WPC ~:WVe-u 4 ױ$qڿoA_U_ pb,4/?ư~3EwpT!W Ǡ74mjF㎨9neOH@aǷGPT$v9Y&kzVbE6C=k؄ʕ<qDJuoD%\f2 CO k;w>Y.H?/i>~yPd):i%`:O |E= %P߾^<gŭ-M>-Fn q8.B?|$I&߃*Aq"(#h&͌:,FW]̛6 Z?=4%-7(p[ < l!dobDm3 #f-H!꫼EK[ Gg =G)[wޒc\W 0( m ^n_ 0D 0K D+" AM > (( U6P X f a N (B Zj U}6 d #!^ UN % N  0RYY 0LUF 0?J= 0 N 04^ w@4Uixxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Bz($Uc:\COREL\SUITE8\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\WP8US.WPTc:\Corel\Suite8\Template\Custom WP Templates\wp8US.wptLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3$ !  ( $ Figure  1  'dxd I&mage <=8C HKKKKmailto:carolyn.harris@usda.govhttp://www.usda.gov<Q 9Z+Courier Newhttp://www.usda.gov/news/foia/contacts.htm.tTABLE Ahttp://www.usda.gov/news/foia/main.htmhttp://www.usda.govhttp://www.usda.gov/news/foia/regulation.htm<Q 9Z+Courier NewdFreedom of Information Act Annual Report 1998HP LaserJet 4 Plus,,,,,,0(9 Z6Times New Roman Regular#X Whitten FOIA urllocaterPachecoRiverdale*foia.aphis.usda.govKorwin KralKlusaritz RPEShrumWildaFarook Sait FNCS FSISGIPSA NAD NRCS OBPA OCFO OCIO OGC OIG REE RMAnonexpeditednondisclosureglomarizationsubmitterswebsitesDeskguidedetailers(W$    (WV $   <Q 9Z+.Courier New Regular($55 ppXX*7XX#X&%XX*755 ppXX*7XX#X&%XX*7(O$($ Uy?* EU{UU4S(xL9-34C3|x  d !  _    ,XXX#X8MXXdd8February2001    U.S.DEPARTMENTOFAGRICULTURÈ  ӀFreedomofInformationActAnnualReportFY2000##XMXX,XJ# P    -5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  I.BasicInformationRegardingReport -P݌   Ќ<c < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -i  -i݌̌<dT < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5T 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ResponsibilityforpreparingtheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture's T  FreedomofInformationActAnnualReportforfiscalyear1998restswithUSDA'sOfficeofCommunications.ThereportcanbeaccessedfromtheWorldWideWebat:-݌̌<gd < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&     4 ~ .O  5  http://www.usda.gov/news/foia/main.htm6z.O  7 Z d  n-5< 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -k  Apapercopyofthereportmaybeobtainedbyrequestingit.For <  additionalinformation,contact:-k ݌̌<j < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -h   -h  ݌̌<k < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -   ݀AndreaE.Fowler- ݌   Ќ<mL< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5L5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -   ݀FreedomofInformationActOfficer- P݌ L Ќ<o`< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5`5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -k  ݀OfficeofCommunications-k݌ ` Ќ<q$< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5$5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -(  ݀U.S.DepartmentofAgriculture-(݌ $ Ќ<r< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ݀Rm.536-AWhittenBldg.,AgStop1300-݌  Ќ<t\< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5\5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ݀Washington,DC20250-1300-a݌ \ Ќ<v p< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 p5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -s  ݀4  .O  5  andrea.fowler2@usda.gov6G.O[  7 -s݌  p Ќ<x4< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N545 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ݀Tel.(202)720-8164-~݌ 4 Ќ<z< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ݀Fax.(202)720-7808-6݌  Ќ<|l< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5l5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -B  -B݌̌<}0< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N505 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  II.HowtoMakeaFOIARequest -u݌ 0 Ќ<P< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5P5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  -5 ݌̌<w< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -!  AnyonemayrequestUSDArecordsundertheFOIAbyletter,fax,ore  mail.ArequesterwhosendsUSDAaFOIArequestthatisunderstandableandspecificaboutthetimeframeoftherecordssoughtandwhohasaddressedtherequesttotheUSDAagencywithresponsibilityfortherecordshasthegreatestlikelihoodofreceivingaresponsewithin20workingdaysoftheagency'sreceiptoftherequest.Anyrequestthatfailstoidentifytherecordssoughtorissenttothewrongagencymustbeclarifiedbeforeanagencycanbeginasearch;insuchcase,USDAwilltrytocontacttherequesterforadditionalinformation.-!!݌̌<el#< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5l#5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -%  -%%݌̌<f0$< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N50$5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -&  Theurl(universalresourcelocater)fortheU.S.Departmentof 0$( Agriculture'shomepageis4 X.O  5  http://www.usda.gov6'.O'p  7X(.AllUSDAagencies $D ) arelinkedtotheUSDAhomepage.AsignificantportionofUSDArecordsaremaintainedinagencyfilesandaredescribedonagencywebpages,whicharelinkedtotheUSDAhomepage.PotentialrequestersmaywanttoreviewagencywebpagesinordertoidentifytheUSDAagencylikelytohavepossessionoftherecordssought.