[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43138-43140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20367]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

National Reconnaissance Office

32 CFR Part 326


NRO Privacy Act Program

AGENCY: National Reconnaissance Office, DOD.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is proposing to 
exempt Privacy Act systems of records. The systems of records are QNRO-
10, Inspector General Investigative Records and QNRO-15, Facility 
Security Files. The exemptions are intended to increase the value of 
the system of records for law enforcement purposes, to comply with 
prohibitions against the disclosure of certain kinds of information, 
and to protect the privacy of individuals identified in the systems of 
records.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 16, 2001 to be considered 
by the agency.

ADDRESSES: National Reconnaissance Office, Information Access and 
Release Center, 14675 Lee Road, Chantilly, VA 20151-1715.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Barbara Freimann at (703) 808-
5029.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review''

    The Director of Administration and Management, Office of the 
Secretary of Defense, hereby determines that Privacy Act rules for the 
Department of Defense are not significant rules. The rules do not (1) 
Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or 
adversely affect in a material way the economy; a sector of the 
economy; productivity; competition; jobs; the environment; public 
health or safety; or State, local, or tribal governments or 
communities; (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere 
with an action taken or planned by another Agency; (3) Materially alter 
the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan 
programs, or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) 
Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the 
President's priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive 
order.

Public Law 96-354, ``Regulatory Flexibility Act'' (5 U.S.C. Chapter 
6)

    The Director of Administration and Management, Office of the 
Secretary of Defense, hereby certifies that Privacy Act rules for the 
Department of Defense do not have significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities because they are concerned only 
with the administration of Privacy Act systems of records within the 
Department of Defense.

Public Law 96-511, ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' (44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35)

    The Director of Administration and Management, Office of the 
Secretary of Defense, hereby certifies that Privacy Act rules for the 
Department of Defense impose no information requirements beyond the 
Department of Defense and that the information collected within the 
Department of Defense is necessary and consistent with 5 U.S.C. 552a, 
known as the Privacy Act of 1974.

Section 202, Public Law 104-4, ``Unfunded Mandates Reform Act''

    The Director of Administration and Management, Office of the 
Secretary of Defense, hereby certifies that the Privacy Act rulemaking 
for the Department of Defense does not involve a Federal mandate that 
may result in the expenditure by State, local and tribal governments, 
in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more and 
that such rulemaking will not significantly or uniquely affect small 
governments.

Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism''

    The Director of Administration and Management, Office of the 
Secretary of Defense, hereby certifies that the Privacy Act rules for 
the Department of Defense do not have federalism

[[Page 43139]]

implications. The rules do not have substantial direct effects on the 
States, on the relationship between the National Government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 326

    Privacy.

PART 326--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for 32 CFR part 326 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Pub. L. 93-579, 88 Stat 1896 (5 U.S.C. 552a).

    2. Section 326.17 is proposed to be amended by adding paragraphs 
(f) and (g) to read as follows:


Sec. 326.17  Exemptions.

