Freedom of Information Act; implementation,

[Federal Register: June 30, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 127)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 40503-40516]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr30jn00-8]

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

31 CFR Part 1

[1505-AA76]

Departmental Offices; Disclosure of Records: Freedom of Information Act

AGENCY: Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This document amends the Department of the Treasury's regulations on the disclosure of records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The amendment incorporates requirements of the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996 (Pub. L. 104- 231) with respect to records maintained in electronic formats, the timing of agency responses to FOIA requests, and other procedural matters.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 30, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alana Johnson, Departmental Disclosure Officer, Department of the Treasury (202) 622-0930.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 6, 1999, the Department published a proposed rule that revised and updated its regulations on disclosure of records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). See 64 FR 24454, May 6, 1999. The public was afforded an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking through submission of written comments on the proposed rule.

Comments

Comments were received from a public interest organization. Two of its recommendations were adopted in part, and as a result, new or revised language has been incorporated in the final regulation. The Department's responses to the specific recommendations made by the public interest organization are given below:

1. Time-of-Request Cut-off Policy. The commenter objected to the use of the date of receipt of a request by the appropriate bureau official as a cut-off date for records considered to be responsive to the request. Commenter believes that a later cut-off date will in some circumstances result in a much fuller and complete disclosure. The Department's proposed use of the date of receipt is a wide-spread government practice. To do it otherwise would be administratively impractical. Therefore, Treasury has determined that use of the date of receipt as a cut-off date for responsive records is reasonable.

2. Expedited Processing and Standard Regarding ``Urgency to Inform.'' The proposed regulation pertaining to requests for expedited processing at Sec. 1.5(e)(2)(ii) includes language which defines ``compelling need'' with respect to a request made by a person primarily engaged in disseminating information. The regulation states that the standard of ``urgency to inform'' requires that the records requested ``pertain to a matter of current exigency to the American public and that delaying a response to a request for records would compromise a significant recognized interest to and throughout the American general public.'' The commenter objects to this standard, asserting that it unduly restricts the types of requests that must be expedited under the statute. The Department believes that the terms ``significant recognized interest'' and ``to and throughout the American public'' do not narrow the application of the statutory language but rather clarify appropriately the basis for permitting expedited processing in specific circumstances. Therefore, no change will be made to this section.

3. Categories for Expedited Processing. The commenter recommended that an additional category for expedited processing be added: The loss of substantial due process rights. The Department has decided not to accept this recommendation. This does not eliminate the use of the FOIA process for this purpose, and other avenues are available to an individual to seek records to support a claim that due process rights are not being afforded.

4. The commenter expressed concern about Treasury's receipt of multiple FOIA requests for records about a particular current event, and the possible resultant delay in processing those requests because of an existing request backlog. The Department agrees with the addition of language in the regulation in order to address this concern, and has added the following as paragraph (4) in Sec. 1.5(a):

   When a bureau receives five or more requests for substantially the same records, it shall place those requests in front of an existing request backlog that the responsible official may have. Upon completion of processing, the released records shall be made available in the bureau's public reading room, and if created on or after November 1, 1996, shall be made available in the electronic reading room of the bureau's web site.

5. Timing for Release of Information Made Available by Computer Telecommunications. The commenter objected to the Department's language at Sec. 1.4(b), which states that records required to be made available pursuant to section (a)(2) of the FOIA shall be made available on the Internet ``no later than one year after such records are created.'' The commenter believes that the ``no later than one year'' provision is not authorized by statute and imposes a needless delay that frustrates the purpose of the electronic reading room requirement. The Department disagrees. However, the final rule has been revised to include ``as soon as practicable but'' after ``November 1, 1996'' and before ``no later than one year after such records are created * * *.'' In addition, we believe that the inclusion of language at Sec. 1.5(c) (addressing the commenter's concern about existing backlogs delaying multiple requests for same records) addresses this particular concern also. Should multiple requests for the same records be received, those records will be given first priority processing and placed on the Internet.

6. Consultations and Referrals. The commenter objects to the Department's practice of referring records which originated at another bureau or agency to that originating bureau or agency for direct response to the requester. The commenter recommends that requests be referred to the originating agency only if that agency ``intended to retain the authority to decide if and when materials are released to the public'' and if ``an intention on the part of the originating agency that it retain control is made evident either by explicit indications to that effect on the face of each record or by the circumstances surrounding the creation and transfer of records.'' The proposed regulations are designed not to delay responses to requests but to facilitate them by providing a process, common throughout the Government, not only in the FOIA context, but in all manner of records handling (e.g., response to Congressional inquiries, declassification review, archival determinations, and discovery in civil litigation), for recognizing other agency equities in documents and providing the agencies opportunity to exercise their judgments about them. There is no suggestion in these regulations that the Department is not ultimately responsible for responding to FOIA requests for documents within its control.

7. Standards for Multi-track Processing. The commenter recommends that standards for multi-track processing should be articulated in the regulation. The separate bureaus of the Treasury Department are responsible for establishing FOIA processing operations for their bureau. It is our view that bureau FOIA managers are best able to determine appropriate and

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   best multi-track processes for their particular request processing operations, should they choose to establish them. For this reason, the regulation contains only general authority for establishing multi-track processing of requests, leaving bureaus the freedom to implement a multi-track system that will work best for their operations. Further, Treasury FOIA personnel are encouraged to communicate with individual requesters to assist them in narrowing the scope of a request if appropriate or possible, or in explaining the kinds or volumes of records existing that may be responsive to a request, with the goal of expediting processing. Therefore, the Department does not intend to regulate standards for multi-track processing.

8. Guides for Locating Records. Lastly, the commenter offered enhancements to ``The Freedom of Information Guide to Treasury Records,'' and the commenter's suggestions will be considered. They also recommended that the regulation be amended at Sec. 1.5(d) ``Reasonable description of records'' to include the following: ``You may want to refer to our handbook located on the Internet at www.ustreas.gov for assistance in describing the records you seek and for further information on filing a FOIA request.'' Since similar language is in Sec. 1.5(b)(3), this recommendation has not been adopted.

   The Department has determined that this document is not a significant regulatory action for purposes of E.O. 12866. Because this document merely incorporates the provisions of the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996 into Treasury's FOIA regulations and clarifies the current regulations, it is hereby certified that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. For this reason, a regulatory flexibility analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, is not required.

   The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the rule does not impose information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

   Dated: May 16, 2000. Lisa Ross, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Management) and Chief Financial Officer.

   List of Subjects in 31 CFR Part 1

   Freedom of Information.

   For the reasons set forth above, Part 1, Subpart A of Title 31 of the Code of Federal Regulations is revised as follows:

   PART 1--DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS

1. The authority citation for Part 1 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301 and 31 U.S.C. 321. Subpart A also issued under 5 U.S.C. 552, as amended.

2. Part 1, Subpart A, is revised to read as follows: Subpart A--Freedom of Information Act Sec. 1.1 General. 1.2 Information made available. 1.3 Publication in the Federal Register. 1.4 Public inspection and copying. 1.5 Specific requests for other records. 1.6 Business information. 1.7 Fees for services.

   Appendices to Subpart A

   Appendix A--Departmental Offices Appendix B--Internal Revenue Service Appendix C--United States Customs Service Appendix D--United States Secret Service Appendix E--Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Appendix F--Bureau of Engraving and Printing Appendix G--Financial Management Service Appendix H--United States Mint Appendix I--Bureau of the Public Debt Appendix J--Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Appendix K--Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Appendix L--Office of Thrift Supervision

   Subpart A--Freedom of Information Act

   Sec. 1.1 General.

   (a) Purpose and scope. (1) This subpart contains the regulations of the Department of the Treasury implementing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552, as amended by the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996. The regulations set forth procedures for requesting access to records maintained by the Department of the Treasury. These regulations apply to all bureaus of the Department of the Treasury. Any reference in this subpart to the Department or its officials, employees, or records shall be deemed to refer also to the bureaus or their officials, employees, or records. Persons interested in the records of a particular bureau should also consult the appendix to this subpart that pertains to that bureau. The head of each bureau is hereby authorized to substitute the officials designated and change the addresses specified in the appendix to this subpart applicable to the bureau. The bureaus of the Department of the Treasury for the purposes of this subpart are:

   (i) The Departmental Offices, which include the offices of:

   (A) The Secretary of the Treasury, including immediate staff;

   (B) The Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, including immediate staff;

   (C) The Chief of Staff, including immediate staff;

   (D) The Executive Secretary and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;

   (E) The Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;

   (F) The Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;

   (G) The Under Secretary for Enforcement and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;

   (H) The Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Institutions and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;

   (I) The Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;

   (J) The Fiscal Assistant Secretary and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;

   (K) The General Counsel and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff; except legal counsel to the components listed in paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(L), and (a)(1)(i)(S), and (a)((1)(ii) through (xii) of this section;

   (L) The Inspector General and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;

   (M) The Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;

   (N) The Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Legislative Affairs and Public Liaison and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;

   (O) The Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Management and Chief Financial Officer and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;

   (P) The Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Public Affairs and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;

   (Q) The Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Tax Policy and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff;

   (R) The Treasurer of the United States, including immediate staff;

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   (S) The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and all offices reporting to such official, including immediate staff.

