Remote ID – FOIA #2021-005150

Public employees working in the public’s interest, and an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy! LOL That is the best laugh I’ve had all week. PE

Dear Mr. Egan: This letter responds to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request dated June 17, 2021. 

You are seeking a list of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rulemaking team for the rulemaking project AFS-18-010-R; Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. 

The Office of Rulemaking performed a search of public and internal databases.  The enclosed document is responsive to your request.  It includes a list of the FAA rulemaking team for UAS Remote Identification. 

Other than the Team Lead’s information, which is publically available, we have redacted and withheld the team member’s names and associated telephone numbers. 

This information has been redacted and is being withheld from disclosure under Exemption 6 of the FOIA.  Exemption 6 of the FOIA protects information that pertains to an individual “the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.” 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6). 

When determining whether to withhold a record or portions of records under Exemption 6, the privacy interest of the individual must be balanced against any “FOIA Public Interest” in the disclosure of the information.  In making this analysis, the FOIA public interest considered in the balance is limited to information, which would shed light on the FAA’s performance of its mission: to provide a safe, efficient aerospace system.  In the case of the redacted information, I find disclosing the team member’s names would not shed light on the FAA’s performance of its mission, and as such, the release of their names and associated telephone numbers would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. 

Based on the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations regarding FOIA requests, your request falls under the “All Other” fee category.  Because for this category, the DOT does not charge for the first two hours of search, for hours of review, and for the first 100 duplication pages, there are no fees associated with your request. 

The undersigned is responsible for this partial denial.  You may request reconsideration of this determination by writing the Assistant Administrator for Finance and Management (AFN-400), Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue. SW, Washington, DC, 20591 or through electronic mail at: [email protected]. 

Your request for reconsideration must be made in writing within 90 days from the date of this letter and must include all information and arguments relied upon.  Your letter must state that it is an appeal from the above-described denial of a request made under the FOIA. 

The envelope containing the appeal should be marked “FOIA Appeal.” You also have the right to seek dispute resolution services from the FAA FOIA Public Liaison via phone (202-267-7799) or email ([email protected]) noting FOIA Public Liaison in the Subject or the Office of Government Information Services (https://ogis.archives.gov) via phone (202-741-5770 / toll-free–1-877-684-6448; fax–202-741-5769); or email ([email protected]).  

Sincerely, /s/ Timothy R. AdamsActing Executive Director, Office of Rulemaking Enclosure 

Sent by Judine Slaughter

Office of Rulemaking (ARM)(O) 202-267-3793 Passionate concern is the rule, not the exception.~ Steve Dickson