What information/data is NOT covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?
Information/data that is NOT covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) includes:
- Non-agency records and personal records.
- Public requests for access to physical artifacts or scientific samples (e.g. core samples, sediment, rocks, fossils, specimen samples, blood samples). Access to some samples can be arranged through our laboratories.
- Files that are protected from disclosure by any of nine exemptions and three exclusions (e.g. classified records, personal medical records, and trade secrets). For details see the FOIA Exemptions and Exclusions on our USGS FOIA website.
- Records of your current employment with the USGS. That information is covered by the Privacy Act. For questions or to submit a Privacy Act request, send an email to privacy@usgs.gov.
- Records of your employment with the USGS after you have retired. To obtain a copy of your official employment record, contact the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), which is part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
For additional information about the FOIA process, please visit the USGS FOIA website or send an email to foia@usgs.gov.
Related
How long will it take to process my Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request? 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...
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 can I do if I cannot find a publication in the USGS Publications Warehouse? What can I do if I cannot find a publication in the USGS Publications Warehouse?
If you can't find a known publication in our USGS Publications Warehouse, first try contacting the Publications Warehouse Team. If a print copy is readily available to them, they’re sometimes able to scan it and post it online for free download within a few days. If that doesn’t work, chances are good that the publication can be requested through Interlibrary Loan. Ask about Interlibrary Loan...
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...
Related
How long will it take to process my Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request? 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...
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 can I do if I cannot find a publication in the USGS Publications Warehouse? What can I do if I cannot find a publication in the USGS Publications Warehouse?
If you can't find a known publication in our USGS Publications Warehouse, first try contacting the Publications Warehouse Team. If a print copy is readily available to them, they’re sometimes able to scan it and post it online for free download within a few days. If that doesn’t work, chances are good that the publication can be requested through Interlibrary Loan. Ask about Interlibrary Loan...
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...