[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 236 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71189-71190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20922]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Office of the Solicitor; Public Forum on the Department of Labor 
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Improvement Plan

AGENCY: Office of the Solicitor (SOL), Department of Labor.

ACTION: Scheduling of public forum; invitation to participate and 
request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor is scheduling a public forum to seek 
input from the public on how it might improve the quality and 
efficiency of the Department's administration of the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA). This forum is part of the Department's FOIA 
Improvement Plan finalized earlier in 2006. Interested persons are 
encouraged to submit written comments in response to the questions 
contained in this notice and offer additional suggestions for improving 
the quality and efficiency of the Department's FOIA efforts. Attendees 
are invited to speak on these questions and other related issues at the 
public forum; those who only wish to observe the forum are welcome to 
attend as well. The Department's FOIA Improvement Plan is available at 
http://www.dol.gov/dol/foia/ (See link for ``Agency Plan and Report'').
    Background: On June 14, 2006, the Department submitted its FOIA 
Improvement Plan and Report pursuant to Executive Order 13392 
(``Improving Agency Disclosure of Information''). As part of its FOIA 
Improvement Plan, the Department has been examining various components 
of its FOIA practices and

[[Page 71190]]

procedures. One key component of the plan is outreach to the requester 
community and solicitation of input concerning ways the Department 
could improve the quality and efficiency of its FOIA efforts. At this 
time, the Department is soliciting input on ways to improve its FOIA 
efforts and, in particular, its written communication with individual 
requesters.
    The Department is convening this forum to begin the public input 
process. The first part of the program will consist of presentations by 
Departmental officials involved in the FOIA process. The second part of 
the program will be set aside to allow members of the requester 
community and the public to make suggestions or ask questions about the 
Department's FOIA Improvement Plan or its FOIA processes generally.

DATES: Forum. The public forum will take place at the DOL Auditorium, 
Frances Perkins Building, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Ave., NW., Washington DC 20210. The forum is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 
12 p.m., December 18, 2006.
    Written comments. The Department invites oral and written comments 
in connection with the forum. Comments may be submitted by mail, 
facsimile or electronically.
    Notice of intention to speak at the forum. In order to accommodate 
maximum participation at the forum, the Department asks that 
individuals wishing to speak submit a written intention to speak at the 
forum by December 14, 2006. Notices may be submitted by mail, facsimile 
or electronically. If possible, please include an e-mail address or fax 
number in your notice, so we may contact you about scheduling. The 
Department requests that presentations be limited to no more than 10 
minutes. The amount of time allotted will depend on the number of 
speakers who wish to speak.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and notices of intention to speak at the 
forum may be submitted by mail, facsimile, or electronic means:
    Written comments: The Department encourages written comments 
(including electronic or facsimile form) relating to the subject of the 
forum on an ongoing basis. They may be submitted to the address below.
    Mail: Submit three copies of written comments to: Mr. Brad Mantel, 
Office of Legal Counsel, Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of 
Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room N-2700, Washington DC 20210, 
telephone (202) 693-4964.
    Facsimile: If your comments are 10 pages or fewer, you may fax them 
to Mr. Mantel at (202) 693-5774.
    Electronic: You may submit comments electronically to Mr. Mantel at 
[email protected].
    Notice of intention to speak at the forum:
    Mail: You may submit a notice of intention to speak to Mr. Brad 
Mantel, Office of Legal Counsel, Office of the Solicitor, U.S. 
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room N-2700, 
Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 693-4964.
    Facsimile: You may fax your notice of intention to speak to Mr. 
Mantel at (202) 693-5774.
    Electronic: You may also electronically submit your intention to 
speak to Mr. Mantel at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Mantel, Office of Legal Counsel, 
Office of the Solicitor, telephone (202) 693-4964.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The forum will include agency presentations 
from Departmental officials on the FOIA Improvement Plan and agency 
FOIA processes, including the Department's Chief FOIA Officer and the 
FOIA Public Liaison. The forum is also designed to obtain input from 
the requester community through an open-microphone session in which 
participants can address suggestions or questions to the Departmental 
FOIA agency staff. The Department is particularly interested in hearing 
from the requester community and the public on the following issues, 
but encourages input on a broad range of issues and ideas relating its 
FOIA process:
    Question 1: What additional information can the Department provide 
on its Web site to assist members of the public in making FOIA 
requests?
    Question 2: What additional methods can the Department utilize to 
improve communication with the requester community?
    Question 3: What is the best way of providing requesters 
information on the status of their FOIA requests?
    Question 4: What information should be included in all FOIA 
acknowledgement letters?
    Question 5: Would a continuing dialogue with the requester 
community about the Department's FOIA process be useful? If so, what is 
the optimal format? Should DOL establish an ``electronic'' suggestion 
box for FOIA matters?
    Individuals with disabilities wishing to attend the forum who need 
special accommodation should contact Mr. Mantel at (202) 693-4964, or 
at [email protected].

    Authority: This notice was prepared under the direction of 
Robert A. Shapiro, Associate Solicitor for Legal Counsel and Chief 
FOIA Officer.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 5th day of December, 2006.
Robert A. Shapiro,
Associate Solicitor for Legal Counsel and Chief FOIA Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-20922 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am]
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