Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2006/03/24/06-2866/declassification-of-national-security-information
Timestamp: 2018-02-22 03:22:36
Document Index: 712815744

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u20091260', '§\u20091260', '§\u20091260', '§\u20091260', '§\u20091260', '§\u20092001', '§\u20091260', '§\u20091260', '§\u20091260', '§\u20091260', '§\u20091260', '§\u20091260', '§\u20091260', '§\u20091260', '§\u20091260', '§\u20091260', 'art 1260', '§\u20091260', 'art 1256', 'art 2001', 'art 1275']

A Rule by the National Archives and Records Administration on 03/24/2006
14808-14815 (8 pages)
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/06-2866 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/06-2866
This rule updates NARA's regulations related to declassification of classified national security information in records transferred to NARA's legal custody. The rule incorporates changes resulting from amendments to Executive Order 12958, Classified National Security Information, as amended. These changes include establishing procedures for the automatic declassification of records in NARA's legal custody and revising requirements for reclassification of information to meet the provisions of EO 12958, as amended. This rule will affect members of the public and Federal agencies.
The proposed rule was originally published in the August 12, 2005, Federal Register (70 FR 47161) for a sixty day comment period. We notified several researcher organizations about the proposed rule and posted a notice about it on our Web site, http://www.archives.gov. NARA received eight responses to the proposed rule. Two were from individuals, one was from a public interest group, and the others were from government agencies. Two of the responses from government agencies were no comments.
One individual expressed concern about actions of the George W. Bush administration, including that an Executive Order (EO) has been used to permanently seal records of the two Bush presidencies. This issue is beyond the purview of EO 12958, as amended. The other individual's comment objected to the provisions in subpart E regarding reclassification. He stated that there is no urgent need for alteration of current processes available to the agencies involved in the safeguarding of our nation's security interests. However, this rule brings NARA policy into conformity with provisions of EO 12958, as amended, and therefore, his comments cannot be accepted.
Two comments questioned the concept of “integral file block.” One commenter asked if the term was new or had been used previously in a records management environment. The other commenter was concerned that an integral file block could contain records spanning an indefinite period of time—possibly decades—and this would effectively prevent the timely declassification of historically significant information that would otherwise be eligible for release. The commenter recommended that NARA adopt regulations that would provide for review of integral file blocks that span more than eight years to determine whether the integral file block could be broken up for the purpose of declassification while maintaining the integrity of the records.
Integral file blocking is a long standing practice in records management. The concept was introduced into the EO to promote better, more efficient reviews. For example, rather than review records in any one box multiple times on a year by year basis, an agency can review all records in the box at one time. Records are handled less frequently and are reviewed in relationship to each other, enhancing the possibility of contextual decisions. Most records are reviewed by the originating agencies and NARA Start Printed Page 14809cannot control how they apply the integral file block concept. That is a matter for the originating agencies' record management personnel and for Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) oversight of agency declassification programs. Therefore, we do not accept the recommendation to adopt regulations to review integral file blocks spanning more than eight years to see if they can be broken up to facilitate declassification.
The same commenter recommended adding language to § 1260.52 to explain a requester's right to appeal to the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP) if an agency fails to respond to a mandatory review request within one year of the date of the request and further to add similar language to §§ 1260.54 and 1260.55 to inform an appellant of the right to appeal to the ISCAP if a final decision on the appeal is not made within 180 days of the date of the appeal. NARA accepts these recommendations and has amended §§ 1260.52, 1260.54, and 1260.55 to include additional language.
The same commenter also recommended amending § 1260.70 involving reclassification. The Order states that in order for information to be reclassified, it must be “reasonably recoverable.” The commenter suggested including a definition of “reasonably recoverable” in order to better inform agencies of the circumstances under which reclassification may be inappropriate and that the Archivist may object to reclassification. NARA has added to the end of § 1260.70 the language “in accordance with section 1.7(c) of the Order and § 2001.13(a) of the Implementing Directive (32 CFR 2001.13(a))”.
One commenter suggested adding a sentence to the definition of declassification in § 1260.2 stating that if an agency does not review records before automatic declassification occurs, that process will supersede the agency's review. This suggested change is not necessary because section 3.3 of the EO covers this. The same commenter asked if an agency can delegate to NARA authority in the form of declassification guidance to declassify foreign government information. According to 32 CFR 2001.30(h), NARA must consult with the original classifying agency. This commenter also suggested that the statement in § 1260.42(a)(2) that NARA will “provide space for agency reviewers in the facility in which the records are located as space is available” is contradictory and suggested that NARA clarify the wording. NARA has revised the section to indicate that NARA will provide space to the extent that space is available.
