The Freedom of Information Act allows any requester to get as FOIA case logs.

Below, you will find a list of all FOIA requests and Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) requests made by the public to various agencies.

These are very useful to see who is requesting what and can be very useful for ideas!

FOIA Case Log Memorandums

• DoD Memorandum on FOIA Case Logs (10 July 2008)

Declassified Case Logs

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2010-2011 [2 Pages, 1.5MB]
2. 2016 [2 Pages, 1.5MB]

Air Combat Command (ACC)

1. 2012 [100 Pages]

Army

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2018 [47 Pages, 2MB]
2.  2016 [7 Pages, 0.6MB]
3.  2013 [1088 Pages, 7.91MB]
4. 2012
5.  2010-2016 MDR Log
6. FY 2008
7. FY 2007OS
8. FY 2006

Army / Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [10 Pages, 3.6MB]
2. 2014 [18 Pages, 1.1MB]
3. 2010-2011 [46 Pages, 8.61MB]
4. FY 2008 [21 Pages, 4.1MB]
5. 2009 [17 Pages, 4.71MB]

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve

1. 2010-2011 [30 Pages, 90kb]

Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG)

FOIA Case Logs

1. FY 2018 [15 Pages, 1.2MB]
2. FY 2016
3. FY 2015
4. FY 2008nat

Oldest Pending FOIA Requests

1. 5 Oldest FOIA Requests and Notes – as of June 2016 [381 Pages, 19.5MB]

Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP)

1.  2013 [6 Pages, 0.3MB]

Bureau of Prisons (BOP)

1. CY 2007-03/28/2013 [976 Pages, 1.72MB] – Unfortunately, this FOIA Case Log did not have the topic of the requests, but is archived here for reference.

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

1. 2010-2013 [170 Pages, 6.5MB]
2. 2009 [66 Pages, 12.8MB]
3. 2008 [71 Pages, 12.4MB]

Central Command (CENTCOM)

1. 2010-2011 [390 Pages, 3.1MB]
2. 2008 [71 Pages, 12.4MB]

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2018 [106 Pages, 48MB]
2.  2017 [87 Pages, 52.2MB]
3.  2016 [81 Pages, 34MB]
4.  2015 [103 Pages, 63.4MB]
5.  2014 [96 Pages, 4.5MB]
6.  2013 [156 Pages, 14.06MB]
7.  2012 [39 Pages, 4.24MB]
8.  2011 [78 Pages, 9.51MB]
9.  1986 [82 Pages, 7.7MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review Logs 

1.  2018 [106 Pages, 48MB]
2.  2017 [12 Pages, 6.8MB]
3.  2013-2015 [32 Pages, 1.2MB]
4.  July – December 2012 [5 Pages, 1.2MB]

Coast Guard (USCG)

1. August 27, 2011 – December 31, 2013 [355 Pages, 2.61MB]

Comptroller of the Currency, Administrator of National Banks

1. 2006 [110 Pages, 15.07mb]

Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2014-2019 [37 Pages, 28MB]
2. 2008-2013 [13 Pages, 2.65MB]

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2016 [1,779 Pages, 4.0MB]

Defense Contract Audit Agency  (DCAA)

1. 2018 [4 Pages, 300KB]
2. 2016 [8 Pages, 150KB]
3. 2015 [8 Pages, 150KB]
4. 2014 [8 Pages, 200KB]
5. 2013 [10 Pages, 130KB]
6. 2012 [9 Pages, 130KB]
7.  2010-2011 [35 Pages, 350KB]

Defense Contract Management Agency  (DCMA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [11 Pages, 0.3MB]
2. 2013 [6 Pages, 176KB]
3.  2012 [13 Pages, 161KB]
4.  2010-2011 [192 Pages, 0.9MB]

Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)

1. 2013 [5 Pages, 0.3MB]
2. 2012 [11 Pages, 0.6MB]
3.  2010-2011 [15 Pages, 1.14MB]

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [72 Pages, 3.6MB]
2. 2013 [10 Pages, 0.1MB]
3. 2012 [11 Pages, 0.1MB]
4. 2011 [12 Pages, 0.1MB]
5. 2010 [47 Pages, 0.15MB]
6. 2009 [29 Pages, 4.1MB]
7. 2008 [36 Pages, 9.5MB]
8. 2003 – 2007 [118 Pages]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1. 2013-2015 [2 Pages, 0.7MB]

Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2018 [57 Pages, 1MB]
2.  2017 (Fiscal Year) [87 Pages, 2.3MB]
3.  2017 (Calendar Year of FOIA, MDR and Appeals Log) [159 Pages, 2.3MB]
4.  2014-2016 [209 Pages, 52.7 MB]
5.  2013 [39 Pages, 5.9 MB]
6.  2012 [32 Pages, 5.40 MB]
7.  2010-2011 [74 Pages, 12.2 MB]
8. 2009 – 5 Oldest FOIA Requests [117 Pages, 11.8MB] – This FOIA request for a copy of the top 5 OLDEST FOIA Requests, took nearly 8 years to process.
9. 2001-2009 [299 Pages, 91.67 MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1.  2017 (Calendar Year of FOIA, MDR and Appeals Log) [159 Pages, 2.3MB]
2.  2014-2015 [7 Pages, 1.9 MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1.  2017 (Calendar Year of FOIA, MDR and Appeals Log) [159 Pages, 2.3MB]
2.  2013-2015 [53 Pages, 5MB]

Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)

1. 2016 [226 Pages, 1.1 MB]
2. 2014 [287 Pages, 1.31 MB]
3. 2013 [492 Pages, 1.31 MB]
4.  2012 [392 Pages, 78.5 MB]
5. 2010 – 2011 [21 Pages, 3 MB]

Defense Security Service (DSS)

1.  2014 [37 Pages,0.3 MB]
2.  2013 [23 Pages, 2.24 MB]

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2018 [3 Pages, 1MB]
2.  2007 – 2017 [11 Pages, 2MB]
3.  2001 – 2006 [10 Pages, 1MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1.  Appeal Log, 01/01/2009 – 10/31/2016 [5 Pages, 3.4MB]

Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC)

1.  2017 [11 Pages, 0.5MB]
2. 2016 [.xlsx File, 22kb]
3. 2013 [.xlsx File, 22kb]
4.  2012 [5 Pages, 2.2MB]
5.  2011 [3 Pages, 20kb]
6.  2010 [3 Pages, 30kb]

Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2017 [17 Pages, 5.5MB]
2.  2016 [14 Pages, 3.7MB]
3.  2013 [CSV File, 0.1MB]
4.  2012 [6 Pages, 0.6MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1.  2017 [17 Pages, 5.5MB]
2. 2013-2015 [29 Pages, 0.7MB]

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  CY 2016 [25 Pages, 3.5MB]
2.  FY 2013 [67 Pages, 0.7MB]
3.  FY 2009
4. FY 2008 [172 Pages, 0.9MB]
5. FY 2006-2007 [31 Pages, 18MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1.  FOIA Appeals Log, 01/01/2009-11/10/2016 [7 Pages, 0.5MB]

Department of Agriculture (USDA) / Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)

1.  FOIA Appeals Log, 01/01/2009-10/31/2016 [4 Pages, 0.5MB]

Department of the Air Force (USAF)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2015 [74 Pages, 0.6MB]
2. 2008 [4 Pages, 450k]
3. February 1999 [100 Pages]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1. 2016 [29 Pages, 0.7MB]
2. 2013-2015 [29 Pages, 0.7MB]

Department of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [29 Pages, 8.1MB]
2. 2008 [24 Pages, 4.11MB]

Department of the Air Force Retirement Home (AFRH)

1.  2010-2012 [5 Pages, 4.11mb]

Department of Commerce

FOIA Case Logs

1. FY 2013 [42 Pages, 0.7MB]
2. 2010-2011 [32 Pages, 9.3MB]
3. 2011 – September 2012 [51 Pages, 12.5MB]

Department of Commerce / Office of the Inspector General

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2010-2011 [12 Pages, 2.1MB]

