2.30—How do I file an appeal?
(a)
You must submit your appeal in writing, i.e., by mail, fax or e-mail, to the FOIA Appeals Officer, U.S. Department of the Interior (see appendix A for the address). Your appeal must include the information specified in paragraph (b) of this section. Failure to send your appeal directly to the FOIA Appeals Officer may result in a delay in processing.
(b)
You must include with your appeal copies of all correspondence between you and the bureau concerning your FOIA request, including your request and the bureau's response (if there is one). Failure to include with your appeal all correspondence between you and the bureau will result in the Department's rejection of your appeal, unless the FOIA Appeals Officer determines, in the FOIA Appeal Officer's sole discretion, that good cause exists to accept the defective appeal. The time limits for responding to your appeal will not begin to run until the documents are received.
(c)
You also should include in as much detail as possible any reason(s) why you believe the bureau's response was in error.
(d)
Include your name and daytime telephone number (or the name and telephone number of an appropriate contact), e-mail address and fax number (if available), in case DOI needs additional information or clarification of your appeal.
(e)
If you file an appeal concerning a fee waiver denial or a denial of expedited processing, you should, in addition to complying with paragraph (b) of this section, demonstrate fully how the criteria in § 2.19(b) (see appendix D) or § 2.14(a) are met. You also should state in as much detail as possible why you believe the initial decision was incorrect.
(f)
All communications concerning your appeal should be clearly marked with the words: “FREEDOM OF INFORMATION APPEAL.”