   (ii) The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

   (iii) The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

   (iv) The United States Customs Service.

   (v) The Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

   (vi) The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

   (vii) The Financial Management Service.

   (viii) The Internal Revenue Service.

   (ix) The United States Mint.

   (x) The Bureau of the Public Debt.

   (xi) The United States Secret Service.

   (xii) The Office of Thrift Supervision.

   (2) For purposes of this subpart, the office of the legal counsel for the components listed in paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) through (xii) of this section are to be considered a part of their respective bureaus. Any office which is now in existence or may hereafter be established, which is not specifically listed or known to be a component of any of those listed in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (xii) of this section, shall be deemed a part of the Departmental Offices for the purpose of making requests for records under this subpart.

   (b) Definitions. As used in this subpart, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

   (1) Agency has the meaning given in 5 U.S.C. 551(1) and 5 U.S.C. 552(f).

   (2) Appeal means a request for a review of an agency's determination with regard to a fee waiver, category of requester, expedited processing, or denial in whole or in part of a request for access to a record or records.

   (3) Bureau means an entity of the Department of the Treasury that is authorized to act independently in disclosure matters.

   (4) Business information means trade secrets or other commercial or financial information.

   (5) Business submitter means any entity which provides business information to the Department of the Treasury or its bureaus and which has a proprietary interest in the information.

   (6) Computer software means tools by which records are created, stored, and retrieved. Normally, computer software, including source code, object code, and listings of source and object codes, regardless of medium, are not agency records. However, when data are embedded within the software and cannot be extracted without the software, the software may have to be treated as an agency record. Proprietary (or copyrighted) software is not an agency record.

   (7) Confidential commercial information means records provided to the government by a submitter that arguably contain material exempt from release under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4), because disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause substantial competitive harm.

   (8) Duplication refers to the process of making a copy of a record in order to respond to a FOIA request. Such copies can take the form of paper copy, microform, audio-visual materials, or machine readable documentation (e.g., magnetic tape or disk), among others.

   (9) Electronic records means those records and information which are created, stored, and retrievable by electronic means. This ordinarily does not include computer software, which is a tool by which to create, store, or retrieve electronic records.

   (10) Request means any request for records made pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(3).

   (11) Requester means any person who makes a request for access to records.

   (12) Responsible official means a disclosure officer or the head of the organizational unit having immediate custody of the records requested, or an official designated by the head of the organizational unit.

   (13) Review, for fee purposes, refers to the process of examining records located in response to a commercial use request to determine whether any portion of any record located is permitted to be withheld. It also includes processing any records for disclosure; e.g., doing all that is necessary to excise them and otherwise prepare them for release.

   (14) Search includes all time spent looking for material that is responsive to a request, including page-by-page or line-by-line identification of material within records. Searches may be done manually or by automated means.

   Sec. 1.2 Information made available.

   (a) General. The FOIA (5 U.S.C. 552) provides for access to information and records developed or maintained by Federal agencies. The provisions of section 552 are intended to assure the right of the public to information. Generally, this section divides agency information into three major categories and provides methods by which each category of information is to be made available to the public. The three major categories of information are as follows:

   (1) Information required to be published in the Federal Register (see Sec. 1.3);

   (2) Information required to be made available for public inspection and copying or, in the alternative, to be published and offered for sale (see Sec. 1.4); and

   (3) Information required to be made available to any member of the public upon specific request (see Sec. 1.5).

   (b) Subject only to the exemptions and exclusions set forth in 5 U.S.C. 552(b) and (c), any person shall be afforded access to information or records in the possession of any bureau of the Department of the Treasury, subject to the regulations in this subpart and any regulations of a bureau implementing or supplementing them.

   (c) Exemptions. (1) The disclosure requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552(a) do not apply to certain matters which are exempt under 5 U.S.C. 552(b); nor do the disclosure requirements apply to certain matters which are excluded under 5 U.S.C. 552(c).

   (2) Even though an exemption described in 5 U.S.C. 552(b) may be applicable to the information or records requested, a Treasury bureau may, if not precluded by law, elect under the circumstances of that request not to apply the exemption. The fact that the exemption is not applied by a bureau in response to a particular request shall have no precedential significance in processing other requests, but is merely an indication that, in the processing of the particular request, the bureau finds no necessity for applying the exemption.

   Sec. 1.3 Publication in the Federal Register.

   (a) Requirement. Subject to the application of the exemptions and exclusions in 5 U.S.C. 552(b) and (c) and subject to the limitations provided in 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1), each Treasury bureau shall, in conformance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1), separately state, publish and maintain current in the Federal Register for the guidance of the public the following information with respect to that bureau:

   (1) Descriptions of its central and field organization and the established places at which, the persons from whom, and the methods whereby, the public may obtain information, make submittals or requests, or obtain decisions;

   (2) Statements of the general course and method by which its functions are channeled and determined, including the nature and requirements of all formal and informal procedures available;

   (3) Rules of procedure, descriptions of forms available or the places at which forms may be obtained, and instructions as to the scope and contents of all papers, reports, or examinations;

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   (4) Substantive rules of general applicability adopted as authorized by law, and statements of general policy or interpretations of general applicability formulated and adopted by the bureau; and

   (5) Each amendment, revision, or repeal of matters referred to in paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section.

   (b) The United States Government Manual. The functions of each bureau are summarized in the description of the Department and its bureaus in the United States Government Manual, which is issued annually by the Office of the Federal Register.

   Sec. 1.4 Public inspection and copying.

   (a) In general. Subject to the application of the exemptions and exclusions described in 5 U.S.C. 552(b) and (c), each Treasury bureau shall, in conformance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2), make available for public inspection and copying, or, in the alternative, promptly publish and offer for sale the following information with respect to the bureau:

   (1) Final opinions, including concurring and dissenting opinions, and orders, made in the adjudication of cases;

   (2) Those statements of policy and interpretations which have been adopted by the bureau but are not published in the Federal Register;

   (3) Its administrative staff manuals and instructions to staff that affect a member of the public;

   (4) Copies of all records, regardless of form or format, which have been released to any person under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(3), and which the bureau determines have become or are likely to become the subject of subsequent requests for substantially the same records because they are clearly of interest to the public at large. The determination that records have become or may become the subject of subsequent requests shall be made by the Responsible Official (as defined at Sec. 1.1(b)(12)).

   (5) A general index of the records referred to in paragraph (a)(4) of this section.

   (b) Information made available by computer telecommunications. For records required to be made available for public inspection and copying pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2) (paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section) which are created on or after November 1, 1996, as soon as practicable but no later than one year after such records are created, each bureau shall make such records available on the Internet.

   (c) Deletion of identifying details. To prevent a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, or pursuant to an exemption in 5 U.S.C. 552(b), a Treasury bureau may delete information contained in any matter described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section before making such matters available for inspection or publishing it. The justification for the deletion shall be explained fully in writing, and the extent of such deletion shall be indicated on the portion of the record which is made available or published, unless including that indication would harm an interest protected by the exemption in 5 U.S.C. 552(b) under which the deletion is made. If technically feasible, the extent of the deletion shall be indicated at the place in the record where the deletion was made.

   (d) Public reading rooms. Each bureau of the Department of the Treasury shall make available for public inspection and copying, in a reading room or otherwise, the material described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (5) of this section. Fees for duplication shall be charged in accordance with Sec. 1.7. See the appendices to this subpart for the location of established bureau reading rooms.

   (e) Indexes. (1) Each bureau of the Department of the Treasury shall maintain and make available for public inspection and copying current indexes identifying any material described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (3) of this section. In addition, each bureau shall promptly publish, quarterly or more frequently, and distribute (by sale or otherwise) copies of each index or supplement unless the head of each bureau (or a delegate) determines by order published in the Federal Register that the publication would be unnecessary and impractical, in which case the bureau shall nonetheless provide copies of the index on request at a cost not to exceed the direct cost of duplication.

   (2) Each bureau shall make the index referred to in paragraph (a)(5) of this section available on the Internet by December 31, 1999.

   Sec. 1.5 Specific requests for other records.

   (a) In general. (1) Except for records made available under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1) and (a)(2), but subject to the application of the exemptions and exclusions described in 5 U.S.C. 552(b) and (c), each bureau of the Department of the Treasury shall promptly make the requested records available to any person in conformance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(3). The request must conform in every respect with the rules and procedures of this subpart and the applicable bureau's appendix to this subpart. Any request or appeal from the initial denial of a request that does not comply with the requirements in this subpart will not be considered subject to the time constraints of paragraphs (h), (i), and (j) of this section, unless and until the request is amended to comply. Bureaus shall promptly advise the requester in what respect the request or appeal is deficient so that it may be amended and resubmitted for consideration in accordance with this subpart. If a requester does not respond within 30 days to a communication from a bureau to amend the request in order for it to be in conformance with this subpart, the request file will be considered closed. When the request conforms with the requirements of this subpart, bureaus shall make every reasonable effort to comply with the request within the time constraints. If the description of the record requested is of a type that is not maintained by the bureau, the requester shall be so advised and the request shall be returned to the requester.