Department of Commerce – International Trade Administration

1.  7/1/2010 – 9/30/2010 [21 Pages, 1.7MB]

Department of Defense (DOD) / Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS)

1. 5 Oldest FOIA Requests, as of February of 2014 [11 Pages, 1.5MB]
2. FY 2012 [73 Pages, 872k]
3. FY 2011 [115 Pages, 0.6mb]
4. FY 2010 [99 Pages, 2.0mb]
5. FY 2009 [236 Pages, 2.3mb]
6. FY 2008 [172 Pages, 922k]
7. FY 2007 [158 Pages, 3.36mb]
8. FY 2006 [148 Pages, 977k]
9. FY 2005 [112 pages, 2.07mb]
10. FY 2004 [146 Pages, 469k]
11. FY 2003 [136 Pages, 449k]
12. FY 2002 [108 Pages, 364k]
13. FY 2001 [109 Pages, 374k]
14. FY 2000 [57 Pages, 228k]

Department of Defense / Inspector General (DoD/IG)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [43 Pages, 1.2MB]
2. 2012-2015 [147 Pages, 8.2MB]
3. 2010-2011 [112 Pages, 0.55MB]

FOIA Appeals Logs

1. 2012-2015  [11 Pages, 0.7MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1. MDR Log of all DOD/IG MDR cases through November 9, 2016 [4 Pages, 0.6MB]

Department of Education

1.  5 Oldest FOIA Requests and Appeals (as of December 2016) [113 Pages, 15.5MB]

Department of Energy (DOE)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [153 Pages, 3.4MB]
2. 2013 [112 Pages, 1.22MB]
3.  2010 [101 Pages, 13.71MB]
4.  2009 [112 Pages, 922k]

FOIA Appeals Logs

1. Appeal Log, 01/01/2009-11/1/2016 [12 Pages, 0.6MB]

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2004-2018 (.ZIP file of .PDF Files) [115MB]
2. 10 oldest Requests – a/o January 2020 [47 Pages, 10MB]

FOIA Appeals Logs

CY2018 [22 Pages, 10MB]

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2014-2016 (.ZIP file of Excel Spreadsheets) [10.1MB]

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

1. FY2010-2011 [198 Pages, 1.53mb]
2. 2009 (October – December) [32 Pages, 0.2mb]
3. FY 2009 [115 Pages, 2.6mb]
4. 2008 [18 Pages, 8.57mb]
5. FY 2007 (07-23-2007 through 11-30-2007) [47 Pages, 160kb]
6. FY 2007 (10-02-2006 through 07-23-2007) [47 Pages, 160kb]
7. FY 2006 (10-03-2005 through 09-26-2006) [47 Pages, 160kb]

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Science and Technology Directorate (S&T)

1. 2011-2016 [36 Pages, 0.9MB]

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

1.  2016 [505 Pages, 98.6MB]
2.  2009-2010 [409 Pages, 43.7MB]
3.  2008 [175 Pages, 22.5MB]

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) / Office of the Inspector General

1.  October 2010 – May 2016 [114 Pages, 23.2MB]

Department of State 

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2013-2014 [857 Pages, 9.9MB]
2.  2005-2013 [2,538 Pages, 49.2MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1.  2014-2015 [30 Pages, 3.3MB]

Department of State / Office of the Inspector General (STATE/OIG)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2010-2016 [24 Pages, 1.2MB]

Department of the Interior (DOI)

1. 2016 [154 Pages, 10.7MB]
2. 2012 [19 Pages, 3.32MB]
3. 2010-2011 [19 Pages, 352kb]
4. 2007-2009 [19 Pages, 3.0MB]

Department of the Interior / Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (DOI/BOEM)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [12 Pages, 0.6MB]

Department of the Interior / Bureau of Indian Affairs (DOI/BIA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [154 Pages, 8.5KB]

Department of the Interior / Fish & Wildlife Service (DOI/FWS)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [136 Pages, 1.7MB]

Department of the Interior / Inspector General (DOI/IG)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [47 Pages, 2MB]
2. 2016 [19 Pages, 0.7MB]
3. 2013 [8 Pages, 260KB]

Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary (DOI/OS)

FOIA Case Logs

1. FY2007-2016 [376 Pages, 1.2MB]

Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey (DOI/USGS)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2016 [0.1 MB]

Department of the Justice / Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [127 Pages, 1.3MB]

Department of the Justice / Office of Information Policy (DOJ/OIP)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2010-2012 [250 Pages, 5.88MB]

Department of Justice / Executive Office for United States Attorneys (DOJ/EOUSA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2017-2020 [1,442 Pages, 102MB]

Department of Justice / Office of Legal Counsel (DOJ/OLC)

1. 01/01/2006-03/24/2016 [140 Pages, 9.9MB]

Office of Labor (DOL)

1.  2016 [388 Pages, 7.2MB]

Department of the Navy 

1.  CY 2017 [220 Pages, 9.5MB]
2.  FY 2013 [129 Pages, 0.5MB]
3.  2012 [275 Pages, 2.6MB]

Department of the Navy / Marine Corps

1. 2016 [125 Pages, 5.5MB]
2. 2013 [81 Pages, 1.7MB]
3.  2012 [31 Pages, 412kb]
4. 2010-2011 [58 Pages, 412kb]

Department of Transportation (DOT)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2007-2012 [165 Pages, 1.2MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review Logs

1. 2013-2015 [1 Page, 0.7MB] – No MDR’s during these dates.

Department of Transportation (DOT) / Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [94 Pages, 1.2MB]

Department of Transportation / Office of the Inspector General

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [9 Pages, 0.5MB]

Department of Transportation / Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2014-2016 [31 Pages, 0.9MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. Appeal Log, 01/01/2009-10/31/2016 [1 Page, 0.5MB]

Department of the Treasury 

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2007-2016 [585 Pages, 5.8MB]

Department of the Treasury, Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [15 Pages, 2.5MB]
2. 2013 [16 Pages, 3.85MB]
3.  2012 [16 Pages, 3.85MB]
4. 2009 [47 Pages, 9.3MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2000-2016 [34 Pages, 4.9MB]

Department of the Treasury, United States Mint

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [9 Pages, 2.4MB]
2. 2012 [16 Pages, 3.5MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2009-2016 [1 Page, 0.6MB]

Dugway Proving Ground (DPG)

1. 2010-2015 [7 Pages, 1.51MB] – This is how the document was received. Can the font get ANY smaller? (The PDF is zoomable)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. EPA Claims on January 25, 2017, they no longer generate FOIA Case Logs, and they need to be generated at FOIAOnline.

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1. Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Procedure [2 Pages, 0.4MB]
2. 2014-2015 [5 Pages, 0.5MB]

European Command  (EUCOM)

1. 2013 [11 Pages, 1.63MB]
2.  2010-2011 [5 Pages, 2.73MB]- Document was in poor condition. Is readable, but needs to be zoomed in. This is the state they sent it to me electronically.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

1. 2009 [24 Pages, 10.46MB]

Executive Office of the President – Council on Environmental Quality (EOP/CEQ)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2013-2016 [21 Pages, 1.5MB]

Executive Office of the President – Office of National Drug Control Policy

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2009-2016 [3 Pages, 0.5MB]

Executive Office of the President – Office of Science and Technology Policy (EOP/OSTP)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2013 [9 Pages, 1.39MB]
2.  2010-2011 [13 Pages, 1.6MB]
3.  2009 [8 Pages, 1.5MB]

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2013 [178 Pages, 1.3MB]

