Overview
Title
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Park Service used to keep its own list of people who were retiring, but now they are going to use a bigger, shared list for all of the Interior Department. This change won't make things worse for people, and everyone can still comment until December 18, 2024.
Summary AI
The Department of the Interior (DOI) plans to remove the National Park Service's (NPS) Privacy Act system of records known as INTERIOR/NPS-5, Retirement Record, from its inventory. This action is because these records are now covered under a broader DOI system, INTERIOR/DOI-85, which handles payroll, attendance, retirement, and leave records. The change aims to streamline record-keeping with no negative impact on individuals, as the necessary information will remain protected under the existing DOI system. Comments on this change are open until December 18, 2024, and can be submitted through various channels, including the Federal eRulemaking Portal and email.
Abstract
The Department of the Interior (DOI) is issuing a public notice of its intent to rescind the National Park Service (NPS) Privacy Act system of records, INTERIOR/NPS-5, Retirement Record, from its existing inventory.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document in question is an official notice from the Department of the Interior (DOI) concerning the National Park Service (NPS). Specifically, it informs the public of the intent to eliminate a particular system of records, known as INTERIOR/NPS-5, the Retirement Record. This decision stems from the fact that the information previously managed under this system is now included in a broader, department-wide system known as INTERIOR/DOI-85, which already handles similar data types. The notice is designed to simplify administrative processes and ensure compliance with existing regulations without negatively affecting individuals whose data is concerned.
General Summary
The main point of the document is the DOI's announcement to rescind the INTERIOR/NPS-5 system of records notice (SORN) because the records it used to cover are now included under the broader INTERIOR/DOI-85 system. This latter system manages payroll, attendance, retirement, and leave records department-wide. Therefore, maintaining the INTERIOR/NPS-5 record system is seen as redundant. This change is aimed at streamlining recordkeeping practices within the DOI. The public is invited to comment on this change until December 18, 2024.
Significant Issues or Concerns
There are some potential issues to note:
Use of Technical Jargon: The document includes terms like "SORN," which might not be readily understood by everyone. Such terminology could benefit from clearer definitions or explanations to improve accessibility.
Complex Legal References: Citations of legal statutes like "5 U.S.C. 552a" and references to prior federal register notices are mentioned without context. These references can be confusing unless one is familiar with legal documentation, which could limit accessibility to a general audience.
Assumed Understanding: The document presumes familiarity with how the DOI and its systems are structured, which might not be common knowledge for all readers.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the rescindment has minimal direct impact given that the specific change pertains to internal recordkeeping within the DOI. However, from a privacy standpoint, it is reassuring that the records previously managed by INTERIOR/NPS-5 are still securely managed under INTERIOR/DOI-85. For the public, it is important to observe how governmental transparency is maintained with such changes, and this document invites public scrutiny through comments.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Employees of the National Park Service: For NPS employees, this means that their retirement records will continue to be protected and managed within the DOI's broader system. This shift should not affect their benefits or data security.
The Department of the Interior: This simplification of their record management systems can lead to more efficient use of resources and potentially reduce administrative burdens.
Privacy Advocates: Those concerned with data privacy may question whether the consolidation of records under a broader system poses any risks or offers additional safeguards worth examining.
Overall, the document implies a housekeeping change aimed at improved efficiency within the Department of the Interior, with assurances given that there's no negative fallout for stakeholders involved, particularly those whose records are managed.
Issues
• The document does not specify any spending or budgetary impact, so no analysis of wasteful spending or favoritism is possible.
• The language used in the document is generally clear, but terms like 'SORN' are industry-specific jargon that may not be immediately clear to all readers.
• The document includes references like '5 U.S.C. 552a' and other federal register notices without providing a brief explanation, which can make the text harder to understand for those not familiar with legal references.
• There is a mention of the Privacy Act of 1974 and OMB Circular A-108, but without a brief summary or context, readers unfamiliar with these might not fully understand the implications of the rescindment.
• The document assumes that all readers are aware of the structure of the DOI and its system of records, which might not be the case for a lay audience.