Inspection of Records

25 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart J
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

25 C.F.R. § 700.235 Purpose and scope.

(a) This subpart contains the regulations of the Commission implementing the requirement of subsection (a)(3) of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(3), which provides that the Commission “upon any request for records which (1) Reasonably describes such records and (2) is made in accordance with published rules stating the time, place, fees (if any), and procedures to be followed, shall make the records promptly available to any person.” This subpart describes the procedures by which records may be obtained from the Commission. The procedures in this subpart are not applicable to requests for records published in the Federal Register or opinions in the adjudication of cases, statements of policy and interpretations and administrative staff manuals which have been published or made available under subpart A of this part.

25 C.F.R. § 700.237 Definitions.

Act. As used in this subpart, “Act” means the “Freedom of Information Act,” 5 U.S.C. 552.

25 C.F.R. § 700.239 Records available.

(a) Commission policy. It is the policy of the Commission to make the records of the Commission available to the public to the greatest extent possible, in keeping with the spirit of the Freedom of Information Act. (b) Statutory disclosure requirement. The Freedom of Information Act requires that the Commission, on a request from a member of the public to inspect or copy records made in accordance with the procedures in this subpart, shall promptly make the records available. (c) Statutory exemptions. The Act exempts nine categories of records from this disclosure requirement. The Act provides that disclosure is not required of matters that are: (1) Specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive Order; (2) Related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of an agency; (3) Specifically exempt from disclosure by statute; (4) Trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person and privileged or confidential; (5) Inter-agency or intra-agency memorandums or letters which would not be available by law to a party other than an agency in litigation with the agency; (6) Personnel and medical files and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; (7) Investigatory records compiled for law enforcement purposes, but only to the extent that production of such records would (i) Interfere with enforcement proceedings; (ii) Deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication, (iii) Constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, (iv) Disclose the indentity of a confidential source and, in the case of a record compiled by a criminal law enforcement authority in the course of a criminal investigation, or by an agency conducting a lawful national security intelligence investigation, confidential information furnished only by the confidential source, (v) Disclose investigative techniques and procedures, or (vi) Endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel; (8) Contained in or related to examination, operating, or condition reports prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of an agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions; or (9) Geological and geophysical information and data, including maps, concerning wells. (d) Decisions on requests. It is the policy of the Commission to withhold information falling within an exemption only if (1) disclosure is prohibited by statute or Executive Order or (2) sound grounds exist for invocation of the exemption. (e) Deletion of portions of records. If a requested record contains material within an exemption together with material not within an exemption and it is determined under the regulations in this subpart to withhold the exempt material, any reasonably segregable nonexempt material shall be separated from the exempt material. (f) Creation of records. This subpart applies only to records which exist at the time a request for records is made. Records are not required to be created in response to a request by combining or compiling selected items from the files or by preparing a new computer program, nor are records required to be created to provide the requester with such data as proportions, percentages, frequency distributions, trends, or comparisons. (g) Records of concern to other departments and agencies. (1) If the release of a record would be of concern to both the Commission and another Federal agency, the record will be made available by the Commission only if the interest of the Commission is the primary interest. If the Commission's interest is not the primary interest, the requester shall be referred in writing to the agency having the primary interest. The Commission has the primary interest in a record if the record was developed pursuant to Commission regulations, directives, or request even though the record originated outside of the Commission. (2) If the release of a record in which the Commission has a primary interest would be of substantial concern to another agency, the official processing the request, should, if administratively feasible and appropriate, consult with that agency before releasing the record. (h) Records obtained from the public. If a requested record was obtained by the Commission from a person or entity outside of the Government, the official responsible for processing the request shall, when it is administratively feasible to do so, seek the views of that person or entity on whether the record should be released before making a decision on the request.