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [336 Pages, 110MB]
2. 2017 [585 Pages, 25MB]
3. 2016 [1,093 Pages, 242MB]
4. 2014 [775 Pages, 59.2MB]
5. 2013 [683 Pages, 176MB]
6. 2010-2011 [830 Pages, 127MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2018 [11Pages, 3.3MB]
2. 2017 – FOIA Appeals Log [9 Pages, 4.2MB]
3. 2014-2015 – FOIA Appeals Log [20 Pages, 13.7MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1. 2018 [4 Pages, 2.2MB]
2. 2017 [2 Pages, 2MB]
3. 2013-2015 [6 Pages, 2MB]

Oldest FOIA Cases

1. 5 Oldest FOIA Requests/Appeals a/o 7/21/2015 [21 Pages, 8.2 MB]

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

1. 2013 [86 Pages, 0.6MB]
2.  2012 [83 Pages, 6.74MB]
3.  2010-2011 [174 Pages, 16.2MB]
4.  2009 [94 Pages, 2.5MB]

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

1. 10 Oldest FOIA Cases with Processing Notes, a/o August, 2018 [774 Pages, 87.1MB]
2. 10 Oldest FOIA Cases with Processing Notes, a/o June 24, 2016 [624 Pages, 81.7MB]

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2012-2016 [636 Pages, 61.4MB]
2. 2011 [27 Pages, 0.3MB]
3. 2010 [130 Pages, 1.1MB]
4. 2008 [76 Pages, 1.2MB]

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [20 Pages, 4MB]
2. 2015 [20 Pages, 1.0MB]

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2006 [9 Pages, 2.1MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. Appeal Log, 2009-10/3/2016 [19 Pages, 0.6MB]

Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2009-2016 [54 Pages, 2.1MB]

Federal Reserve Board (FRB)

1.  2014 [52 Pages, 0.6MB]

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

1.  2013-2015 [26 Pages, 2.4MB]
2.  2010-2012 [53 Pages, 0.3MB]

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

1.  2010-2013 [35 Pages, 0.9MB]

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

1.  2010-2016 [42 Pages, 0.9MB]

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2010-2016 [43 Page, 12.2MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1.  2009-2016 [1 Page, 0.4MB]

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2017 [357 Pages, 1.7MB]
2.  2016 [476 Pages, 2.0MB]
3.  2010-2015 [2,118 Pages, 6.2MB]

Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2016 [5 Pages, 0.7MB]

Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)

1.  2012-2016 [14 Pages, 0.6MB]

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  FY 2017 [48 Pages, 21.2MB] (Includes MDR Log and Appeals Log)
2.  FY 2016 [20 Pages, 0.9MB]
3.  FY 2015 [31 Pages, 13.9MB]
4.  FY 2014 [22 Pages, 0.6MB]
5.  FY 2013 [33 Pages, 13.44MB]
6.  FY 2012 [38 Pages, 15.7MB]
7. FY 2010-2011 [140 Pages, 29 MB]
8. FY 2009 [11 Pages, 650KB]
9. FY 2008 [45 Pages, 6.14MB]
10. FY 2007 [41 Pages, 5.39MB]
11. FY 2006 [42 Pages, 5.9MB]

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) / Glenn Research Center (GRC)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2009 [9 Pages, 1.5MB]

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) / Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2018 [6 Pages, 2.5MB]

National Air & Space Intelligence Center (NASIC)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2015-2021 [24 Pages, 16.3MB]

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2012 [13 Pages, 124KB]
2. 2010-2011 [25 Pages, 243KB]
3. 10/1/2008 – 03/19/2010 [143 Pages, 17MB]

MDR Case Logs

1. 10/07/2008 – 06/10/2010 [14 Pages, 1.5MB]

National Credit Union Administration(NCUA)

1.  APPEAL Log – 2009-10/2016 [3 Pages, 0.2MB]

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

1.  FY 2013 [3 Pages, 0.2MB]
2.  2009 [7 Pages, 0.2MB]
3. 2006-2008 [7 Pages, 0.2MB]

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2016 [15 Pages, 4.5MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1.  All Dates through November 2016 – MDR Log [20 Pages, 1.1MB]

National Guard Bureau

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2016 [8 Pages, 2.5MB]

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2005-2016 [1,124 Pages, 29.7MB]

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

1. 2013 [6 Pages, 1.4MB]
2. 2012 [6 Pages, 1.4MB]
3. 2011 [14 Pages, 1.9MB]
4. 2010 [12 Pages, 2.5MB]
5.  2009 [4 Pages, 0.2MB]

National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

1.  2013 [27 Pages, 0.2MB]

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

1. 2010-2011 [21 Pages, 1.2MB]
2. 2009 [25 Pages, 0.2MB]
3. 2008 [23 Pages, 8.11MB]
4. 2006 and 2007 Weekly Reports [144 Pages, 18.26mb]

National Park Service (NPS)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2014-2016 [195 Pages, 1.5MB]
2. 2009-2013 [34 Pages, 6.38MB]
3.  2008 [34 Pages, 6MB]

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [4 Pages, 8MB]
2. 2016 [13 Pages, 2.1MB]
3. 2013 [3 Pages, 1.55MB]
4.  2010-2011 [13 Pages, 1.2MB]
5.  2009 [28 Pages, 2.5MB]
6. 5 Oldest FOIA Requests, as of June 2009 [130 Pages, 2.97MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2018 [1 Page, 0.2MB]
2. 2014-2015 [2 Pages, 1MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review Logs

1. 2018 [1 Page, 1.0MB] – Requires zooming! Yes, that is how small they sent it to me.
2. 2013-2015 [3 Pages, 1.0MB] – Requires zooming! Yes, that is how small they sent it to me.
3. 2000-2012 [7 Pages, 8.2MB]

FOIA Internal Status Reports

1. 2015-2016 [115 Pages, 6.9MB]

National Security Agency (NSA)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  CY 2018 [170 Pages, 74.8MB]
2.  CY 2016 [100 Pages, 17.2MB]
3.  CY 2014 [232 Pages, 8.9MB]
4.  CY 2013 [315 Pages, 8.1MB]
5.  CY 2012 [60 Pages, 8.5MB]
6.  CY 2009 [70 Pages, 40MB]
7. January 1 – January 30, 1998 [3 Pages, 500k]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1.  CY 2014-2015 [60 Pages, 6.9MB]

Oldest FOIA Requests

1.  Filed for 5 Oldest FOIA Requests 27 August 2009 [495 Pages, 67.6MB] – This request took nearly 8 years to get a response and has requests going back to 1994 as still being processed!

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1.  CY 2013-2015 [32 Pages, 4.2MB]

National Telecommunications & Information Administration

1.  2010-2011 [40 Pages, 6.5MB]

Naval Safety Center

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2019-2020 [92 Pages, 2.86MB] (Combined FOIA and Appeal Logs)

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2019-2020 [92 Pages, 2.86MB] (Combined FOIA and Appeal Logs)

Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2013 [38 Pages, 3MB]
2. 2012 [21 Pages, 2.86MB]
3. 2010-2011 [42 Pages, 5.2MB]
4. 2009 [20 Pages, 5.59MB]

New York State Office of the Attorney General (NYSO/AG)

1. 2015-2016 [284 Pages, 63.9MB]

Northern Command (NORTHCOM)

1.  FY 2016 [18 Pages, 12.8MB]
2. FY 2013 [8 Pages, 0.3MB]
3.  FY2012 [8 Pages, 1.9MB]
4.  FY2010-2011 [9 Pages, 0.5MB]

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

1. 02/2016-12/2016 [120 Pages, 3.4MB]
2. 2012 [26 Pages, 5.67MB]
3. 2009 [16 Pages, 0.2MB]
4. FY 2006 [53 Pages, 4.71MB]

Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2018 [42 Pages, 11MB]
2. 2013 [27 Pages, 1.51MB]
3.  2012 [27 Pages, 9.45MB]
4. 2010-2011 [47 Pages, 2.21MB]
5. 2008 [21 Pages, 439k]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2018 [42 Pages, 11MB]
2. 2014-2015 –  [7 Pages, 1.5MB]
3. 2000-2013 [13 Pages, 1.9MB]

