Justice FOIA</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usdoj.gov/ag/foia-memo-march2009.pdf">Attorney General's Memorandum for Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies Concerning the Freedom of Information Act (March 19, 2009)</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/email-map-obama.pdf">E-mail to DOJ FOIA Officers, Agency Chief FOIA Officers and Agency Principal FOIA Contacts Concerning President Obama's Memorandum on the Freedom of Information Act (January 23, 2009)</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/FreedomofInformationAct/">President Obama’s Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies Concerning the Freedom of Information Act (January 21, 2009)</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/foiapost/2008foiapost9.htm">Open Government Act of 2007</a></b></li> <li><b><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.doi.gov/foia/policy.html">FOIA Policy and Guidance</a></b></li> </ul></td></tr></table></td></tr></table><p></p><p></p> <p style="font-size:x-small">*Note: Download free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files at the Adobe Web site. Or go to <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.adobe.com/enterprise/accessibility/main.html">access.adobe.com</a> for free tools that allow visually impaired users to read PDF files.</p><p></p>  <div id="usgsfooter"> <p id="usgsfooterbar"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/laws/accessibility.html" title="Accessibility Policy (Section 508)">Accessibility</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/foia/" title="Freedom of Information Act">FOIA</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/laws/privacy.html" title="Privacy policies of the U.S. Geological Survey.">Privacy</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/laws/policies_notices.html" title="Policies and notices that govern information posted on USGS Web sites.">Policies and Notices</a> </p> <p id="usgsfootertext"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.takepride.gov/"><img src="/web/20100106182820im_/http://www.usgs.gov/images/footer_graphic_takePride.jpg" alt="Take Pride in America logo" title="Take Pride in America Home Page" width="60" height="58"/></a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://usa.gov/"><img src="/web/20100106182820im_/http://www.usgs.gov/images/footer_graphic_usagov.jpg" alt="USA.gov logo" title="USAGov: Government Made Easy" width="90" height="26"/></a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.doi.gov/">U.S. Department of the Interior</a> | <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://www.usgs.gov/">U.S. Geological Survey</a><br/> URL: http://www.usgs.gov/foia/index.html<br/> Page Contact Information: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100106182820/http://answers.usgs.gov/cgi-bin/gsanswers?pemail=ask">Ask USGS</a> <br/> Page Last Modified: 16-Sep-2009@15:03 </p> </div>  </body> </html>