First FOIA (Department of Agriculture)
| Tracking # |
2019-DA-04229-F |
| Multi Request | First FOIA |
| Submitted | May 20, 2019 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Emma North-Best
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
*Documents generated as part of the creation of the FOIA office (defined as whatever department, office, or coordinator is responsible for overseeing and/or processing FOIA requests), whether this was at the time of the agency's creation or the passage of the Freedom of Information Act, to include:
1. The instruction to do so from the Agency, as well as any guidance from the senior leadership
2. Documents discussing proposals and procedures
3. Any legal guidance or analysis produced or acquired by the Agency in response to or as part of the creation of the FOIA office
4. Internal documents from the press office, legislative liaison's office (or equivalent), general counsel's office (or equivalent), director's office (or equivalent) or the newly created FOIA office, reacting to or characterizing the office and it's creation
* A copy of the agency's first perfected (successful) FOIA request
* Copies of other FOIA requests filed before the FOIA request described above
* Processing notes, search slips and response documents regarding the FOIA requests described above
* The first set of guidelines, instructions and/or forms created to control the agency's processing of FOIA requests
* A copy of the agency's first successful FOIA appeal
* Copies of other FOIA appeals received by the agency before the appeal described above
* Processing notes, search slips and response documents regarding the FOIA appeals described above
* The first set of guidelines, instructions and/or forms created to control the agency's processing of FOIA appeals
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, 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,
Emma Best
From: U.S. Department Of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
Good afternoon, Ms. Best.
This e-mail acknowledges receipt of the May 21, 2019, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request you submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Departmental FOIA Office (DFO). Your request was received for processing on May 28th.
The DFO is under the purview of the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and serves as the focal point for USDA's FOIA program. The DFO provides coordination and ensures agency-wide compliance with the FOIA. Additionally, the DFO processes requests and appeals on behalf of the Office of the Secretary and Departmental Administration's ("DA") components (previously referred to as Departmental Management). For a complete listing of DA's components, please visit http://www.dm.usda.gov/agencies.htm.
The FOIA, 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(A)(i), requires USDA to make a determination in response to a FOIA request within 20 business days from its date of receipt. In unusual circumstances, the Federal agency time limit may be extended by 10 business days as stated in 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(B). If your request seeks numerous documents that will necessitate a wide-ranging search, including searches with components and possible consultations with components that have a substantial interest in the determination of this request, USDA will invoke a 10 business day extension for determination of your request. You have the option to narrow the scope of your request to limit the number of potentially responsive documents.
Provisions of the FOIA allow USDA to recover part of the cost of complying with your requests. For purposes of fee assessment, you have been categorized as a media requester, pursuant to 7 CFR Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 1 Section (5)(c). In accordance with 7 CFR Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 1 Section 6(a)(4), FOIA fees are waived where the amount of the fee is $25.00 or less.
You have requested a fee waiver. Your classification as a media requester renders your fee waiver request moot since the only fees that would apply to you are duplication costs beyond the first 100 pages. Since the agency's response to your requests will be delivered electronically, duplication costs are not anticipated.
A search will be initiated by the DFO for records responsive to your request. If any responsive records are located, they will be reviewed for determination of releasability. Please be assured that a FOIA Analyst in this office will respond to your request as expeditiously as possible. We appreciate your patience as we proceed with your request.
Your request has been assigned FOIA Case No. 2019-DA-04229-F. Please refer to this case number in any future correspondence. If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Ms. Christine Jordan at (202) 772-9091 or electronically at Christine.Jordan@ocio.usda.gov<mailto:Christine.Jordan@ocio.usda.gov> or USDAFOIA@ocio.usda.gov<mailto:USDAFOIA@ocio.usda.gov>. For additional information regarding USDA FOIA regulations and processes, please refer to the information available on-line at www.dm.usda.gov/foia<http://www.dm.usda.gov/foia>.
The DFO Team appreciates the opportunity to assist you in this matter.
This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
From: U.S. Department Of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
Good evening, Ms. Best.
Please find attached the Final Response Letter associated with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request you submitted recently to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Departmental FOIA Office, 2019-DA-04229-F. A copy of your incoming request also is attached for your reference.
Best,
Christine Jordan, Esq.
Program Manager-FOIA
USDA/OCIO Contractor
Departmental FOIA Office
Room 4105
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington DC 20250
Telephone: (202) 772-9091
This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
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