QUARTERLY REPORTS TO THE INTERAGENCY CLASSIFICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE (ICRC)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86-00674R000100010003-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 19
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 17, 2007
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: March 31, 1976
• Content Type: REPORT

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HAR 3 1' 1976
INTERAGENCY CLASSIFICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE
Re: Quarterly Reports to the Interagency
Classification Review Committee (ICRC)
This amends the report requirements stated in ICRC Letter of Instructions
dated. February 27, 1973. The following reports, described in attachments
1 through 5 constitute permanent quarterly reporting requirements:
#1 Report of Original Classification Authorities
#2 Report of Classification Abuses
#3 Report of Unauthorized Disclosures
#4 Report of Mandatory Review Actions
#5 Quarterly Summary Report
The authority for these Departmental reports is contained in Executive
Order 11652 and in Sections IX, C and X, C of the implementing directive
issued on May 17, 1972 by the National Security Council (NSC).
The Quarterly reports established by the Order and described herein
are designed to assist the Interagency Committee in fulfilling its
responsibilities as outlined in Sections IX,C and D of the NSC directive.
These functions are to (1) oversee compliance with the Order, and
Departmental programming and implementation, (2) prevent improper classi-
fication and eliminate unauthorized disclosures, (3) ensure prompt
declassification and facilitate (public) access to declassified
material, (4) consider and take action on complaints concerning the
general administration of the Order, and (5) review appeals from
denials of declassification requests by Departmental Review Committees
or the Archivist of the United States.
Based on experience gained since the Program began in 1972, the reporting
requirements have, by Committee action,been redefined to provide for
the reporting of more significant and meaningful data and to facilitate
the gathering, collation, and reporting of such data by Departments
and Agencies. I cannot overstress the importance of timely, complete,
and accurate reporting by all Departments and Agencies to the accomplish-
ment of the Committee's mission.
Unless otherwise specified in the report descriptions provided as
attachments to this Letter, the quarterly reports covered will apply
to all offices of the Executive Branch and Federal Departments which
are authorized to originate classified material.
Acting Chairman
STAT
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Report of Original Classification Authorities
1. Applicability--Individual submissions are required from each
Department, Agency or other organizational unit authorized original
classification authority, pursuant to Section 2(A) and (B) of Executive
Order 11652. Activities carried out by contract wherein original
classification authority is granted should be included in the submission.
2. Form or Format--Use Standard Form 244 in submitting this
report. (See enclosed SF 244).
3. Basic Policy--Departments may assign authority to classify
information or material to a position and thus to the individual
filling that position. The number of persons assigned original
classification authority shall be limited to the minimum number
absolutely required for efficient administration.
4. Report Basis and Scope--In accordance with the provisions of
Section I,D of the May 17, 1972 National Security Council directive,
Departments to which this report applies are required to maintain
current lists of officials who have been designated as original
Top Secret, Secret, and Confidential classification authorities.
These lists shall be updated at least quarterly and shall form the
basis for the numerical data which shall be submitted quarterly to the
ICRC on SF 244 . As a minimum, record lists must be sufficiently
detailed to identify the person authorized to classify--preferably by
complete name and job title or position. An exception clause pertaining
to identifying certain classifiers within the intelligence community
by name is covered in Section 1(D) of the Order. If position title
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or code number is used in place of the i.denti.ty of the classifier
on the lists, the concerned Department shall furnish to the ICRC a
statement of established procedures for determining the identity of the
classifier corresponding to: (1) an assigned code number of (2) a
particular position title on a given date (current or past). Lists of
classification authorities shall be maintained by classification level
(TS, S and C) authorized with totals provided for each level plus a
grand total for the Department.
For the purposes of satisfaction of the provisions of Section X,C
of the NSC directive pertaining to the quarterly submission of lists
of authorized classifiers required to be maintained under part I,D
of that directive, the requirement shall be deemed satisfied upon the
receipt of the Quarterly SF244,_ report provided the Department is
capable of providing prompt access to the current lists maintained
under part I,D, upon the request of the Chairman or the Executive
Director.
4. Frequency and due date--Standard Form (SF) 244 _ wi11 be forwarded
to the ICRC no later than 30 calendar days after the end of each
calendar year quarter.
5. Report Medium--Submit typewritten report.
6. Copies and Distribution--Forward three copies to the ICRC, and
retain the normal number of copies within the submitting Department.
7. Classification--This report should not contain any classified infor-
mation.
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8. Procedural Instructions--
a. Enter in the appropriate column of SF 244 the number of Top
Secret, Secret, and Confidential classifiers authorized at the end
of the previous and current quarters.
b. In the "numerical change" column, enter the number of additions
or reductions in each classification category based on a comparison of
the current quarter totals with those of the previous quarter.
c. In the last column, enter the percent of change using the same
basis of comparison.
d. In the "Total Agency Statistics" row, enter totals of all columns.