25 C.F.R. § 700.241 Request for records.

(a) Submission of requests. A request to inspect or copy records shall be made to the installation where the records are located. If the records are located at more than one installation or if the specific location of the records is not known to the person wishing to inspect or copy the records, he may direct his request to the head of the appropriate bureau, or the bureau's chief public information officer, if any. (b) Form of request. (1) Requests invoking the Freedom of Information Act shall be in writing. (2)(i) A request must reasonably describe the records requested. A request reasonably describes the records requested if it will enable an employee of the Commission familiar with the subject area of the request to locate the record with a reasonable amount of effort. If such information is available, the request should identify the subject matter of the record, the date when it was made, the place where it was made, and the person or office that made it, the present custodian of the record, and any other information which will assist in location of the requested records. If the request involves a matter known by the requester to be in litigation, the request should also state the case name and court hearing the case. (ii) If the description of a record sought is insufficient to allow identification and location of the record, the response denying the request on this ground shall so state and, to the extent possible, indicate what additional descriptive information, if any, would assist in location of the record. (3) A request shall state the maximum amount of fees which the requester is willing to pay. Requesters are notified that under § 700.251, the failure to state willingness to pay fees as high as are anticipated by the Commission will delay running of the time limit and delay processing of the request, if the responsible official anticipates that the fees chargeable may exceed $25.00. (4)(i) To insure expeditious handling, requests shall be prominently marked, both on the envelope and on the face of the request, with the legend “FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST.” The failure of a request to bear such a legend will not disqualify a request from processing under the procedures in this subpart if the request otherwise meets the requirments of this section. A request not bearing the legend “FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST” will not, however, be deemed to have been received for purposes of the running of the time limit set out in § 700.245 until it has been identified by bureau personnel as a Freedom of Information request and marked by them with this legend. (ii) Commission personnel identifying a communication from the public not bearing the legend “FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST” as a request otherwise meeting the requirements of this section shall immediately (A) mark the communication with the legend “FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST.” (B) date the request to reflect the date on which it was identified, and (C) take steps to assure proper processing of the request under the procedures in this subpart. (d) Categorical requests. (1) A request for all records falling within a reasonably specific category shall be regarded as conforming to the statutory requirement that records be reasonably described if (i) it can be determined which particular records are covered by the request and (ii) the records can be searched for, collected and produced without unduly burdening or interfering with Commission operations because of the staff time consumed or the resulting disruption of the files. (2) If a categorical request is determined under paragraph (d)(1) of this section not to reasonably describe the records requested, the response denying the request on that ground shall specify the reasons why and shall extend to the requester an opportunity to confer with knowledgeable Commission personnel in an attempt to reduce the request to manageable proportions by reformulation and by agreeing on an orderly procedure for the production of the records.

25 C.F.R. § 700.243 Action on initial requests.

(a) Granting of requests. (1) A requested record shall be made available if (i) the record is not exempt from disclosure or (ii) the record is exempt from disclosure, but its withholding is neither required by statute or Executive order nor supported by sound grounds. (b) Form of grant. (1) When a requested record has been determined to be available, the official processing the request shall immediately notify the person requesting the record as to where and when the record is available for inspection or as the case may be, where and when copies will be available. If fees are due under § 700.251, the responsible official shall also state the amount or, if the exact amount cannot be determined, the approximate amount of fees due. (2) If the record was obtained by the Commission from a person or entity outside of the Government, the responsible official shall, when it is administratively feasible to do so, notify that person or entity that the record has been made available. (c) Denial of requests. (1) A request for a record may be denied only if it is determined that (i) the record is exempt from disclosure and (ii) that withholding of the record is required by statute or Executive order or supported by sound grounds. (2) A request to inspect or copy a record shall be denied only by the Freedom of Information Act Officer or by an official whom the Executive Director has in writing designated. (d) Form of denial. A reply denying a request shall be in writing and shall include: (1) A reference to the specific exemption or exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act authorizing the withholding of the record; (2) The sound ground for withholding; (3) A listing of the names and titles or positions of each person responsible for the denial; (4) A statement that the denial may be appealed to the Commission pursuant to § 700.247 and that such appeal must be in writing and be received by this official within twenty (20) days (Saturdays, Sundays, and public legal holidays excepted) after the date of the denial, in the case of the denial of an entire request, or within twenty (20) days (Saturdays, Sundays, and public legal holidays excepted) of records being made available, in the case of a partial denial, by writing to the Freedom of Information Act Officer, Navajo-Hopi Indian Relocation Commission, P.O. Box KK, Flagstaff, Arizona 86002. (e) Exception. The requirements of paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this section do not apply to requests denied under § 2.14 on the ground that the request did not reasonably describe the records requested or to requests for records which do not exist. (f) Filing of denials. Copies of all replies denying, in whole or part, a request for a record which are issued under this section of § 700.243 shall be promptly submitted by the Freedom of Information Act Officer, denials to the Executive Director and the Commission's legal counsel.

