Researchers should be on the lookout next fall for the launch of a comprehensive federal Freedom of Information Act portal — a single location where public records requests can be submitted to multiple governmental agencies.

The portal could end some of the biggest hurdles to submitting FOIA requests. A single website would mean, most obviously, no more hunting down the correct agency/division to submit a request to. In the current system, this information can be tediously hard to find.

In addition, the portal will utilize electronic records — meaning (hopefully) a significantly reduced lag time in receiving requested materials. And, less scanning.

The project is a joint venture between the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Commerce, and the National Archives and Records Administration. You can read the National Archives blog post about the portal here.