-&L'݌̌<j)$< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -5x*%5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -*  USDAemploysanumberofFreedomofInformationActspecialistswho x*%0 makeeveryefforttocomplywiththerequirementsoftheFreedomofInformationActasamended.AlistofUSDAagencyemployeesresponsibleforhandlingFOIArequestscanbefoundat:-*h+݌̌<m-(< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -5-(5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -S-    Ӏ4  .O  5  http://www.usda.gov/news/foia/contacts.htm6*..O>.  7Tl.-S--݌ -(4 Ќ<o< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   .-N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -/  -/0݌̌<q`< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5`5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -f1  III.DefinitionsofTermsandAcronymsUsedintheReport -f12݌ ` Ќ<s0< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N505 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -@3  -@33݌̌<tD< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5D5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -4  ݀A.Agency-specificacronymsareasfollows:-4s5݌ D Ќ<v< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -6  ݀-6@7݌  Ќ<x| < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5| 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -88  ݀AMS-AgriculturalMarketingService-888݌ |  Ќ<y@ < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5@ 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -:  ݀APHIS-AnimalandPlantHealthInspectionService-::݌ @  Ќ<{ T< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 T5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -;  ݀CCC-CommodityCreditCorporation-;<݌  T Ќ<} < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -=  ݀DA-DepartmentalAdministration-=K>݌    Ќ< < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -d?  ݀FAS-ForeignAgriculturalService-d?@݌    Ќ<wP < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5P 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -+A  ݀FNCS-Food,NutritionandConsumerService-+AA݌ P   Ќ<bd < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5d 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -B  ݀FSA-FarmServiceAgency-BC݌ d  Ќ<d( < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5( 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -D  ݀FSIS-FoodSafetyandInspectionService-DeE݌ (  Ќ<f < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -F  ݀FS-ForestService-F3G݌   Ќ<h` < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5` 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  0  -@H  ݀GIPSA-GrainInspection,PackersandStockyards-@HH݌`  (# (# Ќ<j$t < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -5$t 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  0  -"J  ݀Administration-"JJ݌$t  (# (# Ќ<k8 < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N58 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -K  ݀NAD-NationalAppealsDivision-KL݌ 8  Ќ<m < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -M  ݀NFC-NationalFinanceCenter-MUN݌   Ќ<op< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5p5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -kO  ݀NRCS-NaturalResourcesConservationService-kOP݌ p Ќ<q4< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N545 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -=Q  ݀OBPA-OfficeofBudgetandProgramAnalysis-=QQ݌ 4 Ќ<rH< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5H5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -S  ݀OC-OfficeofCommunications-SS݌ H Ќ<t < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -T  ݀OCFO-OfficeoftheChiefFinancialOfficer-T|U݌   Ќ<v< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -V  ݀OCIO-OfficeoftheChiefInformationOfficer-VMW݌  Ќ<xD< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5D5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -tX  ݀OCR-OfficeofCivilRights-tX Y݌ D Ќ<zX< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5X5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -5Z  ݀OGC-OfficeofGeneralCounsel-5ZZ݌ X Ќ<{< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -[  ݀OIG-OfficeoftheInspectorGeneral-[\݌  Ќ<}< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -]  ݀RD-RuralDevelopment-]o^݌  Ќ<T< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5T5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -~_  ݀REE-Research,Education,andEconomics-~_*`݌ T Ќ<wh< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5h5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -Ja  ݀RMA-RiskManagementAgency-Jaa݌ h Ќ<b,< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5,5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  - c  - cc݌̌<d< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -d  ݀B.Basictermsareasfollows:-d=e݌  Ќ<fd< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5d5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -Tf  -Tfg݌̌<g(x< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5(x5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -g  ݀FOIA/PArequest-aFreedomofInformationAct/PrivacyAct (x! request.A FOIArequestisgenerallyarequestforaccesstorecordsconcerningathirdparty,anorganizationoraparticulartopicofinterest.A PrivacyActrequestisarequestforrecordsconcerningoneself.RequestsfiledundereitherlawaretreatedasFOIArequestsandareprocessedasexpeditiouslyaspossible.