Enclosure--SF 244
Report of Original Classification Authorities
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REPORT OF CLASSIFICATION ABUSES
1. Applicability--Individual submissions are required from each
Department, Agency or other organizational unit authorized original
classification authority pursuant to Section 2(A) and (B) of
Executive Order 11652. Departments are also required to obtain
and forward information on abuses occurring on projects or programs
undertaken by contract.
2. Form or Format--Use Standard Form.322 (Revised), "Report of
Classification Abuses", in submitting this report. Where information
is obtained from contractors, this form may be used as a transmittal
document to avoid the cost of transcribing the data.
3. Report Basis and Scope--A "classification abuse" means an
unnecessary classification, an over or underclassification, a
failure to assign the proper downgrading and declassification
schedule, an improper application of classification markings, an
improper placing of a document in an exempt declassification category,
any classification or exemption action taken without proper authority,
or an improper delegation of classification authority. A reportable
abuse shall mean any of the actions described above except any such
action which results exclusively from a decision on a judgmental
factor as to which there exists a reasonable and good faith basis for
disagreement. Any such abuses becoming known during the reporting
period, including abuses becoming known as the result of an appropriate
Departmental inspection program, shall be reported.
Attachment #2
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4. Frequency and Due Date--The report shall be submitted to the
ICRC no later than 30 calendar days after the end of each quarter.
Negative reports are required if and when there are no known
classification abuses to report.
5. Report Medium--Submit typewritten report.
6. Copies and Distribution--Forward three copies of the report to
the ICRC and retain copies required for Departmental use.
7. Classification--This report should not contain any classified
8. Procedural Instructions for Completing the Form--
a. Enter under the appropriate column the total number of
each type of abuse. Where more than one corrective or administrative
action is taken on a separate abuse indicate only the most stringent
action taken.
b. Where a discovered abuse is other than those described
under "type of abuse", describe in the blocks provided.
c. Enter totals for each type of abuse and grand totals.
d. Under the remarks section, describe programs or actions taken
during the report period to preclude classification abuses.
e. Complete administrative portions of form as indicated.
Enclosure: Standard Form 322 (Revised)
Report of Classification Abuses
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Report of Unauthorized Disclosures
1. Applicability--Individual submissions are required from each Depart-
ment, agency or other organizational unit authorized original
classification authority pursuant to Section 2(A) and (B) of
Executive Order 11652. Departments are also required to obtain and
forward information on unauthorized disclosures occurring on projects
or programs undertaken by contract.
2. Form or Format--Use Standard Form #323(R) "Unauthorized Disclosures"
in submitting this report. (See enclosed renrsed SF 323 ) Where information
is obtained from contractors, this form may be used as a transmittal
document to avoid the cost of transcribing the data.
3. Report Basis and Scope--An unauthorized disclosure is defined as
a communication or physical transfer of classified information or material
to an unauthorized person. Reportable unauthorized disclosure cases are
those which involve the release and disclosure of classified inforrmation,
either deliberate or inadvertent, as contrasted to physical security
violations such as, for example, an unattended open safe, or the confirmed
loss of control of a classified document. It includes, but is not limited
to, unauthorized disclosure of classified information in a newspaper,
journal or other publication or any other communications media where such
information is traceable to ,a Department because of a direct quotation,
or other uniquely identifiable fact. The principal criteria for determining
whether an unauthorized disclosure is reportable to the ICRC include both:
(1) the release and disclosure are of sufficient importance to warrant
Attachment #3
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formal investigation; and (2) the formal investigation confirms that an
important disclosure did occur. Unauthorized disclosures which meet
both these criteria and for which such decision(s) were reached
during the reporting period shall be reported.
4. Frequency and Due Date--The report shall be submitted to ICRC no later
than 30 calendar days after the end of each quarter. Negative reports
are required if and when there are no known unauthorized disclosures.
5. Report Medium--Submit typewritten report.
6. Copies and Distribution--Forward -,three copies of the report to ICRC
and retain copies required for Departmental use.
7. Classification--Unclassified unless the nature of the disclosure (how
compromised or leaked and where) or the subject matter requires classification.
When classified, forward report to ICRC under separate cover rather than
with other quarterly reports. Every effort should be made to keep such
reports unclassified whenever possible.
8. Procedural Instructions for Completing the Form--Complete Standard
Form #323 using the guidelines and definition contained in paragraph 3:
a. Include the date the incident occurred, if known.
b. Show the subject and the security classification of the com-
promised information and whether the information can be declassified.
c. Identify the document (defined as any recorded information in
any medium).
d. Identify the publication (public press, technical journal,
report, etc.), speech or briefing containing the unauthorized disclosure
or the unauthorized recipient of the classified information.
