OPEN GOVERNMENT PLAN

On January 21, 2009, shortly after assuming office, the President of the United States issued the Presidential Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government, setting forth three basic principles for agencies of the executive branch to pursue as the normal course of business: transparency, participation and collaboration. In the months since, he launched various initiatives promoting greater openness. On December 8, 2009, the Office of Management and Budget issued an Open Government Directive, detailing specific timelines, goals and requirements for each executive branch agency to meet in support of the President's goals. Among these were requirements to create an Open Government Web site, continue contributing to Data.gov, and develop an Open Government Plan which lays out the history and future course of the agency's work in support of the goal of a more open and transparent government.