U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Office of Policy Development
May 21, 1990
The Vice President
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510Dear Mr. Vice President:
Enclosed is a copy of the Department of Justice's 1989 annual report on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) activities. This report covers the FOIA activities of all Department of Justice organizations. Because in 1989 the Department, as a matter of administrative discretion, processed all requests received under the Privacy Act of 1974 (requests by individuals for access to records relating to themselves) under the FOIA as well as the Privacy Act, the enclosed report covers all access requests regardless of the Act cited by the requester.
A comparison of the report with our 1988 report shows that in 1989 the Department received 4,860 more FOIA requests and 4,158 fewer Privacy Act requests than during the previous year, for a combined annual increase of 702 total requests. Reported costs increased by 10.7% in 1989.
Calendar year 1989 costs are reported at page 24 of the report. This cost table primarily reflects those costs incurred in "processing" access requests. Nonetheless, to the extent that such cost figures are available or can be estimated, certain ancillary costs have been footnoted. Not included at all, however, are significant costs incurred in litigating FOIA issues for the United States Government.
While administration of the FOIA consumes considerable agency resources, the Department remains firmly committed to the Act's full and faithful implementation. We look forward to working with Congress, in a spirit of cooperation, on matters pertaining to the Act.
Sincerely,
Thomas M. Boyd
Director
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