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
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...
Can I ask that any Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processing fees be waived? Can I ask that any Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processing fees be waived?
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If you are a registered requester with the Department of the Interior’s FOIA Public Access Link (PAL), Sign In to view the status of your request(s), send a message to the FOIA Office, or download responsive records once they are delivered. If you are not a registered requester, you can still check the status of your request by clicking on Check Request Status in the PAL toolbar. Be prepared to...
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)?
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Related
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...
Can I ask that any Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processing fees be waived? Can I ask that any Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processing fees be waived?
Yes, you can request a waiver of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processing 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...
How do I check the status of my U.S. Geological Survey Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request? How do I check the status of my U.S. Geological Survey Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request?
If you are a registered requester with the Department of the Interior’s FOIA Public Access Link (PAL), Sign In to view the status of your request(s), send a message to the FOIA Office, or download responsive records once they are delivered. If you are not a registered requester, you can still check the status of your request by clicking on Check Request Status in the PAL toolbar. Be prepared to...
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...