FS Response to Public Comment John Krebs

Mr. John D. Krebs 2

	File Code:		6270 2013 FS-HQ-01850F [Lands]
	Date:		April 1, 2013
Mr. John D. Krebs
1083 Fiddlers Ridge Loop
Potlatch, ID 83855

Dear Mr. Krebs:

This letter is our response to your emailed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request dated February 2, 2013, sent directly to Vicky Wessling, National Adjustment Program Manager, Lands and Realty Management staff. We received your request in our Washington Headquarters Office FOIA Service Center on the same date, and assigned case tracking number
2013-FS-HQ-01850-F. You specifically requested, “… names of all persons (Federal employees, including their positions, politicians, lobbyists, etc.) who were involved in the development of OMB 0596-0105, Land Exchanges.” You also requested, “1) the dates of all meetings, names of persons attending, and notes taken in regards to this subject, and 2) copies of all comments received in response to this notice, including the names and addresses where they have been provided.”

The Washington Office Lands and Realty Management staff conducted a search for records and located no records responsive to your request. While under the FOIA, agencies are required to provide existing records in response to a FOIA request; agencies are not required to provide explanations. However, in this case, we have discretionarily chosen to provide you with a brief explanation.

OMB 0596-0105, Land Exchanges, was developed between the years 1995 and 2000. Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act, all information collection requirements are subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on not more than a 3-year cycle. The Forest Service file retention period with the file designation of 5430 (Exchanges) is 3 years; therefore, any records related to the development of OMB 0596-0105would have been destroyed around 2003.

I hope this information has been helpful to you. If you have any additional questions concerning OMB 0596-0105, you may contact Ms. Vicky Wessling, National Land Adjustment Program Manager at (202) 205-1047.

The FOIA provides you the right to appeal the no records determination. Any appeal must be made in writing, within 45 days from the date of this letter, to the Chief, USDA, Forest Service:1) by email to [email protected]; 2) by regular mail to Mail Stop 1143, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-1143; 3) by Fed Ex or UPS to ORMS FOIA, 6th floor RPE, 1621 N. Kent St. Arlington, VA 22209; 4) by fax at (703) 605-5221. The term “FOIA APPEAL” should be placed in capital letters on the subject line of the email or on the front of the envelope. To facilitate the processing of your appeal, please include a copy of this letter and/or the FOIA control number assigned to your FOIA request 2013-FS-HQ-01850-F.

Sincerely,

/s/ Gregory C. Smith

GREGORY C. SMITH

Director of Lands and Realty Management

cc: Vicky L Wessling

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