25 C.F.R. § 700.245 Time limits on processing of initial requests.

(a) Basic limit. Requests for records shall be processed promptly. A determination whether to grant or deny a request shall be made within no more than ten (10) days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after receipt of a request. This determination shall be communicated immediately to the requester. (b) Running of basic time limit. For purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, the time limit commences to run when a request is received at the Commission's office in Flagstaff, Arizona. (c) Extensions of time. In the following unusual circumstances, the time limit for acting upon an initial request may be extended to the extent reasonably necessary to the proper processing of the particular request, but in no case may the time limit be extended for more than ten (10) working days: (1) 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; (2) 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 (3) 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 components of the agency having substantial subject-matter interest therein. (d) Authority to make extensions. (1) An extension of time under paragraph (c) of this section may be made only by the Freedom of Information Act Officer or such higher authority as the Commission has in writing designated. (2) The person requesting the records shall be notified in writing of the extension. The written notice shall state the reason for the extension and the date on which a determination on the request is expected to be dispatched. (3) The Freedom of Information Act Officer shall be responsible for promptly furnishing copies of such notices to the Executive Director and the Commission's legal counsel. (e) Treatment of delay as denial. (1) If no determination has been reached at the end of the ten (10) day period for deciding an initial request, or the last extension thereof, the requester may deem his request denied and may exercise a right of appeal in accordance with the provisions of § 700.247. (2) When no determination can be reached within the applicable time limit, the responsible official shall nevertheless continue to process the request. On expiration of the time limit, the responsible official shall inform the requester of the reason for the delay, of the date on which a determination may be expected to be dispatched, and of his right to treat the delay as a denial for purposes of appeal to the Commission in accordance with § 700.247. The requester may be asked to consider delaying use of his right to appeal until the date on which the determination is expected to be dispatched. If the requester so agrees, he is deemed not to have treated the failure to respond within the applicable time limit as a denial for purposes of the running of the twenty (20) working-day appeal period set out in § 700.247. If a determination of the request is not issued by the new agreed upon date, or if the request is denied in whole or part, the requester will have available his full right of appeal under § 700.247, including the entire twenty (20) working-day period for filing of the appeal.

25 C.F.R. § 700.247 Appeals.

(a) Right of appeal. Where a request for records has been denied, in whole or part, the person submitting the request may appeal the denial to the Commission. (b) Time for appeal. An appeal must be received no later than twenty (20) days (Saturdays, Sundays, and public legal holidays excepted) after the date of the initial denial, in the case of a denial of an entire request, or twenty (20) days (Saturdays, Sundays, and public legal holidays excepted) after records have been made available, in the case of a partial denial. (c) Form of appeal. (1) An appeal shall be initiated by filing a written notice of appeal. The notice shall be accompanied by copies of the original request and the initial denial and should, in order to expedite the appellate process and give the requester an opportunity to present his arguments, contain a brief statement of the reasons why the requester believes the initial denial to have been in error. (2) The appeal shall be addressed to Freedom of Information Act Officer, Navajo-Hopi Indian Relocation Commission, P.O. Box KK, Flagstaff, Arizona 86002. (3)(i) Both the envelope containing the notice of appeal and the face of the notice shall bear the legend “FREEDOM OF INFORMATION APPEAL”. The failure of an appeal to bear such a legend will not disqualify an appeal from processing under § 2.18 if the appeal otherwise meets the requirements of this section. An appeal not bearing the legend “FREEDOM OF INFORMATION APPEAL” will not, however, be deemed to have been received for purposes of the running of the time limit set out in § 700.249 until it has been identified by Commission personnel as a Freedom of Information appeal and marked by them with this legend. (ii) Commission personnel identifying a communication from the public not bearing the legend “FREEDOM OF INFORMATION APPEAL” as an appeal otherwise meeting the requirements of this section shall immediately (A) mark the communication with the legend “FREEDOM OF INFORMATION APPEAL,” (B) date the appeal to reflect the date on which it was identified, and (C) take steps to assure proper processing of the appeal under the procedures in this subpart. (4) The Freedom of Information Act Officer shall be responsible for promptly furnishing copies of such notices to the Executive Director and the Commission's legal counsel.

25 C.F.R. § 700.249 Action on appeals.

(a) Authority. Appeals from initial denials of requests for records shall be decided for the Commission by the Executive Director after consultation with the Commission's legal counsel. (b) Time limit. A final determination on any appeal shall be made within twenty (20) days (excepting Saturdays, Sundays, and public legal holidays) after receipt of the appeal. (c) Extensions of time. (1) If the time limit for responding to the initial request for a record was not extended under the provisions of § 700.245 or was extended for fewer than ten (10) working days, the time for processing of the appeal may be extended by the Executive Director to the extent reasonably necessary to the proper processing of the appeal, but in no event may the extension, when taken together with any extension made during processing of the initial request, result in an aggregate extension with respect to any one request of more than ten (10) working days. The time for processing of an appeal may be extended only if one or more of the unusual circumstances listed in § 700.245(c) requires an extension. (2) The Executive Director shall, in writing, advise the appellant of the reasons for the extension and the date on which a final determination of the appeal is expected to be dispatched. (3) If no determination on the appeal has been reached at the end of the twenty (20) working-day period for deciding an appeal, or the last extension thereof, the requester is deemed to have exhausted his administrative remedies, giving rise to a right of review in a district court of the United States as specified in 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4). When no determination can be reached within the applicable time limit, the appeal will nevertheless continue to be processed. On expiration of the time limit, the requester shall be informed of the reason for the delay, of the date on which a determination may be expected to be dispatched, and of his right to seek judicial review. The requester may be asked to consider delaying resort to his right to judicial review until the date on which the determination on his appeal is expected to be dispatched. (d) Form of decision. The final determination on an appeal shall be in writing and shall state the basis for the determination. If the determination is to release the requested records or portions thereof, the Freedom of Information Act Officer shall immediately make the records available or instruct the appropriate bureau official to make them immediately available. If the determination upholds in whole or part the initial denial of a request for records, the determination shall advise the requester of his right to obtain judicial review in the U.S. District Court for the district in which the withheld records are located, or in which the requester resides or has his principal place of business or in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and shall set forth the names and titles or positions of each person responsible for the denial. (e) Distribution of copies. Copies of final determinations issued by the Commission shall be provided to the Commission's legal counsel.

