ML20236K788

Appeals Denial of FOIA Request for Interview Tapes Re SER of Operation of Plant

ML20236K788
Person / Time
Site:	Diablo Canyon
Issue date:	07/02/1987
From:	Devine T, Michael Kim GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT
To:	Grimsley D NRC
References
FOIA-84-744, FOIA-87-A-46 NUDOCS 8708100001
Download: ML20236K788 (2)

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. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTADIUTY PROJECT 1555 Connecncut Awnue, NW., Suite 202 l Washington, D.C. 20036 g of LNtilA1. W t,GWM (202) 202 8550 l gN J k$UW{3 Gwd 7-7-f )

July 2,1987 ,

Mr. Donnie H. Grimsley Director, Division of Rules and Records Office of Administration Nuclear Regulatory Commission Re

FOIA 84-744 i

Dear Mr. Grimsley:

This is an appeal pursuant to subsection (a)(6) of the Free-dom of Information Act (FOIA) 5 USC 552, of the Commission's denial of access to records requested by the Government Account- l ability Project (GAP) regarding the NRC.

On September 13,1984, Mr. Thomas Devine requested records relevant to and/or generated in connection with the Sefety Evaluation Report related to the operation of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. This request was denied by a letter dated June 11,1987, by Mr. Ben B. Bayes, Director of Office of Investigation, and Mr. John B. Martin, Regional Administrator of Region V.

Specifically, we appeal the denial of the interview tapes withheld pursuant to exemption 7(D) as identified in Appendices (F) and (G). These records are being withheld because disclosure "would identify the confidential source and confidential informa-tion." GAP fully recognizes the importance of protecting the confidentiality of the sources providing the information.

Indeed, that has been our primary goal throughout our representa-tion of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant employees.

Unfortunately, this goal was not respected by those at NRC during their allegation investigation and as a result, various confiden-tial sources were revealed and were subsequently injured. At the l outset, GAP is not requesting the names of the confidential sources; we merely request the information that was revealed.

Due to the lack of sufficient descriptions of the documents being withheld, it appears that NRC did not comply with the Vaughn rule which requires the party withholding the documents to i provide a detailed indexing of the requested documents and rea-sons justifying the decision. Vaughn v. Rosen (I), 484 F. 2d 820 t (D.C. Cir. 1973); cert. denied, 446 U.S.977(1974). In short, NRC bears the burden of proving that requested records are properly ,

withheld. Based on the response letter, this information is minimal.

In addition, FOIA 552 Section (b) provides that "any reason- J l

ably segregable portion of a record shall be provided to any per- '

son requesting such record after deletion of the portions which  !

are exempt." We believe NRC has not complied with this FOIA provision by withholding, in its entirety, the documents in ques-tion. See Irons v. Gottschalk, 548 F. 2d 992 (D.C. Cir.1976),

i cert. denied, sub nom. Irons v. Parker, 434 U.S. 965 (1977). We 8708100001 070702 PDR FOIA KIM87-A-46 PDR '

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believe there must be segregable portions which do not fall with-l in the FOIA exemptions and thus, must be released. NRC has neither provided any evidence to satisfy the burden of proving the information is insegregable, nor has the Commission granted our request of the documents. We request an explanation on this matter promptly be submitted.

As provided in the Act, we will expect to receive a reply to this administrative appeal within twenty working days.

Sincerely, s s

i Mihea Kim Staff Associate M

Thomas Devine Legal Director TD/mk 057d01 ,

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' GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTA01UTY PROJECT (202)23s93Sg ins; :ute for Pohcy Studies 1901 Ove Street. N.W.,Woshangton D.C. 20009 September 13, 1984 i

fMM Of INFORMATK)h ACI REQUEST i e of Ad*Di' ~74l4 p 0;'ii"""' Dc'*O ry commission Gac 'd 9-nv/y to Ubom It May Cascers:

tp Frosess of Information Act (FOIA), 5 (J.S.C. $552,theGovernment Pursuant t ty Project (CAP) request copies of any and all agency records and Accountab g,ggagsag but not limited to notes, letters, memoranda, drafts, informath sinutes, diaries, dss, calendars, tapes, transcripts, l summaries, h interview h to- report Procedures, instruct 3ses, files, graphs, engineering ana yses, c arts, maps,

• t graphs, agr_- es capitations, voice recordings, any other data compilations, interim h

P one ses status reports, and any other records relevant to and/or and/or t l d to the' operation- of generated h essestjes with the Safety Evaluation Raport re ategglear Power We request the Diab W the g staff's further findings on whistleblower charges.

ich Pro goensent be identified by the allegation number (s) to which it may relate.

m sessists esvered by thia request has been destroyed and/or removed, If any o ,3 sureusding documentation, including but not limited to a de-se P o',f gg,magss(s) taken, relevant date(s), and justification (s) for the action (s) .

that gs, ns unived, because " findings information can be considered as GAP is a non-l GAP **9]***p she general public," 5 U.S.C. $$52(a)(4)(A) .

Primar pahik interest organization concerned with bonest and open l

' Profit, 1 syn 1 representation, advice, national conferences, films, pub-governmang estrench, the project promotes whistleblowers as agents of l

lications , . De are requesting the above information as part of an on- >

S*'* MW8' gest es the adequacy of the NRC's efforts to protect public safety

a nd health at 8'8h" 8'"'

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for any parpustsses that you deny due to a specific FOIA exemption, please as g,g,guessag and describing the documents or portion of docsments Provid - g ggestan3d provide a detailed justification of your grounds for' irithh .

sagthem, esplaining why each exemption is relevant to the document.

Cl*i"D ,g g,dissant withbald. This index is required under Vaughn_ v. Rosen(I),

or port gger. 373), cert. denied, 415 U.S. 977 (1974).

We look forussBh7'8 :esysase to this request within ten days.

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• I OMM1 Crystal Dixon Thomas Devise '- - Legal Intern legal Diresar N aJl