FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
The mission of the BOR is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.
We maintain records related to the agency’s mission, and its regions.
What is FOIA?
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) allows the public to request records from federal agencies. The FOIA, 5 U.S.C. 552, generally provides that any person has a right of access to federal agency records, except to the extent that such records (or portions thereof) are protected from disclosure by one of nine exemptions or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions.
What is the Privacy Act?
The Privacy Act of 1974 is a companion to the FOIA. The Privacy Act regulates Federal Government agency recordkeeping and disclosure practices. The Act allows most individuals to seek access to Federal agency records about themselves. As with the FOIA, the Privacy Act provides civil remedies for individuals whose rights have been violated. Together with the FOIA, the Privacy Act permits disclosure of most personal files to the individual who is the subject of the files.
How do these laws help me get information?
The two laws restrict disclosure of personal information to others when disclosure would violate privacy interests. The access provisions of the FOIA and the Privacy Act overlap in part. The two laws have different procedures and different exemptions. As a result, sometimes information exempt under one law will be disclosable under the other. In order to take maximum advantage of the laws, an individual seeking information about himself or herself should normally cite both laws.
All Federal agencies are required to publish descriptions of their records management systems (systems of records) covered by the Privacy Act. You may view online at: Reclamation's Systems of Records.
Requests by an individual for information that does not relate solely to himself or herself should be made only under the FOIA. Congress intended that the two laws be considered together in the processing of requests for information. Reclamation will automatically handle requests from individuals in a way that will maximize the amount of information that is disclosable. However, a requester should still make a request in a manner that is most advantageous and that fully protects all available legal rights. A requester who has any doubts about which law to use should always cite both the FOIA and the Privacy Act when seeking documents from the Federal Government.
How Do I Make a FOIA Request?
Some information you are looking for may already be publicly available. Before making a request, you may want to conduct a search for information using the Reclamation FOIA Reading Room.
Please note, FOIA requests must be submitted by one of the options listed below. Submission of a FOIA request by any other means, including FOIA requests submitted via email, will not be processed.
- Submit a written request clearly describing the records you are seeking utilizing a method outlined in “Where Do I Send My Request?” below.
- Reasonably describe the records you are requesting.
- State the category of your request for fee purposes (i.e. Commercial, Media, Educational, or Other).
- Authorize fees up to the maximum amount you are willing to pay.
- If requesting a fee waiver, indicate how you qualify for a waiver (see 43 CFR § 2.45(a) and 2.48).
- Provide an address and telephone number so we can reach you should we need ask for additional information.
Where Do I Send My Request?
Requests can be submitted electronically through FOIAXpress, or www.FOIA.gov, or by regular mail at the address below, or by Fax (303) 445-6575.
If you are another federal agency who is sending a FOIA Consult or FOIA Referral, please send it to borfoia@usbr.gov.
Bureau of ReclamationP.O. Box 25007; Denver, CO 80225-0007
Phone: (303) 445-3292
Fax: (303) 445-6575
Toll Free Voice: (888) 231-7749
Toll Free Fax: (888) 808-5104
E-Mail: borfoia@usbr.gov
