Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2005/08/12/05-15985/rule-implementing-the-freedom-of-information-act
Timestamp: 2017-11-22 10:05:45
Document Index: 386332368

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A Rule by the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board on 08/12/2005
70 FR 47079
47079-47085 (7 pages)
05-15985
CHAPTER XIII—NUCLEAR WASTE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/05-15985 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/05-15985
This document institutes the Board's final rule to implement a set of procedural regulations under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552, the Freedom of Information Act, and Public Law 104-231, the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996. These regulations were written to conform to the statutory provisions in the Acts, to expedite the processing of FOIA requests received by the Board, and to ensure the proper dissemination of information to the public.
Victoria Reich at (703) 235-4473.
The proposed rule was published in the December 29, 2004 Federal Register (69 FR 77956) for a six-week public comment period. A copy of the proposed rule was also posted on the Board's Web site and on the Federal Rulemaking Portal.
This rule sets forth the procedures for members of the public to request records from the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board under both the Freedom of Information Act and the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996. The rule also describes the procedures that the Board will use when responding to such requests. It sets up the time frames for responses and the current fee schedule for applicable charges for information. The rule also supplies information about Board materials available to the public through both the Board's reading room and its Web site.
The Board received several comments on the proposed rule. Its responses to those comments are detailed below.
1. The Board modified § 1303.106 Responsibility, form, and content of responses. To ensure that its record search was not inappropriately limited, the Board substituted “When determining which records are responsive to a request, the Board will include only records in its possession as of the date of the search.” for “When determining which records are responsive to a request, the Board will include only records in its possession as of the date receipt of the request.”
2. The Board added additional language to § 1303.106(c) Responsibility, form, and content of responses to clarify its procedure for dealing with records containing nonpublic information obtained from other federal agencies.
3. The Board modified § 1303.107(e)(3) Timing of responses to requests. To make explicit its intent to expedite a broad range of requests, the Board substituted “[A] requestor under § 1303.108 must demonstrate that their professional activity involves news reporting or otherwise disseminating information to the public,” for “[A] requestor under § 1303.108 must establish that his/her professional activity is news reporting.”
4. The board modified § 1303.109(a) Restrictions of charging fees. To clarify that it would not charge fees for certain searches, the Board substituted “No search or review fee shall be charged for requests by educational institutions, noncommercial scientific institutions, and representatives of the news media.” for “No review fee shall be charged for requests by educational institutions, noncommercial scientific institutions, and representatives of the news media.”
The Board has made two additional changes to the rule not considered to be substantive.
1. The mailing address for § 1303.105(a)(2) Requests for Board records was incorrect. It has been corrected to read, “Send an e-mail request to foia@nwtrb.gov.”
2. Because of problems with the receipt of excessive e-mails to foia@nwtrb.gov not relating to the regulation, the Board has decided to amend § 130.105(a)(2) Requests for Board records and § 1303.114(a)(ii) Appeals by specifying that the acronym FOIA or words Freedom of Information Act must appear in the subject line.
These proposed regulations will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Start Printed Page 47080Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis as provided by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended, is not required.
Therefore, the Board establishes Chapter XIII in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, consisting of part 1303, to read as follows:
Restriction on charging fees.
Apeals.
(4) Could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of any confidential source, including a State, local, or foreign agency or authority, or any private institution which furnished information on a confidential basis, and in the case of a record or information compiled by a criminal law enforcement Start Printed Page 47081agency in the course of a criminal investigation or by an agency conducting a lawful security intelligence investigation, information furnished by a confidential source;
(2) Send an e-mail request to foia@nwtrb.gov and specify that this is a FOIA request in the subject line; or
(g) Submitting a FOIA request shall be considered a commitment by the requestor to pay all applicable fees required under § 1303.108 unless the requestor seeks a waiver of fees. When making a request, you may specify a willingness to pay fees up to a specific amount.
(b) Acknowledgement of requests. On receipt of a request, the Board shall send an acknowledgment letter or an e-mail confirming the requestor's agreement to pay fees under § 1303.108 and providing a request number for further reference.
(1) If the statutory time limits for processing a request cannot be met because of “usual circumstances” as defined in the FOIA, the Board shall promptly notify the requestor in writing, explaining the circumstances and giving the date by which the request can be completed or if the Board cannot complete the request. If the extension is for more than 10 working days, the Board shall provide the requestor with an opportunity either to:Start Printed Page 47082
(3) Requests for expedited processing must include a statement explaining in detail the basis for requesting expedited processing. For example, a requestor under § 1303.108 must demonstrate that their professional activity involves news reporting or otherwise disseminating information to the public, although this need not be their sole occupation. A requestor also must establish a particular urgency to inform the public about government activity involved in the request, beyond the public's right to know about government activity generally.
(a) General. The Board shall charge for processing requests the FOIA in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section, except where fees are limited under § 1303.109 or where a waiver or reduction of fees is granted under § 1303.111. Fees must be paid before the copies of records are sent. Fees may be paid by check or money order payable to the Treasury of the United States.
(i) Search fees shall be charged for all requests subject to the limitations of § 1303.109. The Board may charge for time spent searching even if no responsive record is located, or if the record(s) located are withheld as exempt from disclosure.
(2) Duplication. Duplication fees for paper copies of a record will be 10 cents per page for black and white and 20 cents per page for color. For all other forms of duplication, the Board shall charge the direct costs of producing the copy. All charges are subject to the Start Printed Page 47083limitations of § 1303.109 and § 1303.111.
(d) If only some of the records to be released satisfy the requirements for a Start Printed Page 47084waiver of fees, a waiver shall be granted only for those records.
(i) By mail to: U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, 2300 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 1300, Arlington, VA 22201;Start Printed Page 47085
(ii) By e-mail to: foia@nwtrb.gov specifying that this is a FOIA request in the subject line; or
[FR Doc. 05-15985 Filed 8-11-05; 8:45 am]