This commenter asked why in § 1260.44 NARA stated that it will consider loaning records back to an originating agency for declassification review only in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. NARA has limited the loan of accessioned records to the Washington, DC, metropolitan area so that NARA staff can inspect an agency facility to insure that the facility has proper environmental and security conditions for accessioned archival records. NARA staff must also be able to monitor the handling and storage of archival records while in agency custody.
One commenter objected to the provisions of § 1260.46 allowing a delay in automatic declassification of five years for classified information in microforms, motion pictures, audiotapes, videotapes, or comparable media that make declassification review more difficult. He stated that “While the term ‘Special media records’ has long been used by NARA to designate government records existing on microform, film audiotapes, videotapes and the like, it is time to not separate out government records based upon the media they reside on. Records are records.” In the 2003 amendment to the EO, ISOO recognized that classified information contained in microforms, motion pictures, audiotapes, videotapes, or comparable media might make a review for possible declassification exemptions more difficult or costly and implemented this provision. This rule brings NARA's procedures into conformity with the EO.
One commenter suggested that the time for an agency to follow up on a preliminary telephone request for an urgent reclassification action be shortened from 5 days to 3 for fear that the longer time will lead to the formal documentation not being provided. NARA does not accept this recommendation. Initial requests for reclassification usually come from agency declassification reviewers. NARA wants to allow time for appropriate staffing of the request within the agency.
One agency commenter requested revision of § 1260.28 to make it clear that the Department of Defense, in conjunction with the Department of Energy, is responsible for classification and declassification guidance for Formerly Restricted Data. We have revised § 1260.28 to read, “Only designated officials within the Department of Energy may declassify records containing Restricted Data. Any record determined to contain Restricted Data (RD) may not be reviewed for declassification of national security information until the Secretary of Energy has determined that the RD marking may be removed. Declassification review of national security information in records containing Formerly Restricted Data (FRD) may only be performed after the Secretary of Energy, in conjunction with the Secretary of Defense, has determined that the FRD marking may be removed.”
As part of NARA's analysis of comments received on the proposed rule, ISOO recommended that we add language to paragraphs (a) and (b) of § 1260.20 to make it clear that while there is no requirement for an agency to review its records for its own equities, there is a requirement to review for those of other agencies. We have made the suggested changes.
In § 1260.26 we have changed Director of Central Intelligence to Director of National Intelligence to conform with the change in the law. We have deleted “The Executive Secretary” and corrected the room number for the address of the ISCAP cited in §§ 1260.54(e), 1260.55(d), and 1260.62(c). We have made minor clarifications in language in §§ 1260.40, 1260.54(b)(2), 1260.54(f), 1260.74(d), and 1260.74(e).
This rule is a significant regulatory action for the purposes of EO 12866 and has been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, I certify that this rule will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities because it affects Federal agencies and individual researchers. This rule does not have any federalism implications.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, NARA amends chapter XII of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, by revising part 1260 to read as follows:
Who is responsible for the declassification of classified national Start Printed Page 14810security Executive Branch information that has been accessioned by NARA?
Who is responsible for issuing special procedures for declassification of information pertaining to intelligence activities, sources and methods, or of classified cryptologic information in NARA's holdings?
What if NARA does not concur with an agency decision to reclassify or restore the classification of information that has been previously released?
(a) This part defines the responsibilities of NARA and other Federal agencies for declassification of classified national security information in the holdings of NARA.
This part also describes NARA's procedures for:
(a) Classified national security information or classified information means information that has been determined under EO 12958, as amended, or any predecessor order to require protection against unauthorized disclosure and is marked to indicate its classified status when in documentary form.
(d) Mandatory declassification review means the review for declassification of classified information in response to a request for declassification that meets the requirements under section 3.5 of EO 12958, as amended.
(a) Consistent with the requirements on automatic declassification in section 3.3 of EO 12958, as amended, the originating agency is responsible for declassification of its information, but may delegate declassification authority to NARA in the form of declassification guidance. Even though the agency delegates declassification authority to NARA in the form of declassification guidance, the agency remains responsible for reviewing the records to identify other agencies having primary subject matter interest (“equities”) before the date that the records become eligible for automatic declassification.
(b) If an agency does not delegate declassification authority to NARA, the agency is responsible for both declassification of its own information and reviewing the records to identify the equities of other agencies before the date that the records become eligible for automatic declassification.
