FOIA Reading Room
- Final Opinions
- Laws and Policies
- Frequently Requested Records
- Major Information Systems
- Description of Publicly Available Information
- Location of Electronic Reading Room
- FOIA Web Publication Schedule
Laws and Policies
- Title 15 Code of Federal Regulations, Commerce and Foreign Trade
Part 4 - Disclosure of Government Information - Executive Order 13392, Improving Agency Disclosure of Information
[U.S. Government Printing Office Web site] - NOAA Administrative Order 205-14
Final Opinions
- DOC Office of General Counsel
[use this search page to locate final opinions online] - Final Opinions of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
[link to the USPTO FOIA Reading Room]
Frequently Requested Records
Major Information Systems
- NOAA Online Library
The NOAA Library maintains publications on microfiche, microfilm, compact discs, and databases that support research in the atmospheric sciences, fisheries, marine biology, meteorology, oceanography, and related disciplines. - Privacy Act System of Records (SORN‘s)
The Privacy Act Issuances site will provide Department of Commerce systems of records. This service is provided by the U.S. Government Printing Office to assist individuals requesting information about their records. - Government Interactive Locator System (GILS)
This systems locates and provides assistance in obtaining Federal public information, including DOC/NOAA-specific information. - National Technical Information Services (NTIS)
The NTIS is the official resource for government sponsored U.S. worldwide scientific, technical, engineering, and business information. - U.S. Superintendent of Documents
All documents at the U.S. Superintendent of Documents are shelved by government organization and not by subject matter. The documents include information about U.S. Government laws, regulations, statistics, maps, and bibliographies. - Federal Register
The Federal Register is the official daily publication for Rules, Proposed Rules, and Notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as Executive Orders and other Presidential Documents.
Description of Publicly Available Information
NOAA's Office of Communications & External Affairs is NOAA's focal point for information in the public domain. The office maintains a broad range of NOAA publications, press releases, reports, and other pertinent information. The office address, contact person, and an index of frequently requested publications can be accessed from this link.
NOAA's mission statement, strategic plan, organizational structure, Line and Program Offices, and a wealth of scientific and administrative information can be accessed from NOAA's About page.
Location of Electronic Reading Room
NOAA's Electronic Reading Room and NOAA Public Reference Facility is the central reference and records inspection facility for NOAA.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationPublic Reference Facility (OFA56)
1305 East West Highway (SSMC4)
Room 7437
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
The facility is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except Federal holidays. Equipment for making copies is available for public use and the room is disabled accessible.
Requesters shall contact the NOAA FOIA Staff, (301) 713-3540, to schedule visits or to verify that specific documents are maintained in the reading room. All reading room records created by NOAA on or after November 1, 1996, will be made available electronically at the site. The public is encouraged to access information electronically. They may also submit requests to NOAA under the Freedom of Information Act.