WASHINGTON, D.C.—Strong federal records management is necessary for agency transparency, accountability and historical integrity. Every employee is responsible for properly managing records that reflect the agency's functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, employee accomplishments and other federal activities.

As such, we are reminding employees where they can find agency direction on proper records management in Forest Service policy (FSM 6230, Records Management Program, and FSH 6209.11, Record Management Handbook), including specific employee responsibilities, such as:

• Creating and maintaining official records that reflect the agency's business;

• Working with designated records managers/liaisons on the appropriate lifecycle management and disposition of official records;

• Managing, filing and closing official records within the approved electronic recordkeeping repository, currently Pinyon Box;

• Avoiding the loss, unlawful or unauthorized concealment, removal, destruction, deletion, defacement, mutilation, obliteration, falsification, donation and alienation of federal records or any material subject to a litigation hold or other legal restrictions in accordance with Departmental Regulation 3099 and 18 U.S.C. § 2071.

Additionally, employees must ensure that any requests for information or records are reviewed and released in accordance with applicable statutes such as the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act; employees must not release records outside of established business processes.

This year, transitioning federal agencies to a fully electronic environment where appropriate continues to be a joint priority for the Office of Management and Budget and the National Archives and Records Administration. After June 30, 2024, NARA will no longer accept transfer of paper records at Federal Records Centers (OMB/NARA Memorandum M-23-07, Update to Transition to Electronic Records); transferred records must be in an appropriate electronic format. Any costs resulting from non-compliance will be a unit-level responsibility.

If there are any questions about Memorandum M-23-07 or agency guidance on employee records management responsibilities, please contact Agency Records Officer William "Chris" Meadows.