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1. 01/01/2021 – 10/15/2021 [4 Pages, 0.6MB]
2. 2018 [42 Pages, 11MB]

Office of Government Ethics (OGE)

1. 2010-2015 – FOIA Logs and Appeal Logs [67 Pages, 3.3MB]
2. 2013 [16 Pages, 2.69MB]
3. 2012 [15 Pages, 0.9MB]
4. 2010-2011 [18 Pages, 1.7MB]
5. 2009 [10 Pages, 1.7MB]
6.  FY 2006 – 2008 [14 Pages, 2.38MB]

Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI)

1.  2010-2012 [12 Pages, 1.04MB]

Office of Nuclear and National Security Information (ONNSI)

1. Weekly Report from January – October 2001 [245 Pages, 22.17MB]

Office of Special Counsel (OSC)

1. FY2016 [6 Pages, 0.8MB]
2. Appeal Log, FY2006-FY2016 [1 Page, 0.9MB]
3.  FOIA Backlog Reduction Goals, 2016-2017 [4 Pages, 1.4MB]
4. FOIA Case Logs, FY2008-2015 [43 Pages, 1.6MB]

Office of the Secretary of Defense and Joint Staff (OSD/JS)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2017 [146 Pages, 1.9MB]
2. 2016 [275 Pages, 1.7MB]
3. 2014-2015 [332 Pages, 2.7MB]
4. 2009 – 2013 [629 Pages, 3.34MB]
5.  2000 – 2008 [1,146 Pages, 5.5MB]

FOIA Internal Status Reports

1. 2015-2016 [475 Pages, 49.6MB] – PDF Has bookmarks of the three attachments that were received for this FOIA. I combined them for ease of downloading/reading.

Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) Logs

1.  CY 2016-2017 [163 Pages, 4MB]
2.  CY 2013-2015 [624 Pages, 5.1MB]

Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2011-2016 [2 Pages, 2.7MB]

Offutt Air Force Base (SAC HQ)

1. 2013 [5 Pages, 2.21MB]
2.  2009 [52 Pages, 0.3MB]

Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)

1. 2014-2015 [25 Pages, 0.6MB]
2. 2013 [8 Pages, 0.3MB]
3.  2012 [45 Pages, 0.5MB]
4. 2010 – 2011 [45 Pages, 0.5MB]
5. 2008-2009 [19 Pages, 0.3MB]

Pacific Command (PACOM)

1. MDR Log, a/o November 2016 [3 Pages, 0.7MB]
2. 2013 [5 Pages, 0.7MB]
3. 2012 [8 Pages, 6.94MB]

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2008-2016 [433 Pages, 142.5MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2013-2016 [433 Pages, 142.5MB] – This is the same file above, but the last page holds the “Appeals” log.

Peterson Air Force Base

1. 2013 [6 Pages, 0.3mb]

Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB)

1. 2010-2016 [3 Pages, 0.9MB]

RAF Lakenheath

1. January 1, 2007 – November 26, 2008 [3 Pages, 261k]

Redstone Aresenal, Alabama (Army)

1. 2013 [2 Pages, 2.7MB]
2.  2010-2011 [29 Pages, 2.7MB]
3. 2008 [8 Pages, 400k]

Selective Service Systems (SSS)

1.  2008-2012 [11 Pages, 0.3MB]

Social Security Administration (SSA)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [1,018 Pages, 5.3MB]
2. 2009-2011 [2,416 Pages, 3.5MB]

Special Operations Command (SOCOM)

1.  2014 [16 Pages, 1.2MB]
2.  2013 [5 Pages, 0.6MB]
3.  2012 – Open Cases [84 Pages, 0.3MB]
4.  2012 – Closed Cases [128 Pages, 0.3MB]

Security Exchange Commission (SEC)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2013 [CSV File, 1.75MB]
2. 2012 [151 Pages, 0.7MB]
3.  2011 [CSV File, 1.61MB]
4.  2010 [CSV File, 1.68MB]
5. 2009 [198 Pages, 2.7mb]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. FY 2009-2015 [48 Pages, 1.7MB]

Small Business Administration (SBA)

1.  2016 [26 Pages, 1.2MB]

Transportation Command (TRANSCOM)

1. 2016 [16 Pages, 0.5MB]
2. 2013 [8 Pages, 0.5MB]
3. 2012 [8 Pages, 6.94MB]

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

1. 3 Oldest Open Requests with Processing Notes, a/o July 2016 [58 Pages, 4.2MB]

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

FOIA Case Logs

1. FY 2012 – 1Q of 2016 [166 Pages, 1.2MB]

MDR Case Logs

1. 2010-2016 [5 Pages, 0.6MB]

United States Census Bureau

1. 10/1/2011 – 08/01/2012 [17 Pages, 3.5MB]
2. 2010-2011 [57 Pages, 6.8MB]

United States Patent and Trade Office (USPTO)

1. 1/1/2011 – 08/01/2012 [27 Pages, 5MB]
2. 2010-2011 [33 Pages, 4.7MB]

United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2010-2016 [85 Pages, 24.1MB]

United States Postal Service (USPS)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2010-2016 [1,120 Pages, 112MB]

FOIA Appeal Logs

1. 2010-2016 [85 Pages, 9.9MB]

United States Postal Service / Inspector General (USPS/IG)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2013-2015 [79 Pages, 15.3MB]
2.  2013 [.XLSX file, 43kb]
3.  2012 [14 Pages, 5.24MB]
4. 2010-2011 [13 Pages, 1.1MB]
5. 2009 [25 Pages, 6.5MB]

United States Secret Service (USSS)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  2018 [8 Pages, 0.6MB]
2.  2000-2015 [475 Pages, 218.8MB] – Note: LARGE File – recommended you right click and press “Save As…” to save it to your hard drive.

United States Strategic Command (STRATCOM)

FOIA Case Logs

1.  FY2013-2014 [8 Pages, 1.1MB]
2. 2009 [19 Pages, 4.7MB]
3. 2006-2008 [19 Pages, 4.7MB]

Vandenberg Air Force Base

1. FY 2007 [7 Pages, 633k]

Veterans Affairs / Office of the Inspector General (VA/OIG)

FOIA Case Logs

1. 2016 [15 Pages, 5.2MB]

The post FOIA & MDR Case Logs first appeared on The Black Vault.

The below documents were discovered after searching emails for the following keywords: “The Black Vault”, “John Greenewald” etc. The reasoning at that was fairly simple, but I did not expect the discovery that was made.

I received quite a few documents responsive to my request, however, the below stuck out. Internally, the IRS will file Sensitive Case Reports (SCRs) when requests come in from certain individuals or organizations that are like to attract media or Congressional attention, or if they consider them a unique of “novel” issue.

I was amazed to find myself at the top of the short list (albeit, it is alphabetical).

Also in the batch of records, were the SCR guidelines on how those requests are handled, and why certain people or organizations deserve to be on the list.

First, the official IRS list of requesters and organizations that are on the list:

Sensitive Case Reports Archive

 IRS Sensitive Case Reports, October 1, 2016 – March 10, 2017 [98 Pages, 1.8MB]

 IRS Sensitive Case FOIA Requests, October 1, 2016 – March 10, 2017 [432 Pages, 132.3MB]

 IRS Sensitive Case Reports, January 1, 2020 – circa April 2022 [969 Pages, 260MB]

Guidelines for PGLD Sensitive Case Reports (January, 2016)

The following is taken directly from the  Guidelines for PGLD Sensitive Case Reports (January, 2016):

1. Process for reporting

The case worker should prepare a Sensitive Case Report (SCR) within 5 days of case assignment. Disclosure Managers (DM) can also make an SCR determination. Input “SCR” in the Subject Line within the case in AFOIA as soon as possible, even if in advance of finalization of the SCR. Follow the approval path established by your Area to elevate the SCR to Area leadership: caseworker to DM; DM to Area Technical Advisor (TA); TA to both Area Deputies. Area leadership will approve/reject the SCR and ensure reconciliation with the Bi-Weekly SCR prepared for Directors PGLD and GLDS.

