FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

  • LEGAL: PRIVACY STATEMENT

    Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS) websites are maintained as a public service.  This statement describes TFS privacy and security practices regarding information collected from visitors to TFS sites, including what information is collected and how that information is used. This statement also applies to all TFS websites, mobile apps and online applications that link to this statement.
     
    Please note that all information collected or maintained by TFS is subject to the provisions of the Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552, Texas Government Code). The email addresses of most members of the public who communicate with state agencies through the Internet is confidential under Texas law. Exceptions to confidentiality may be reviewed at Texas Government code, Sec 552.137.
     
    Please expand each section below to find more information on the use / release of information.

     + Server Logs / Analysis Tools

    TFS uses server logs and log analysis tools to create summary statistics about website usage to improve site management. The statistics are used for purposes such as assessing what information is of most interest to users, determining technical design specifications, and identifying system performance or problem areas. This information is not reported or used in any manner that would reveal personally identifiable information and does not release the information to any outside parties unless required to do so under applicable law. 

    The following information may be collected for this analysis:


    • User/client hostname – Hostname (or IP address, if DNS is disabled) or the user/client requesting access.
    • HTTP header, “user-agent” – Type of browser used, the browser version and operating system it is running on. 
    • HTTP header, “referrer” – Page from which the user/client accessed the current page. 
    • System date – Date and time of the user/client request. 
    • Full request – Exact request the user/client made. 
    • Status – Status code the server returned to the user/client. 
    • Content length – Length, in bytes, of the document sent to the user/client. 
    • Uniform Resource Identifier (URI or URL) – Location of a resource on the server. 
    • Query string of the URL – Anything after the question mark in a URL. 
    • Protocol – Transport protocol and version used. 


    Unauthorized attempts to upload information, change information on this site, or otherwise cause damage are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under law. Except as may be required for authorized law enforcement investigations, no attempts are made to identify individual users or their usage habits through TFS raw data logs. It is possible that the Office of the Attorney General could determine parts of raw data logs to be open records. If such a determination were made subsequent to a Public Information Act request for the logs, those logs deemed open by the Office of the Attorney General would be disclosed as required.

     

     + Email
    State agencies may not release email addresses of most members of the public that have been provided to communicate electronically with the state agency without the affirmative consent of the affected member of the public. Exemptions to this confidentiality may be reviewed at Texas Government Code, Section 552.137. Personally identifiable information contained in a question or comment sent to TFS in an e-mail message or submitted in an online form is only used for the particular purpose for which it was provided (for example, registration) to respond to the request, to complete a transaction, to analyze trends, or to fulfill other forms of public service. Messages may be redirected to another government agency or employee who is in a better position to answer the question or inquiry.
     + Web-Based Forms

    Web-based forms are used for such purposes as collecting survey results, providing online registration for some TFS-sponsored events, initiating searches, and accepting questions and comments. Personally identifiable information collected from web-based forms has a specified use (for example, registration, survey response, etc.) and the information is used only for that purpose. Each web-based form contains a link to this statement.

    An individual who submits information in electronic format through TFS websites is entitled, on request, to receive and review the information collected about the individual, and to have information corrected. To do this, please email the TFS Webmaster.

     + Cookies
    A cookie file contains unique information that a website can use to track such things as passwords, pages you have visited, the date you last looked at a specific page, and to identify your session at a particular website. TFS does not use cookies to collect information.
     + Sharing Information

    TFS may share your personally identifiable information for the following reasons: 

     

    • with third parties that it engages to process information on behalf of TFS, including vendors who assist with TFS web hosting and web-based forms; 
    • with your consent; 
    • to comply with a legal process, subpoena, order or other legal or regulatory requirement; 
    • to enforce TFS policies or terms and conditions; 
    • to protect TFS operations, employees or users; 
    • to pursue available legal remedies or defend against legal claims; 
    • or in the event of a reorganization, merger, acquisition or sale of assets.

     

     + Links to Third-Party Sites
    TFS websites may contain links to external third-party websites, content, products, or services “Third Party Sites”. Those Third Party Sites are not under TFS control, and TFS is not responsible for their privacy and security practices. You should refer to the privacy policies of those Third Party Sites to learn about their privacy and security practices.
     + Children's Privacy
    TFS does not knowingly collect personal information about children under the age of 13. If TFS learns that it has collected information of a child under the age of 13, TFS will take steps to delete that information as soon as possible.
     + Retention
    Your information is retained in accordance with applicable law and for as long as needed to fulfill the particular purpose for which your information was provided. Your information may be retained if needed to comply with legal obligations, pursue a legal action, detect or monitor fraud, or perform a task in the public interest. Your information may be deleted upon your request if it is not required by law or for other legitimate purposes to be retained.
     + Changes to this Statement

    TFS agency administration reserves the right to change this statement at any time. Your continued use of TFS websites after any change to this statement will constitute your acceptance of such change.

    This statement was last updated 5/21/2021.

     + Contact
    If you have questions or comments about TFS privacy and security practices or this statement, please contact our Webmaster or call 979-458-7309.
  • RELATED INFORMATION