Washington Biodiversity Project
OUR BIODIVERSITY:
PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
WASHINGTON'S ECOREGIONS
RESOURCES FOR CONSERVATION
BIODIVERSITY EDUCATION
STEWARDSHIP AND INCENTIVES
  ABOUT THE COUNCIL

Disclaimer

The Washington Biodiversity Council provides links to external websites for informational purposes only. Links do not imply endorsement or approval of the information, products, or services offered at those sites.

These external websites are not maintained by the Washington Biodiversity Council and the council is not responsible for the content available on these external sites.

Since the council exercises no control over other sites; it takes no responsibility for the views that may be represented, or the accuracy, propriety, or legality of any material contained on other websites.

When the links were established, the linked web pages did not contain materials that advocated for any political outcomes. If you find any material on the directly linked web page that advocate for, or against, any political candidates, ballot measures, or referendums, please report it immediately so that the link may be promptly removed.

Calendar

Contact Us

FAQs

 Washington Biodiversity Project

: HOME : EXTERNAL CONTENT

External Content Policy

The Washington Biodiversity Council recognizes that "external content" -- content that is provided by non-government entities -- may be placed on the Washington Biodiversity Council's public web site. External content on pages operated or controlled by the Washington Biodiversity Council will be permitted at the sole discretion of the Washington Biodiversity Council.

Applicability

This policy applies only to pages that are operated or controlled by the Washington Biodiversity Council. This policy is not intended, and shall not be construed, to prohibit external content that:

  • Is required or authorized by law;
  • Constitutes official government business or furthers the specific purpose of a government organization's web page; or
  • Is published on web pages not operated or controlled by the Washington Biodiversity Council.

It may be in the public interest to include on the Washington Biodiversity Council's website:

  • Links to resources that are provided by others on web sites outside of the Washington Biodiversity Council's control;
  • Public acknowledgement of sponsors or other contributors of resources to allow the Washington Biodiversity Council to expand on-line information and services; and
  • Advertising, branding and sponsorships to decrease costs and expand on-line information and services.

External content includes, but is not limited to, links, acknowledgments, and advertisements that propose a commercial transaction.

back to top

Content Guidelines

In exercising its discretion to allow external content on its web site, the Washington Biodiversity Council will be guided by the purpose of the website, which is as follows:

The Washington Biodiversity Council's website is intended to support, as efficiently, conveniently, and cost effectively as possible, and in a manner of presentation befitting government, the following uses by citizens, businesses and public employees:

  • Location of websites and access to useful public information provided by public agencies or non-profit, non-partisan organizations; and
  • Location and delivery of public services in general and in particular, the delivery of public services via the Internet.

The Washington Biodiversity Council, at its sole discretion, will determine whether external content, including advertisements and sponsorships, meets these purposes. Generally, external content that does not meet these purposes includes, but is not limited to, content that contains, suggests, or infers any of the following:

  1. Advocacy of or opposition to any politically or socially controversial subjects, issues, or candidates.
  2. Disparagement or promotion of any person or class of persons.
  3. External content not suitable for readers or viewers of all ages, or links to or other promotion of businesses whose products or services are not suitable for persons of all ages.
  4. Promotion or incitement of illegal, violent, or socially undesirable conduct.
  5. Promotion or availability of alcohol or tobacco products.
  6. Promotion or availability of illegal drugs.
  7. Promotion or availability of adult or sexually oriented entertainment or materials.
  8. Promotion, opposition, or availability of weapons.
  9. Promotion, opposition, or availability of gambling.
  10. Claims of efficacy, suitability, desirability, or other non-objective statements about businesses, products, or services.
  11. Content that infringes on any trademark, copyright, or patent rights of another.
  12. Claims or representations in violation of advertising or consumer protection laws.
  13. Content that a reasonable citizen may not consider to maintain the dignity and decorum appropriate for the Washington Biodiversity Council.

back to top

Oversight and Monitoring

The Washington Biodiversity Council shall establish procedures to monitor the implementation and continuing oversight of this policy. These procedures shall include:

  • A process for review of all new requests for external content links from a Washington Biodiversity Council web page to another web page, to ensure compliance with this policy prior to granting the request; and
  • Timely review of not less than ten (10) percent or a quantity of fifty (50) of the then current direct external content links from the Washington Biodiversity Council's web site, whichever is less, to ensure that such links still comply with this policy.

back to top

Removal of Content

The Washington Biodiversity Council reserves the right, at its sole discretion; to withdraw external content that otherwise meets its guidelines. This discretion may be exercised if the Washington Biodiversity Council becomes aware, receives claims or allegations, or has reason to inquire whether, the content refers or links the viewer to content not on the Washington Biodiversity Council's web site that is either in violation of any of the above listed guidelines, except No. 10, or would be reasonably likely to offend a reasonable citizen. Withdrawal of content on these bases will be permitted whether or not the Washington Biodiversity Council is legally obligated to act upon any information of which it is aware.

back to top