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e. Include the Department's (or Agency) evaluation of the impact
of the unauthorized disclosure on national security.
f. Indicate whether the unauthorized disclosure has been referred
to the Department of Justice for prosecution, and the probable
jurisdiction. In lieu of recommended legal action, indicate
other action taken or pending.
g. Where appropriate, state action planned or taken to prevent
similar disclosures or recurrences.
h. Attach additional sheets or exhibits as necessary.
Enclosures: SF 323(Revised)
Report of Unauthorized Disclosures
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REPORT OF MANDATORY DECLASSIFICATION REVIEW ACTIONS
1. Applicability--Individual submissions are required from each
Department, Agency or other organizational unit assigned original
classification authority pursuant to Section 2(,A) and (B) of Executive
Order 11652. This requirement also applies to any Federal Agency
which had classification authority under Executive Order 10501, as amended,
or any predecessor Order, and which, under the provisions of Executive
Order 11652, receives a request for review of a document more than 10
years old for which the agency is responsible.
2. Form or Format--Submit the report on Standard Form 243 and
Standard Form 242 (See enclosed forms. ) Also included as an
attachment to this letter is a sample of Optional Form 270 , a form
recommended for use by Departments in recording data necessary for
completion of SF 243 and 242.
3. Report Basis and Scope--Departments will include data on all
requests and appeals for declassification review under the provisions
of Executive Order 11652 of classified documents over 10 years old
received during the report period, plus those that are carried over
from the previous quarter as shown in the procedural instructions
which follow. In addition, when a department has waived.the 10 year
restriction and elects to accept a review request for such a document
or documents, data should be provided.
4. Frequency and Due Date--Reports will be forwarded to the ICRC
no later than thirty calendar days after the end of each quarter.
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Negative reports are required when no requests have been received.
5. Report Medium--Submit typewritten reports
6. Copies and Distribution--Forward three copies of the report to
the ICRC.
7. Classification--This should not contain any classified information.
8. Procedural Instructions--
a. Optional Form 270 .
(1) This is an optional form designed as a log to assist
Departments in fulfilling their recordkeeping and reporting functions.
(2) At the beginning of each reporting quarter.a new log sheet
should be prepared. Enter carryover requests and appeals by letter
(e.g., a, b, c, etc.). Enter new requests by chronological number as
received (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.).
(3) Enter name of requester, date received, classification
and identification of the material in the appropriate columns.
(4) Estimate the number of pages involved in the review.
(5) In the "Procedural Actions" column, enter a check to indicate
those requests denied for procedural reasons, those for which the
Department does not have final declassification authority and only an
opinion was rendered, or those which were referred to another agency for
final declassification action and notification to the requester. In
these cases, no entry should be made in the spaces under "Departmental
Action".
(6) Under the "Departmental Action" column, enter the date
the request was granted in full or in part or the date the request
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was denied in full. Also indicate a check in the appropriate column
for those withheld under the Freedom of Information Act and the exemption
category for retaining classification.
(7) Under the "Appeal to Departmental Committee" column, enter
the date appeal was received and date appropriate action was taken.
(8) In the final column enter an asterisk(*) for each item
on which action is still pending at the end of the quarter. These
items shall be carried forward to the next quarter's log.
(Q) Enter totals for all columns not blocked out. The
number of carryovers to be recorded on the bottom left of the form
is the number entered on this form from the previous quarter.
b. Standard Form 243
(1) From Optional Form 270 or equivalent Departmental
log, extract and enter under "current quarter" the number of requests
carried over from the previous quarter, the number of new requests
received, and an estimate of the total number of pages reviewed. Enter
also from the optional form the number.of procedural actions taken and
the number of actions taken by the Department-. Enter the number of
pending actions to be carried over to the next quarter and, in the
final column, the number of carryovers involving requests received over
60 days prior to the end of the reporting quarter.
(2) Based on figures previously reported to the ICRC, enter
cumulative calendar year-to-date figures in all spaces not blocked out.
(3) Under the "Comments" section, enter supplemental information
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relating to significant requests and their disposition. It is
intended to be used to describe or identify record series or collections
that may have been downgraded or declassified as a result of one or
more requests for mandatory review.
c. Standard Form 242
(1) Agencies shall use this form to report the status of all
appeals made to the Departmental Committee resulting from partial
or full denial of a declassification request. Items will include both
new appeals and those which may have been carried over from previous
quarters awaiting a final determination by the Committee.
(2) Enter information from the "Appeals" section of Optional
Form 270 or equivalent Departmental log or worksheet, accounting
for each line item, including those on which no determination has been
made by the Departmental Committee. Use an asterisk in the first
column (item no.) to flag items carried over from the previous quarter.
