NRC Blocks Access to Online Reading Room, Then Restores Some Access
-- Library Journal, 12/2/2004
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) blocked public access to its online reading room, then restored some documents, according to OMB Watch. The blocking started Oct. 25 after media reports said the site might contain some documents that could be used by terrorists; they included floor plans and locations of nuclear materials related to a possible application for a high-level waste repository. However, said OMB Watch, rather than selecting specific documents for removal, the agency blocked all public access to that portion of the site. Although NRC by November 4 restored some documents, the agency would not provide a specific schedule for reviewing and reposting the rest of the documents. "The remainder of the restoration will proceed in a phased manner, based on priorities and feasibility, with large portions of the information expected to be restored in the next several weeks," NRC said. "The Commission is committed to conducting its work in the open to protect public health, safety, and security while maintaining appropriate accessibility to its activities," said NRC Chairman Nils J. Diaz. "However, we will withhold any information that could be useful, or could reasonably be expected to be useful, to a terrorist." OMB Watch noted that, "It is unclear what standards the agency is using to determine what information could be useful to a terrorist."
