The purpose of this memorandum is to resolve a discrepancy that exists between a DOT decision on the Michael Ravnitzky FOIA appeal (FOIA File Nos. FY2002-230 and 2006-244) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) guidelines, affecting the processing of FOIA requests that seek copies of FOIA case logs. Such requests are received on a recurring basis, and FOIA Officers and FOIA Attorneys within the Department have questioned whether they should adhere to the reasoning reflected in the Ravnitzky decision, or follow DOJ guidelines, when processing the requests.
We have therefore further reviewed the issue and resolved it in favor of the DOJ position.
In accordance with 5 USC 552(a)(2), the following four categories of records (“Reading Room” records) are available without the need for a FOIA request. Only Reading Room records created on or after November 1, 1996 must be made available electronically, and we make them available here.