-gh݌̌<j"< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5"5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -k  -kk݌̌<l#< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5#5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -l  ݀Initialrequest-arequesttoaFederalagencyforaccess #( torecordsundertheFreedomofInformationAct.-lIm݌̌<n %\ < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 %\ 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -n  -n_o݌̌<p% !< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5% !5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -:p  ݀Appeal-arequesttoaFederalagencyaskingthatit % !+ reviewatahigherlevelofadministrativeauthorityanyfullorpartialdenialofaccesstorecordsundertheFreedomofInformationActorPrivacyActoranyotherFOIAdetermination,suchasaproposedfeeforaccesstorecords.-:pp݌̌<r)$< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5)$5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -s  -ss݌̌<th*%< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5h*%5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -t  ݀Processedrequest-arequestorappealforwhichanagency h*%1 hasmadeitsfinaldeterminationortakenitsfinalaction.-t5u݌̌<v+@'< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5+@'5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -v  -vWw݌  +@'3 Ќ<x< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -Fx  ݀Multi-trackprocessing-asysteminwhichsimplerequests  requiringrelativelyminimalreviewareplacedinoneprocessingtrackandmorevoluminous,complexrequestsareplacedinoneormoreothertracks.Requestsineachtrackareprocessedonafirst-in/firstoutbasis.Arequesterwhohasanurgentneedforrecordsmayrequestexpeditedprocessing.-Fxx݌̌<{H < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5H 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -W{  -W{|݌̌<| \< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 \5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -|  ݀Expeditedprocessing-anagencywillprocessaFOIA  \ requestonanexpeditedbasiswhentherequesterhasshownacompellingneedforaspecificrecord.Acompellingneedisathreattolifeorphysicalsafetyforanindividualor,inthecaseofthemedia,urgencytoinformthepublicconcerningactualorallegedFederalGovernmentactivity.-|}݌̌< < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  -݌̌<ah < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5h 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -i  ݀Simplerequest-aFOIArequestthatanagencyusing h  multi-trackprocessingplacesinitsfastest,nonexpeditedtrackbasedonthevolumeand/orsimplicityofrecordsrequested.-i݌̌<c < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -Ń  -Ńq݌̌<ex < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5x 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -L  ݀Complexrequest-aFOIArequestthatanagencyusing x  multi-trackprocessingplacesinaslowertrackbasedonthevolumeand/orcomplexityofrecordsrequested.-L݌̌<g< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  -D݌̌<i< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ݀Grant-anagencydecisiontodiscloseallrecordsinfull  inresponsetoaFOIArequest.-ˉ݌̌<k`< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5`5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -#  -#ϋ݌̌<l$< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5$5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ݀Partialgrant-anagencydecisiontodisclosepartofa $ recordinresponsetoaFOIArequest,deletinginformationdeterminedtobeexemptunderoneormoreoftheFOIA'sexemptions,oradecisiontodisclosesomerecordsintheirentiretybutwithholdothersinwholeorinpart.-V݌̌<o< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -o  -o݌̌<pl< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5l5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ݀Denial-anagencydecisionnottoreleasearecordor l recordsinresponsetoaFOIArequestbecausealltheinformationintherequestedrecordsisdeterminedbytheagencytobeexemptunderoneormoreoftheFOIA'sexemptionsorbecauseofaproceduralreason,suchasnorecordwaslocated.-݌̌<s@ < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5@ 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -ȓ  -ȓt݌̌<u!T< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5!T5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -O  ݀Timelimits-thetimeperiodauthorizedintheFOIAforan !T% agencytorespondtoaFOIArequestis20workingdaysfromproperreceiptofa"perfected"FOIArequest.