FOIA Guidance
It is the policy of the bet365下载ios to make records available to the public to the greatest extent possible. The information you are looking for may already be posted online. If you cannot find it online or you are not sure whether the bet365下载ios has the records you are seeking, you may find it helpful to contact the before filing a FOIA request.
bet365下载ios FOIA Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I request records from the bet365下载ios under the FOIA?
2. What should I include in my FOIA request?
3. Will the bet365下载ios charge a fee to process my FOIA request?
4. How long will the bet365下载ios take to respond to my request?
5. How can I check the status of my FOIA request?
6. May I appeal the bet365下载ios鈥檚 response to my FOIA request?
1. How do I request records from the bet365下载ios under the FOIA?
The bet365下载ios is highly decentralized and does not maintain a central database of records in its possession. The Division of Information Resources and Technology Management (IRTM) oversees the bet365下载ios FOIA program. The bet365下载ios FOIA Officer calls the IRTM home.
Since so much of the bet365下载ios's work is conducted in the field, most Service records are maintained by its regional offices. You may submit a FOIA request directly to the bet365下载ios FOIA Officer or one or more of the bet365下载ios鈥檚 regions. However, where you send your FOIA request will affect its processing (see DOI鈥檚 FOIA regulations at ):
- A request addressed to a particular bet365下载ios region or office will be presumed to seek only records from that particular region or office.
- If you are seeking records from across the entire bet365下载ios, please submit your request via the . Specify that you are seeking 鈥渁ll bet365下载ios records regarding [subject].鈥 The bet365下载ios FOIA Officer will forward your request to the region(s) and/or office(s) that he or she believes has or are likely to have responsive records.
- If you send a request to the bet365下载ios FOIA Officer or any bet365下载ios region or office stating that you are seeking records located at another bet365下载ios region or office, the appropriate FOIA contact will forward the request to the other region or office.
- If you send a request to a particular bet365下载ios region stating that you are seeking records from other unspecified regions or offices within the bet365下载ios, the appropriate FOIA contact will send the request to the bet365下载ios FOIA Officer. He or she will forward it to the regions or offices that he or she believes have or are likely to have responsive records.
2. What should I include in my FOIA request?
Any FOIA request you send to the bet365下载ios should include the same basic elements:
- Your name, mailing address, daytime telephone number (or the name and telephone number of an appropriate contact), email address, and fax number (if available) in case we need additional information.
- A reasonable description of the records you are seeking. A 鈥渞easonable鈥 description contains sufficient detail to enable bet365下载ios personnel familiar with the subject matter of the request to locate the records with a reasonable amount of effort.
- To the extent possible, please include identification of the date, title or name, author, recipient, and subject of any particular records you seek; the office that created the records you seek; the timeframe for which you are seeking records; and any other helpful identifying information. (Please do not include any personal information in your request unless it is needed for processing.)
- Specification of the format in which you wish to receive records (e.g., hard copies, electronic copies, etc.).
- A statement of your willingness to pay all applicable fees, fees up to a particular amount, or your request for a fee waiver (with the required justification; see ).
Please be advised that the FOIA does not require the bet365下载ios to do research for you, to analyze data, to answer written questions, or to create records in response to your request.
If your request does not reasonably describe the records sought, we will inform you what additional information is needed. We will also notify you that we will not be able to comply with your FOIA request unless you provide the additional information requested within 20 workdays. If we do not receive a written response within 20 workdays after asking for additional information, we will presume that you are no longer interested in the records and will close the file on your request.
3. Will the bet365下载ios charge a fee to process my FOIA request?
There is no initial fee required to submit a FOIA request, but the FOIA does provide for the charging of certain types of fees in some instances. The bet365下载ios charges for processing requests under the FOIA in accordance with and the . We will ensure that we conduct searches, reviews, and duplication in the most efficient and least expensive manner possible.
You may always include in your request letter a specific statement limiting the amount that you are willing to pay in fees. If you agree to pay fees for a records search, be aware that you may be required to pay such fees even if the search does not locate any responsive records or, if records are located, even if they are determined to be entirely exempt from disclosure.
You may also request a waiver of fees. Under the FOIA, fee waivers are limited to situations in which a requester can show that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. (See .)
4. How long will the bet365下载ios take to respond to my request?
The time the bet365下载ios takes to respond to each request varies depending on the complexity of the request and the backlog of requests already pending at the Service.
The bet365下载ios uses multitrack processing to distinguish simple requests from more complex ones on the basis of the estimated number of workdays needed to process the request. We will advise you of the track into which your requests falls and, when appropriate, will offer you an opportunity to narrow your request so that it can be placed in a different processing track. The use of multitrack processing does not alter the statutory 20-workday deadline the bet365下载ios has to determine whether to comply with your FOIA request. (See .)
If the bet365下载ios needs an extension of time (i.e., 10 workdays) to respond to your request, it will notify you in writing and offer you the opportunity to modify or limit the scope of your request. Alternatively, you may agree to a different timetable for the processing of your request. (See .) Whenever possible, the bet365下载ios will issue rolling releases of records to you if it cannot issue a complete response in one package.
Under certain conditions, you may be entitled to have your request processed on an expedited basis. First, we will expedite your request if the lack of expedited treatment could reasonably be expected to pose a threat to someone's life or physical safety. Second, if an individual will suffer the loss of substantial due process rights, we will expedite your request. (See .)
5. How can I check the status of my FOIA request?
You may contact the FOIA office responsible for the processing of your request at any time.
6. May I appeal the bet365下载ios鈥檚 response to my FOIA request?
Yes, you have the right to appeal. See . Before filing an appeal, you may wish to communicate with the contact person listed in the FOIA response, the bet365下载ios's FOIA Officer, and/or the to see if the issue can be resolved informally.
For more information on how to file an appeal, see the Department鈥檚 page.
Note: Please direct all inquiries pertaining to the status of your appeal to the FOIA Appeals Office:
Department of the Interior
Office of the Solicitor
1849 C Street, N.W.
MS-6556 MIB
Washington, DC 20240
Attn: FOIA Appeals Office
Telephone: (202) 208-5339
Fax: (202) 208-6677
Email: FOIA.Appeals@sol.doi.gov