2. Format for reporting

Use the most recent PGLD Sensitive Case Report form.

Complete the SCR as stated below:

• Requester Name: Enter the name of the individual making the request and their association. Example: J. Smith, Reporter USA Today, or J. Smith IRS Territory Mgr. If the requester does not have an association, and then enter “(Self)”.
• Case Number: Enter AFOIA case number.
• Sensitive Case Criteria: Check applicable box. Additional information will be included in the Case Summary. See Criteria for initiating an SCR below.
• Disclosure Received Date: Enter the date the request was received in Disclosure. Where there is a substantial difference between this date and the date when the report is completed, please provide an explanation for the delay in the Case Summary section of the report.
• Due Date: Enter the original due date
• Case Summary: Enter a brief description of the issue(s) in the case (do not include an entire history sheet of the case). Do not use abbreviations and consider the audience. Do not include names unless the specific names are part of what makes the request sensitive. Be succinct.
• Action Plan: Enter a brief explanation of the recent activity and a plan of action. (Do not include an entire history sheet of the case.)
• Submitted By: Enter caseworker Name
• Date: Enter date SCR completed

Remember, a SCR should be a summary of a case and case activity. The report should be no longer than 1(one) page. Upload the completed SCR to the Research Folder in AFOIA.

3. Criteria for initiating an SCR

Employees should exercise good judgment in determining whether a SCR should be prepared. SCRs are used to notify top management of FOIA requests and actions being taken that are sensitive in nature prior to hearing about them externally. The report template breaks the criteria down to two categories as follows:

a) Likely to attract media or Congressional attention

Does the case involve a taxpayer with a recognizable name, such as a politician, an entertainer, or a professional athlete and the actions on the case may be publicized or result in a contact to the PGLD Director or higher? Could IRS actions in the case attract attention because of the nature of the taxpayer’s business? Could the taxpayer’s actions, such as contacting a Member of Congress draw attention to the case?

Is the request for information related to, or from, any member or committee of Congress? Is the request from a major news media outlet? Is the request from or concerning persons, entities, issues or programs that might generate media attention?

b) Unique or novel issue

Is the case novel or unusual in some way? Does the case fall outside of the other criteria, but is worth elevating for some reason? A case under these criteria should be accompanied by a brief explanation of why it is unique. Provide this explanation in the Case Summary section of the SCR report.
Is the request for information that may have national political implications, usually from organizations known to have national political influence or represent major political parties? Is the request for information about an IRS or Chief Counsel executive, other than the PIL or Oath of Office? For example: a request for copies of the Commissioner’s Travel Vouchers. Is the request from NTEU (or other national union, such as AFGE) for information on a national policy or program?

SCR Template

 25 – PGLD SCR Template (Jan 2016)

Origin

Along with other document, I was able to get the email chain regarding the creation of the SCR list.  You will find the more important parts of the exchanges below:

The attachment included on this email was the above mentioned list.

The post Sensitive Case Reports (SCRs) Regarding FOIA Requests at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) first appeared on The Black Vault.

On March 15, 2022, the Department of Justice published the following:

To mark the start of Sunshine Week, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland issued comprehensive new Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) guidelines today that strengthen the federal government’s commitments to transparency in government operations and the fair and effective administration of FOIA.

The Attorney General’s guidelines, which were announced in a memorandum (see below), direct the heads of all executive branch departments and agencies to apply a presumption of openness in administering the FOIA and make clear that the Justice Department will not defend nondisclosure decisions that fail to do so. The guidelines also emphasize that the proactive disclosure of information is fundamental to the faithful application of the FOIA and note the Justice Department’s efforts to encourage proactive agency disclosures, including by providing more specific criteria regarding how relevant metrics should be reported in agency Annual FOIA Reports, as the Government Accountability Office recommended.

“At the Justice Department, and across government, our success depends upon the trust of the people we serve. That trust must be earned every day,” said Attorney General Garland. “For more than fifty years, the Freedom of Information Act has been a vital tool for advancing the principles of open government and democratic accountability that are at the heart of who we are as public servants. Together with our partners across the federal government, the Justice Department will work every day to uphold those principles, which are essential to the rule of law.”

In addition, the Attorney General’s FOIA guidelines direct federal departments and agencies to continue efforts to remove barriers to requesting and accessing government records and to reduce FOIA processing backlogs. The guidelines note, for example, that the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review is changing a policy under which it had long required individuals to file FOIA requests to obtain official copies of their own records of immigration court proceedings. The Attorney General encouraged all agencies to examine whether they have similar or other categories of records that they could make more readily accessible without requiring individuals to file FOIA requests.

“The Attorney General’s new FOIA guidelines underscore the Justice Department’s commitment to government that is open, transparent and accountable to the people we serve,” said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta, who also serves as the Department’s Chief FOIA Officer. “The Office of Information Policy looks forward to working with agencies to ensure the presumption of openness is applied across the government.”

The Attorney General’s guidelines highlight the key role played by agency Chief FOIA Officers who report each year to the Department of Justice on their progress in improving FOIA administration and also direct agencies to training and guidance documents issued by the Justice Department’s Office of Information Policy designed to help ensure proper training and compliance with FOIA across the federal government. For more information visit www.justice.gov/oip.

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The post Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Issues New FOIA Guidelines to Favor Disclosure and Transparency first appeared on The Black Vault.

Department of Defense FOIA offices are prohibited from responding to “significant” FOIA requests having “departmental level interest” without approval from the Pentagon, according to a policy document obtained by Cause of Action from the DoD’s Inspector General.

 A “significant” request is defined by the policy document as one where, in the judgment of a FOIA office, “the subject matter of the released documents may generate media interest and/or may be of interest or potential interest to DoD senior leadership.”  This can include requests regarding “the current administration (including request for information on Senator Obama) previous administrations, and current or previous DoD leadership.”

The policy document further provides that if a “significant” request generates “departmental level interest,” the DoD FOIA office handling the request must forward its proposed FOIA response and all responsive records for departmental level clearance.  Departmental level clearance is done at the DoD Freedom of Information Policy Office (DFOIPO) which is responsible for the formulation and implementation of FOIA policy guidance for DoD.  The office was created in 2006 after President Bush signed an Executive Order aimed at improving the FOIA process, though the policy document in question was drafted only after President Obama took office.         

(Special thanks to Cause of Action for the above explanation on Significant FOIA requests)

Document Archive

Department of Defense

 Department of Defense Policy on Significant FOIA Requests [ 7 Pages, 0.4MB ] – As of October of 2014, this is the current set of standards and procedures for the DoD, in regards to processing Significant FOIA Requests.

 Department of Defense Department Level Interest List, November 2012 – August 2013 [ 14 Pages, 0.5MB ]

 Department of Defense Key FOIA Activity Reports, November 2012 – August 2013 [ 453 Pages, 69.53MB ]

Defense Intelligence Agency

Significant FOIA’s – 9/1/12 – 8/27/13 [4 Pages, 0.5MB]

The post Significant FOIA Requests – Department Level Interest Lists first appeared on The Black Vault.

The following emails were internal communications between NSA employees on how to deal with certain types of FOIA requesters. I filed an MDR in 2019 as the records were previously released under FOIA, however, no new information came to light.  The records are archived below.

Document Archive

NSA Emails: Media Leaks Strategic Guidance Needed on Engaging FOIA Requesters, 2013 [9 Pages, 3.5MB]

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The post NSA Emails: Media Leaks Strategic Guidance Needed on Engaging FOIA Requesters, 2013 first appeared on The Black Vault.

