Together with the Civil Service Commission, including the National Archives, the Civil Defense Office (the predecessor of the Federal Emergency Administration), and the Social Security Agency store records at about the same time in the Boyers facility. JG Franz, then manager of the Boyers mine office, told newspaper reporters in 1966 that federal agencies had “a spare for all items” stored in special areas of Boyers to protect the situation of nuclear radiation.
Franz told a local newspaper that workers “hopefully we never have to worry about nuclear explosions.” “The mine provides 30 days of food and supply to all employees.”
At the time, Boyes staff were reportedly able to handle about 600 pounds of records every day from the bus directly to the facility from Washington, D.C. They rely on the recently built interstate system for timely delivery. In fact, an article by Pittsburgh Press said the federal government has established an exit on Interstate 80, Pennsylvania, specifically for “quick access to mines in emergencies.”
There are other practical benefits that make old mines a great place to store records. First, they are usually rural and secluded settings that create a layer of natural security from other types of threats. The reused mines provide “excellent fire protection” and avoid incidents such as “floods, theft, civil disease, plane crashes, tornadoes, lightning”. 1999 Tieshan Performance Used for national archives.
Carmichael told Wired that access to the underground facilities he visited often comes under strict control through the strictly guarded entrance. These facilities also often feature maze-like designs that may prevent or confuse the thief if the thief enters the interior in some way.
Several managers of the existing repurposing limestone mines told Wired that their caves are naturally between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with optimal temperatures for most storage conditions. John Smith, Director of Industrial Real Estate, the company that manages limestone storage facilities Worry-free industrial park Near Kansas City, Missouri, said this means that utility costs are “significantly lower” compared to ground facilities. His main expense is related to ventilation, as caves tend to be very wet.
Everything is wrong
The U.S. federal retirement agency was in a mess shortly before the Civil Service Commission arrived in Boyce. 1951 Government Report It was found that there was not even a “sufficient record system” in place, and Congress was urged to “stand” on one person. At first, the Boyers team seemed able to turn things around. The news report reported in 1966 that the mine’s system “has the same efficiency and effectiveness as Washington, D.C..”
But things went into chaos as the number of retirees continued to climb. By the early 1980s, the Office of Personnel Management was under audit to find the root cause of excessive delays in handling retirement claims. In 1981, the Government Accountability Office recommended that OPM “develop a long-term plan to automate retirement claims procedures.”