[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30546-30547]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14383]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION


Records Schedules; Availability and Request for Comments

AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration, Office of Records 
Services--Washington, DC.

ACTION: Notice of availability of proposed records schedules; request 
for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) 
publishes notice at least once monthly of certain Federal agency 
requests for records disposition authority (records schedules). Once 
approved by NARA, records schedules provide mandatory instructions on 
what happens to records when no longer needed for current Government 
business. They authorize the preservation of records of continuing 
value in the National Archives of the United States and the 
destruction, after a specified period, of records lacking 
administrative, legal, research, or other value. Notice is published 
for records schedules in which agencies propose to destroy records not 
previously authorized for disposal or reduce the retention period of 
records already authorized for disposal. NARA invites public comments 
on such records schedules, as required by 44 U.S.C. 3303a(a).

DATES: Requests for copies must be received in writing on or before 
July 26, 1999. Once the appraisal of the records is completed, NARA 
will send a copy of the schedule. NARA staff usually prepare appraisal 
memorandums that contain additional information concerning the records 
covered by a proposed schedule. These, too, may be requested and will 
be provided once the appraisal is completed. Requesters will be given 
30 days to submit comments.

ADDRESSES: To request a copy of any records schedule identified in this 
notice, write to the Life Cycle Management Division (NWML), National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 8601 Adelphi Road, College 
Park, MD 20740-6001. Requests also may be transmitted by FAX to 301-
713-6852 or by e-mail to [email protected]. Requesters must 
cite the control number, which appears in parentheses after the name of 
the agency which submitted the schedule, and must provide a mailing 
address. Those who desire appraisal reports should so indicate in their 
request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marie Allen, Director, Life Cycle 
Management Division (NWML), National Archives and Records 
Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001. 
Telephone: (301)713-7110. E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Each year Federal agencies create billions 
of records on paper, film, magnetic tape, and other media. To control 
this accumulation, agency records managers prepare schedules proposing 
retention periods for records and submit these schedules for NARA's 
approval, using the Standard Form (SF) 115, Request for Records 
Disposition Authority. These schedules provide for the timely transfer 
into the National Archives of historically valuable records and 
authorize the disposal of all other records after the agency no longer 
needs to conduct its business. Some schedules are comprehensive and 
cover all the records of an agency or one of its major subdivisions. 
Most schedules, however, cover records of only one office or program or 
a few series of records. Many of these update previously approved 
schedules, and some include records proposed as permanent.
    No Federal records are authorized for destruction without the 
approval of the Archivist of the United States. This approval is 
granted only after a thorough consideration of their administrative use 
by the agency of origin, the rights of the Government and of private 
persons directly affected by the Government's activities, and whether 
or not they have historical or other value.
    Besides identifying the Federal agencies and any subdivisions 
requesting disposition authority, this public notice lists the 
organizational unit(s) accumulating the records or indicates agency-
wide applicability in the case of schedules that cover records that may 
be accumulated throughout an agency. This notice provides the control 
number assigned to each schedule, the total number of schedule items, 
and the number of temporary items (the records proposed for 
destruction). It also includes a brief description of the temporary 
records. The records schedule itself contains a full description of the 
records at the file unit level as well as their disposition. If NARA 
staff has prepared an appraisal memorandum for the schedule, it too, 
includes information about the records. Further information about the 
disposition process is available on request.

Schedules Pending

    1. Department of Justice, Civil Division (N1-60-99-5, 1 item, 1 
temporary item). Published and unpublished technical and scientific 
reports and copies of expert witness testimony in non-Federal cases 
relating to radiation. Records were collected by Civil Division 
attorneys as background information for litigation. These documents are 
not associated with

[[Page 30547]]

specific cases nor were they entered as evidence in a case.
    2. Department of State, Foreign Service Institute (N1-59-99-17, 124 
items, 123 temporary items). Files related to training and instruction 
in the field of foreign affairs and foreign languages, and the 
provision of assistance in employment searches, retirement planning, 
and adjusting to life at overseas posts. Included are such records as 
course schedules and curricula, training evaluations, class rosters, 
proficiency tests, trip files, budgetary records, and statistical 
reports. Also included are electronic copies of documents created using 
electronic mail and word processing. Recordkeeping copies of policy 
files of the Office of the Director of the Institute are proposed for 
permanent retention.
    3. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning 
and Standards (N1-412-99-8, 4 items, 2 temporary items). Software 
programs and input documents associated with an electronic information 
system that collects and stores data regarding air quality and 
emissions. The electronic data and related documentation are proposed 
for permanent retention.
    4. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of Pipeline 
Regulation (N1-138-98-4, 1 item, 1 temporary item). Electronic copies 
of documents created using electronic mail and word processing 
associated with correspondence with gas pipeline companies. 
Recordkeeping copies of these files were previously approved for 
disposal.
    5. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of Pipeline 
Regulation (N1-138-98-13, 1 item, 1 temporary item). Electronic copies 
of documents created using electronic mail and word processing related 
to suspension and investigations of rates, fares, charges, and 
practices of companies. Recordkeeping copies of these files were 
previously approved for disposal.
    6. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of the Chief 
Accountant (N1-138-98-14, 1 item, 1 temporary item). Electronic copies 
of documents created using electronic mail and word processing related 
to annual financial and statistical reports from electric utilities and 
other hydro projects and licensees. Recordkeeping copies of these 
reports were previously approved for disposal.

    Dated: June 1, 1999.
Michael J. Kurtz,
Assistant Archivist for Record Services--Washington, DC.
[FR Doc. 99-14383 Filed 6-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7515-01-P