[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