Privacy Act of 1974; as Amended; Revisions of Existing System of Records

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

Privacy Act of 1974; as Amended; Revisions of Existing System of

Records

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Proposed revisions to an existing system of records.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5

U.S.C. 552a), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is issuing public

notice of its intent to modify an existing Privacy Act system of

records notice, BLM-15, ``Correspondence.'' The revision will change

the system location and Systems Manager.

EFFECTIVE DATES: 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(11), requires that the public be

provided a 30-day period in which to comment on the intended use of the

information in the system of records. The Office of Management and

Budget, in its Circular A-130, requires an additional 10-day period

(for a total of 40 days) in which to make these comments. Any persons

interested in commenting on this revised system of records may do so by

submitting comments in writing to the BLM Privacy Act Officer,

Information Resources Management Policy Group, U.S. Department of the

Interior, WO520/725 LS, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240.

Comments received on or before February 2, 2000, will be considered.

The system will be effective, as proposed, at the end of the comment

period unless comments are received which would require a contrary

determination.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to the BLM Privacy Act Officer,

Information Resources Management Policy Group, U.S. Department of the

Interior, WO-520/725 LS, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240. Hand

deliver comments to the Information Resources Management Policy Group,

Room 725, 1620 L Street, NW., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Britell, Correspondence Unit,

BLM, WO-615/406C LS, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM is proposing to amend the system

notice for BLM-15, ``Correspondence,'' to more accurately and clearly

describe the system. The revisions also reflect changes in the system

location and Systems Manager. Accordingly, the BLM proposes to amend

BLM-15, ``Correspondence,'' in its entirety to read as follows:

Dated: December 21, 1999.

Michael D. Nedd,

Deputy Assistant Director, Information Resources.

INTERIOR/BLM-15

SYSTEM NAME:

Correspondence--Interior, BLM-15.

SYSTEM LOCATION:

Communications Directorate, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau

of Land Management, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:

Public officials and private individuals who have corresponded with

the BLM Director, and other Department of the Interior officials on BLM

issues, and whose correspondence has been responded to by the

Correspondence Unit.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:

The record contains the correspondent's name, address, and

correspondence history, which includes subject matter, text, and

tracking, if applicable.

AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:

5 U.S.C. 301, 43 U.S.C. 1457, 44 U.S.C. 3101, Reorganization Plan 3

of 1950.

ROUTINE USE OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM INCLUDING CATEGORIES OF

USERS AND PURPOSES OF USES:

The primary use of the records is to identify correspondents to the

BLM Director and other Department of the Interior officials on BLM

issues, and their subject matter of interest whose correspondence has

been responded to by the Correspondence Unit. Disclosures outside the

Department of the Interior may be made:

(1) Another Federal agency to enable that agency to respond to an

inquiry by the individual to whom the record pertains.

(2) The Department of Justice, or to a court, adjudicative or other

administrative body, or to a party in litigation before a court or

adjudicative or administrative body, when:

(a) One of the following is a party to the proceeding or has an

interest in the proceeding:

(1) The Department or any component of the Department;

(2) Any Departmental employee acting in his or her official

capacity;

(3) Any Departmental employee acting in his or her individual

capacity where the Department or the Department of Justice has agreed

to represent the employee; or

(4) The United States, when the Department determines that the

Department is likely to be affected by the proceeding; and

(b) The Department deems the disclosure to be:

(1) Relevant and necessary to the proceedings, and

(2) Compatible with the purpose for which we compiled the

information.

(3) The appropriate Federal, State, tribal, local or foreign

governmental agency that is responsible for investigating, prosecuting,

enforcing or implementing a statute, rule, regulation, order or

license, when we become aware of an indication of a violation or

potential violation of the statute, rule regulation, order or license.

(4) A congressional office in response to an inquiry to that office

by the individual to whom the records pertains.

(5) To a Federal agency which has requested information relevant or

necessary to its hiring or retention of an employee, or issuance of a

security clearance, license, contract, grant, or other benefit.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING,

AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:

STORAGE:

Computer database: Paper records are maintained in folders, by

year.

RETRIEVABILITY:

Computer database files are retrievable by name of correspondent.

Paper file copies are retrievable by subject matter.

SAFEGUARDS:

Records are stored in a controlled area where access is controlled

by a key card and is limited to BLM personnel, and maintained with

safeguards meeting the requirements of 43 CFR 2.51, ``Assuring

Integrity of Records.'' Paper records are maintained in folders in

locked file cabinets. Access to computerized records requires use of

proper passwords and user identification codes.

RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:

Computer database-and file copies-destroyed in accordance with

National Archives and Records Administration procedures and General

Record Schedule 23/8.

SYSTEMS MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:

Assistant Director for Communications, U.S. Department of the

Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC

20240

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NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:

To determine whether the records are maintained on you in this

system, inquiries should be made to the Systems Manager identified

above. A written, signed request stating that the requester seeks

information concerning records pertaining to him/her is required. The

request envelope and letter should be clearly marked ``PRIVACY ACT

INQUIRY.'' (See 43 CFR 2.60 for procedures on making inquiries.)

RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:

To see your records, write to the Systems Manager above. Describe

as specifically as possible the records sought. The request envelope

and letter should be clearly marked ``PRIVACY ACT REQUEST FOR ACCESS.''

A request for access must meet the content requirements of 43 CFR 2.63.

If copies are sought, indicate the maximum you are willing to pay (43

CFR 2.63(b)(4)).

CONTESTING RECORDS PROCEDURES:

Follow procedures addressed in the ``Records Access Procedures''

section above.

RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:

Correspondence responded to by the BLM Correspondence Unit.

SYSTEM EXEMPTED FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ACT:

None.

[FR Doc. 00-706 Filed 1-11-00; 8:45 am]

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