   (2) This subpart applies only to records in the possession or control of the bureau at the time of the request. Records considered to be responsive to the request are those in existence on or before the date of receipt of the request by the appropriate bureau official. Requests for the continuing production of records created after the date of the appropriate bureau official's receipt of the request shall not be honored. Bureaus shall provide the responsive record or records in the form or format requested if the record or records are readily reproducible by the bureau in that form or format. Bureaus shall make reasonable efforts to maintain their records in forms or formats that are reproducible for the purpose of disclosure. For purposes of this section, readily reproducible means, with respect to electronic format, a record or records that can be downloaded or transferred intact to a floppy disk, compact disk (CD), tape, or other electronic medium using equipment currently in use by the office or offices processing the request. Even though some records may initially be readily reproducible, the need to segregate exempt from nonexempt records may cause the releasable material to not be readily reproducible.

   (3) Requests for information classified pursuant to Executive Order 12958, ``Classified National Security Information,'' require the responsible bureau to review the information to determine whether it continues to warrant classification. Information

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   which no longer warrants classification under the Executive Order's criteria shall be declassified and made available to the requester, unless the information is otherwise exempt from disclosure.

   (4) When a bureau receives five or more requests for substantially the same records, it shall place those requests in front of an existing request backlog that the responsible official may have. Upon completion of processing, the released records shall be made available in the bureau's public reading room, and if created on or after November 1, 1996, shall be made available in the electronic reading room of the bureau's web site.

   (b) Form of request. In order to be subject to the provisions of this section, the following must be satisfied.

   (1) The request for records shall be made in writing, signed by the person making the request, and state that it is made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, or this subpart.

   (2) The request shall indicate whether the requester is a commercial user, an educational institution, non-commercial scientific institution, representative of the news media, or ``other'' requester, subject to the fee provisions described in Sec. 1.7. In order for the Department to determine the proper category for fee purposes as defined in this section, a request for records shall also state how the records released will be used. This information shall not be used to determine the releasibility of any record or records. A determination of the proper category of requester shall be based upon a review of the requester's submission and the bureau's own records. Where a bureau has reasonable cause to doubt the use to which a requester will put the records sought, or where that use is not clear from the request itself, bureaus should seek additional clarification before assigning the request to a specific category. The categories of requesters are defined as follows:

   (i) Commercial. A commercial use request refers to a request from or on behalf of one who seeks information for a use or purpose that furthers the commercial, trade, or profit interests of the requester or the person on whose behalf the request is made, which can include furthering those interests through litigation. The bureaus may determine from the use specified in the request that the requester is a commercial user.

   (ii) Educational institution. This refers to a preschool, a public or private elementary or secondary school, an institution of graduate higher education, an institution of undergraduate higher education, an institution of professional education, and an institution of vocational education, which operates a program or programs of scholarly research. This category does not include requesters wanting records for use in meeting individual academic research or study requirements.

   (iii) Non-commercial scientific institution. This refers to an institution that is not operated on a ``commercial'' basis as that term is defined in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, and which is operated solely for the purpose of conducting scientific research, the results of which are not intended to promote any particular product or industry.

   (iv) Representative of the news media. This refers to any person actively gathering news for an entity that is organized and operated to publish or broadcast news to the public. The term news means information that is about current events or that would be of current interest to the public. Examples of news media entities include television or radio stations broadcasting to the public at large, and publishers of periodicals (but only in those instances when they can qualify as disseminators of ``news'') who make their products available for purchase or subscription by the general public. These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive. In the case of ``freelance'' journalists, they may be regarded as working for a news organization if they can demonstrate a solid basis for expecting publication through that organization, even though not actually employed by it. A publication contract would be the clearest proof, but bureaus may also look to the past publication record of a requester in making this determination.

   (v) ``Other'' Requester. This refers to a requester who does not fall within any of the previously described categories.

   (3) The request must be properly addressed to the bureau that maintains the record. The functions of each bureau are summarized in The United States Government Manual which is issued annually and is available from the Superintendent of Documents. Both the envelope and the request itself should be clearly marked ``Freedom of Information Act Request.'' See the appendices to this subpart for the office or officer to which requests shall be addressed for each bureau. A requester in need of guidance in defining a request or determining the proper bureau to which a request should be sent may contact Disclosure Services at 202/622-0930, or may write to Disclosure Services, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20220. Requesters may access the ``FOIA Home Page'' at the Department of the Treasury World Wide Web site at: http:// www.treas.gov.

   (4) The request must reasonably describe the records in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.

   (5) The request must set forth the address where the person making the request wants to be notified about whether or not the request will be granted.

   (6) The request must state whether the requester wishes to inspect the records or desires to have a copy made and furnished without first inspecting them.

   (7) The request must state the firm agreement of the requester to pay the fees for search, duplication, and review as may ultimately be determined in accordance with Sec. 1.7. The agreement may state the upper limit (but not less than $25) that the requester is willing to pay for processing the request. A request that fees be waived or reduced may accompany the agreement to pay fees and shall be considered to the extent that such request is made in accordance with Sec. 1.7(d) and provides supporting information to be measured against the fee waiver standard set forth in Sec. 1.7(d)(1). The requester shall be notified in writing of the decision to grant or deny the fee waiver. A requester shall be asked to provide an agreement to pay fees when the request for a fee waiver or reduction is denied and the initial request for records does not include such agreement. If a requester has an outstanding balance of search, review, or duplication fees due for FOIA request processing, the requirements of this paragraph are not met until the requester has remitted the outstanding balance due.

   (c) Requests for records not in control of bureau; referrals; consultations. (1) When a requested record is in the possession or under the control of a bureau of the Department other than the office to which the request is addressed, the request for the record shall be transferred to the appropriate bureau and the requester notified. This referral shall not be considered a denial of access within the meaning of these regulations. The bureau of the Department to which this referral is made shall treat this request as a new request addressed to it and the time limits for response set forth by paragraph (h)(1) of this section shall begin when the referral is received by the designated office or officer of the bureau.

   (2) When a requested record has been created by an agency or Treasury bureau other than the Treasury bureau possessing the record, the bureau having custody of the record shall refer the record to the originating agency or

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   Treasury bureau for a direct response to the requester. The requester shall be informed of the referral unless otherwise instructed by the originating agency. This is not a denial of a FOIA request; thus no appeal rights accrue to the requester.

   (3) When a FOIA request is received for a record created by a Treasury bureau that includes information originated by another bureau of the Department of the Treasury or another agency, the record shall be referred to the originating agency or bureau for review and recommendation on disclosure. The agency or bureau shall respond to the referring office. The Treasury bureau shall not release any such records without prior consultation with the originating bureau or agency.

   (4) In certain instances and at the discretion of the Departmental Offices, requests having impact on two or more bureaus of the Department may be coordinated by the Departmental Offices.

   (d) Reasonable description of records. The request for records must describe the records in reasonably sufficient detail to enable employees who are familiar with the subject area of the request to locate the records without placing an unreasonable burden upon the Department. Whenever possible, a request should include specific information about each record sought, such as the date, title or name, author, recipients, and subject matter of the record. If the Department determines that the request does not reasonably describe the records sought, the requester shall be given an opportunity to provide additional information. Such opportunity may, when necessary, involve a discussion with knowledgeable Department of the Treasury personnel. The reasonable description requirement shall not be used by officers or employees of the Department of the Treasury to improperly withhold records from the public.

   (e) Requests for expedited processing. (1) When a request for records includes a request for expedited processing, both the envelope and the request itself must be clearly marked, ``Expedited Processing Requested.''

   (2) Records will be processed as soon as practicable when a requester asks for expedited processing in writing and is granted such expedited treatment by the Department. The requester must demonstrate a compelling need for expedited processing of the requested records. A compelling need is defined as follows:

   (i) Failure to obtain the requested records on an expedited basis could reasonably be expected to pose an imminent threat to the life or physical safety of an individual. The requester shall fully explain the circumstances warranting such an expected threat so that the Department may make a reasoned determination that a delay in obtaining the requested records could pose such a threat; or

   (ii) With respect to a request made by a person primarily engaged in disseminating information, urgency to inform the public concerning actual or alleged Federal Government activity. A person ``primarily engaged in disseminating information'' does not include individuals who are engaged only incidentally in the dissemination of information. The standard of ``urgency to inform'' requires that the records requested pertain to a matter of current exigency to the American public and that delaying a response to a request for records would compromise a significant recognized interest to and throughout the American general public. The requester must adequately explain the matter or activity and why the records sought are necessary to be provided on an expedited basis.

   (3) A demonstration of a compelling need by a person making a request for expedited processing shall be made by a statement certified by the requester to be true and correct to the best of his or her knowledge and belief. The statement must be in the form prescribed by 28 U.S.C. 1746, ``I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. Executed on

   [date] .''

   (4) Upon receipt by the appropriate bureau official, a request for expedited processing shall be considered and a determination as to whether to grant or deny the request for expedited processing shall be made, and the requester notified, within 10 calendar days of the date of the request. However, in no event shall the bureau have fewer than five days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) from the date of receipt of the request for such processing. The determination to grant or deny a request for expedited processing may be made solely on the information contained in the initial letter requesting expedited treatment.

