U.S. flag signifying that this is a United States Federal government website An official website of the United States government

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

Home » Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) » FOIA How to File Page Test

FOIA How to File Page Test

June 29, 2021 by zDaniel.Abernathy.ctr

How To File A FOIA Request for STB Records

The Board uses FOIAonline to manage its FOIA requests. With FOIAonline you can submit FOIA requests online, track the status of requests, search for requests submitted to other Federal agencies using FOIAonline, and generate agency-specific FOIA reports.

  • To file a FOIA request for records kept by the STB, please go to FOIAonline. Choose “Make a FOIA Request” and, using the drop down menu, select Surface Transportation Board.

If you wish to use another method to submit a FOIA request to the STB, please contact Chris Oehrle, FOIA Officer, at 202-245-0271 or foia.privacy@stb.gov.

Please be aware that the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) was created to offer mediation services to resolve disputes between FOIA requesters and Federal agencies as a non-exclusive alternative to litigation. Additional information about OGIS can be found here

Are There Fees for FOIA Requests?

Yes. Under the FOIA, the Board is allowed to charge for our research and reproduction services, except under certain conditions. Your FOIA request should specify the amount of FOIA fees you are willing to pay.  Here is a summary of the requester fee categories:

  • Commercial use requesters will be assessed charges that recover the full direct costs associated with the search, review, and duplication of records.
  • Educational institutions, representatives of the news media, and non-commercial scientific institution requesters must pay for duplication only and will not be charged for the first 100 pages.
  • News media requesters, however, are entitled to a reduced assessment only when the request is for the purpose of disseminating information.
  • The Commission will charge all other requesters who do not fit into any of the categories above fees which cover the full, reasonable direct cost of searching for and reproducing records that are responsive to the request, except that the first 100 pages of the reproduction and the first two hours of search time shall be free of charge.