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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Findings Regarding Implementation of Attorney General Ashcroft's
FOIA Memorandum:
- 5 of 33 Federal departments or agencies surveyed (15 %) indicated
significant changes in regulations, guidance, and training materials
and that the Ashcroft Memorandum was widely disseminated.
- 8 of 33 Federal departments or agencies surveyed (24 %) indicated
implementation activities concerning the Ashcroft Memo, including
its dissemination and incorporation into FOIA regulations and
procedures.
- 17 of 33 Federal departments or agencies surveyed (52 %) indicated
awareness and dissemination of the Ashcroft Memo, but indicated
little change in regulations, guidance or training materials
reflecting the new policy.
- 3 of 33 Federal departments or agencies surveyed (9 %) indicated
no changes in regulations, guidance or training materials, and
little if no dissemination of the Ashcroft Memorandum.
Findings Regarding Administrative Processing of FOIA Requests:
- Inaccurate or incomplete information about agency FOIA contacts.
- Failure to acknowledge requests.
- Lost requests.
- Excessive Backlogs.
- Complete Decentralization Leading to Delay and Lack of Oversight.
- Inconsistent Practices Regarding the Acceptance of Administrative
Appeals.
- Appealing FOIA Determinations May Delay Processing, But Also
May Get The Agency's Attention.
- Conflation of Fee Categorization and Fee Waiver Standards.
Pending: Audit Regarding Implementation Of White House Memorandum;
Only 13 Of 35 Agencies Have Responded To Date.
Pending: Audit Of "10 Oldest" Requests; Only 15 Of
35 Agencies Have Responded To Date.
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