[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 23, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8989-8990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3115]


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

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

[AAG/A Order No. 191-2000]


Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

AGENCY: Department of Justice.

ACTION: Notice of a Modified System of Records.

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

SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 
552a), the Environment and Natural Resources Division, Department of 
Justice, proposes to modify two systems of records last published in 
the Federal Register on September 30, 1977 (42 FR 53351), and entitled, 
``Appraisers File (JUSTICE/LDN-001),'' and ``Title Abstractors, 
Attorneys and Insurance Corporations File (JUSTICE/LDN-004).''
    Specifically, the Division will modify the system notice by 
consolidating the two notices into one and renaming it, ``Appraisers, 
Approved Attorneys, Abstractors and Title Companies Files Database 
System (JUSTICE/ENRD-001)''; updating and clarifying information, and 
adding a routine use (information may be shared with other federal 
agencies). For public convenience, the revised system notice has been 
printed below in full, replacing the previous notice in its entirety.
    Sections 552a(e) (4) and (11) of the Privacy Act require that the 
public be given 30 days to comment on new routine uses of information 
in the system. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which has 
oversight responsibility under the Act, requires 40 days to review the 
proposed new routine uses and exemptions for the system. Therefore, the 
public, OMB, and the Congress are invited to submit written comments by 
April 3, 2000.

DATES: The proposed modifications to the System of Records will be 
effective April 3, 2000, unless comments are received that result in a 
contrary determination.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Department of Justice, ATTN: 
Mary E. Cahill, Management Analyst, Management and Planning Staff, 
Justice Management Division, Department of Justice, National Place 
Building, Room 1400 North, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
20530. If no comments are received, the proposal will be implemented 
without further notice in the Federal Register.

    Dated: January 27, 2000.
Stephen R. Colgate,
Assistant Attorney General for Administration.
JUSTICE/ENRD--001

system name:
    Appraisers, Approved Attorneys, Abstractors and Title Companies 
Files Database System.

Security classification:
    Unclassified.

System location:
    U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources 
Division, Land Acquisition Section, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20004.

Categories of individuals covered by the system:
    (1) Appraisers who have prepared real property appraisals, whose 
work has been reviewed by the Appraisal Unit, Environment and Natural 
Resources Division, in conjunction with anticipated or pending 
litigation. (2) Attorneys, title abstractors, and title insurance 
companies that have applied and been deemed qualified to prepare title 
evidence for land acquisitions by the United States.

Categories of records in the system:
    This system includes automated records relating to (1) the 
qualifications of appraisers who have provided real estate appraisals 
to the Appraisal Unit, Environment and Natural Resources Division, in 
conjunction with anticipated or pending litigation; and (2) records 
relating to title evidence providers, including applications, 
supporting information, and information relating to qualifications 
received by the Environment and Natural Resources Division.

Authority for maintenance of the system:
    Authority to establish and maintain this system is contained in 28 
U.S.C. 509 and 510, 28 CFR part O, subpart M, and 40 U.S.C. 257 et 
seq., which authorize the Attorney General to conduct litigation, 
particularly proceedings for condemnation of property, and 5 U.S.C. 301 
and 44 U.S.C. 3101, which authorize the Attorney General to create and 
maintain federal records of agency activities.

Purpose(s):
    (1) Appraisal information is maintained so that an appraiser's 
credentials, experience, and

[[Page 8990]]

performance can be referenced and evaluated when the Division seeks an 
appraiser for work in anticipated or pending litigation. (2) Title 
evidence information is maintained so that a provider's performance can 
be referenced when the Division seeks a qualified provider for work 
being reviewed.

Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories 
of users and purposes of such uses:
    (1) Records may be disclosed to the National Archives and Records 
Administration in records management inspections conducted under the 
authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.
    (2) Records relating to attorneys, abstractors, or title companies 
may be disclosed to other Federal agencies to help them hire such 
professionals.

Disclosure to consumer reporting agencies:
    None.

Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining, 
and disposing of records in the system:
Storage:
    Information is kept on a computer database.

Retrievability:
    Information is retrieved by name of the subject, Department of 
Justice case number, appraisal review number, or land unit number.

Safeguards:
    Only employees of the Land Acquisition Section with access to the 
Division computer system have access to the system of records.

Retention and Disposal:
    Records are retained during their useful life subject to National 
Achieves and Records administration record retention schedules.

System manager(s) and address:
    Chief, Land Acquisition Section, Environment and Natural Resources 
Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20004.

Notification procedure:
    Address inquiries to the FOIA/Privacy Act Coordinator; Environment 
and Natural Resources Division; Policy, Legislation and Special 
Litigation Section; PO Box 4390; Ben Franklin Station; Washington, DC 
20044-4390.

Record access procedures:
    Submit in writing all requests for access, and clearly mark the 
envelope and letter, ``Privacy Act Access Request.'' Include in the 
request you full name, data and place of birth, case caption, or other 
information which may assist in locating the records you seek. Also 
include your notarized signature and a return address. Direct all 
access requests to the the FOIA/Privacy Act Coordinator; Environment 
and Natural resources Division; Policy, Legislation and Special 
Litigation Section; PO Box 4390, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 
20044-4390.

Contesting record procedures:
    If you wish to contest or amend information maintained in the 
system, Direct your request to the FOIA/PA Coordinator Stating Clearly 
and concisely what information is being contested, the reasons for 
contesting it, and the proposed amendment to the information you seek.

Record source categories:
    The record subject is the principal record source. The sources may 
be supplemented by others having knowledge of the subject's 
professional qualifications.

Exemptions claimed for the system:
    None.
[FR Doc. 00-3115 Filed 2-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-CJ-M