-O݌̌<wP#< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5P#5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  -L݌̌<y$d< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5$d5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -'  ݀"Perfected"request-aFOIArequestforrecordswhich $d) adequatelydescribestherecordssought,whichhasbeenreceivedbytheFOIAofficeoftheagencycomponentinpossessionoftherecords,andforwhichthereisnoremainingquestionaboutthepaymentofapplicablefees.-'ә݌̌<{'8#< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5'8#5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  -݌̌<}(#< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5(#5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -l  ݀Exemption3statute-aseparateFederalstatute (#/ prohibitingthedisclosureofcertaintypesofrecordsandauthorizingtheirwithholdingunderFOIAsubsection(b)(3).-l݌̌<*H&< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5*H&5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  -j݌̌<w+ '< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5+ '5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -E  -E݌  + '3 Ќ<b< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ݀Mediannumber-themiddle,notaverage,number.For  example,of3,7and14,themediannumberis7.-݌̌<d8< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N585 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  -݌̌<fL< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5L5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -z  ݀Averagenumber-thenumberobtainedbydividingthesumof L agroupofnumbersbythequantityofnumbersinthegroup.Forexample,of3,7and14,theaveragenumberis8.-z&݌̌<hH < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5H 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -Ө  -Ө݌̌<j \< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 \5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -Z  -Z݌̌<k < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  IV.Exemption3Statutes -݌   Ќ<m < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  -G݌̌<od < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   *Vddd Xdd Xdd X(#(#,( dd ,( dd ,( dd +   d   Statute/Rule     TypeofInformationWithheld     CaseCitation     5U.S.C.107(a)  H  Financialdisclosureinformation  4  None  H  7U.S.C.499(f)b    Confidentialsource    None    7U.S.C.23232582  4  Applicationforplantvarietyprotection   p None  4  7U.S.C.2018(c)   ElectronicBenefitTransactions   None   7U.S.C.2020(e)(8)   \ Names,addresses,phonenumbersoffoodstamprecipients  4  None  H" 7U.S.C.373[1373](a)  d# Tobacco&peanutproductioninformation  P% None  d& 16U.S.C.470hh   ' Archaeologicalsitemaps,culturalresourcesurveymaps   ) None   * 16U.S.C.47023  <+ Nature&locationofhistoricresources  ( x- None  <. 41U.S.C.253b(m)  !/ Unsuccessfulcontractbidproposals  "1 None  !2   !2 s  !2 _F.R.Cr.P._Ԁ6(e)  $d3 Grandjuryinformation  $d4 SenateofPuertoRicovs. $d5 _USDOJ_,823F.2d574(D.C. %P 6 Cir._1987)  %  ݀Exemption7(F):0->?݌  Ќ<xlh< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5h5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -@  ݀Exemption8:0-@?A݌ h Ќ<b,|< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5,|5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -QB  ݀Exemption9:0-QBB݌ ,| Ќ<c@< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5@5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -D  -DD݌̌<e< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -E  ݀4.Otherreasonsfornondisclosure:-EBF݌  Ќ<gx< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5x5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -bG  -bGH݌̌<h<< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5<5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -H  ݀Norecords:18-HI݌ <  Ќ<jP< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5P5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -J  ݀Referredelsewhere:2-JTK݌ P! Ќ<l< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -gL  ݀Requestwithdrawn:10-gLM݌ " Ќ<m< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -&N  ݀Fee-relatedreason:5-&NN݌ # Ќ<oL < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5L 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -O  ݀Recordsnotreasonablydescribed:0-OP݌ L $ Ќ<q!`< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5!`5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -Q  ݀NotaproperFOIArequestforsomereason:2-Q]R݌ !`% Ќ<s!$< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5!$5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -S  ݀Notanagencyrecord:0-S1T݌ !$& Ќ<u"< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5"5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -DU  ݀Duplicaterequest:0-DUU݌ "' Ќ<v\#< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5\#5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -W  ݀Other(specify):3-WW݌ \#( Ќ<x $p< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 $p5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -X     Inadequateinformation-XnY݌  $p) Ќ<z$4 < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -5$4 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -Z     oninitialrequest-Z9[݌ $4 * Ќ<|% < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -5% 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -T\     Recordsnotavailable-T\]݌ % + Ќ<}l&!< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -5l&!5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -^  -^^݌̌<0'"< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N50'"5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -_  -_Q`݌  0'"- Ќ<w< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -Ca  VII.CompliancewithTimeLimits/StatusofPendingRequests-Caa݌  Ќ<b< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -c  -cc݌̌<dD< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5D5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -d  ݀A.MedianProcessingTimeforRequests-dPe݌ D Ќ<fX< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5X5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -mf  -mfg݌̌<g< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -g  ݀1.Simplerequests-gh݌  Ќ<i< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -i  -iYj݌̌<kT < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5T 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -4k  ݀a.Numberofrequestsprocessed:121,984-4kk݌ T  Ќ<l h< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 h5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  - m  ݀b.Mediannumberofdaystoprocess:26days- mm݌  h Ќ<n ,< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 ,5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -n  -no݌̌<p < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -ip  ݀2.Complexrequests-ipq݌    Ќ<rd < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5d 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -#r  -#rr݌̌<s( x< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5( x5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -s  ݀a.Numberofrequestsprocessed:9,051-sVt݌ ( x  Ќ<u < < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 < 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -|u  ݀b.Mediannumberofdaystoprocess:45days-|u(v݌  <  Ќ<w < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -Tw  -Twx݌̌<xt < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5t 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -x  ݀3.Requestsaccordedexpeditedprocessing-xy݌ t  Ќ<z8 < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N58 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -z  -zW{݌̌<|L < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5L 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -2|  ݀a.Numberofrequestsprocessed:727-2||݌ L  Ќ<} < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -~  ݀b.Mediannumberofdaystoprocess:12days-~~݌   Ќ< < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  -݌̌<wH< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5H5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -a  RecordsretrievedfromaFederalRecordsCentertakeseveralweeksto H obtain.Requeststhatrequireanoticetosubmittersofinformation,allowingthemtimetocommentonthereleaseofresponsiverecords,andUSDA'sacknowledgmentofcommentsmaytakeseveralweekstoprocess.Requeststhatrequireanadvancepaymentoffeesbeforeprocessingalsotakeadditionaltime.-a ݌̌<d0< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N505 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -s  -s݌̌<e< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ݀B.StatusofPendingRequests-݌  Ќ<gh< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5h5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  -f݌̌<i,|< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5,|5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -A  ݀1.NumberofrequestspendingatendofFY00:1,750-A݌ ,| Ќ<k@< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5@5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  0  -  ݀2.Mediannumberofdaysrequestswerependingatendof-ҋ݌@ (# (# Ќ<l< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  0  -  ݀FY00:30days-݌ (# (# Ќ<nx< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5x5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -ʎ  -ʎv݌̌<p<< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5<5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -Q  VIII.ComparisonsWithPreviousYears -Q݌ <  Ќ<r \< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 \5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  -Ò݌̌<s < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ݀Improvetimeliness.-J݌  " Ќ<u< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -X  -X݌̌<vX < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5X 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -ߖ  ݀SeveralUSDAagencieshavepurchasedFOIATracking&Processing X $ Software.AgencyFOIArequestsarefaxedandemailedtocomponentunitstospeedupprocessingtime.