   (5) Appeals of initial determinations to deny expedited processing must be made within 10 calendar days of the date of the initial letter of determination denying expedited processing. Both the envelope and the appeal itself shall be clearly marked, ``Appeal for Expedited Processing.''

   (6) An appeal determination regarding expedited processing shall be made, and the requester notified, within 10 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) from the date of receipt of the appeal.

   (f) Date of receipt of request. A request for records shall be considered to have been received on the date on which a complete request containing the information required by paragraph (b) of this section has been received. A determination that a request is deficient in any respect is not a denial of access, and such determinations are not subject to administrative appeal. Requests shall be stamped with the date of receipt by the office prescribed in the appropriate appendix. As soon as the date of receipt has been established, the requester shall be so informed and shall also be advised when to expect a response. The acknowledgment of receipt requirement shall not apply if a disclosure determination will be issued prior to the end of the 20-day time limit.

   (g) Search for record requested. Department of the Treasury employees shall search to identify and locate requested records, including records stored at Federal Records Centers. Searches for records maintained in electronic form or format may require the application of codes, queries, or other minor forms of programming to retrieve the requested records. Wherever reasonable, searches shall be done by electronic means. However, searches of electronic records are not required when such searches would significantly interfere with the operation of a Treasury automated information system or would require unreasonable effort to conduct. The Department of the Treasury is not required under 5 U.S.C. 552 to tabulate or compile information for the purpose of creating a record or records that do not exist.

   (h) Initial determination. (1) In general. The officers designated in the appendices to this part shall make initial determinations either to grant or to deny in whole or in part requests for records. Such officers shall respond in the approximate order of receipt of the requests, to the extent consistent with sound administrative practice. These determinations shall be made and the requester notified within 20 days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the date of receipt of the request, as determined in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section, unless the designated officer invokes an extension pursuant to paragraph (j)(1) of this section or the requester otherwise agrees to an extension of the 20-day time limitation.

   (2) Granting of request. If the request is granted in full or in part, and if the requester wants a copy of the records, a copy of the records shall be mailed to

   [[Page 40509]]

   the requester, together with a statement of the applicable fees, either at the time of the determination or shortly thereafter.

   (3) Inspection of records. In the case of a request for inspection, the requester shall be notified in writing of the determination, when and where the requested records may be inspected, and of the fees incurred in complying with the request. The records shall then promptly be made available for inspection at the time and place stated, in a manner that will not interfere with Department of the Treasury operations and will not exclude other persons from making inspections. The requester shall not be permitted to remove the records from the room where inspection is made. If, after making inspection, the requester desires copies of all or a portion of the requested records, copies shall be furnished upon payment of the established fees prescribed by Sec. 1.7. Fees may be charged for search and review time as stated in Sec. 1.7.

   (4) Denial of request. If it is determined that the request for records should be denied in whole or in part, the requester shall be notified by mail. The letter of notification shall:

   (i) State the exemptions relied on in not granting the request;

   (ii) If technically feasible, indicate the amount of information deleted at the place in the record where such deletion is made (unless providing such indication would harm an interest protected by the exemption relied upon to deny such material);

   (iii) Set forth the name and title or position of the responsible official;

   (iv) Advise the requester of the right to administrative appeal in accordance with paragraph (i) of this section; and

   (v) Specify the official or office to which such appeal shall be submitted.

   (5) No records found. If it is determined, after a thorough search for records by the responsible official or his delegate, that no records have been found to exist, the responsible official will so notify the requester in writing. The letter of notification will advise the requester of the right to administratively appeal the Department's determination that no records exist (i.e., to challenge the adequacy of the Department's search for responsive records) in accordance with paragraph (i) of this section. The response shall specify the official or office to which the appeal shall be submitted for review.

   (i) Administrative appeal. (1)(i) A requester may appeal a Department of the Treasury initial determination when:

   (A) Access to records has been denied in whole or in part;

   (B) There has been an adverse determination of the requester's category as provided in Sec. 1.7(d)(4);

   (C) A request for fee waiver or reduction has been denied;

   (D) It has been determined that no responsive records exist; or

   (E) A request for expedited processing has been denied.

   (ii) An appeal, other than an appeal for expedited processing, must be submitted within 35 days of the date of the initial determination or the date of the letter transmitting the last records released, whichever is later, except in the case of a denial for expedited processing. An appeal of a denial for expedited processing must be made within 10 days of the date of the initial determination to deny expedited processing (see Sec. 1.5(e)(5)). All appeals must be submitted to the official specified in the appropriate appendix to this subpart whose title and address should also have been included in the initial determination. An appeal that is improperly addressed shall be considered not to have been received by the Department until the office specified in the appropriate appendix receives the appeal.

   (2) The appeal shall--

   (i) Be made in writing and signed by the requester or his or her representative;

   (ii) Be addressed to and mailed or hand delivered within 35 days (or within 10 days when expedited processing has been denied) of the date of the initial determination, or the date of the letter transmitting the last records released, whichever is later, to the office or officer specified in the appropriate appendix to this subpart and also in the initial determination. (See the appendices to this subpart for the address to which appeals made by mail should be addressed);

   (iii) Set forth the address where the requester desires to be notified of the determination on appeal;

   (iv) Specify the date of the initial request and date of the letter of initial determination, and, where possible, enclose a copy of the initial request and the initial determination being appealed.

   (3)(i) Appeals shall be stamped with the date of their receipt by the office to which addressed, and shall be processed in the approximate order of their receipt. The receipt of the appeal shall be acknowledged by the office or officer specified in the appropriate appendix to this subpart and the requester advised of the date the appeal was received and the expected date of response. The decision to affirm the initial determination (in whole or in part) or to grant the request for records shall be made and notification of the determination mailed within 20 days (exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the date of receipt of the appeal, unless extended pursuant to paragraph (j)(1) of this section. If it is decided that the initial determination is to be upheld (in whole or in part) the requester shall be--

   (A) Notified in writing of the denial;

   (B) Notified of the reasons for the denial, including the FOIA exemptions relied upon;

   (C) Notified of the name and title or position of the official responsible for the determination on appeal; and

   (D) Provided with a statement that judicial review of the denial is available in the United States District Court for the judicial district in which the requester resides or has a principal place of business, the judicial district in which the requested records are located, or the District of Columbia in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4)(B).

   (ii) If the initial determination is reversed on appeal, the requester shall be so notified and the request shall be processed promptly in accordance with the decision on appeal.

   (4) If a determination cannot be made within the 20-day period (or within a period of extension pursuant to paragraph (j)(1) of this section), the requester may be invited to agree to a voluntary extension of the 20-day appeal period. This voluntary extension shall not constitute a waiver of the right of the requester ultimately to commence an action in a United States district court.

   (j) Time extensions; unusual circumstances. (1) In unusual circumstances, the time limitations specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this section may be extended by written notice from the official charged with the duty of making the determination to the person making the request or appeal setting forth the reasons for this extension and the date on which the determination is expected to be sent. As used in this paragraph, unusual circumstances means, but only to the extent reasonably necessary to the proper processing of the particular requests:

   (i) The need to search for and collect the requested records from field facilities or other establishments that are separate from the office processing the request;

   (ii) The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a voluminous amount of separate and distinct records which are demanded in a single request; or

   [[Page 40510]]

   (iii) The need for consultation, which shall be conducted with all practicable speed, with another agency having a substantial interest in the determination of the request, or among two or more bureaus or components of bureaus of the Department of the Treasury having substantial subject matter interest therein.

   (2) Any extension or extensions of time shall not cumulatively total more than 10 days (exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays). However, if additional time is needed to process the request, the bureau shall notify the requester and provide the requester an opportunity to limit the scope of the request or arrange for an alternative time frame for processing the request or a modified request. The requester shall retain the right to define the desired scope of the request, as long as it meets the requirements contained in this subpart.

   (3) Bureaus may establish multitrack processing of requests based on the amount of work or time, or both, involved in processing requests.

   (4) If more than one request is received from the same requester, or from a group of requesters acting in concert, and the Department believes that such requests constitute a single request which would otherwise satisfy the unusual circumstances specified in paragraph (j)(1) of this section, and the requests involve clearly related matters, the Department may aggregate these requests for processing purposes.

   (k) Failure to comply. If a bureau of the Department of the Treasury fails to comply with the time limits specified in paragraphs (h) or (i) of this section , or the time extensions of paragraph (j) of this section, any person making a request for records in accordance with Sec. 1.5 shall be considered to have exhausted administrative remedies with respect to the request. Accordingly, the person making the request may initiate suit as set forth in paragraph (l) of this section.

   (l) Judicial review. If an adverse determination is made upon appeal pursuant to paragraph (i) of this section, or if no determination is made within the time limits specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this section, together with any extension pursuant to paragraph (j)(1) of this section or within the time otherwise agreed to by the requester, the requester may commence an action in a United States district court in the district in which he resides, in which his principal place of business is located, in which the records are situated, or in the District of Columbia, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4).

   (m) Preservation of records. Under no circumstances shall records be destroyed while they are the subject of a pending request, appeal, or lawsuit under the FOIA.

