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In a recent memorandum addressed to Federal Records Management Contacts, Chief Records Officer Laurence Brewer sheds light on the implications of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (Public Law 118-31) regarding unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) records. This memorandum serves as a clarion call to all federal agencies, emphasizing the necessity of compliance with Sections 1841-1843 of the Act, which mandates the establishment of the 'Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Records Collection' by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
Under the directive of the law, each federal agency is tasked with the review, identification, and organization of UAP records within their custody by October 2024, with the aim of facilitating public disclosure and transmission to the National Archives. NARA, in its role, will provide crucial guidance to agencies on the necessary metadata and information required for the creation and management of this collection. This includes details such as agency name, document title, date, classification level, and restrictions, crucial for determining which records can be publicly disclosed and which must be protected. As agencies gear up to comply with this new legislation, proactive planning and the creation of metadata are emphasized as essential steps in expediting the collection process. As NARA further develops processes for identifying and transferring responsive records, agencies can expect ongoing guidance and communication to facilitate seamless compliance with the Act.
AC 13.2024
Date: February 6, 2024 Memorandum to Federal Records Management Contacts: Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Records This AC memo is to inform agency records managers about the recent law on federal records related to unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP).
www.archives.gov