(c) NARA is responsible for the declassification of records of a defunct Start Printed Page 14811agency that has no successor in function. NARA will consult with agencies having equities in the records before making declassification determinations.
(a) The Director of National Intelligence is responsible for issuing special procedures for declassification of classified information pertaining to intelligence activities and intelligence sources and methods.
Only designated officials within the Department of Energy may declassify records containing Restricted Data. Any record determined to contain Restricted Data (RD) may not be reviewed for declassification of national security information until the Secretary of Energy has determined that the RD marking may be removed. Declassification review of national security information in records containing Formerly Restricted Data (FRD) may only be performed after the Secretary of Energy, in conjunction with the Secretary of Defense, has determined that the FRD marking may be removed.
(a) Consistent with the requirements on automatic declassification in section 3.3 of EO 12958, as amended, NARA staff may conduct systematic reviews for declassification of records for which the originating agencies have provided declassification guidance. The originating agency must review records for which it has not provided declassification guidance.
(c) Classified materials in the Presidential Library system may be referred to agencies holding equity in the documents via the Remote Archives Capture (RAC)Project. The RAC Project is a collaborative program to implement the declassification provisions of E.O. 12958, as amended, with respect to twenty-five year old or older classified holdings in the Presidential Libraries. Classified Presidential materials at the libraries are scanned and brought to the Washington, DC, metropolitan area in electronic form for review by equity-holding agencies in the metropolitan area.
(e) Obtain NARA approval for the use of any equipment as described in § 1260.42 (b)(3), such as scanners, copiers, or cameras, to ensure that they do not pose an unacceptable risk of damage to archival materials.
(a) Textual records and collections. Classified records within an integral file block will be automatically declassified on December 31 of the year that is 25 years from the date of the most recent record within the file block, except as specified in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) of this section.
(b) Special media records. (1) Federal records. Upon proper notification from the originating agency, NARA will delay automatic declassification for 5 additional years for classified information contained in microforms, motion pictures, audiotapes, videotapes, or comparable media that make a review for possible declassification exemptions more difficult or costly. Information contained in special media records that has been referred to an equity holder will be automatically declassified 5 years from the date of notification or 30 years from the date of origination of the Start Printed Page 14812special media, whichever is longer, unless otherwise properly exempted.
(c) Delayed referrals. NARA will delay automatic declassification for up to 3 years for classified records that have been identified by the originating agency, or by NARA, and referred to an additional agency or agencies less than 3 years before automatic declassification would otherwise be required.
(d) Other exceptions. NARA will apply automatic declassification only to information that has been properly referred to the agency that created the records, or to another agency, but not acted upon by those agencies within 3 years from the date of notification, or 28 years from the date of the record or integral file block, whichever is later.
(1) Information that has not been properly identified and referred to an agency other than the agency that created the records is not subject to automatic declassification. When NARA identifies information of interest to another agency, that agency will have 3 years from the date of notification to exempt or declassify its equity, and to further refer the record if appropriate. If no action is taken, the information from the agency that received the referral will be automatically declassified 3 years from the date of notification.
(e) Discovery of information inadvertently not reviewed. When NARA identifies a file series or collection in our physical and legal custody that contains classified information over 25 years old and that was inadvertently not reviewed before the effective date of automatic declassification, NARA must report the discovery to ISOO within 90 days of discovery. Within 180 days NARA will refer the records to the originating agency or systematically review the records.
(f) If NARA determines that a requester has submitted a request for the same information or material under both the mandatory review and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), as amended, the request will be treated as a request under the FOIA, unless the requested information or materials are subject only to mandatory review.
(g) In every case, NARA will acknowledge receipt of the request and inform the requester of the action taken. If additional time is necessary to make a declassification determination on material for which NARA has delegated authority, NARA will tell the requester how long it will take to process the request. NARA will also tell the requester if part or all of the requested information is referred to other agencies for declassification review, subject to section 3.6 (a) and (b) of EO 12958 as amended.
(d) The agency must also furnish, for transmission to the requester, a brief statement of the reasons the requested information cannot be declassified and a statement of the requester's right to appeal the decision, along with the procedures for filing an appeal. The agency must also supply for transmission to the requester a contact name and title and the address where the appeal must be sent. Additional information on appeals for requesters is Start Printed Page 14813located in 36 CFR part 1256 and in Appendix A to 32 CFR part 2001 (Article VIII).
(e) If the agency fails to make a decision on the mandatory review request within one year of the original date of the request, the requester may appeal to the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP).