   (n) Processing requests that are not properly addressed. A request that is not properly addressed as specified in the appropriate appendix to this subpart shall be forwarded to the appropriate bureau or bureaus for processing. If the recipient of the request does not know the appropriate bureau to forward it to, the request shall be forwarded to the Departmental Disclosure Officer (Disclosure Services, DO), who will determine the appropriate bureau. A request not addressed to the appropriate bureau will be considered to have been received for purposes of paragraph (f) of this section when the request has been received by the appropriate bureau office as designated in the appropriate appendix to this subpart. An improperly addressed request, when received by the appropriate bureau office, shall be acknowledged by that bureau.

   Sec. 1.6 Business information.

   (a) In general. Business information provided to the Department of the Treasury by a business submitter shall not be disclosed pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act request except in accordance with this section.

   (b) Notice to business submitters. A bureau shall provide a business submitter with prompt written notice of receipt of a request or appeal encompassing its business information whenever required in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section, and except as is provided in paragraph (g) of this section. Such written notice shall either describe the exact nature of the business information requested or provide copies of the records or portions of records containing the business information.

   (c) When notice is required. The bureau shall provide a business submitter with notice of receipt of a request or appeal whenever:

   (1) The business submitter has in good faith designated the information as commercially or financially sensitive information, or

   (2) The bureau has reason to believe that disclosure of the information could reasonably be expected to cause substantial competitive harm.

   (3) Notice of a request for business information falling within paragraph (c)(1) or (2) of this section shall be required for a period of not more than ten years after the date of submission unless the business submitter requests, and provides acceptable justification for, a specific notice period of greater duration.

   (4) The submitter's claim of confidentiality should be supported by a statement by an authorized representative of the company providing specific justification that the information in question is in fact confidential commercial or financial information and has not been disclosed to the public.

   (d) Opportunity to object to disclosure. (1) Through the notice described in paragraph (b) of this section, a bureau shall afford a business submitter ten days from the date of the notice (exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) to provide the bureau with a detailed statement of any objection to disclosure. Such statement shall specify all grounds for withholding any of the information under any exemption of the Freedom of Information Act and, in the case of Exemption 4, shall demonstrate why the information is considered to be a trade secret or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential. Information provided by a business submitter pursuant to this paragraph may itself be subject to disclosure under the FOIA.

   (2) When notice is given to a submitter under this section, the requester shall be advised that such notice has been given to the submitter. The requester shall be further advised that a delay in responding to the request may be considered a denial of access to records and that the requester may proceed with an administrative appeal or seek judicial review, if appropriate. However, the requester will be invited to agree to a voluntary extension of time so that the bureau may review the business submitter's objection to disclose.

   (e) Notice of intent to disclose. A bureau shall consider carefully a business submitter's objections and specific grounds for nondisclosure prior to determining whether to disclose business information. Whenever a bureau decides to disclose business information over the objection of a business submitter, the bureau shall forward to the business submitter a written notice which shall include:

   (1) A statement of the reasons for which the business submitter's disclosure objections were not sustained;

   (2) A description of the business information to be disclosed; and

   (3) A specified disclosure date which is not less than ten days (exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the notice of the final decision to release the requested information has been mailed to the submitter. Except as otherwise

   [[Page 40511]]

   prohibited by law, a copy of the disclosure notice shall be forwarded to the requester at the same time.

   (f) Notice of FOIA lawsuit. Whenever a requester brings suit seeking to compel disclosure of business information covered by paragraph (c) of this section, the bureau shall promptly notify the business submitter.

   (g) Exception to notice requirement. The notice requirements of this section shall not apply if:

   (1) The bureau determines that the information shall not be disclosed;

   (2) The information lawfully has been published or otherwise made available to the public; or

   (3) Disclosure of the information is required by law (other than 5 U.S.C. 552).

   Sec. 1.7 Fees for services.

   (a) In general. This fee schedule is applicable uniformly throughout the Department of the Treasury and pertains to requests processed under the Freedom of Information Act. Specific levels of fees are prescribed for each of the following categories of requesters. Requesters are asked to identify the applicable fee category they belong to in their initial request in accordance with Sec. 1.5(b).

   (1) Commercial use requesters. These requesters are assessed charges which recover the full direct costs of searching for, reviewing, and duplicating the records sought. Commercial use requesters are not entitled to two hours of free search time or 100 free pages of duplication of documents. Moreover, when a request is received for disclosure that is primarily in the commercial interest of the requester, the Department is not required to consider a request for a waiver or reduction of fees based upon the assertion that disclosure would be in the public interest. The Department may recover the cost of searching for and reviewing records even if there is ultimately no disclosure of records, or no records are located.

   (2) Educational and Non-Commercial Scientific Institution Requesters. Records shall be provided to requesters in these categories for the cost of duplication alone, excluding charges for the first 100 pages. To be eligible, requesters must show that the request is made under the auspices of a qualifying institution and that the records are not sought for a commercial use, but are sought in furtherance of scholarly (if the request is from an educational institution) or scientific (if the request is from a non-commercial scientific institution) research. These categories do not include requesters who want records for use in meeting individual academic research or study requirements.

   (3) Requesters who are Representatives of the News Media. Records shall be provided to requesters in this category for the cost of duplication alone, excluding charges for the first 100 pages.

   (4) All Other Requesters. Requesters who do not fit any of the categories described above shall be charged fees that will recover the full direct cost of searching for and duplicating records that are responsive to the request, except that the first 100 pages of duplication and the first two hours of search time shall be furnished without charge. The Department may recover the cost of searching for records even if there is ultimately no disclosure of records, or no records are located. Requests from persons for records about themselves filedin the Department's systems of records shall continue to be treated under the fee provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 which permit fees only for duplication, after the first 100 pages are furnished free of charge.

   (b) Fee waiver determination. Where the initial request includes a request for reduction or waiver of fees, the responsible official shall determine whether to grant the request for reduction or waiver before processing the request and notify the requester of this decision. If the decision does not waive all fees, the responsible official shall advise the requester of the fact that fees shall be assessed and, if applicable, payment must be made in advance pursuant to Sec. 1.7(e)(2).

   (c) When fees are not charged. (1) No fee shall be charged for monitoring a requester's inspection of records.

   (2) Fees shall be charged in accordance with the schedule contained in paragraph (g) of this section for services rendered in responding to requests for records, unless any one of the following applies:

   (i) Services were performed without charge;

   (ii) The cost of collecting a fee would be equal to or greater than the fee itself; or,

   (iii) The fees were waived or reduced in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.

   (d) Waiver or reduction of fees. (1) Fees may be waived or reduced on a case-by-case basis in accordance with this paragraph by the official who determines the availability of the records, provided such waiver or reduction has been requested in writing. Fees shall be waived or reduced by this official when it is determined, based upon the submission of the requester, that a waiver or reduction of the fees is in the public interest because furnishing the information is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. Fee waiver/reduction requests shall be evaluated against the fee waiver policy guidance issued by the Department of Justice on April 2, 1987.

   (2) Normally no charge shall be made for providing records to state or foreign governments, international governmental organizations, or local government agencies or offices.

   (3) Appeals from denials of requests for waiver or reduction of fees shall be decided in accordance with the criteria set forth in paragraph (d)(1) of this section by the official authorized to decide appeals from denials of access to records. Appeals shall be addressed in writing to the office or officer specified in the appropriate appendix to this subpart within 35 days of the denial of the initial request for waiver or reduction and shall be decided within 20 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays).

   (4) Appeals from an adverse determination of the requester's category as described in Sec. 1.5(b)(2) and provided in Sec. 1.5(i)(1) shall be decided by the official authorized to decide appeals from denials of access to records and shall be based upon a review of the requester's submission and the bureau's own records. Appeals shall be addressed in writing to the office or officer specified in the appropriate appendix to this subpart within 35 days of the date of the bureau's determination of the requester's category and shall be decided within 20 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays).

   (e) Advance notice of fees. (1) When the fees for processing the request are estimated to exceed the limit set by the requester, and that amount is less than $250, the requester shall be notified of the estimated costs. The requester must provide an agreement to pay the estimated costs; however, the requester shall also be given an opportunity to reformulate the request in an attempt to reduce fees.

   (2) If the requester has failed to state a limit and the costs are estimated to exceed $250.00, the requester shall be notified of the estimated costs and must pre-pay such amount prior to the processing of the request, or provide satisfactory assurance of full payment if the requester has a history of prompt payment of FOIA fees. The requester shall also be given an opportunity to

   [[Page 40512]]

   reformulate the request in such a way as to constitute a request for responsive records at a reduced fee.

   (3) When the Department or a bureau of the Department acts under paragraphs (e)(1) or (2) of this section, the administrative time limits of 20 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) from receipt of initial requests or appeals, plus extensions of these time limits, shall begin only after fees have been paid, a written agreement to pay fees has been provided, or a request has been reformulated.

   (f) Form of payment. (1) Payment may be made by check or money order payable to the Treasury of the United States or the relevant bureau of the Department of the Treasury.

   (2) The Department of the Treasury reserves the right to request prepayment after a request is processed and before documents are released.

   (3) When costs are estimated or determined to exceed $250, the Department shall either obtain satisfactory assurance of full payment of the estimated cost where the requester has a history of prompt payment of FOIA fees or require a requester to make an advance payment of the entire estimated or determined fee before continuing to process the request.