According to their website, the mission statement of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is:

“Enforcing the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States of America. Bringing to justice organizations – including those with ties to terrorism – and their principal members, who are involved in the growing, manufacture or distribution of controlled substances. Supporting the diligent efforts of the Special Agents who play an essential and exclusive role in contributing to our nation’s war on drugs and terrorism. Working to dismantle drug trafficking organizations, prosecute drug traffickers and destroy the financial infrastructure of these organizations. As the government’s premier federal drug law enforcement agency, this is the mission and objective of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). A mission like no other.”

Below, you will find the released training material for this agency’s FOIA program, as released in April 2017.

Document Archive

 Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) FOIA Training Material, Released April of 2017 [42 Pages, 8.9MB]

https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/dea/DEA-FOIA-TrainingMaterial.pdf

The post Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) FOIA Training Material, Released April of 2017 first appeared on The Black Vault.

Many years after The Black Vault came into existence, and became known worldwide as an archive to download hundreds of thousands of government documents (including FBI Files), the FBI itself launched a section on their site that housed some FBI Files called, “The Vault.”  Strange coincidence.

On this site, you can download some of the FBI’s most frequently requested records. However, what I have found out, is many times it is not clear that the files being posted are incomplete.

In March of 2017, I filed a FOIA request to see how the FBI determined what they would post in the Vault, and the internal procedures for doing so. Although I did not get exactly what I asked for, I did receive an interesting document on how the FBI processes requests where documents are already in “The Vault.”

Document Archive

 FBI FOIA “VAULT” Request Procedures, Released 2017 [13 Pages, 2.17MB]

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The post FBI FOIA “VAULT” Request Procedures, Released 2017 first appeared on The Black Vault.

Referenced within the U.S. Department of Labor 2011 Chief FOIA Officer Report, located at: https://www.dol.gov/sol/foia/2011ChiefFOIAOfficerRpt.htm, there was a reference to a Internal FOIA Desk Reference Guide.

Seemingly never published publicly before, I requested the record in November of 2016.

In March of 2017 — I received the document, no available for download below.

According to the document’s introduction:

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides that any person has a right, enforceable in court, to obtain access to federal agency records, except to the extent that records or portions of them are protected from public disclosure based upon one of nine exemptions. The FOIA encourages accountability through transparency.

Within the Department of Labor (DOL), day-to-day FOIA operations are largely decentralized. The Chief FOIA Officer and Office of Information Services (OIS) are within DOL’s Office of the Solicitor (SOL) and provide overall guidance and department-level administration of FOIA. However, individual DOL component agencies continue to be responsible for directly answering FOIA requests and providing requesters with documents from their agency. Each agency has the flexibility to design a FOIA program that meets its needs, while adhering to the provisions of the statute and DOL’s implementing FOIA regulations. Most agencies have delegated their disclosure responsibilities to officials at the Office Director or Division Chief level in the National Office, as well as to their regional offices. Others have delegated their field FOIA responsibilities to district or area offices while some small agencies handle all of their FOIA requests centrally in Washington, DC. When requests involve particularly sensitive matters or involve records maintained by multiple agency components, the Office of the Solicitor may make a consolidated response on behalf of the Department.

Document Archive

 Internal FOIA Desk Reference Guide, September 2010 [21 Pages, 2.9MB]

https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/foia/DOL-InternalFOIA-Sept2010.pdf

The post Department of Labor Internal FOIA Desk Reference Guide, September 2010 first appeared on The Black Vault.

Through enforcing vehicle performance standards and partnerships with state and local governments, NHTSA reduces deaths, injuries and economic losses from motor vehicle crashes.

Below, you will find the Records Schedule for the NHTSA.

Document Archive

 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Comprehensive Record Schedule [105 Pages, 13.9MB]

https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/nhtsa/ES17-000668.pdf

The post National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Comprehensive Records Schedule first appeared on The Black Vault.

Enacted in 1966, the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, gives any person the right to access federal agency records or information. The FOIA is based on the presumption that the government and its information belong to the people.

A 1996 amendment to the FOIA, required federal agencies to make many types of records available online.

Internally, agencies produce reports that offer other FOIA staff members status updates, reports, statistics, etc. about the ongoing effort to deal with the onslaught of FOIA Requests they receive from the public.

In November of 2016, I requested all internal FOIA Status Reports from the IRS, for the years 2015 and 2016.  I was surprised to receive nearly 8,000 pages of responsive records!

I have archived them below for reference.  This is a very large data dump, so it is very difficult to truly break it all down and index, but this should give you a starting point. Not all PDF files are currently searchable.

Currently, the contents are organized exactly how they were given to me and in the same format.

Document Archive

• 2015 AFOIA Backlog Report April-June Sealed/
• 2015 AFOIA Backlog Report Jan-March Sealed/
• 2015 AFOIA Backlog Report July-Sept Sealed/
• 2015 AFOIA Backlog Report Oct-Dec Sealed/
• 2015 MAG Reports/
• 2015 Weekly Inventory Reports/
• 2016 AFOIA Backlog Report Apr-Jun Sealed/
• 2016 AFOIA Backlog Report Jan-Mar Sealed/
• 2016 AFOIA Backlog Report July-Sept Sealed/
• 2016 AFOIA Backlog Report Oct-Nov Sealed/
• 2016 MAG Reports/
• 2016 Weely Inventory Reports/

FOIA Response

IRS FOIA Response for Case #17307-0087 [2 Pages, 0.5MB]

The post Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Internal FOIA Status Reports first appeared on The Black Vault.

The FOIA, enacted in 1966, generally provides that any person has a right to obtain access to federal agency records except to the extent that such records (or portions of them) are protected from public disclosure by one of nine exemptions or by one of three special law enforcement records exclusions.

The Privacy Act of 1974 may also be used by certain individuals to obtain access to records maintained by their names or other personal identifier in an agency system of records. Requests for Privacy Act records shall be processed in accordance with the Privacy Act, FDIC Regulations at 12 CFR, ~ 310, and the procedures in FDIC Circular 1031.1, The Privacy Act of 1974: Employee Rights and Responsibilities.

In 1996, Congress enacted the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments (E-FOIA) requiring public access to information in an electronic format and for the establishment of electronic FOIA reading rooms through agency FOIA web sites. The FDIC’s E-FOIA web site is available at www.fdic.gov/aboutlfreedom/index.html where a variety of reference materials and links to component reading rooms of electronic records may be found.
In 2005, President Bush issued Executive Order 13392, Improving Agency Disclosure of Information, 70 FR 75373, dated December 14, 2005, directing agencies to ensure citizen centered and results-oriented FOIA operations. In accordance with this Executive Order, the FDIC has designated the General Counsel as its Chief FOIA Officer with corporate-wide responsibility for efficient and appropriate compliance with the FOIA.

To ensure appropriate communication with FOIA requesters, a FOIA Requester Service Center has been established within the Legal Division to receive and respond to inquiries concerning the status of pending FOIA requests.

Document Archive

 FDIC Circular 1023.1 – Procedures for Processing Freedom of Information Act Requests [15 Pages, 1.4MB]

https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/FDIC/FOIADirective-FOIAProcessing-FDIC.pdf

The post FDIC Circular 1023.1 – Procedures for Processing Freedom of Information Act Requests first appeared on The Black Vault.

The purpose of this guidance is to describe the basic processes and procedures for FOIA liaisons and staff of SEC divisions and program offices to assist the FOIA Office staff in processing requests under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 a). The Commissions’ FOIA and Privacy Act regulations, 17 CFR 200.80 and 17 CFR 200.300, may be accessed via the FOIA page on the INSIDER. For your convenience, links to these materials and others can be found in the attachments to this guidance.

NOTE: This guidance document is not an all-inclusive guide to FOIA processing. Rather, it provides the most basic information and guidance needed by all FOIA Liaisons to be able to perform the role within the division or program office. Always contact the FOIA Research Specialist assigned to a request for more information regarding the processing of the request referral.

Document Archive

 Securities and Exchange Commission’s FOIA/PA Work Procedure Manual, August 29, 2011 [29 Pages, 0.8MB]

https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/foia/SECFOIALiaisonGuidance.pdf

The post Securities and Exchange Commission’s FOIA/PA Work Procedure Manual, August 29, 2011 first appeared on The Black Vault.

