Gov't shutdown impact on FOIA (Department of Agriculture)

Dear Ms. Best:

This email acknowledges receipt of your attached Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Departmental FOIA Office (DFO). Your request was received by this office on January 31, 2019.

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 (DA) components. 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.

Due to the increasing number of FOIA requests received by this office, we may encounter some delay in processing your request. Pursuant to USDA FOIA regulations, Title 7 CFR §1.8(d), the USDA processes FOIA requests according to their order of receipt.

Provisions of the FOIA allow USDA to recover part of the cost of complying with your request. 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). For your review and information, a copy of the USDA FOIA Fee Schedule is attached. In accordance with 7 CFR Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 1 Section 6(a)(4), your fees shall be waived where the amount of the fee is $25.00 or less.

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-01838-F. Please refer to this case number in any future correspondence. If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact me at (202) 694-5260 or electronically at Camille.Aponte@ocio.usda.gov<mailto:Camille.Aponte@ocio.usda.gov> or USDAFOIA@ocio.usda.gov<mailto:USDAFOIA@ocio.usda.gov>.

For additional information regarding USDA FOIA regulations and process, 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.

Sincerely,

Departmental FOIA Office

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Camille C. Aponte-Rossini, Esq.
FOIA Analyst (Contractor)
Departmental FOIA Office
Office of the Chief Information Officer
US Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 2025A
Washington, DC 20250
☎ 202-694-5260 (Voice)
✉ Camille.Aponte@ocio.usda.gov<mailto:Camille.Aponte@ocio.usda.gov>

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.

Dear Ms. Best,

Attached are a letter and records in final response to the above-referenced FOIA request.

Regards,

[cid:image001.png@01D72D31.ABE97450]
Camille C. Aponte-Rossini
Government Information Specialist
Freedom of Information Act Division
Office of Information Affairs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 4045A
Washington, DC 20250
☎ 202-505-0271 (Work Cell)
✉ Camille.Aponte@usda.gov<mailto:Camille.Aponte@usda.gov>

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.