* * * * *
    (f) QNRO-10, Inspector General Investigative Files.
    (1) Exemption: This system may be exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
552a(j)(2) if the information is compiled and maintained by a component 
of the agency which performs as its principle function any activity 
pertaining to the enforcement of criminal laws. Any portion of this 
system which falls within the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2) may be 
exempt from the following subsections of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (c)(4), 
(d), (e)(1), (e)(2), (e)(3), (e)(4)(G), (H), and (I), (e)(5), (e)(8), 
(f), and (g).
    (2) Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2).
    (3) Reasons: (i) From subsection (c)(3) because the release of 
accounting of disclosure would inform a subject that he or she is under 
investigation. This information would provide considerable advantage to 
the subject in providing him or her with knowledge concerning the 
nature of the investigation and the coordinated investigative efforts 
and techniques employed by the cooperating agencies. This would greatly 
impede the NRO IG's criminal law enforcement.
    (ii) From subsection (c)(4) and (d), because notification would 
alert a subject to the fact that an open investigation on that 
individual is taking place, and might weaken the on-going 
investigation, reveal investigatory techniques, and place confidential 
informants in jeopardy.
    (iii) From subsection (e)(1) because the nature of the criminal 
and/or civil investigative function creates unique problems in 
prescribing a specific parameter in a particular case with respect to 
what information is relevant or necessary. Also, due to NRO IG's close 
liaison and working relationships with other Federal, state, local and 
foreign country law enforcement agencies, information may be received 
which may relate to a case under the investigative jurisdiction of 
another agency. The maintenance of this information may be necessary to 
provide leads for appropriate law enforcement purposes and to establish 
patterns of activity which may relate to the jurisdiction of other 
cooperating agencies.
    (iv) From subsection (e)(2) because collecting information to the 
fullest extent possible directly from the subject individual may or may 
not be practical in a criminal and/or civil investigation.
    (v) From subsection (e)(3) because supplying an individual with a 
form containing a Privacy Act Statement would tend to inhibit 
cooperation by many individuals involved in a criminal and/or civil 
investigation. The effect would be somewhat adverse to established 
investigative methods and techniques.
    (vi) From subsection (e)(4) (G) through (I) because this system of 
records is exempt from the access provisions of subsection (d).
    (vii) From subsection (e)(5) because the requirement that records 
be maintained with attention to accuracy, relevance, timeliness, and 
completeness would unfairly hamper the investigative process. It is the 
nature of law enforcement for investigations to uncover the commission 
of illegal acts at diverse stages. It is frequently impossible to 
determine initially what information is accurate, relevant, timely, and 
least of all complete. With the passage of time, seemingly irrelevant 
or untimely information may acquire new significance as further 
investigation brings new details to light.
    (viii) From subsection (e)(8) because the notice requirements of 
this provision could present a serious impediment to law enforcement by 
revealing investigative techniques, procedures, and existence of 
confidential investigations.
    (ix) From subsection (f) because the agency's rules are 
inapplicable to those portions of the system that are exempt and would 
place the burden on the agency of either confirming or denying the 
existence of a record pertaining to a requesting individual might in 
itself provide an answer to that individual relating to an on-going 
investigation. The conduct of a successful investigation leading to the 
indictment of a criminal offender precludes the applicability of 
established agency rules relating to verification of record, disclosure 
of the record to that individual, and record amendment procedures for 
this record system.
    (x) From subsection (g) because this system of records should be 
exempt to the extent that the civil remedies relate to provisions of 5 
U.S.C. 552a from which this rule exempts the system.
    (4) Exemptions: (i) Investigatory material compiled for law 
enforcement purposes, other than material within the scope of 
subsection (j)(2), may be exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2). 
However, if an individual is denied any right, privilege, or benefit 
for which he would otherwise be entitled by Federal law or for which he 
would otherwise be eligible, as a result of the maintenance of such 
information, the individual will be provided access to such information 
except to the extent that disclosure would reveal the identity of a 
confidential source.
    (ii) Investigatory material compiled solely for the purpose of 
determining suitability, eligibility, or qualifications for federal 
civilian employment, military service, federal contracts, or access to 
classified information may be exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5), 
but only to the extent that such material would reveal the identity of 
a confidential source.
    (iii) Therefore, portions of this system of records may be exempt 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) and/or (k)(5) from the following 
subsections of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (d), (e)(1), (e)(4)(G), (H) and 
(I), and (f).
    (5) Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) and (k)(5).
    (6) Reasons: (i) From subsection (c)(3) because to grant access to 
the accounting for each disclosure as required by the Privacy Act, 
including the date, nature, and purpose of each disclosure and the 
identity of the recipient, could alert the subject to the existence of 
the investigation or prosecutable interest by the NRO or other 
agencies. This could seriously compromise case preparation by 
prematurely revealing its existence and nature; compromise or interfere 
with witnesses or make witnesses reluctant to cooperate; and lead to 
suppression, alteration, or destruction of evidence.
    (ii) From subsections (d) and (f) because providing access to 
investigatory records and the right to contest the contents of those 
records and force changes to be made to the information contained 
therein would seriously interfere with and thwart the orderly and 
unbiased conduct of the investigation and impede case preparation. 
Providing access rights normally afforded under the Privacy Act would 
provide the subject with valuable information that would allow 
interference with or compromise of witnesses or render witnesses 
reluctant

[[Page 43140]]