25 C.F.R. § 700.251 Fees.

(a) Services for which fees may be charged. (1) Unless waived pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section, user fees shall be charged for document search and duplication costs incurred in responding to requests for records. User fees also shall be charged for the formal certification of verification attached to authenticated copies of records under the seal of the Commission. (2) Unless waived or reduced pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, user fees shall be charged in accordance with the schedule of charges contained in the Commission's Management Manual. (b) Services for which fees may not be charged. No fee may be charged for any services required by the Freedom of Information Act to be performed in responding to a request for records other than those services for which fees may be charged under paragraph (a) of this section. Services for which no fees may be charged include, but are not limited to, (1) Examining requested records to determine whether they are exempt from mandatory disclosure or whether, even if exempt, they should nevertheless be made available in whole or part, (2) Deleting exempt matter from records so that the remaining portions of the records may be made available, (3) Monitoring a requester's inspection of agency records made available to him for inspection, and (4) Resolving legal and policy issues affecting access to requested records. (c) Waiver or reduction of fees. (1) Fees otherwise chargeable for document search and duplication costs incurred in responding to requests for records may be waived or reduced, as appropriate, if the official making the records available determines that furnishing the records can be considered as primarily benefiting the public as opposed to the requester. (2) Fees otherwise applicable for document research and duplication costs incurred in responding to requests may be waived and not charged if the request involves: (i) Furnishing unauthenticated copies of any documents reproduced for gratuitous distribution; (ii) Furnishing one copy of a personal document (e.g., a birth certificate) to a person who has been required to furnish it for retention by the Commission; (iii) Furnishing one copy of the transcript of a hearing before a hearing officer in a grievance or similar proceeding to the employee for whom the hearing was held. (3) Fees otherwise chargeable for document search and duplication costs incurred in responding to requests may be waived or reduced if the cost of collecting the fee would exceed the amount of the fee or if the request involves: (i) Furnishing records to press, radio and television representatives for dissemination through the media to the general public; (ii) Furnishing records to donors with respect to their gifts; (iii) Furnishing records to individuals or private non-profit organizations having an official voluntary or cooperative relationship with the Commission to assist the individual or organization in its work with the Commission; (iv) Furnishing records to state, local and tribal governments and public international organizations when to do so without charge is an appropriate courtesy, or when the recipient is carrying on a function related to that of the Commission and to do so will help to accomplish the work of the Commission; (v) Furnishing records when to do so saves costs and yields income equal to the direct cost of providing the records (e.g., where the Commission's fee for the service would be included in a billing against the Commission); (vi) Furnishing records when to do so is in conformance with generally established business custom (e.g., furnishing personal reference data to prospective employers of former Commission employees); (vii) Furnishing one copy of a record in order to assist the requester to obtain financial benefits to which he is entitled (e.g., veterans or their dependents, employees with Government employee compensation claims or persons insured by the Government). (d) Notice of anticipated fees and prepayment. (1) Where it is anticipated that fees chargeable under this section may amount to more than $25.00 and the requester has not indicated in advance his willingness to pay fees as high as are anticipated, the request shall be deemed not to have been received for purposes of the time limits established by § 700.245 until the requester is advised of the fees which are anticipated and has agreed to pay these fees. Advice to requesters with respect to anticipated fees shall be provided promptly. (2) The appropriate cases, advance payment of fees may be required before requested records are made available to the requester. (3) A notice of anticipated fees or notice of request for advance payment shall extend an offer to the requester to confer with appropriate personnel in an attempt to reformulate the request in a manner which will reduce the anticipated fees and meet the needs of the requester. (e) Form of payment. Payment of fees shall be made by check or money order payable to the Navajo-Hopi Indian Relocation Commission. The term United States or the initials “U.S.” shall not be included on the check or money order. Where appropriate, the official responsible for handling a request may require that payment by check be made in the form of a certified check.

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