Melanie Ann Pustay became the Director of the Office of Information Policy of the United States Department of Justice in 2007. The Office of Information Policy is responsible for developing guidance for Executive Branch agencies on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), for ensuring that the President’s FOIA Memorandum and the Attorney General’s FOIA Guidelines are fully implemented across the government, and for overseeing agency compliance with the law.

Before becoming Director, Ms. Pustay served for eight years as Deputy Director of OIP, where she was responsible for the Department’s responses to access requests made to the Department’s Senior Leadership Offices, including the Offices of the Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, and Associate Attorney General. Beginning in 2003 and continuing today, she has worked extensively with government officials in other countries to assist those officials in implementing their own openness-in-government initiatives.

Ms. Pustay has received the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award for her role in providing legal advice, guidance, and assistance on records disclosure issues. She graduated from American University’s Washington College of Law where she served on Law Review.

Below, you will find emails to/from Ms. Pustay, as released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

E-Mail Archive

 FOIA Related E-Mail, First 200 Pages, July 1, 2012 and November 1, 2012 [201 Pages, 12.4MB]

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The post FOIA Related E-Mail, Director, Director of the Office of Information Policy, Department of Justice, Melanie Ann Pustay first appeared on The Black Vault.

The following is a list of documents pertaining to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), along with some useful tips, guides and handbooks distributed by the U.S. Government/Military.

Documents relating to the FOIA

 Freedom of Information Act and the Adverse Effects on Field Operations, circa 1977 [207 Pages]

GAO Report: The Freedom of Information Act: Processing Trends Show Importance of Improvement Plans, March 2007 [ 93 Pages, 3.43MB ]

National Reconnaissance Office Review and Redaction Guide for Automatic Declassification of 25-Year Old Information, 2008 [ 193 Pages, 4.76MB ]

 Office of the Chief FOIA Officer of the U.S. Department of Defense records that discuss matters relating to FOIA, and/or its planning, budgeting, or  implementation at the agency, CY 2007 [ 71 Pages, 9.5MB ]

FOIA Handbooks

The Citizens Guide to the Freedom of Information Act, 1999 [ 81 Pages ]

The Department of Defense FOIA Handbook, Undated [ 12 Pages ]

Directory of Organizational Technical Report Acronym Codes (DOTRAC), July 1994[ 594 Pages, 15.94MB ]

Investigators Guide to Sources of Information (GAO/OSI-97-2), April 1997[ 117 Pages, 700k ]

Your Right to Federal Records, Questions and Answers on the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act (May 2006), Undated [44 Pages, 300KB]

FOIA Policy, Changes & Amendments

FCC Directive FCCINST 1179.2, April 16, 2012 [20 Pages, 2.2MB]

Attorney General’s memo interpreting Transparency and Accountability, March 19, 2009

The post FOIA Policy, Changes & Handbooks first appeared on The Black Vault.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs requested that the DoD Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) determine whether noncareer officials (political appointees or persons nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate) were adversely affecting the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process at the DoD between January 2007 and July 2015.

In response, we determined whether DoD noncareer officials unduly influenced the FOIA response process through unnecessary delays or withholding of information that would have otherwise been released absent the noncareer official’s involvement.

Finding

Our evaluation did not disclose any instances of DoD noncareer officials unduly influencing t he F OIA r esponse p rocess. On November 9, 2015, we advised the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of our evaluation results (see Appendix D). During the course of this evaluation, however, we determined that DoD FOIA policies a re outdated.

The DoD Deputy Chief Management Officer (DCMO) had not updated DoD FOIA policies, as required by DoD Instruction 5025.01, “DoD Issuance Program,” to ensure currency and accuracy. The DoD FOIA policies did not include requirements established in Executive Order 13392, “Improving Agency Disclosure of Information,” and the “OPEN Government Act of 2007.”

According to the Executive Order and the Act, agencies must review their FOIA processing operations, report on their FOIA improvement plan implementation, and strengthen procedures related to FOIA administration. Additionally, the DCMO did not incorporate guidance being used for “significant” FOIA releases into DoD Regulation 5400.7-R, “DoD Freedom of Information Act Program.”

A “significant” FOIA request is defined as any FOIA request in which the subject matter of the released documents may be of interest to DoD senior leadership, the public, the media, or Congress.

Full Report

 DOD/IG Report: DoD Freedom of Information Act Policies Need Improvement, August 16, 2016 [34 Pages, 3.1MB]

https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/ig/DODIG-2016-124.pdf

The post DOD/IG Report: DoD Freedom of Information Act Policies Need Improvement, August 16, 2016 first appeared on The Black Vault.

The following was released by the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) on July 27, 2016.

Today we are releasing a report on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) program at the United States Secret Service (USSS), the fifth in our series of assessments of FOIA programs at components of the Department of Homeland Security. Like other OGIS reports on agency FOIA program assessments, the report includes findings and recommendations about the USSS FOIA Program.

USSS’s FOIA Program is centralized; program offices search for responsive records and the FOIA office processes them and responds to the requester. USSS accepts requests by mail, email, online using the DHS online submission form, or through the DHS FOIA app by mobile phone.

Between Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 and FY 2015, the USSS FOIA Program received an average of almost 1,300 requests per year, ranging from a low of 897 in FY 2011 to a high of 1,595 in FY 2012. From FY 2009 to FY 2015, the backlog at USSS increased by almost 86 percent from 426 requests to 791 requests. During the same period, the number of requests USSS received rose by about 52 percent and the number of requests processed grew by about 29 percent. USSS’s FOIA staff also grew by almost 38 percent between FY 2009 and FY 2015.

Among our recommendations are that USSS:

• Adopt management controls and continue working towards using metrics in employee performance goals;
• Create a formal data-driven backlog reduction plan;
• Ensure the FOIA branch has sufficient IT support; and
• Regularly communicate with requesters about the status of requests, particularly regarding the oldest cases.

We will follow up with USSS in 120 days to learn what actions it has taken to address our findings and recommendations.

Office of Government Information Services Compliance Review of United States Secret Service FOIA Program

 Office of Government Information Services Compliance Review of United States Secret Service FOIA Program [23 Pages, 1.3MB]

https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/foia/SecretServiceComplianceReport.pdf

The post OGIS Releases Assessment of Secret Service FOIA Program, July 27, 2016 first appeared on The Black Vault.

The following documents were obtained through a FOIA lawsuit by the Freedom of the Press Foundation.  Below the documents, you will also find a copy of the original, and well documented, press release article, as published by the Freedom of the Press Foundation on March 18, 2016.

Documents Released

 Justice Department’s opposition to FOIA reform [144 Pages, 12MB]

Additional Information

This work below is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License by the Freedom of the Press Foundation.

New documents show the Obama admin aggressively lobbied to kill transparency reform in Congress

March 8, 2016

By Trevor Timm

New documents obtained through Freedom of the Press Foundation’s lawsuit against the Justice Department reveal that the Obama administration – the self described “most transparent administration ever” – aggressively lobbied behind the scenes in 2014 to kill modest Freedom of Information Act reform that had virtually unanimous support in Congress.

Three months ago, we sued the Justice Department (DOJ) under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for communications between the DOJ and Congress, since there were vague reports that the DOJ may have opposed the bill – despite much of it being based word-for-word based on the Justice Department’s own policies.

Today, we are publishing a detailed memo authored by the Justice Department that strongly objected to almost every aspect of FOIA reform put forth by the House of Representatives at the time.

The bill in question – known as the FOIA Act – was unanimously passed by the House in early 2014. The Senate passed a similar bill – known as the FOIA Improvement Act – in December of 2014, but a final vote in the House to merge the two bills was held up at the last minute by then-Speaker of the House John Boehner and the session of Congress ended before it could become law. It was unclear at the time why the bill did not come up for a final vote, but the Washington Post later reported that a few federal agencies—including the Justice Department—had “warned” lawmakers about some provisions in the bill.

