FOIA Coordinator by Edward Vielmetti

FOIA log comparative analysis from Federal agencies

The Hill does a comparative study of FOIA logs from Federal agencies. They sent 70 requests for logs to 70 agencies, and waited (and waited) to compile the results.

Some executive agencies sent FOIA logs with the requesters’ names, but without their affiliations. Other logs were handwritten. A few agencies complied with The Hill’s request in days, but most took months.

I'm never surprised with the results of media audits of FOIA where lots of requests get generated in a short amount of time to a lot of agencies. You're bound to find some variation, and since you're sending what is essentially a form letter to some clerk who you don't know, it's likely to go at the bottom of whatever queue forms to do the work. 

Introducing FOIA.gov

As published at whitehouse.gov, "Introducing FOIA.gov":

FOIA.gov makes it easier than ever to find information about the FOIA. With clear explanations and short videos, we’ve explored all the major aspects of the FOIA, including how you can make a request and what happens when you do.

The site, at first examination, provides a level of statistical quality control for records processing in agences that handle FOIA requests. There's uniform accounting of incoming requests, tracking of speed of handling requests, and pretty graphs and charts that show that things are better than ever and that they are still improving.

FOIA log analysis at some level is a deep dive into how an agency handles requests, and especially how it selectively delays or denies categories of requests. If you are studying this data set, the "use of FOIA exemptions" reports are a good place to dig in; alas, the drill-down doesn't get you all the way down to the text of the requests and the rejections, just the categories.

FOIA logs

Some notes on FOIA logs, to include how to phrase your request for same and links to a variety of agencies which have published theirs; to be updated as additional info is obtained.

Published FOIA logs

Department of the Interior logs 2004-2008

Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission log FY2011