U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Office of Policy Development
April 25, 1991
The Speaker
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515Dear Mr. Speaker:
Enclosed is a copy of the Department of Justice's 1990 annual report on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) activities. This report covers the FOIA activities of all Department of Justice organizations. Because in 1990 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 1989 report shows that in 1990 the Department received 9,312 more FOIA requests and 6,990 more Privacy Act requests than during the previous year, an annual increase of 16,302 total requests (19%). Reported costs increased by 7.9% in 1990.
Calendar year 1990 costs are reported at page 25 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,
Paul J. McNulty
Acting Director
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