Privacy Policy

Thank you for visiting the Invasive Species Council Web site and reviewing the privacy notice. This statement addresses collection, use, and security of, and access to, information that may be obtained through this Web site.

Information Collected and How it is Used

If you only browse, read pages, or download information on this Web site, RCO will gather and store the information below about your visit. RCO uses cookies to collect the anonymous web traffic data listed below. This information does not identify you personally.

1. The Internet Protocol address and domain name used. The Internet Protocol address is a numerical identifier assigned either to your Internet service provider or directly to your computer. We use the Internet Protocol address to direct Internet traffic to you. This address can be translated to determine the domain name of your service provider (for example xcompany.com or yourschool.edu).
2. The type of browser and operating system you used.
3. The date and time you visited this site.
4. The Web pages or services you accessed at this site.
5. The Web site you visited before coming to this site.

RCO uses this information to improve Web services and to understand how people use RCO services.

Volunteered Information that is Collected

If you participate in a survey, send an e-mail, or perform some other transaction on RCO’s Web site, the following additional information will be collected:

1. The e-mail address and contents of e-mail, for those who communicate with us via e-mail.
2. Information volunteered in response to a survey.
3. Information volunteered through an online form for any purpose.

The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video, and graphic information that you send us.

RCO uses your e-mail to respond appropriately. This may be to respond to you, to address issues you may identify, to further improve the Web site, or to forward the e-mail to another agency for action. Information from online forms is used to either send you information on RCO programs or establish an account for you to access the online grants management program PRISM.

Personal Choice

You may choose whether to provide personal information online. "Personal information" is information about a person that is readily identifiable to that specific individual, such as an individual's name, address, and telephone number. A domain name or Internet Protocol address is not considered personal information.

RCO collects no personal information unless you voluntarily provide it to us by sending us e-mail, participating in a survey, or completing an online form. You may choose not to contact us by e-mail, participate in a survey, or provide any personal information using an online form. Your choice to not participate in these activities will not impair your ability to view the Web site or download any information.

If personal information is requested or volunteered, state law and the federal Privacy Act of 1974 may protect it. However, this information is a public record once you provide it, and may be subject to public inspection and copying if not protected by federal or state law.

If you believe that your personal information is being used for a purpose other than what was intended when submitted, contact the public records officer mentioned below.

The RCO Web site is a general audience site and we do not knowingly collect any personal information from children. Users are cautioned that the collection of personal information requested from or volunteered by children online or by e-mail will be treated the same as information given by an adult, and may be subject to public access.

Public Access to Information

In Washington, laws exist to ensure that government is open and that the public has a right to access appropriate records and information held by state government. At the same time, there are exceptions to the public's right to access public records that serve various needs including the privacy of individuals. Exceptions are provided by both state and federal laws.

All of the information collected at this site becomes public records that may be subject to inspection and copying by members of the public, unless an exemption in law exists. Revised Code of Washington 42.17.260(1) states that:

Each agency, in accordance with published rules, shall make available for public inspection and copying all public records, unless the record falls within the specific exemptions of subsection (6) of this section [Revised Code of Washington 42.17.260(6)], Revised Code of Washington 42.17.310, 42.17.315, or other statute which exempts or prohibits disclosure of specific information or records. To the extent required to prevent an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy interests protected by Revised Code of Washington 42.17.310 and 42.17.315, an agency shall delete identifying details in a manner consistent with Revised Code of Washington 42.17.310 and 42.17.315 when it makes available or publishes any public record; however, in each case, the justification for the deletion shall be explained fully in writing.

In the event of a conflict between this privacy notice and the Public Records Act or other laws governing the agency's disclosure of records, the Public Records Act or other applicable law will control.