-ߖ݌̌<x"< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -5"5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -&  -&ҙ݌̌<zh#< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -5h#5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ݀OIGauditreportsarereviewedpriortofinalreleaseand h#( revisedsothatnoredactionsarenecessary.Oncesigned,thereportsarequicklypublishedontheInternet.-Y݌ $@ * Ќ<|%!< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -5&!5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -   ݀Agenciesareprovidingpublicinformationandfrequently &!, requestedinformationthroughFOIAwebsites.- ݌ d'"- Ќ<~((x#< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -5)d$5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -$  ݀SeveralAgenciesupdatedtheirinternalemployeeFOIA )d$/ guidelinesandinstructionstothepubliconhowtomakeFOIArequests.Internaldirectivesstressedtheimportanceoftimelyresponses,andnegativeconsequenceswerespecifiedasreminderstostaff.-$П݌  $,t'3 Ќ<w< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -ڡ  ݀ThecreationoftheelectronicPurchaseCardholderInformation  systemontheFOIAWebsitehashelpedimprovepublicavailabilityofthisinformation.NumerousrequesterswerereferredtotheFOIAWebsitewhicheliminatedtheneedforwrittenFOIArequests.-ڡ݌̌<d< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -~  -~*݌̌<e< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ݀Reducebacklog.-݌  Ќ<gH < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5H 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  -g݌̌<i \< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 \5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -B  ݀Severalagencieshavehirednewfullandparttimeemployeesto  \ assistinprocessingrequests.Oneagencyhiredastudentinterntoreview,cleanoutandupdatetheirFOIAcasefiles.-B݌    Ќ<kX < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5D 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ݀Oneagencyhasdevelopedaprocesstoscreennewrequeststo D   determineiftheycanbeansweredquickly.Otheragencieshaveestablishedmultipletrackingsystems,permittingsimplerequeststobeansweredquicklyandcomplexrequeststobeplacedinaqueueandansweredinorderofreceipt.-]݌̌<nh < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5h 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -v  -v"݌̌<o, < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5, 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ݀Providetraining.-݌ ,  Ќ<q < Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5 5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  -^݌̌<sd< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -N5d5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -<  ݀TheFOIApersonnelofmostUSDAagenciesattendedtraining d sponsoredbytheDepartmentofJustice,theUSDAGraduateSchool,ortheAmericanSocietyforAccessProfessionals.AmajorityofUSDAagenciesconductedon-the-jobtrainingforagencypersonnelonprocessingFOIArequests.TwoagenciesheldNationalFOIATrainingworkshopsfortheirfieldunits.-<݌̌<vL< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -5L5 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -C  ݀-C݌ L Ќ<w< Xpp#& %%&п#XMX%#&   -55 ppXXXX#XM&п%XX  -  ݀Severalagenciesprovidedfieldlocationswithcopiesofthe  FreedomofInformationActGuide&PrivacyActOverviewandtheDepartmentofJusticequarterlyFOIAUpdatestouseasreferencematerial.SomefieldunitshaveaddedemployeeswithparttimeFOIAresponsibility.RegionalFOIAOfficeshavescheduledmonthlyFOIAconferencecallsasatrainingtool.,&п%%&п-݌  Ќ<{X< Xpp#& %%,&п#XMX%#&   /XXXX#XX#XM;/-5D5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -[  ݀AllagencyFOIApersonnelmeetquarterlytoshareinformation D! andestablishconsistentstandardsforprocessingofFOIArequestswithintheDepartment.-[݌ # Ќ<} < Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5d!5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  ݀Addnewcategoriesofrecords.-T݌ d!% Ќ<("x< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5("x5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -j  -j݌̌<"<< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5"<5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  ݀Theestablishmentofagencywebpagesexpandedthecategories "<' ofrecordsavailabletothepublic.-݌  #( Ќ<< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -55 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -   - ݌̌<t< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5t5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  IX.Costs/FOIAStaffing ->݌ t Ќ<D< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5D5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -L  -L݌̌<X< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5X5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  ݀A.StaffingLevels-݌ X Ќ<< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N55 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  -3݌̌<< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N55 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  ݀1.Numberoffull-timeFOIApersonnel:55.00-݌  Ќ<T < Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5T 5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  ݀2.Numberofpersonnelwithpart-timeoroccasional