SF-716 2001-2017 (Department of Agriculture)
It is a clone of this request.
| Tracking # |
18-00090, 19-00045 18-00090 FOIA 2018-DA-04812-F |
| Multi Request | SF-716 2001-2017 |
| Submitted | June 24, 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-716 forms (https://www.archives.gov/files/isoo/security-forms/sf716.pdf) produced from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2017. SF-716 forms are filed annually and may also be identified as Agency Security Classification Costs Estimates.
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.
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). 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 are moot for the purposes of determining the 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: U.S. Department Of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
Dear Ms. Best:
This email acknowledges receipt of your attached June 25, 2018, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Departmental FOIA Office (DFO). This office received your request for processing on June 26, 2018.
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 Departmental Management). For a complete listing of DA's components, please visit http://www.dm.usda.gov/agencies.htm.
The FOIA regulation 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 records 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 records.
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.
You have requested a fee waiver. However, your classification as a media requester renders your fee waiver request moot because the only fees that would apply to you are duplication costs beyond the first 100 pages. Since you requested that your response be delivered electronically, duplication costs are not anticipated.
A search will be conducted 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 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. 2018-DA-04812-F. Please refer to this case number in any future correspondence. If you have any questions regarding the processing of this request, please contact Ms. Kathleen Drohan at 202-694-1802, kathleen.drohan@ocio.usda.gov<mailto:kathleen.drohan@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.
Thanks,
Kathleen Drohan, on behalf of the DFO team.
Kathleen Drohan
FOIA Analyst (Contractor)
United States Department of Agriculture
Departmental FOIA Office
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Room 4105
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington DC 20250
Telephone: (202) 694-1802
Email: Kathleen.Drohan@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.
From: U.S. Department Of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
Hi Emma,
I was wondering if you would be willing to provide a phone number so I could call you to speak about your request? Do you just want the SF-716 forms themselves or are you more specifically looking for information that is contained/reported on the forms?
Thanks,
Kathleen
From: U.S. Department Of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
Hi Emma,
Just following up on the below email.
Thanks,
Kathleen
From: Emma North-Best
I'm looking for the forms themselves, and any readily accessible documents that were sent along with them (i.e. cover letters, accompanying emails or memos, etc.)
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 24, 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 #FOIA 2018-DA-04812-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: U.S. Department Of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
Dear BEST:
Your request has been received. For your information, this office currently has a backlog of requests for information, which we manage in accordance with USDA's Regulations and Department ofJustice Freedom of lnformationAct (FOIA) policy. The FOIA Staff processes requests on a first-in, first-out basis using "multi-tracks." There are four tracks: an expedited track, if the request qualifies; a simple track for relatively simple requests; a complex track for more complex and lengthy requests; and a remanded track, when a FOIA appeal is granted. Please be assured that your request will be categorized and processed in turn.
Should you have questions, you may contact the FOIA Staff at FOIA.STAFF@usda.gov<mailto:FOIA.STAFF@usda.gov> or at (202) 720-5677 and refer to Log No. 18-00090.
FOIA/Privacy Act Staff
Legal Staff
From: U.S. Department Of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
Ms. Best,
Attached is your final response from USDA DFO regarding your FOIA request (also attached).
Thanks,
Kathleen
Kathleen Drohan
FOIA Analyst (Contractor)
United States Department of Agriculture
Departmental FOIA Office
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Room 4105
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington DC 20250
Telephone: (202) 694-1802
Email: Kathleen.Drohan@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.
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 24, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #FOIA 2018-DA-04812-F.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: U.S. Department Of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
Hi Emma,
I think this is perhaps an automated email? I sent you a final response on August 27th. Your response was referred/routed in full to USDA OIG.
Thanks,
Kathleen
From: Emma North-Best
Apologies, my attempt to follow-up was meant to go to them. They haven't acknowledged the request yet.
From: U.S. Department Of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
Hi Emma,
Keep me posted on whether you hear back from IG. I’ll see what I can do about helping you get an acknowledgement from them. I can at least try to reach out to them directly.
Thanks,
Kathleen
From: U.S. Department Of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
Hi Emma,
I was going back through my correspondence with you and I want to clear up something pertaining to two similar requests of yours.
The DFO provided you a response for your request regarding SF-716 forms on 8/28/18. The DFO processed that request under FOIA request number 2017-DA-04812-F. In the DFO response, we informed you that your request was referred, in full, to USDA OIG. This request is closed out and is no longer an active request with the DFO.
On 10/17/18, DFO received a referral of documents from NARA related to a request you submitted to NARA on 2/19/18 regarding SF-311s. The DFO is processing that request under 2019-DA-00426-F. For your reference, the tracking number NARA used for your SF-311 request is: NARA-NGC-2018-000333.
My apologies for any confusion. I hope this email clarifies things and the status/posture for each of your requests. If not, please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Thanks,
Kathleen
From: U.S. Department Of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
A copy of documents responsive to the request.
From: U.S. Department Of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary
The request has been forwarded from one agency to another agency or department for further review or follow up.
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