to cooperate; lead to suppression, alteration, or destruction of 
evidence; enable individuals to conceal their wrongdoing or mislead the 
course of the investigation; and result in the secreting of or other 
disposition of assets that would make them difficult or impossible to 
reach in order to satisfy any Government claim growing out of the 
investigation or proceeding.
    (iii) From subsection (e)(1) because it is not always possible to 
detect the relevance or necessity of each piece of information in the 
early stages of an investigation. In some cases, it is only after the 
information is evaluated in light of other evidence that its relevance 
and necessity will be clear.
    (iv) From subsections (e)(4)(G) and (H) because this system of 
records is compiled for investigatory purposes and is exempt from the 
access provisions of subsections (d) and (f).
    (v) From subsection (e)(4)(I) because to the extent that this 
provision is construed to require more detailed disclosure than the 
broad, generic information currently published in the system notice, an 
exemption from this provision is necessary to protect the 
confidentiality of sources of information and to protect privacy and 
physical safety of witnesses and informants. NRO will, nevertheless, 
continue to publish such a notice in broad generic terms as is its 
current practice.
    (vi) Consistent with the legislative purpose of the Privacy Act of 
1974, the NRO will grant access to nonexempt material in the records 
being maintained. Disclosure will be governed by NRO's Privacy 
Regulation, but will be limited to the extent that the identity of 
confidential sources will not be compromised; subjects of an 
investigation of an actual or potential criminal or civil violation 
will not be alerted to the investigation; the physical safety of 
witnesses, informants and law enforcement personnel will not be 
endangered, the privacy of third parties will not be violated; and that 
the disclosure would not otherwise impede effective law enforcement. 
Whenever possible, information of the above nature will be deleted from 
the requested documents and the balance made available. The controlling 
principle behind this limited access is to allow disclosures except 
those indicated above. The decisions to release information from these 
systems will be made on a case-by-case basis.
    (g) QNRO-15, Facility Security Files.
    (1) Exemptions: (i) Investigatory material compiled for law 
enforcement purposes may be exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2). 
However, if an individual is denied any right, privilege, or benefit 
for which he would otherwise be entitled by Federal law or for which he 
would otherwise be eligible, as a result of the maintenance of such 
information, the individual will be provided access to such information 
except to the extent that disclosure would reveal the identity of a 
confidential source.
    (ii) Investigatory material compiled solely for the purpose of 
determining suitability, eligibility, or qualifications for federal 
civilian employment, military service, federal contracts, or access to 
classified information may be exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5), 
but only to the extent that such material would reveal the identity of 
a confidential source.
    (iii) Therefore, portions of this system of records may be exempt 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) and/or (k)(5) from the following 
subsections of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3), (d), (e)(1), (e)(4)(G), (H) and 
(I), and (f).
    (2) Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2) and (k)(5).
    (3) Reasons: (i) From subsection (c)(3) because to grant access to 
the accounting for each disclosure as required by the Privacy Act, 
including the date, nature, and purpose of each disclosure and the 
identity of the recipient, could alert the subject to the existence of 
the investigation or prosecutable interest by the NRO or other 
agencies. This could seriously compromise case preparation by 
prematurely revealing its existence and nature; compromise or interfere 
with witnesses or make witnesses reluctant to cooperate; and lead to 
suppression, alteration, or destruction of evidence.
    (ii) From subsections (d)(1) through (d)(4), and (f) because 
providing access to investigatory records and the right to contest the 
contents of those records and force changes to be made to the 
information contained therein would seriously interfere with and thwart 
the orderly and unbiased conduct of the investigation and impede case 
preparation. Providing access rights normally afforded under the 
Privacy Act would provide the subject with valuable information that 
would allow interference with or compromise of witnesses or render 
witnesses reluctant to cooperate; lead to suppression, alteration, or 
destruction of evidence; enable individuals to conceal their wrongdoing 
or mislead the course of the investigation; and result in the secreting 
of or other disposition of assets that would make them difficult or 
impossible to reach in order to satisfy any Government claim growing 
out of the investigation or proceeding.
    (iii) From subsection (e)(1) because it is not always possible to 
detect the relevance or necessity of each piece of information in the 
early stages of an investigation. In some cases, it is only after the 
information is evaluated in light of other evidence that its relevance 
and necessity will be clear.
    (iv) From subsections (e)(4)(G) and (H) because this system of 
records is compiled for investigatory purposes and is exempt from the 
access provisions of subsections (d) and (f).
    (v) From subsection (e)(4)(I) because to the extent that this 
provision is construed to require more detailed disclosure than the 
broad, generic information currently published in the system notice, an 
exemption from this provision is necessary to protect the 
confidentiality of sources of information and to protect privacy and 
physical safety of witnesses and informants. NRO will, nevertheless, 
continue to publish such a notice in broad generic terms as is its 
current practice.
    (vi) Consistent with the legislative purpose of the Privacy Act of 
1974, the NRO will grant access to nonexempt material in the records 
being maintained. Disclosure will be governed by NRO's Privacy 
Regulation, but will be limited to the extent that the identity of 
confidential sources will not be compromised; subjects of an 
investigation of an actual or potential criminal or civil violation 
will not be alerted to the investigation; the physical safety of 
witnesses, informants and law enforcement personnel will not be 
endangered; the privacy of third parties will not be violated; and that 
the disclosure would not otherwise impede effective law enforcement. 
Whenever possible, information of the above nature will be deleted from 
the requested documents and the balance made available. The controlling 
principle behind this limited access is to allow disclosures except 
those indicated above. The decisions to release information from these 
systems will be made on a case-by-case basis.

    August 7, 2001.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 01-20367 Filed 8-16-01; 8:45 am]
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