[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 216 (Monday, November 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60378-60379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29912]
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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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