OfJice of Inspector General

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Washington, DC 20528

Ms. Melanie Sloan

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics In Washington
11 Dupont Circle, N.W., 2ndFloor
Washington, D.C. 20036

RE: FOIA File No.: 2005-075-F

SUBJECT: DHS' Response to Hurricane Katrina

Dear Ms. Sloan:

This letter is in response to your FOIA request dated September 7,2005, wherein
you requested to obtain various records relating to the DHS' response to Hurricane
Katrina. The Departmental Disclosure Office for DHS forwarded a copy of your
request to our office. This office assigned the above-referenced tracking number
to your request.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducts independent investigations,

audits, inspections, and special reviews of U.S. Department of Homeland Security
personnel, programs, and operations to detect and deter waste, fraud, and abuse,
and to promote integrity, economy, and efficiency within the Department's
programs and operations. Search of OIGYsOffice of Gulf Coast Hurricane
Recovery and our Office of Audit revealed no records responsive to your request
for the various enumerated items related to the communications that took place
between the Office of Secretary and other federal and the local government as well
as the expenditure of money appropriated to DHS in fiscal year 2005 for
emergency preparedness.

However, OIG has conducted audits concerning various aspects of the relief recovery of
Hurricane Katrina. Specifically, OIG prepared a report that assessed the Federal
Gilizrgency Xa~iagei~lu~ii Agency's (FEMA) perfoimlai~ceas it coriducted its disaster
management responsibilities in response to Hurricane Katrina. OIG examined whether
the laws, regulations, policies, procedures, plans, guidelines, and resources were adequate
and operational, and whether FEMA's organizational structure enhanced or hindered its
emergency management capabilities (OIG report No. 06-32). This report is posted on
our web site and can be accessed at www.dhs.~ov(click on DHS Organization, Click on
Department Structure, scroll down and click on Office of Inspector General, and last
click on Management Reports) or it can be accessed at the following link:
http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/OIGO6-32 -Mar06.pdf
Additional reports and audits can be viewed by going to the Office for Hurricane Katrina
Oversight web page, which can also be accessed at the following link:

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editoria1/Copy~(2)~of~editorial~0602.xml

This is the final action this office will take concerning your request. You may appeal my
decision in this matter by writing within sixty (60) days, to:

The Associate General Counsel (General Law)

Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528

Both the envelope and the letter of appeal must be clearly marked "Freedom of
Information ActIPrivacy Act Appeal."

Assistant Counsel to the Inspector General

FOINPA Analyst: Nikki Gramian

Phone Number: (202) 254-4001