   (4) If a requester has previously failed to pay a fee within 30 days of the date of the billing, the requester shall be required to pay the full amount owed plus any applicable interest, and to make an advance payment of the full amount of the estimated fee before the Department begins to process a new request or the pending request. Whenever interest is charged, the Department shall begin assessing interest on the 31st day following the day on which billing was sent. Interest shall be at the rate prescribed in 31 U.S.C. 3717. In addition, the Department shall take all steps authorized by the Debt Collection Act of 1982, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, including administrative offset pursuant to 31 CFR Part 5, disclosure to consumer reporting agencies and use of collection agencies, to effect payment.

   (g) Amounts to be charged for specific services. The fees for services performed by a bureau of the Department of the Treasury shall be imposed and collected as set forth in this paragraph.

   (1) Duplicating records. All requesters, except commercial requesters, shall receive the first 100 pages duplicated without charge. Absent a determination to waive fees, a bureau shall charge requesters as follows:

   (i) $.20 per page, up to 8\1/2\ x 14", made by photocopy or similar process.

   (ii) Photographs, films, and other materials--actual cost of duplication.

   (iii) Other types of duplication services not mentioned above-- actual cost.

   (iv) Material provided to a private contractor for copying shall be charged to the requester at the actual cost charged by the private contractor.

   (2) Search services. Bureaus shall charge for search services consistent with the following:

   (i) Searches for other than electronic records. The Department shall charge for search time at the salary rate(s) (basic pay plus 16 percent) of the employee(s) making the search. However, where a single class of personnel is used exclusively (e.g., all administrative/ clerical, or all professional/executive), an average rate for the range of grades typically involved may be established. This charge shall include transportation of personnel and records necessary to the search at actual cost. Fees may be charged for search time as prescribed in Sec. 1.7, even if the search does not yield any responsive records, or if records are denied.

   (ii) Searches for electronic records. The Department shall charge for actual direct cost of the search, including computer search time, runs, and the operator's salary. The fee for computer output shall be actual direct costs. For requesters in the ``all other'' category, when the cost of the search (including the operator time and the cost of operating the computer to process a request) equals the equivalent dollar amount of two hours of the salary of the person performing the search (i.e., the operator), the charge for the computer search will begin.

   (3) Review of records. The Department shall charge commercial use requesters for review of records at the salary rate(s) (i.e., basic pay plus 16 percent) of the employee(s) making the review. However, when a single class of personnel is used exclusively (e.g., all administrative/clerical, or all professional/executive), an average rate for the range of grades typically involved may be established. Fees may be charged for review time as prescribed in Sec. 1.7, even if records ultimately are not disclosed.

   (4) Inspection of records. Fees for all services provided shall be charged whether or not copies are made available to the requester for inspection.

   (5) Other services. Other services and materials requested which are not covered by this part nor required by the FOIA are chargeable at the actual cost to the Department. This includes, but is not limited to:

   (i) Certifying that records are true copies;

   (ii) Sending records by special methods such as express mail, etc.

   (h) Aggregating requests. When the Department or a bureau of the Department reasonably believes that a requester or group of requesters is attempting to break a request down into a series of requests for the purpose of evading the assessment of fees, the agency shall aggregate any such requests and charge accordingly.

   Appendices to Subpart A

   Appendix A--Departmental Offices

1. In general. This appendix applies to the Departmental Offices as defined in 31 CFR 1.1(a)(1).

2. Public reading room. The public reading room for the Departmental Offices is the Treasury Library. The Library is located in the Main Treasury Building, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220. For building security purposes, visitors are required to make an appointment by calling 202-622-0990.

3. Requests for records. Initial determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(h) as to whether to grant requests for records of the Departmental Offices will be made by the head of the organizational unit having immediate custody of the records requested or the delegate of such official. Requests for records should be addressed to: Freedom of Information Request, DO, Assistant Director, Disclosure Services, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20220.

4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records.

   (i) Appellate determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(i) with respect to records of the Departmental Offices will be made by the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary, General Counsel, Inspector General, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Treasurer of the United States, or Assistant Secretary having jurisdiction over the organizational unit which has immediate custody of the records requested, or the delegate of such officer.

   (ii) Appellate determinations with respect to requests for expedited processing shall be made by the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Administration).

   (iii) Appeals should be addressed to: Freedom of Information Appeal, DO, Assistant Director, Disclosure Services, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220.

5. Delivery of process. Service of process will be received by the General Counsel of the Department of the Treasury or the delegate of such officer and shall be delivered to the following location: General Counsel, Department of the Treasury, Room 3000, Main Treasury Building, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20220.

   [[Page 40513]]

   Appendix B--Internal Revenue Service

1. In general. This appendix applies to the Internal Revenue Service. See also 26 CFR 601.702.

2. Public reading room. The public reading rooms for the Internal Revenue Service are maintained at the following location:

   National Office

   Mailing Address

   Freedom of Information Reading Room, PO Box 795, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044

   Walk-In Address

   Room 1621, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC

   Northeast Region

   Mailing Address

   Freedom of Information Reading Room, PO Box 5138, E:QMS:D, New York, NY 10163

   Walk-In Address

   11th Floor, 110 W. 44th Street, New York, NY

   Midstates Region

   Mailing Address

   Freedom of Information Reading Room, Mail Code 7000 DAL, 1100 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75242

   Walk-In Address

   10th Floor, Rm. 10B37, 1100 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX

   Southeast Region

   Mailing Address

   401 W. Peachtree Street, NW., Stop 601D, Room 868, Atlanta, GA 30365

   Walk-In Address

   Same as mailing address

   Western Region

   Mailing Address

   1301 Clay Street, Stop 800-S, Oakland, CA 94612

   Walk-In Address

   8th Floor, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, CA

3. Requests for records. Initial determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(h) as to whether to grant requests for records of the Internal Revenue Service, grant expedited processing, grant a fee waiver, or determine requester category will be made by those officials specified in 26 CFR 601.702.

4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate eterminations under 31 CFR 1.5(i) with respect to records of the Internal Revenue Service will be made by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue or the delegate of such officer. Appeals made by mail should be addressed to: Freedom of Information Appeal, Commissioner of Internal Revenue Service, c/o Ben Franklin Station, PO Box 929, Washington, DC 20044.

   Appeals may be delivered personally to the Assistant Chief Counsel (Disclosure Litigation) CC:EL:D, Office of the Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, D.C.

5. Delivery of process. Service of process shall be effected consistent with Rule 4 of the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure, and directed to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue at the following address: Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224. Attention: CC:EL:D.

   Appendix C--United States Customs Service

1. In general. This appendix applies to the United States Customs Service.

2. Public reading room. The public reading room for the United States Customs Service is maintained at the following location: United States Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20229.

3. Requests for records.

   (a) Headquarters--Initial determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(h) as to whether to grant requests for records will be made by the appropriate Division Director at Customs Service Headquarters having custody of or functional jurisdiction over the subject matter of the requested records. If the request relates to records maintained in an office which is not within a division, the initial determination shall be made by the individual designated for that purpose by the Assistant Commissioner having responsibility for that office. Requests may be mailed or delivered in person to: Freedom of Information Act, Chief, Disclosure Law Branch, U.S. Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229.

   (b) Field Offices--Initial determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(h) as to whether to grant requests for records maintained by the Office of Investigations will be made by the Special Agent in Charge in whose office the records are maintained. Initial determinations of records maintained in Customs Ports of Entry as to whether or not to grant requests for records will be made by the Port Director of the Customs Service Port having jurisdiction over the Port of Entry in which the records are maintained. Requests may be mailed or faxed to or delivered personally to the respective Special Agents in Charge or Port Directors of the Customs Service Ports at the following locations:

   Offices of Special Agents in Charge (SACS)

   Atlanta--SAC

   1691 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 250, Atlanta, Georgia 30349, Phone (770) 994-2230, FAX (770) 994-2262

   Detroit--SAC

   McNamara Federal Building, 477 Michigan Avenue, Room 350, Detroit, Michigan 48226-2568, Phone (313) 226-3166, FAX (313) 226-6282

   Baltimore--SAC

   40 South Gay Street, 3rd Floor Baltimore, Maryland 21202, Phone (410) 962-2620, FAX (410) 962-3469

   El Paso--SAC

   9400 Viscount Blvd., Suite 200, El Paso, Texas 79925, Phone (915) 540-5700, FAX (915) 540-5754

   Boston--SAC

   10 Causeway Street, Room 722, Boston, MA 02222-1054, Phone (617) 565-7400, FAX (617) 565-7422

   Houston--SAC

   4141 N. Sam Houston Pkwy, E., Houston, Texas 77032, Phone (281) 985- 0500, FAX (281) 985-0505

   Buffalo--SAC

   111 West Huron Street, Room 416, Buffalo, New York 14202, Phone (716) 551-4375, FAX (716) 551-4379

   Los Angeles--SAC

   300 South Ferry St., Room 2037, Terminal Island, CA 90731, Phone (310) 514-6231, FAX (310) 514-6280

   Chicago--SAC

   610 South Canal Street, Room 1001, Chicago, Illinois 60607, Phone (312) 353-8450, FAX (312) 353-8455

   Miami--SAC

   8075 NW 53rd Street, Scranton Building, Miami, Florida 33166, Phone (305) 597-6030, FAX (305) 597-6227

   Denver--SAC

   115 Inverness Drive, East, Suite 300, Englewood, CO 80112-5131, Phone (303) 784-6480, FAX (303) 784-6490

   New Orleans--SAC

   423 Canal Street, Room 207, New Orleans, LA 70130, Phone (504) 670- 2416, FAX (504) 589-2059

   New York--SAC

   6 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048-0945, Phone (212) 466-2900, FAX (212) 466-2903

