[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 40, Volume 31]

[Revised as of July 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 40CFR1515.15]



[Page 901]

 

                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT

 

               CHAPTER V--COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

 

PART 1515_FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT PROCEDURES--Table of Contents

 

Sec.  1515.15  What fees may be charged, and how should they be paid?



    (a) Following is the schedule of fees you may be charged for the 

search and reproduction of information available under the Freedom of 

Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, as amended.

    (1) Search for records. Five dollars per hour when the search is 

conducted by a clerical employee. Eight dollars per hour when the search 

is conducted by a professional employee. There will be no charge for 

searches of less than one hour.

    (2) Duplication of records. Records will be duplicated at a rate of 

$0.10 per page for copying of 10 pages or more. There will be no charge 

for duplicating 9 pages or less.

    (3) Other. When no specific fee has been established for a service, 

or the request for a service does not fall under categories (1) and (2), 

the Administrative Officer is authorized to establish an appropriate fee 

based on ``direct costs'' as provided in the Freedom of Information Act. 

Examples of services covered by this provision include searches 

involving computer time or special travel, transportation, or 

communication costs.

    (b) If the Council anticipates that the fees chargeable under this 

section will amount to more than $25, or the maximum amount specified in 

your request, you shall be promptly notified of the amount of the 

anticipated fee or the closest estimate of the amount. In such instances 

you will be advised of your option to consult with Council personnel in 

order to reformulate the request in a manner which will reduce the fees, 

yet still meet your needs. A reformulated request shall be considered a 

new request, thus beginning a new 10 working day period for processing.

    (c) Fees must be paid in full prior to issuance of the requested 

copies. In the event you owe money for previous request, copies of 

records will not be provided for any subsequent request until the debt 

has been paid in full.

    (d) Search costs are due and payable even if the record which was 

requested cannot be located after all reasonable efforts have been made, 

or if the FOI Officer determines that a record which has been requested 

is exempt under the Freedom of Information Act as amended and is to be 

withheld.

    (e) Payment shall be in the form either of a personal check or bank 

draft drawn on a bank in the United States, or a postal money order. 

Checks shall be made payable to General Services Administration. You 

should mail or deliver any payment for services to the Administrative 

Office, Council on Environmental Quality, 722 Jackson Place NW., 

Washington, DC 20006.

    (f) A receipt for fees paid will be given upon request. Refunds of 

fees paid for services actually rendered will not be made.

    (g) The Council may waive all or part of any fee provided for in 

this section when the Freedom of Information Officer (or designee) deems 

it to be in either the Council's interest or in the general public's 

interest.