The
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C § 552) http://www.usdoj.gov/04foia/foiastat.htm
generally provides that any person has a right to obtain access
to federal agency records, except to the extent that such
records (or portions of them) are protected from public disclosure
by one or more of the nine FOIA exemptions.
Procedural Requirements (Brief Overview)
Requests for information must be submitted
in writing via fax [(202) 720-8435]
or mail addressed to:
Rural Development Utilities Programs
Attn: FOIA Specialist
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 1522
Washington, D.C. 20250-1522
The FOIA provides 20 workdays for a
request to be acknowledged by the receiving office.
A proper FOIA Request must reasonably
describe the records sought. This means a description of the
record that enables an employee familiar with the subject
area to locate the records with a reasonable amount of effort.
Agencies are not required to conduct wide-ranging, unreasonably
burdensome searches for records.
Agencies are not required to answer questions
posed as requests or to create a record in order to respond
to a request. Only existing records are provided under FOIA.
Questions relating to specifics about a program should be
directed to the Program's webpage or by contacting the responsible
program office(s).
FEES - Requesters are subject to fees
for processing requests. The fees include costs for search
time, review time, and copies if complying with the
request results in a cost of $25.00 or more. The FOIA Specialist
will notify the requester in advance should fees apply. (See
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/regs/pdf/2018f.pdf.(§
2018.255 (a-g))
INFORMATION CONCERNING DOCUMENTS FREQUENTLY
REQUESTED UNDER FOIA FROM RURAL DEVELOPMENT UTILITIES PROGRAMS
"Approved" Distance Learning and Telemedicine
(DLT) Grants (SF 424) (http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/pdf_files/05loantoolkit.pdf):
Once an application is approved, portions of the application
materials may be released to the public upon receipt of a
written request. However, prior to release, the agency notifies
the applicant in writing of the request, providing them the
opportunity to object to the proposed release. (See submitter
notification requirements http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/regs/pdf/2018f.pdf
(§2018.258 (c) (4)).)
"Approved" Broadband Telecommunication Loan
and Grant Application materials (RUS Form 532) (RUS
Form 532): Portions of the application materials
may be released to the public upon receipt of a written request.
However, prior to release, the agency notifies the applicant
in writing of the request, providing them the opportunity
to object to the proposed release. (See
Submitter Notification requirements at
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/regs/pdf/2018f.pdf.
(§ 2018.258 (c) (4)) and Executive Order 12600 at http://www.cftc.gov/foia/foieo12600.htm.)
Requests should include the name of the applicant and whether
the application is approved or pending which can be determined
by going to the Telecommunications
Programs webpage. NOTE: Requests that do not indicate
applicant names and application status will be subject to
delays in processing.
Operating Report Data of Rural Electric Borrowers
for years ending 2000 - 2005 (RUS Forms 7 & 12): This
information is available both in paper and electronic formats.
Printed versions are provided at a per page rate of $.20 per
page (fees less than $25.00 are waived). The electronic version,
available for $35.25 for a calendar year, includes all filers
and is provided by e-mail. Checks may be made payable to the
United States Treasury.
Operating Report Data of Rural Electric Borrowers for year ending 2006 (RUS Forms 7 & 12): This information is currently available in an electronic PDF format for requests for not more than 10 borrowers. Other electronic versions are not available at this time. Paper versions are no longer available beginning with forms for year ending 2006. We anticipate that we will be able to process requests for multiple borrowers (more than 10) in the next 60 days.
FREQUENTLY REQUESTED INFORMATION UNDER
FOIA FROM RURAL DEVELOPMENT UTILITIES PROGRAMS
Redacted Broadband Applications
1. CTURN
(File size is approximately 80M)
2. JAGUAR COMMUNICATIONS
(File size is approximately 31M)
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