Likewise, enter an asterisk in the last column for all items that
will be carried over to the next quarter.
1--Optional Form 270 --Mandatory Declassification Review Worksheet
2--Standard Form 343 --Summary of Mandatory Review Actions
3--Standard Form 2 22.--Report of Mandatory Review.Appeals
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QUARTERLY SUMMARY REPORT
1. Applicability--Reports are required from each Department, Agency
or other similar organizational unit that creates classified records.
2. Form or Format--Use Standard Form 324, "Quarterly Summary Report,"
in submitting this report. Attach exhibits or additional pages as
necessary.
3. Report Basis and Scope--The data reported will assist the ICRC
in measuring agency effectiveness in implementing Executive Order
11652. The report covers data related to the volume of documents being
classified, the use of declassification schedules, and other significant
activities by the Departments related to monitorship, education and
training, cost avoidance and recommendations for improvement.
4. Frequency and Due Date--This report shall be forwarded to the
ICRC no later than 30 days after the end of the quarter. Negative
reports are required.
5. Report Medium--Submit typewritten report.
6. Copies and Distribution--Forward three copies to the ICRC.
-Retain copies as required within Departments.'
7. Classification--This should not contain any classified information.
8. Procedural Instructions?
A. Period Ending--Enter the month, day and year of the end of
the report period.
.B. Department or Agency--Enter the name of the Department, Agency
or other organizational element reporting.
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C. Refer questions to: Give the name and telephone number of
the person who is knowledgeable about the details contained in the
report rather than the official who may sign the report and not be
thoroughly familiar with its content.
D. Classification Actions--The purpose of this block is to
furnish information on the number of documents classified and their
declassification assignment. Every effort should be made to obtain actual
counts of Top Secret classification actions. Because of the high volume
of Secret and Confidential actions, Departments may develop sampling
methods in lieu of actual count. The ICRC will be furnished information
on the methods used for such sampling and any revision to the sampling
method. In reporting, do not include reproduction copies of documents. For
example, a classified document going to more than one addressee would be
counted as one item. Show the number of individual Top Secret, Secret
and Confidential documents created during the quarter regardless of
whether they were classified under original authority, in accordance
with an authorized classification guide, or as a result of the extraction
or compilation of previously classified material. Enter both horizontal
and vertical totals.
E. Describe efforts--This block is designed to provide narrative
descriptions of efforts of individual Departments to implement the
Executive Order, promote public accessibility and improve management of
the Program. The following are typical of entries which might be made:
(1) Significant actions taken during the quarter to monitor
the program and improve the effectiveness of implementation. For
example, describe the number, type and results of inspections, program
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reviews or liaison visits conducted. Include positive and negative
trends discovered, actions taken to resolve problem areas or to bring
positive trends or innovations to the attention of other activities.
Describe meetings and significant actions taken or decisions made
by Departmental Classification Review Committees. Describe actions
taken to control the use of exemption authority. Describe results
of programs undertaken to review security classification guidance to
cause earlier downgrading and declassification or fewer exemptions
from the GDS. Describe the action taken to establish inspection points
to review classified material. Describe actions taken to review dis-
tribution lists to limit dissemination of classified information.
Describe actions taken to encourage the continuing interest of management
at all levels in the Program.
(2) Significant actions taken during the quarter to promote
implementation through education and training actions such as:
(a) Establishment of formal departmental courses
(b) Development of informal training courses
(c) Participation in briefings and seminar presentations
(d) The development of improved security briefs and security
education testing.
(e) The publication of significant security articles in
professional journals.
(f) The production of security training films or TV clips.
(g) The organizing and use of security advice and assistance
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(3) Significant actions taken during the quarter to improve
implementation such as:
(a) Downgrading and declassification projects
(b) Significant reductions in classification authorities
(c) The development of proposed changes to regulations
(d) The promulgation of blanket downgrading/declassification
guidelines
(e) The development of classification management programs
(f) The acceleration of declassification measures
(g) Analyses of results of actions taken on requests for
declassification review
(h) Results of challenges extended to classifiers.
(4) Significant statistical data from which meaningful progress
in program implementation can be measured such as the results from:
(a) Programs undertaken to reduce classified document
(b) Surveys of activities, agencies or industrial facilities
(c) Sampling programs
(d) Review of classification guidance
(e) Review of programs/projects/systems to cause earlier
or total downgrading and/or declassification.
(5) Instances of significant cost avoidance achieved during
the quarter in program implementation.
(6) Recommendations to achieve maximum effectiveness through
the use of available resources or for the overall improvement of
implementation.
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F. Submitted by: Signature and typed name of official signing
the report.
G. Title: Enter title of individual signing the report.
H. Date: Show the date on which the report is signed.
Enclosure: SF 324-Quarterly Summary Report
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