   San Juan--SAC

   1, La Puntilla Street, Room 110, San Juan, PR 00901, Phone (787) 729-6975 FAX (787) 729-6646

   San Antonio--SAC

   10127 Morocco, Suite 180, San Antonio, Texas 78216, Phone (210) 229- 4561, FAX (210) 229-4582

   Seattle--SAC

   1000--2nd Avenue, Suite 2300, Seattle, Washington, 98104, Phone (206) 553-7531, FAX (206) 553-0826

   San Diego--SAC

   185 West ``F'' Street, Suite 600, San Diego, CA 92101, Phone (619) 557-6850, FAX (619) 557-5109

   Tampa--SAC

   2203 North Lois Avenue, Suite 600, Tampa, Florida 33607, Phone (813) 348-1881, FAX (813) 348-1871

   San Francisco--SAC

   1700 Montgomery Street, Suite 445, San Francisco, CA 94111, Phone (415) 705-4070, FAX (415) 705-4065

   [[Page 40514]]

   Tucson--SAC

   555 East River Road, Tucson, Arizona 85704, Phone (520) 670-6026, FAX (520) 670-6233

   Customs Service Ports

   Anchorage: 605 West Fourth Avenue Anchorage, AK 99501. Phone: (907) 271-2675; FAX: (907) 271-2684.

   Minneapolis: 110 South Street Minneapolis, MN 55401. Phone: (612) 348-1690; FAX: (612) 348-1630.

   Baltimore: 200 St. Paul Place Baltimore, MD 21202. Phone: (410) 962-2666; FAX: (410) 962-9335.

   Mobile: 150 North Royal Street Mobile, AL 36602. Phone: (205) 441-5106; FAX: (205) 441-6061.

   Blaine: 9901 Pacific Highway Blaine, WA 98230. Phone: (360) 332- 5771; FAX: (360) 332-4701.

   New Orleans: 423 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70130. Phone: (504) 589-6353; FAX: (504) 589-7305.

   Boston: 10 Causeway Street Boston, MA 02222-1059. Phone: (617) 565-6147; FAX: (617) 565-6137.

   New York: 6 World Trade Center New York, NY 10048. Phone: (212) 466-4444; FAX: (212) 455-2097.

   Buffalo: 111 West Huron Street Buffalo, NY 14202-22378. Phone: (716) 551-4373; FAX: (716) 551-5011.

   New York-JFK Area: Building #77 Jamaica, NY 11430. Phone: (718) 553-1542; FAX: (718) 553-0077.

   Champlain: 35 West Service Road Rts. 1 & 9 South Champlain, NY 12919. Phone: (518) 298-8347; FAX: (518) 298-8314.

   New York-NY/Newark Area: Hemisphere Center, Newark, NJ 07114. Phone: (201) 645-3760; FAX: (201) 645-6634.

   Charleston: 200 East Bay Street Charleston, SC 29401. Phone: (803) 727-4296; FAX: (803) 727-4043.

   Nogales: 9 North Grand Avenue Nogales, AZ 85621. Phone: (520) 287-1410; FAX: (520) 287-1421.

   Charlotte: 1801-K Cross Beam Drive Charlotte, NC 28217. Phone: (704) 329-6101; FAX: (704) 329-6103.

   Norfolk: 200 Granby Street Norfolk, VA 23510. Phone: (804) 441- 3400; FAX: (804) 441-6630.

   Charlotte/Amalie: Main Post OFC-Sugar Estate St. Thomas, VI 00801. Phone: (809) 774-2511; FAX: (809) 776-3489.

   Pembina: PO Box 610 Pembina, ND 58271. Phone: (701) 825-6201; FAX: (701) 825-6473.

   Chicago: 610 South Canal Street Chicago, IL 60607. Phone: (312) 353-6100; FAX: (312) 353-2337.

   Philadelphia: 2nd & Chestnut Streets Philadelphia, PA 19106. Phone: (215) 597-4605; FAX: (215) 597-2103.

   Cleveland: 56 Erieview Plaza Cleveland, OH 44114. Phone: (216) 891-3804; FAX: (216) 891-3836.

   Portland, Oregon: 511 NW Broadway Portland, OR 97209. Phone: (503) 326-2865; FAX: (503) 326-3511.

   Dallas/Fort Worth: PO Box 61905 Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, TX 75261. Phone: (972) 574-2170; FAX: (972) 574-4818.

   Providence: 49 Pavilion Avenue Providence, RI 02905. Phone: (401) 941-6326; FAX: (401) 941-6628.

   Denver: 4735 Oakland Street Denver, CO 80239. Phone: (303) 361- 0715; FAX: (303) 361-0722.

   San Diego: 610 West Ash Street San Diego, CA 92188. Phone: (619) 557-6758; FAX: (619) 557-5314.

   Detroit: 477 Michigan Avenue Detroit, MI 48226. Phone: (313) 226-3178; FAX: (313) 226-3179.

   San Francisco: 555 Battery Avenue San Francisco, CA 94111. Phone: (415) 744-7700; FAX: (415) 744-7710.

   Duluth: 515 West 1st Street Duluth, MN 55802-1390. Phone: (218) 720-5201; FAX: (218) 720-5216.

   San Juan: #1 La Puntilla San Juan, PR 00901. Phone: (809) 729- 6965; FAX: (809) 729-6978.

   El Paso: 9400 Viscount Boulevard El Paso, TX 79925. Phone: (915) 540-5800; FAX: (915) 540-3011.

   Savannah: 1 East Bay Street Savannah, GA 31401. Phone: (912) 652-4256; FAX: (912) 652-4435.

   Great Falls: 300 2nd Avenue South Great Falls, MT 59403. Phone: (406) 453-7631; FAX: (406) 453-7069.

   Seattle: 1000 2nd Avenue Seattle, WA 98104-1049. Phone: (206) 553-0770; FAX: (206) 553-2970.

   Honolulu: 335 Merchant Street Honolulu, HI 96813. Phone: (808) 522-8060; FAX: (808) 522-8060.

   St. Albans: P.O. Box 1490 St. Albans, VT 05478. Phone: (802) 524-7352; FAX: (802) 527-1338.

   Houston/Galveston: 1717 East Loop Houston, TX 77029. Phone: (713) 985-6712; FAX: (713) 985-6705.

   St. Louis: 4477 Woodson Road St. Louis, MO 63134-3716. Phone: (314) 428-2662; FAX: (314) 428-2889.

   Laredo/Colombia: P.O. Box 3130 Laredo, TX 78044. Phone: (210) 726-2267; FAX: (210) 726-2948.

   Tacoma: 2202 Port of Tacoma Road, Tacoma, WA 98421. Phone: (206) 593-6336; FAX: (206) 593-6351.

   Los Angeles: 300 South Ferry Street Terminal Island, CA 90731. Phone: (310) 514-6001; FAX: (310) 514-6769.

   Tampa: 4430 East Adamo Drive Tampa, FL 33605. Phone: (813) 228- 2381; FAX: (813) 225-7309.

   Miami Airport: 6601 West 25th Street Miami, FL 33102-5280. Phone: (305) 869-2800; FAX: (305) 869-2822.

   Washington, DC: P.O. Box 17423 Washington, DC. 20041. Phone: (703) 318-5900; FAX: (703) 318-6706.

   Milwaukee: P.O. Box 37260 Milwaukee, WI 53237-0260. Phone: (414) 571-2860; FAX: (414) 762-0253.

   (c) All such requests should be conspicuously labeled on the face of the envelope, ``Freedom of Information Act Request'' or ``FOIA Request''.

4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(i) will be made by the Assistant Commissioner of Customs (Office of Regulations and Rulings), or his designee, and all such appeals should be mailed, faxed (202/927-1873) or personally delivered to the United States Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229. If possible, a copy of the initial letter of determination should be attached to the appeal.

5. Delivery of process. Service of process will be received by the Chief Counsel, United States Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229.

   Appendix D--United States Secret Service

1. In general. This appendix applies to the United States Secret Service.

2. Public reading room. The United States Secret Service will provide a room on an ad hoc basis when necessary. Contact the Disclosure Officer, Room 720, 1800 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20223 to make appointments.

3. Requests for records. Initial determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(h) as to whether to grant requests for records of the United States Secret Service will be made by the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts Officer, United States Secret Service. Requests may be mailed or delivered in person to: Freedom of Information Act Request, FOIA and Privacy Acts Officer, U.S. Secret Service, Room 720, 1800 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20223.

4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(i) with respect to records of the United States Secret Service will be made by the Deputy Director, United States Secret Service. Appeals should be addressed to: Freedom of Information Appeal, Deputy Director, U.S. Secret Service, Room 800, 1800 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20223.