T  ЀFOIAduties(inwork-years):478-݌̌< ,< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -5 ,5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  ݀3.Totalnumberofpersonnel(Work-years):533-݌  , Ќ< < Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5 5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  -q݌̌<d < Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5d 5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -L  ݀B.TotalCosts-L݌ d   Ќ<s( x< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5( x5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  -݌̌<u < < Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5 < 5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  ݀1.FOIAprocessing:$7,823,328-/݌  <  Ќ<w < Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5 5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -H  ݀2.Litigation-relatedactivities(estimated):$342,584-H݌   Ќ<xt < Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5t 5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -$  ݀3.Totalcosts:$8,165,912-$݌ t  Ќ<z8 < Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N58 5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  -݌̌<|L < Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5L 5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -k  ݀C.StatementofAdditionalResourcesNeeded-k݌ L  Ќ<~ < Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5 5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -8  -8݌̌< < Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5 5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  Mostagenciesexpressedtheneedformoreprofessionalstaffing,more   clericalassistance,andmoremoneytopayfortraining,nationalmeetings,andtoupgradeautomatedrecordprocessing.Severalagenciesexpressedtheneedformoreadvancedtrackinganddocumentimagingsystems.-k݌̌<X< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5X5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -w  -w#݌̌<l< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5l5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  X.Fees -݌ l Ќ<<< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5<5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  -U݌̌<< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N55 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -0  ݀A.Totalfeescollectedforsearch,review,duplicationand  otherdirectcostspermittedbyagencyregulations:$117,530-0݌̌<8< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N585 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -L  -L݌̌<L< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5L5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  ݀B.MostUSDAagenciescollectedfeesthatamountedtoless L thantenpercentoftotalcosts.-݌̌<< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -55 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  Exceptionswere:Research,EducationandEconomics,54percent;FoodandNutritionService,38percent;FoodSafetyandInspectionService,12percent.-݌̌< \< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5 \5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -k  -݌  Ќ<H< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5H5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  XI.FOIARegulations-M݌ H  Ќ<h< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5h5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -U  -U݌̌<8< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N585 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  󀀀USDA'sregulationsimplementingtheElectronicFreedomof 8" InformationActAmendmentsof1996werepublishedintheFederalRegisterJuly28,2000,andareavailableontheWorldWideWebat:-݌̌<4!< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  _-54!5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -R  _Ԁ-R݌ 4!% Ќ<!H< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -5!H5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  @L L 4L .O  5  http://www.usda.gov/news/foia/regulation.htm6.O  70-݌ !H& Ќ<" < Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -5" 5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  -էu!݌̌< " < Xpp &Ȁ%% &Ȁ X܍X% &Ȁ  @*http-e݌̌<#< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -5#5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -W  󀀀USDA'scurrentfeeschedulewaspublishedintheFederal #( RegisterDecember31,1987.-W݌̌<%X < Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5%X 5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -Q  -Q݌̌<%!< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -N5%!5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -  ݀USDA'shomepageislocatedat:4P.O  5  http://www.usda.gov6.O  7 -݌ %!+ Ќ<&!< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -5&!5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -Q  ThewebsitesofUSDAagenciesarelinkedtothishomepage,andeach &!, agency'swebsitecontainsexplanatoryinformationaboutFOIAprocessing.-Q݌̌<(,$< Xpp&п%%&пXX%&п  -5(,$5 ppXXXXX&п%XX  -{  ݀