SF-311 2017 (Drug Enforcement Administration)
| Tracking # |
18-00829-F |
| Multi Request | SF-311 2017 |
| Submitted | June 17, 2018 |
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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:
Copies of all drafted, submitted or received SF-311 forms (https://www.archives.gov/files/isoo/security-forms/sf311.pdf) produced in the year prior to the receipt of this FOIA request. SF-311 forms may also be identified as Agency Security Classification Management Program Data.
I am a member of the news media and request classification as such. I have previously written about the government and its activities, with some reaching over 100,000 readers. As such, as I have a reasonable expectation of publication and my editorial and writing skills are well established. In addition, I discuss and comment on the files online and make them available through non-profits such as the Internet Archive and MuckRock, disseminating them to a large audience. While my research is not limited to this, a great deal of it, including this, focuses on the activities and attitudes of the government itself. As such, it is not necessary for me to demonstrate the relevance of this particular subject in advance.
Additionally, case law states that “proof of the ability to disseminate the released information to a broad cross- section of the public is not required.” Judicial Watch, Inc. v. Dep’t of Justice, 365 F.3d 1108, 1126 (D.C. Cir. 2004); see Carney v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 19 F.3d 807, 814-15 (2d Cir. 1994). Further, courts have held that "qualified because it also had “firm” plans to “publish a number of . . . ‘document sets’” concerning United States foreign and national security policy." Under this criteria, as well, I qualify as a member of the news media.
Additionally, courts have held that the news media status "focuses on the nature of the requester, not its request. The provision requires that the request be “made by” a representative of the news media. Id. § 552(a)(4)(A)(ii)(II). A newspaper reporter, for example, is a representative of the news media regardless of how much interest there is in the story for which he or she is requesting information." As such, the details of the request itself are moot for the purposes of determining the appropriate fee category.
As my primary purpose is to inform about government activities by reporting on it and making the raw data available, I request that fees be waived.
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: Drug Enforcement Administration
Good Morning Ms. Best:
Please see the attached signed acknowledgment letter for the FOIA request that was received in our office on June 18, 2018. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the GIS Specialist that is listed on your letter or call the mainline number listed below
Respectfully yours,
Jewell Carroll
Program Specialist
Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Unit (SARF)
(Desk) 202-307-4006; (fax) 202-307-8556
FOIA/PA Main Phone Line 202-307-7596
From: Drug Enforcement Administration
Good Morning Ms. Best:
Please see the attached signed status letter for the FOIA request that was received in our office on June 18, 2018. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the GIS Specialist that is listed on your letter or call the mainline number listed below
Respectfully yours,
Jewell Carroll
Program Specialist
Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Unit (SARF)
(Desk) 202-307-4006; (fax) 202-307-8556
FOIA/PA Main Phone Line 202-307-7596
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on June 17, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. You had assigned it reference number #18-00829-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Drug Enforcement Administration
Good afternoon Ms. Best,
This is to inform you that two searches were conducted for the processing of your request (the Office of Security Programs (IS) and the Office of Forensic Sciences (SF) , however no responsive records were located. Further, be advised that an additional search is been currently conducted by the Office of Security Programs (IS) in another section. SARF is still awaiting a response on this additional search and once we are in possession of the records if any, your request will be process as expeditiously as possible. Your patience in this matter is greatly appreciated. If you have questions regarding the status of your request please contact me directly via email of by phone. Thank you and have a pleasant day.
Rita A. Cuellar
Government Information Specialist (GIS)
Freedom of Information and/Privacy Act Unit (SARF)
Telephone # (202)307-7610
FAX # (202)307-8556
W-6082
“Faith is the ability to take that first step when you cannot even see the whole staircase.”
Dr. Martin Luther King
From: Emma North-Best
I appreciate the update.
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on June 17, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #18-00829-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Drug Enforcement Administration
Good morning Ms. Emma,
We retrieved responsive information pertaining to your request, however this information was previously released under SARF’s FOIA Case Number 17-00362-F. (MuckRock 33728-96277546). Please advise if this fulfill your request or if you need additional information. Your attention to this FOIA matter is appreciated. Have a pleasant day.
Rita A. Cuellar
Government Information Specialist (GIS)
Freedom of Information and/Privacy Act Unit (SARF)
Telephone # (202)307-7610
FAX # (202)307-8556
W-6082
“Faith is the ability to take that first step when you cannot even see the whole staircase.”
Dr. Martin Luther King
From: Drug Enforcement Administration
Good morning Ms. Best,
Attached, you will find our response to your SARF case number 18-00829-F request. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the GIS Specialist that is listed on your letter or call the mainline 202-307-7596.
Respectfully yours,
Ms. Whitley
Program Specialist
Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Unit (SARF)
(desk) 202-353-1212; (fax) 202-307-8556
FOIA/PA Main Phone Line 202-307-7596
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