[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]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-M