This part is issued in accordance with the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture published at 7 CFR 1.1-1.23, and appendix A, implementing the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). The Secretary's regulations, as implemented by this part, and the Risk Management Agency (RMA) govern availability of records of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) as administration of the crop insurance program for FCIC.

(a) Members of the public may request access to the information specified in § 412.2(d) for inspection and copying.

(b) To obtain access to specified information, the public should submit a written request, in accordance with 7 CFR 1.6, to the Appeals, Litigation and Legal Liaison Staff, Risk Management Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, STOP 0807, room 6618-S, Washington, DC 20250-0807, from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 pm., EDT Monday through Friday, except holidays.

(c) When the information requested is not located at the office of the Appeals, Litigation and Legal Liaison Staff, the Appeals, Litigation and Legal Liaison Staff will direct the request to the appropriate office where the information can be obtained. The requester will be informed that the request has been forwarded to the appropriate office.

(d) FCIC will make available for inspection and copying, unless otherwise exempt from publication under sections 552(a)(2)(C) and 552(b):

(1) Final opinions, including concurring and dissenting opinions and orders made in the adjudication of cases; and

(2) Those statements of policy and interpretations that have been adopted by FCIC and RMA and are not published in the Federal Register; and

(3) Administrative staff manuals and instructions to staff that affect a member of the public.

5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2) requires that each agency publish, or otherwise make available, a current index of all materials available for public inspection and copying. RMA and FCIC will maintain a current index providing identifying information for the public as to any material issued, adopted, or promulgated by the Agency since July 4, 1967, and required by section 552(a)(2). Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act provisions, RMA and FCIC have determined that in view of the small number of public requests for such index, publication of such an index would be unnecessary and impracticable. Copies of the index will be available upon request in person or by mail at the address stated in § 412.2(b).

The Director of the Appeals, Litigation and Legal Liaison staff, RMA located at the above stated address, is the person authorized to receive Freedom of Information Act and to determine whether to grant or deny such requests in accordance with 7 CFR 1.8.

Any person whose request under § 412.4 is denied shall have the right to appeal such denial. This appeal shall be submitted in accordance with 7 CFR 1.13 and addressed to the Manager, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., STOP 0807, room 6618-S, Washington, DC 20250-0807.

(a) In general, FCIC will respond to requests according to their order of receipt.

(b) Existing responsive documents or information may be maintained in RMA's field offices. Therefore, extra time may be necessary to search and collect the documents.