Privacy Act of 1974; As Amended; Revisions to the Existing System of Records

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey

Privacy Act of 1974; As Amended; Revisions to the Existing System

of Records

AGENCY: Geological Survey, 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 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is issuing public

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

records notice, USGS-23, ``Personnel Investigations Records.'' The

revisions will update addresses of the System Location and the System

Manager. There are two additions and minor language changes under

Categories of Individuals Covered by the System. There is an addition

to Authority for Maintenance of the System. There are minor language

changes under Storage and Safeguards.

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 U.S. Department of the Interior,

U.S. Geological Survey, USGS Privacy Act Officer, National Center, MS-

807, 12202 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA. 20192. Comments received

within two days of publication in the Federal Register (December 21,

1998), 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 U.S. Department of the Interior,

U.S. Geological Survey, USGS Privacy Act Officer, National Center, MS-

807, Reston, Virginia, 20192. Hand deliver comments to the same

address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Security Officer, Office of Program Support, Office of Management

Services, U.S. Geological Survey, National Center, Mail Stop 250,

Reston, Virginia 20192.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USGS is proposing to amend the system

notice for USGS-23, ``Personnel Investigation Records,'' to more

accurately and clearly define the addresses of the System Location and

the System Manager; to add some new groups of individuals in

Categories, as well as update some of the language used in the

descriptions; to more clearly define the Authorities; and to update the

language in Storage and Safeguards.

Dated: October 28, 1998.

Paul R. Celluzzi,

Chief, Corporate Information Technology Branch, Office of Information

Services.

Accordingly, the USGS proposes to amend the ``Personnel

Investigations Records,'' USGS-23 in its entirety to read as follows:

INTERIOR/USGS-23

SYSTEM NAME:

Personnel Investigations Records--Interior, USGS-23.

SYSTEM LOCATION:

Security Management Office, Office of Program Support, Office of

Management Services, U.S. Geological Survey, National Center, Mail Stop

250, Reston, VA 20192.

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:

1. Current Geological Survey employees and contractors who (a) are

granted access to classified information; (b) are filling public trust

positions not requiring access to classified information; (c) are being

considered either for access to classified information or for filling

public trust positions not requiring access to classified information;

and (d) are found unsuitable for access to classified information or

filling public trust positions because unfavorable information was

revealed during the conduct of their security investigations. 2. Former

Geological Survey employees and contractors who (a) were granted access

to classified information; (b) were filling public trust positions not

requiring access to classified information; and (c) were found

unsuitable for access to classified information or filling public trust

positions because unfavorable information was revealed during the

conduct of their security investigations.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:

These records contain investigative information regarding an

individual's character, conduct, and behavior in the community where he

or she lives or lived; arrests and convictions for any violations

against the law; reports of interviews with present and former

supervisors, co-workers, associates, educators, etc.; reports and the

qualifications of an individual for a specific position; reports of

inquiries with or from law enforcement agencies, employers, and

educational institutions attended; foreign affiliations which may

affect his or her loyalty to the United States; and other information

developed from the above.

AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:

Executive Order 10450, as amended, and Departmental manual 441,

Personnel Security and Suitability Requirements.

[[Page 60379]]

ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES

OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:

The contents of these records and files may be disclosed and used

as follows: (1) To designated officials, officers, and employees of the

USGS, DOI, OPM, DOE, CIA, FBI, and all other agencies and departments

of the Federal Government who in the performance of their duties have

an interest in the individual for employment purposes, including a

security clearance or access determination, and a need to evaluate

qualifications, suitability, and loyalty to the United States

Government; (2) To the U.S. Department of Justice or in a proceeding

before a court or adjudicative body when (a) the United States, the

Department of the Interior, a component of the Department, or, when

represented by the government, an employee of the Department is a party

to litigation or anticipated litigation or has an interest in such

litigation, and (b) the Department of the Interior determines that the

disclosure is relevant or necessary to the litigation and is compatible

with the purpose for which the records were compiled; (3) To disclose

pertinent information to an appropriate Federal, State, local, or

foreign agency responsible for investigating, prosecuting, enforcing,

or implementing a statute, regulation, rule, or order, where the

disclosing agency becomes aware of an indication of a violation or

potential violation of civil or criminal law or regulation; and, (4) To

a congressional office from the record of an individual in response to

an inquiry the individual has made to the congressional office.

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

AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:

STORAGE:

All investigative records are maintained in file folders stored in

file cabinets. An automated index system of all records is on a

personal computer.

RETRIEVABILITY:

All records are indexed by surname in alphabetical order. The

automated index system is indexed by surname or social security number.

SAFEGURDS:

The filing cabinets and the personal computer are safeguarded in a

secure, windowless office with one doorway which is secured by a key

locking device using an off-master key system. Access to all keys is

under stringent security controls. The automated index system of all

records is further protected by a password and privacy act warning.

RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:

(a) OPM investigative files are routinely destroyed within 90 days

after receipt or upon completion of the adjudication action, whichever

occurs last. Disposition of files is made in accordance with the Bureau

Records Disposition Schedule, RCS/Item 306-15b. (b) All information,

supplementing the above OPM investigative files originated by the

Geological Survey, is retained for five years following termination of

awarded security clearance or employment, whichever occurs first, and

is then destroyed. Disposition of files if made in accordance with the

Bureau Records Disposition Schedule, RCS/Item 306-15a.

SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:

Security Officer/Alternate Security Officer, Office of Program

Support, Office of Management Services, U.S. Geological Survey,

National Center, Mail Stop 250, Reston, VA 20192.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:

Written inquires to the System Manager are required and must

include the following information in order to positively identify the

individual whose records are requested: (1) Full name, (2) Date of

birth, (3) Place of birth, (4) Any available information regarding the

type of record requested. See 43 CFR 2.60.

RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURE:

An individual can obtain information on the procedures for gaining

access to and contesting the records from the above System Manager. See

43 CFR 2.63.

CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:

Same as above. See 43 CFR 2.71.

RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:

Information contained in this system is obtained from the following

categories of sources: (1) Applications and order personnel and

security forms furnished by the individual, (2) Results of

investigations and other material furnished by Federal agencies.

[FR Doc. 98-29912 Filed 11-6-98; 8:45 am]

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