Let's say you have a property where you would like to build something... Read More
Charleston District Regulatory Division recognizes that conditions... Read More
successfully completed the long term erosion control project... Read More
The first tap was turned at the Lake Marion Regional Water Treatment Plant on April 28... Read More
The (ASBPA) named the top seven restored beaches for 2007 .... Read More
With a marked decline in insurgent activity in recent months, Fallujah is on the road... Read More
The Charleston Technical Services Division is partnering with the (DoE)... Read More
Freedom of Information Act
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal statute. FOIA generally provides that any person has a right to request access to federal agency records, except to the extent the records are protected from disclosure by any of nine exemptions contained in the law or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions. There are several point to keep in mind regarding the FOIA.
- Your request must be made in writing and you must provide a "reasonable description" of the records you are seeking.
- Agencies have 20 working days to provide an initial response.
- Agencies and requesters are encouraged to work together to define the scope of the request and the timing of the response.
To assist you with your request, we have provided information which details the procedures, rules and regulations pertinent to the Freedom of Information Act. Also provided are links to various sites, which you may find helpful in understanding and interpreting the Act.
FOIA requests applicable to the Charleston District should be made in writing and addressed to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Office of Counsel
Attn: FOIA Officer
69A Hagood Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403-5107
FOIA Sample Letter
Date
Freedom of Information Act Request
Agency Head or FOIA Officer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Office of Counsel
ATTN: FOIA Officer
69A Hagood Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403-5107
Dear FOIA Officer:
Under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. subsection 552, I am requesting access to [identify the records as clearly and specifically as possible].
If there are any fees for searching for or copying the records, please let me know before you fill my request. [Or, please supply the records without informing me of the cost if the fees do not exceed $______, which I agree to pay.]
If you have any questions about handling this request, you may telephone me at ___________ (home phone) or at ___________ (office phone).
Sincerely,
{Requesters Name Here}
{Mailing Address Here}
Download FOIA Sample Letter .PDF
Download FOIA Sample Letter .ZIP
To further assist, the following link to A Citizen's Guide to Request Army Records under the Freedom on Information Act , prepared by the Department of the Army, is also provided.
FOIA Statute
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) - linked to the full text of the Act at the Department of Justice
FOIA Regulations
- Department of Defense Freedom of Information Act Program - link directly to the Department of Defense's web site to view the complete FOIA Program information
- Department of the Army Freedom of Information Act Program - link directly to the Government Printing Office's web site to view the complete Army FOIA Program information
- DOD Freedom of Information Act Program Fee Tables - Federal Register announcement of search and review rates for processing Freedom of Information Act requests within the Department of Defense.
Helpful FOIA Links
- Department of Justice/FOIA Web Site
- A Citizen's Guide to FOIA - A guide to both the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act prepared by the House Committee on Government Reform.
Privacy Act Information
- The Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a, as amended - full text of Act provided at the Department of Justice web site.
- Overview of the Privacy Act of 1974 - this overview is provided by the Department of Justice and is a direct link to their site.
Other Useful Resources:
Contact the "Office of Counsel" in the Charleston District Office
843.329.8115 (Telephone)
Email point of contact for Charleston's Office of Counsel
Mailing Address:
US Army Corps of Engineers
Office of Counsel
69A Hagood Ave.
Charleston, South Carolina 29403-5107
