Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA)

 

• Privacy Act Request Form
• Form 10-945

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal law that gives you the right to access any government records; including Shenandoah National Park records, National Park Service (NPS) records, or Department of the Interior (DOI) records unless Department of the Interior reasonably foresees that the release of the information in those records would harm an interest protected by one or more of the nine exemptions or release is prohibited by law.

 

Government Searches:

The information you are seeking may already be available on-line. Before making a FOIA request, you may want to conduct a search of agencies’ websites to see what is already publicly available.

• Use this link to search across all government websites at once.
• Another great place to search is GovInfo which has collections from Congressional Records, Congressional Hearings, Presidential papers, the Federal Register and United States Court opinions.
• USA.gov is another source for information about U.S. Government agencies and services.

FOIA:

If you still cannot find the information you are seeking, you may need to submit a formal FOIA request. To submit FOIA requests go to FOIAOnline and select US Department of the Interior and then National Park Service.

If you have questions about what information is available without submitting a FOIA request or where it may be located, contact one of the NPS FOIA Contacts. Our responsibility is to provide you with copies of the documents you are entitled to receive under the law. We want to work with you to achieve that goal.

National Park Service FOIA page

Department of the Interior FOIA page

Incident Reports (Police Reports):

The Privacy Act is a federal law that gives you the right to access any government records the government holds pertaining to you; including Shenandoah National Park records, National Park Service (NPS) records, or Department of the Interior (DOI) records unless Department of the Interior reasonably foresees that the release of the information in those records would harm an interest protected by one or more of the nine exemptions or release is prohibited by law.

Shenandoah National Park may release documents pertaining to traffic accidents, personal injuries, or the loss/damage of property under the Privacy Act. If you need a copy of your incident report, please submit a signed written request or Privacy Act Request (per DOI Policy, we cannot accept email requests, please use the attachments). In addition to this, complete a Certification of Identity and Consent Form 10-945. Sign, date, and return the completed forms to obtain copies of your reports or other records.

 

To submit a Privacy Act Request or written request:

Download and complete a Privacy Act Request. Alternatively, you may write a request that states the following:

Under the provisions of the Privacy Act 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3), I am requesting a copy of any documents relating to traffic accidents, personal injuries, or the loss or damage of property in Shenandoah National Park that pertain to me that are maintained in the IMARS system of records. I specifically request the following: 

Then, provide as much description as you have available to aid us in locating your records. Provide, if known, description of incident, the date and time of incident, location of incident, parties involved, investigating officer, incident number.

Sign and date the request.

To complete the Certification of Identity and Consent Form 10-945:

1. Download a Certification of Identity and Consent Form 10-945
2. Fill out the “Requester Information” section.
3. Provide at least one method of contact, and delivery method.
4. Sign the “Verification of Requester’s Identity” section.
5. If you want the report sent to a third party (i.e. insurance company, lawyer) fill out the “Consent to Release Information to a Third Party” section with the name and mailing address where the report is to be sent.

The release of this information will only occur under these circumstances: 

1. It will not interfere with ongoing law enforcement proceedings; 
2. It will not risk the health or safety of an individual; 
3. It will not reveal the identity of an informant or witness that has received an explicit assurance of confidentiality; 
4. Social Security numbers and tribal identification numbers will not be released unless the numbers belong to the individual requestor.

Where to Send Privacy Act Requests:

Mail the Privacy Act Request (or written request) and Form 10-945 to:

Shenandoah National Park 
Attn: Communications Center 
3655 US Hwy 211 East 
Luray, VA 22835 

Or attach the signed documents in an email:

To: [e-mail]
Subject: Privacy Act Request

Or fax them to:

540-999-2204 

Please allow 20 business days after the date of receipt to process your request.