CREST Agreements with NARA

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

The CIA states that it monitors usage of the CREST terminals at the Archives in College Park, but in response to a FOIA request for video footage from the cameras overlooking those terminals, the CIA stated that NARA owned and maintained the videos, not the CIA. By necessity, this means that any time someone from the CIA wishes to review video footage of the CREST terminals, NARA must be involved. This is a request for any records documenting instances in 2013-14 in which a representative of the CIA has reviewed or copied video footage of the CREST terminals. This is also a request for any agreements, MOUs, or similar documents discussing CIA access to this video footage

At the CREST terminals there is a notice describing the anonymous information collected about terminal sessions, stating that the information is used in part for law enforcement purposes. However, since that information is anonymous, any law enforcement purpose would also require review of video footage to identify the suspect and determine exactly what was being done. The CIA maintains that it does not have to release the CREST database in its entirety to FOIA requesters because of the security procedures it uses to monitor how that database is used, but there is no information in the public record regarding how often such security procedures have actually been needed. Accordingly, it would significantly contribute to the public’s understanding of government operations and activities if, through the responsive records, it was possible to determine how often, if ever, this video footage was actually of use, so as to better understand the merits of the CIA’s position that while all of the information in CREST is publicly available and declassified, it cannot be released through FOIA.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Michael Morisy