Privacy Act Statement

Collection of the information is authorized by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, and the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C.§ 552a, as amended.  Specifically, the information requested is required to respond to public requests for information under those statutes.  The primary purpose for this collection is to process record requests and administrative appeals under the FOIA and combined FOIA and Privacy Act (PA) requests. DOI may also use the records in carrying out any other responsibility arising out of its administration of the specific request.  DOI will use the information collected to identify records responsive to a FOIA and/or PA request, and to provide copies of records to the requester.  The information provided may be disclosed to another agency (a) with an interest in the record in connection with a referral of a FOIA request to that agency for its views or decisions on disclosure or (b) in order to consult with and obtain recommendations concerning matters on which the agency has specialized experience or particular competence that may be useful to DOI in making required determinations under the FOIA or (c) to a debt collection agency for the purpose of collecting outstanding debts owed to the Department for fees associated with processing FOIA and combined FOIA and PA requests. DOI may also include some information in a publicly available log of FOIA requests.  A comprehensive list of routine uses can be found in DOI’s system of records notice, INTERIOR/DOI-71, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Files, 89 FR 25897 (April 12, 2024), which may be viewed at https://www.doi.gov/privacy/doi-notices.  Furnishing the requested information is voluntary; however, failure to provide the requested information may result in a delay or inability of the Department to process your FOIA and combined FOIA and PA request.