Core racks filled with split cores in D-tubes in the K.O. Emery Geotechnical Wing walk-in refrigerator
How long will it take to process my Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request?
The USGS uses a multi-track processing system. We distinguish simple requests from more complex ones based on the estimated number of workdays needed to process the request. Factors include the number of pages involved in processing the request and the need for consultations with other federal agencies.
Requests within each track are processed and responded to on a first-in/first-out basis:
Expedited - requests that have been granted expedited processing. These will be processed as soon as practicable.
Simple - requests requiring little or no search, review, or analysis. These can be processed in one to five workdays.
Normal - These are usually processed in six to twenty workdays.
Complex - requests that involve the entire contents of a case file, or that require extensive search, review, referral, consultation, and analysis. These can be processed in twenty-one to sixty workdays.
Exceptional/Voluminous - requests requiring more than sixty workdays for processing. These involve very complex processing challenges that might include a large number of records. In these cases, we attempt to provide interim responses to requesters on a rolling basis.
For additional information, please send an email to foia@usgs.gov.
Related
What is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)? What is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?
Since 1967, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has provided the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government. Federal agencies are required to disclose any information requested under the FOIA unless it falls under one of nine exemptions that protect interests such as personal...
What USGS products are already publicly available? What USGS products are already publicly available?
As the Nation’s largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, we have numerous types of products. Most of these--including data, tools, maps, and publications--are publicly available through our website. Almost all digital materials can be downloaded at no cost to the public. For information about USGS science, products and data, send a message through this website...
Is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request confidential? Does my identity impact the results? Is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request confidential? Does my identity impact the results?
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests are not confidential. Once a FOIA request is received, it becomes a public record of the USGS. If the request contains personally identifying information or the request is deemed “sensitive,” we may redact information under FOIA Exemption 6 (personal privacy). The identity of the FOIA requester does not have any bearing on the outcome of the FOIA request...
Why does the USGS invoke Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Exemption 5 (deliberative process privilege)? Why does the USGS invoke Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Exemption 5 (deliberative process privilege)?
FOIA Exemption 5 (deliberative process privilege) applies to inter-agency or intra-agency records where, for instance, there is a work product that is in draft format or documents that contain deliberations between parties leading up to a decision (including what to publish or not to publish in one of our products). The purpose of the privilege is to: Encourage open, frank discussions on matters...
Walls and carts of cores
Core racks filled with split cores in D-tubes in the K.O. Emery Geotechnical Wing walk-in refrigerator
Records Preservation
Older materials and recently arrived items in the Field Records Collection are in various states of preservation and documentation.
Older materials and recently arrived items in the Field Records Collection are in various states of preservation and documentation.
On File at the Field Records Collection
The Field Records Collection in Denver houses materials generated from nearly 130 years of scientific investigations by more than 1200 scientists.
The Field Records Collection in Denver houses materials generated from nearly 130 years of scientific investigations by more than 1200 scientists.
Related
What is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)? What is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?
Since 1967, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has provided the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government. Federal agencies are required to disclose any information requested under the FOIA unless it falls under one of nine exemptions that protect interests such as personal...
What USGS products are already publicly available? What USGS products are already publicly available?
As the Nation’s largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, we have numerous types of products. Most of these--including data, tools, maps, and publications--are publicly available through our website. Almost all digital materials can be downloaded at no cost to the public. For information about USGS science, products and data, send a message through this website...
Is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request confidential? Does my identity impact the results? Is a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request confidential? Does my identity impact the results?
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests are not confidential. Once a FOIA request is received, it becomes a public record of the USGS. If the request contains personally identifying information or the request is deemed “sensitive,” we may redact information under FOIA Exemption 6 (personal privacy). The identity of the FOIA requester does not have any bearing on the outcome of the FOIA request...
Why does the USGS invoke Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Exemption 5 (deliberative process privilege)? Why does the USGS invoke Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Exemption 5 (deliberative process privilege)?
FOIA Exemption 5 (deliberative process privilege) applies to inter-agency or intra-agency records where, for instance, there is a work product that is in draft format or documents that contain deliberations between parties leading up to a decision (including what to publish or not to publish in one of our products). The purpose of the privilege is to: Encourage open, frank discussions on matters...
Walls and carts of cores
Core racks filled with split cores in D-tubes in the K.O. Emery Geotechnical Wing walk-in refrigerator
Core racks filled with split cores in D-tubes in the K.O. Emery Geotechnical Wing walk-in refrigerator
Records Preservation
Older materials and recently arrived items in the Field Records Collection are in various states of preservation and documentation.
Older materials and recently arrived items in the Field Records Collection are in various states of preservation and documentation.
On File at the Field Records Collection
The Field Records Collection in Denver houses materials generated from nearly 130 years of scientific investigations by more than 1200 scientists.
The Field Records Collection in Denver houses materials generated from nearly 130 years of scientific investigations by more than 1200 scientists.
Updated Date: September 6, 2024