5. Delivery of Process. Service of process will be received by the United States Secret Service Chief Counsel at the following address: Chief Counsel, U.S. Secret Service, Room 842, 1800 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20223.

   Appendix E--Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

1. In general. This appendix applies to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

2. Public reading room. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms will make materials available for review on an ad hoc basis when necessary. Contact the Chief, Disclosure Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226.

3. Requests for records. Initial determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(h) as to whether to grant requests for records of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms will be made by the Chief, Disclosure Division, Office of Assistant Director (Liaison and Public Information) or the delegate of such officer. Requests may be mailed or delivered in person to: Freedom of Information Act Request, Chief, Disclosure Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226.

4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(i) with respect to records of the Bureau of Alcohol,

   [[Page 40515]]

   Tobacco and Firearms will be made by the Assistant Director, Liaison and Public Information, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms or the delegate of such officer.

   Appeals may be mailed or delivered in person to: Freedom of Information Appeal, Assistant Director, Liaison and Public Information, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226.

5. Delivery of process. Service of process will be received by the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms at the following location: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226, Attention: Chief Counsel.

   Appendix F--Bureau of Engraving and Printing

1. In general. This appendix applies to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

2. Public reading room. Contact the Disclosure Officer, 14th and C Streets, SW., Washington, DC 20228, to make an appointment.

3. Requests for records. Initial determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(h) as to whether to grant requests for records of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing will be made by the Assistant to the Director. Requests may be mailed or delivered in person to: Freedom of Information Act Request, Disclosure Officer, (Assistant to the Director), Room 112-M, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Washington, DC 20228.

4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(i) with respect to records of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing will be made by the Director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing or the delegate of the Director. Appeals may be mailed or delivered in person to: Freedom of Information Appeal, Director, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 14th and C Streets, SW., Room 119-M, Washington, DC 20228.

5. Delivery of process. Service of process will be received by the Chief Counsel or the delegate of such officer at the following location: Chief Counsel, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 14th and C Streets, SW., Room 104-24 M, Washington, DC 20228.

   Appendix G--Financial Management Service

1. In general. This appendix applies to the Financial Management Service.

2. Public reading room. The public reading room for the Financial Management Service is maintained at the following location: Library, Main Treasury Building, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20220. For building security purposes, visitors are required to make an appointment by calling 202/622-0990.

3. Requests for records. Initial determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(h) whether to grant requests for records will be made by the Disclosure Officer, Financial Management Service. Requests may be mailed or delivered in person to: Freedom of Information Request, Disclosure Officer, Financial Management Service, 401 14th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20227.

4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(i) will be made by the Commissioner, Financial Management Service. Appeals may be mailed to: Freedom of Information Appeal (FOIA), Commissioner, Financial Management Service, 401 14th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20227.

   Appeals may be delivered personally to the Office of the Commissioner, Financial Management Service, 401 14th Street, SW., Washington, DC.

5. Delivery of process. Service of process will be received by the Commissioner, Financial Management Service, and shall be delivered to: Commissioner, Financial Management Service, Department of the Treasury, 401 14th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20227.

   Appendix H--United States Mint

1. In general. This appendix applies to the United States Mint.

2. Public reading room. The U.S. Mint will provide a room on an ad hoc basis when necessary. Contact the Freedom of Information/ Privacy Act Officer, United States Mint, Judiciary Square Building, 7th floor, 633 3rd Street, NW., Washington, DC 20220.

3. Requests for records. Initial determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(h) as to whether to grant requests for records of the United States Mint will be made by the Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Officer, United States Mint. Requests may be mailed or delivered in person to: Freedom of Information Act Request, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Officer, United States Mint, Judiciary Square Building, 7th Floor, 633 3rd Street, NW., Washington, DC 20220.

4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(i) with respect to records of the United States Mint will be made by the Director of the Mint. Appeals made by mail should be addressed to: Freedom of Information Appeal, Director, United States Mint, Judiciary Square Building, 7th Floor, 633 3rd Street, NW., Washington, DC 20220.

5. Delivery of process. Service of process will be received by the Director of the Mint and shall be delivered to: Chief Counsel, United States Mint, Judiciary Square Building, 7th Floor, 633 3rd Street, NW., Washington, D.C. 20220.

   Appendix I--Bureau of the Public Debt

1. In general. This appendix applies to the Bureau of the Public Debt.

2. Public reading room. The public reading room for the Bureau of the Public Debt is maintained at the following location: Library, Main Treasury Building, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20220. For building security purposes, visitors are required to make an appointment by calling 202/622-0990.

3. Requests for records. Initial determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(h) as to whether to grant requests for records will be made by the Disclosure Officer of the Bureau of the Public Debt. Requests may be sent to: Freedom of Information Act Request, Disclosure Officer, Bureau of the Public Debt, Department of the Treasury, 999 E Street, NW., Room 500, Washington, D.C. 20239-0001.

4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(i) with respect to records of the Bureau of the Public Debt will be made by the Commissioner of the Public Debt. Appeals may be sent to: Freedom of Information Appeal, Commissioner of the Public Debt, Department of the Treasury, 999 E Street, NW., Room 500, Washington, DC 20239- 0001.

5. Delivery of process. Service of process will be received by the Chief Counsel, Bureau of the Public Debt, or the delegate of such officer, and shall be delivered to the following location: Chief Counsel's Office, Bureau of the Public Debt, Room 501, 999 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20239-0001, or Bureau of the Public Debt, 200 Third Street, Room G-15, Parkersburg, WV 26106-1328.

   Appendix J--Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

1. In general. This appendix applies to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

2. Public reading room. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will make materials available through its Public Information Room at 250 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20219.

3. Requests for records. Initial determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(h) as to whether to grant requests for records of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will be made by the Disclosure Officer or the official so designated. Requests may be mailed or delivered in person to: Freedom of Information Act Request, Disclosure Officer, Communications Division, 3rd Floor, Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20219.

4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(i) with respect to records of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will be made by the Chief Counsel or delegates of such person. Appeals made by mail should be addressed to: Communications Division, Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20219.

   Appeals may be delivered personally to the Communications Division, Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street, SW., Washington, DC.

5. Delivery of process. Service of process will be received by the Director, Litigation Division, Comptroller of the Currency, and shall be delivered to such officer at the following location: Litigation Division, Comptroller of the Currency, 250 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20219.

   Appendix K--Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

1. In general. This apppendix applies to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

2. Public reading room. The public reading room for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center is maintained at the following location: Library, Building 262, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, GA 31524.

   [[Page 40516]]

3. Requests for records. Initial determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(h) as to whether to grant requests for records will be made by the Chief, Management Analysis Division, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Requests made by mail should be addressed to: Freedom of Information Act Request, Freedom of Information Act Officer, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Department of the Treasury, Building 94, Glynco, GA 31524.

   Requests may be delivered personally to the Management Analysis Division, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Building 94, Glynco, GA.

4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(i) with respect to records of the consolidated Federal Law Enforcement Training Center will be made by the Director, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Appeals may be mailed to: Freedom of Information Appeal, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Department of the Treasury, Building 94, Glynco, GA 31524.

5. Delivery of process. Service of process will be received by the Legal Counsel of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, or his delegate, and shall be delivered to such officer at the following location: Legal Counsel, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Department of the Treasury, Building 94, Glynco, GA 31524.

   Appendix L--Office of Thrift Supervision

1. In general. This appendix applies to the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS). OTS regulatory handbooks and other publications are available for sale. Information may be obtained by calling the OTS Order Department at 301/645-6264. OTS regulatory handbooks and other publications may be purchased by forwarding a request, along with a check to: OTS Order Department, PO Box 753, Waldorf, MD 20604 or by calling 301/645-6264 to pay by VISA or MASTERCARD.

2. Public reading room. The public reading room for the Office of Thrift Supervision is maintained at the following location: 1700 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20552.

3. Requests for records. Initial determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(h) as to whether to grant requests for records of the Office of Thrift Supervision will be made by the Director, OTS Dissemination Branch. Requests for records should be addressed to: Freedom of Information Request, Manager, Dissemination Branch, Records Management & Information Policy Division, Office of Thrift Supervision, 1700 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20552.

   Requests for records may be delivered in person to: Public Reference Room, Office of Thrift Supervision, 1700 G Street, NW., Washington, DC.

4. Administrative appeal of initial determination to deny records. Appellate determinations under 31 CFR 1.5(i) with respect to records of the Office of Thrift Supervision will be made by the Director, Records Management & Information Policy, Office of Thrift Supervision, or their designee. Appeals made by mail should be addressed to: Freedom of Information Appeal, Director, Records Management & Information Policy Division, Office of Thrift Supervision, 1700 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20552.

   Appeals may be delivered in person to: Public Reference Room, Office of Thrift Supervision, 1700 G Street, NW., Washington, DC.

5. Delivery of process. Service of process will be received by the Corporate Secretary of the Office of Thrift Supervision or their designee and shall be delivered to the following location: Corporate Secretary, Office of Thrift Supervision, 1700 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20552.

   [FR Doc. 00-16446Filed6-29-00; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4810-25-P