(a) If an agency denies a declassification request under mandatory review, the requester may appeal directly to the appeal authority at that agency. If a final decision on the appeal is not made within 180 days of the date of the appeal, the appellant may appeal to the ISCAP.
(2) Copies of any documents denied in part that were furnished in sanitized form to the requester.
(e) NARA will also notify the requester of the right to appeal denials of access to the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel, Attn: Mandatory Review Appeals, c/o Information Security Oversight Office, National Archives and Records Administration, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 503, Washington, DC 20408.
(f) The pertinent NARA office or Presidential Library will coordinate the potential release of information declassified by the ISCAP when the materials are subject to the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act, 44 U.S.C. 2111 note, and the Presidential Records Act, 44 U.S.C. 2203.
(g) In the case of an appeal for information originated by a defunct agency, NARA will notify the requester of the results and furnish copies of documents declassified in full and in part. If the requested information cannot be declassified in its entirety, NARA will send the requester a brief statement of why the requested information cannot be declassified and a notice of the right to appeal the determination within 60 calendar days to the Deputy Archivist of the United States, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.
(a) If an agency denies a declassification request under mandatory review for Nixon Presidential materials or a Presidential record as defined by 44 U.S.C. 2201, the requester may appeal the determination within 60 calendar days to the Deputy Archivist of the United States, through the appropriate Presidential library. If a final decision on the appeal is not made within 180 days of the date of the appeal, the appellant may appeal to the ISCAP.
(c) NARA will notify the requester in writing of the determination and make available any additional information that has been declassified as a result of the requester's appeal, according to the notification procedures of EO 13233 for Presidential records or 36 CFR part 1275.
(d) NARA will also notify the requester of the right to appeal denials of access to the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel, Attn: Mandatory Review Appeals, c/o Information Security Oversight Office, National Archives and Records Administration, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 503, Washington, DC 20408.
(e) The pertinent NARA office or Presidential Library will coordinate the potential release of information declassified by the ISCAP when the materials are subject to the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act, 44 U.S.C. 2111 note, and the Presidential Records Act, 44 U.S.C. 2203.
(c) If NARA determines that a requester has submitted a request for the same information or material under both the mandatory review and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), as amended, the request will be treated as a request under the FOIA, unless the requested information or materials are subject only to mandatory review.
(f) If the requested records are more than 25 years old, NARA will review the records using systematic declassification guidance provided by the originating agency and agencies having equities in the information. If the originating agency, or agencies having equities in the information have not provided systematic declassification guidance, or if there is a question regarding the guidance, NARA will refer any requested documents it is unable to Start Printed Page 14814declassify to the appropriate agency or agencies for their recommendations regarding declassification.
(c) NARA will also notify the requester of the right to appeal denials of access to the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel, Attn: Mandatory Review Appeals, c/o Information Security Oversight Office, National Archives and Records Administration, 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 503, Washington, DC 20408.
(a) Records that were properly declassified in accordance with EO 12958, as amended, (or predecessor orders) and that have been released may be temporarily closed and considered for reclassification at the request of an agency. Final action must be taken under the personal authority of the agency head or deputy agency head, who determines in writing within 20 workdays that the reclassification of the information is necessary in the interest of the national security. In addition, the information must be reasonably recoverable in accordance with section 1.7(c) of the Order and section 2001.13(a) of the Implementing Directive (32 CFR 2001.13(a)).
(b) Records that were not properly declassified in accordance with EO 12958, as amended, (or predecessor orders) remain classified. Upon notification, NARA will take administrative action to restore markings and controls, as appropriate. In the event that records have been released, they may be temporarily closed and their classification reviewed at the request of an agency. The agency must notify NARA of the results of the review within 30 days.
(a) If NARA is concerned that relevant procedures and policies under EO 12958, as amended, or its Implementing Directives are not being properly implemented, the Archivist will promptly report such situations to the Director of ISOO.
(b) If, in the opinion of the Archivist, an agency's determination with respect to the classification status of records that have been previously released is improper, the Archivist, as an authorized holder, may challenge the classification status of the pertinent records in accordance with section 1.8 of EO 12958, as amended.
(d) If no response is provided by the agency within 120 days, NARA may forward the challenge directly to the ISCAP. NARA must forward the challenge within 60 days of the agency's failure to provide a response within the 120 day response period.
(e) If an agency appellate authority fails to provide NARA with a response to an appeal within 90 days of its receipt, NARA may forward the appeal directly to the ISCAP. NARA must forward the challenge within 60 days of the agency's failure to provide a response to an appeal within the 90 day response period.
[FR Doc. 06-2866 Filed 3-23-06; 8:45 am]