But these new documents show it went well beyond that: the Justice Department vehemently objected to both House and Senate members on nearly all aspects of the bill from the very start, and made clear: “The Administration strongly opposes passage of [the FOIA Act].”Notably, the Justice Department indicates that this policy memo (published in full below) is not just the agency’s individual opinion, but that it is speaking for the entire Obama administration.

The Obama administration’s specious objections to FOIA reform were manifold. They were against codifying the Obama administration’s “presumption of openness” policy that Obama declared upon his first month in office, they were against Congress mandating that the federal government create a unified online portal to process FOIA requests, they were against mandating discipline for FOIA redactors who break any of rules or regulations for processing FOIA requests, and they were against providing more reporting and oversight to Congress to make sure FOIA was being complied with.

The administration tried to couch some of its opposition in concern that the bill would “cause delays” in the FOIA process, despite the fact that many of the provisions were written to speed up the process, modernize the system with an online portal, and encourage proactive disclosure by making more information available to the public without even having to file a request. Concerning other provisions, the DOJ claimed the administration is not opposed in principle, but its is against seeing them codified into law — which allows the Executive Branch to delay implementation indefinitely and gives the next administration carte blanche power to rescind any good policies the Obama administration did put in place.

Most importantly, the administration was vehemently opposed to the “foreseeable harm” provision, also known as the “presumption of openness” standard. During President Obama’s first few weeks  in office, Attorney General Holder made clear that the Justice Department would defend an agency’s decision to withhold information from the public “only if (1) the agency reasonably foresees that disclosure would harm an interest protected by one of the statutory exemptions [in the FOIA], or (2) disclosure is prohibited by law.” The FOIA Act would have simply made this policy the law:

An agency may not withhold information under this subsection unless such agency reasonably foresees that disclosure would cause specific identifiable harm to an interest protected by an exemption [in the FOIA], or if disclosure is prohibited by law.

Doesn’t sound controversial at all, right? While, the DOJ noted it was “seemingly analogous to the Attorney General’s ‘foreseeable harm’ standard contained in his 2009 FOIA Guidelines,” it referred to this language as “particularly pernicious.” They claimed a slight word change from the DOJ’s own policy would dramatically expand current policy; yet critically, they stated that they would be against it even if the language was exactly the same as their own stated policy. From the memo:

To be clear, we do not believe that this is fixable by amending the language, because any codification of a foreseeable-harm standard would undermine proper FOIA administration by requiring judges to determine on a document-by-document, subjective basis whether withholding is proper.

Imagine that: giving judges the power to be able to determine whether the government was lying!

While the Freedom of Information Act remains a valuable tool (this lawsuit can attest to that), any reporter who has filed a FOIA request can corroborate the fact that the law is badly broken. Multiple investigations have shown that the Obama administration has been the most secretive ever when it comes to FOIA. Requests can often take years to be fulfilled if at all, and the only way to get results is to sue, like we were forced to. (We did not receive any documents for over a year from our first requests, and only received these documents after filing a lawsuit).

This summer is the 50th anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act, and Congress is yet again debating a FOIA reform bill, this time with even more holes in it than last time. We hope that Congress will amend the proposed reform in the strongest possible way and send it to the president’s desk with the same message they did fifty years ago when the Johnson administration opposed it, yet was forced to sign it anyways: transparency is vital to democracy.

—

Special thanks to our amazing pro-bono legal counsel working on this case,Marcia Hofmann and D. Victoria Baranetsky, who did all the hard work to make this lawsuit possible.

The post Did the Obama Administration Lobby to Kill FOIA/Transparency Reform? first appeared on The Black Vault.

The Privacy Office has a number of oversight and coordination functions, including developing policies to implement FOIA initiatives, providing training, and preparing annual reports. Meanwhile, components’ FOIA offices are responsible for processing the vast majority of the requests received by the department, subject to regulations and policies issued by the Privacy Office. While components report FOIA processing costs to the Privacy Office, which then aggregates and reports them to the Department of Justice, reported costs are incomplete (for example, the costs do not reflect employee benefits or the salaries of staff outside the components’ FOIA offices who retrieve requested documents), thus hindering accountability for total costs.

Regarding duplication, GAO determined that certain immigration-related requests are processed twice by two different DHS components. The duplicate processing of such requests by the two components contributes to an increase in the time needed to respond to the requests. In 2011, DHS established a goal of reducing backlogged FOIA requests by 15 percent each year, and its component agencies have taken actions toward this goal, including increasing staff, reporting and monitoring backlog information, providing training, and offering incentives to staff for increased productivity. Although there was initial progress by the end of fiscal year 2012, backlog numbers do not account for an estimated 11,000 improperly closed requests, and the number of backlogged requests increased in fiscal year 2013 to a level higher than 2011.

Why GAO Did This Study

FOIA requires federal agencies to provide the public with access to government information. In fiscal year 2013, DHS and its component agencies reported processing more than 200,000 FOIA requests, the most of any federal agency. At the end of fiscal year 2013, about half of all reported backlogged federal FOIA requests (about 50,000 of 95,000) belonged to DHS. GAO was asked to review DHS’s processing of FOIA requests. GAO’s objectives were to determine (1) the responsibilities of and total costs incurred by DHS and selected components in managing and processing FOIA requests, and whether duplication exists; (2) actions DHS and selected components have taken to reduce FOIA backlogs and the results; and (3) the status of DHS’s and selected components’ efforts to acquire and implement automated systems for processing requests. GAO evaluated DHS’s and five selected components’ FOIA-related procedures, fiscal year 2013 cost data, and other documentation. The five components together received more than 90 percent of DHS’s FOIA requests during fiscal year 2013. GAO also interviewed department and component agency officials.

Download the Document

 DHS Should Take Steps to Improve Cost Reporting and Eliminate Duplicate Processing, November 2014 GAO Report [46 Pages, 3.1MB]

https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/gao/667052.pdf

The post DHS Should Take Steps to Improve FOIA Cost Reporting and Eliminate Duplicate Processing, November 2014 GAO Report first appeared on The Black Vault.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a law that gives you the right to access information from the federal government. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens in the know about their government. Federal agencies are required to disclose any information requested under the FOIA unless it falls under one of nine exemptions which protect interests such as personal privacy, national security, and law enforcement. 

The FOIA also requires agencies to proactively post online certain categories of information, including frequently requested records. As Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court have all recognized, the FOIA is a vital part of our democracy.

President Obama and Attorney General Holder have directed agencies to apply a presumption of openness in responding to FOIA requests. Attorney General Holder emphasized that the President has called on agencies to work in a spirit of cooperation with FOIA requesters. The Office of Information Policy at the Department of Justice oversees agency compliance with these directives and encourages all agencies to fully comply with both the letter and the spirit of the FOIA.

Although it works, the system is not working to the full potential and intent of the law. So on June 2, 2015, a hearing was held by some of the nation’s top experts (non-government) on the act.

HEARING PURPOSE:

• To examine the use of FOIA requests as a tool for government transparency and explore barriers to accessing public documents from the user’s perspective.
• The Committee will hear from witnesses that use FOIA in news reporting, academic research, and to conduct government oversight.

HEARING BACKGROUND:

• Enacted in 1966, FOIA is a transparency tool for individuals to ensure government accountability. Under FOIA, requesters may ask federal agencies for information about any matter.
• An agency has 20 business days to respond to a request (and an additional ten days for unusual circumstances) and must release non-exempt records to the requester.
• In Fiscal Year 2014, the federal government received 714,231 FOIA requests.
• The backlog of FOIA cases that had not been processed within the statutory time limit increased by 67 percent to a total of 159,741 backlogged cases.

Part 1:

Part 2:

The post Ensuring Transparency through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Congressional Hearings – 06/02/2015 first appeared on The Black Vault.