[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 10, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11459-11460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4960]


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NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION


Records Schedules; Availability and Request for Comments

AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

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

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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 
April 26, 2004. 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: You may request a copy of any records schedule identified in 
this notice by contacting the Life Cycle Management Division (NWML) 
using one of the following means:
    Mail: NARA (NWML), 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.
    E-mail: [email protected].
    FAX: 301-837-3698.
    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: Paul M. Wester, Jr., Director, Life 
Cycle Management Division (NWML), National Archives and Records 
Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001. 
Telephone: 301-837-3120. 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 them 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 Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (N1-370-03-10, 65 items, 64 temporary items). Records of 
the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Services, 
including files relating to such matters as the management of 
electronic information systems, commercial remote sensing licensing, 
satellite anomalies, satellite telemetry and trending data, scientific 
research and development software, and the radio frequency management 
program. Also included are the data files and records related to earth-
based and remotely sensed environmental systems, the records associated 
with and contained within the customer order processing information 
system, station metadata information, routine project files and related 
working files created from the data in environmental systems, and 
electronic copies of records created using electronic mail and word 
processing. Proposed for permanent retention (exclusive of supporting 
materials) are the recordkeeping copies of those paper and electronic 
products

[[Page 11460]]

created as a result of non-routine and special requests.
    2. Department of Defense, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency 
(N1-537-03-2, 38 items, 32 temporary items). General geospatial program 
files, source data files, work assignment files, quality assurance 
files, and user surveys. Also included are electronic copies of 
documents created using word processing and electronic mail. Proposed 
for permanent retention are recordkeeping copies of records relating to 
such matters as studies, requirements, plans, and conferences as well 
as geospatial publications and products. This schedule authorizes the 
agency to apply the proposed disposition instructions to any 
recordkeeping medium.
    3. Department of Defense, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency 
(N1-537-03-6, 9 items, 7 temporary items). Geospatial collection and 
acquisition files maintained separately from offices assigned 
functional responsibility. Also included are electronic copies of 
documents created using word processing and electronic mail. Proposed 
for permanent retention are recordkeeping copies of geospatial 
collection and acquisition files maintained by the offices assigned 
functional responsibility. This schedule authorizes the agency to apply 
the proposed disposition instructions to any recordkeeping medium.
    4. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security 
Administration (N1-560-03-11, 7 items, 6 temporary items). 
Correspondence and training materials accumulated by the Office of 
Civil Rights. Also included are electronic copies of records created 
using electronic mail and word processing. Proposed for permanent 
retention are recordkeeping copies of files documenting the agency's 
interactions with the public regarding development of its civil rights 
policy.
    5. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security 
Administration (N1-560-04-2, 16 items, 14 temporary items). Records 
relating to strategic planning, including working papers, chronological 
files, correspondence, automation project files, and strategic planning 
development files. Also included are electronic copies of records 
created using electronic mail and word processing. Proposed for 
permanent retention are recordkeeping copies of all published studies, 
papers, strategic plans, annual operating plans, assessment reports, 
organizational studies and charts, and implementation plans.
    6. Department of Labor, Office of the Secretary (N1-174-03-1, 12 
items, 8 temporary items). Records of the Office of Small Business 
Programs, including such records as publication background files, 
copies of speeches, news releases, and directives that are maintained 
elsewhere in the agency, records relating to support provided tribal 
and minority educational institutions of higher learning, and records 
relating to the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 
1996. Also included are electronic copies of documents created using 
electronic mail and word processing. Proposed for permanent retention 
are recordkeeping copies of such files as unique program publications, 
annual reports submitted to the Small Business Administration, and 
Federal Advisory Committee Act files.
    7. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration 
(N1-237-03-1, 5 items, 5 temporary items). Docket files relating to 
legal complaints of unfair treatment brought against Federally-assisted 
airports by their tenants. Included are complaints, replies, discovery 
requests, exhibits, transcripts, court orders, and decisions. Also 
included are electronic copies of records created using electronic mail 
and word processing. The agency will notify NARA of any docket files 
that may warrant permanent retention and they will be appraised on a 
case-by-case basis. This schedule also authorizes the agency to apply 
the proposed disposition instructions to any recordkeeping medium.
    8. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration 
(N1-406-04-1, 4 items, 3 temporary items). Internal notices 
transmitting one-time or short-term instructions or information 
relating to agency policies and procedures. Also included are 
electronic copies of records created using electronic mail and word 
processing. Proposed for permanent retention are recordkeeping copies 
of the notices.
    9. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (N1-58-04-
2, 2 items, 2 temporary items). U.S. gift tax returns (IRS Tax Forms 
709) that cannot be associated with estate tax returns (IRS Tax Forms 
706).
    10. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing 
(N1-318-04-17, 5 items, 2 temporary items). Electronic copies of 
records created using electronic mail and word processing that relate 
to building construction and renovation and special studies relating to 
initiatives and projects, such as currency design, electronic currency, 
and currency designed for the visually impaired. Recordkeeping copies 
of these files are proposed for permanent retention.
    11. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing 
(N1-318-04-23, 12 items, 9 temporary items). Correspondence, working 
files, memorandums, reports, and studies accumulated by the Director 
and other high level officials concerning matters that are not related 
to the agency's primary mission and its policies, programs, and 
organizational structure. Also included are electronic copies of 
records created using electronic mail and word processing. Proposed for 
permanent retention are recordkeeping copies of substantive policy, 
program, and organizational records of the Director and other high 
level officials.
    12. Panama Canal Commission, Office of Transition Administration 
(N1-185-04-1, 10 items, 4 temporary items). Maps drawn on paper, 
cardboard, and polyester at various scales detailing the topography of 
the Panama Canal. Records include such information as spot elevations 
and contour lines and the location of structures, roads, utilities, 
wells, and survey monuments. Also included are maps drawn on paper and 
linen detailing periodic surveys of Canal hydrography. Proposed for 
permanent retention are obsolete maps at various scales that are no 
longer essential to ongoing operations.
    13. Social Security Administration, Office of Facilities Management 
(N1-47-04-1, 1 item, 1 temporary item). Surveillance recordings of 
agency facilities. This schedule decreases the retention period of 
these records, which are approved for disposal in the General Records 
Schedules.

    Dated: February 27, 2004.
Michael J. Kurtz,
Assistant Archivist for Record Services--Washington, DC.
[FR Doc. 04-4960 Filed 3-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7515-01-P