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TSSWCB Policies

Fraud Policy

The following information is provided to help in the prevention and reporting of fraud related to funds from the General Appropriations Act-expenditures by state agencies, colleges, and universities or use of state grant money.

TSSWCB Fraud Policy

State Auditor's Office Fraud Reporting

State Auditor's Office Fraud Hotline: 1-800-TX-AUDIT.

TSSWCB Website Privacy Policy

The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) created this Web site to enhance public access to agency information. This service is continually under development. The TSSWCB strives to keep information on this site both timely and accurate.

All information collected or maintained by the TSSWCB is subject to the provisions of the Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552, Texas Government Code).

Server Logs and Network Monitoring
For site security purposes and to ensure that the site remains available to all users, the TSSWCB uses software to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage. Except for authorized law enforcement investigations, no other attempts are made to identify individual users or their usage habits.

The following information is collected for this analysis:

User/client hostname - Hostname (or IP address, if DNS is disabled) of the user/client requesting access.
HTTP header, "user-agent" - Type of browser used, the browser version, and the 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.
Method - Request method used.
Uniform Resource Identifier (URI or URL) - Location of a resource on the server.
Protocol - Transport protocol and version used.

Cookies
A "cookie" is a small file containing information that is placed on a user's computer by a web server. Typically, these files are used to enhance the user's experience of the site, to help users move between pages in a database, or to customize information for a user. The TSSWCB Web site may use cookies to provide interactive pages, such as Web-based forms and surveys. The TSSWCB does not use cookies for other purposes.

Linking Policy
Documents on this server contain hypertext pointers (links) to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. The TSSWCB does not control the authenticity, accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of outside information on any links.

The TSSWCB is not responsible for the privacy policies, or lack of policies, in place at any site linked to or from sites which the TSSWCB is linked and not within the domain of www.tsswcb.state.tx.us.

The TSSWCB has not acted in a discriminatory manner in choosing links to helpful sites.

The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board complies with the State Web Site Link and Privacy Policy. The TSSWCB encourages organizations that link to this Web site to comply with the provisions of the State Web Site Link and Privacy Policy, especially regarding protection of the privacy rights of individuals, and to make reasonable efforts to provide accessible sites.

Email and Form Information
If a member of the general public sends the TSSWCB an e-mail message or fills out a web-based form with a question or comment that contains personally identifying information, that information will only be used to respond to the request and analyze trends. The message may be redirected to another government agency or person who is better able to answer your question. Such information is not used in any way that would reveal personally identifying information to outside parties unless TSSWCB system administration is legally required to do so in connection with law enforcement investigations or other legal proceedings.

Security
This site has security measures in place to protect from loss, misuse and alteration of the information.

Contacting the TSSWCB
If there are any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this site, or dealings with this website, contact webmasterattsswcb.texas.gov (webmaster[at]tsswcb[dot]texas[dot]gov).

TSSWCB Website Accessibility Policy

The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) is committed to making its Web site accessible to all users. To make the site more accessible, we include features designed to improve accessibility for users with disabilities.

Valid HTML and XHTML
All pages on the publicly accessible portions of the TSSWCB web site validate as either HTML 4.01 or XHTML 1.0 in conformance with specifications recommended by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

Alt Tags
Images on the site contain "alt tags" with descriptions of the image, which aid users who listen to the content of the site by using a screen reader, rather than reading the site.

Continuing Efforts
The TSSWCB is working to incorporate the use of "skip links" to further enhance the accessibility of the site. A "skip link" provides users of text readers with a method for bypassing the header and navigation links on a page and going directly to the main content each time a new page is accessed.

In addition, the TSSWCB is working to bring the site into compliance with Conformance Level A (Priority 1) of the W3C's Checklist of Checkpoints for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0.

Exemptions From Compliance
Only the TSSWCB executive director or designee may grant an exception from complying with an accessibility rule, in accordance with the Texas Administrative Code [TAC 213.17].

Agency staff shall submit an exception request to the executive director for each development or procurement, including outsourced development, which does not comply with appropriate standards and specifications.

Any approved exception shall include a plan for alternate methods of access for persons with disabilities.

For More Information
For additional information about accessibility programs in Texas, visit the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities.

If you use assistive technology and the format of any material on our website interferes with your ability to access the information, please contact webmasterattsswcb.texas.gov (webmaster[at]tsswcb[dot]texas[dot]gov)

TSSWCB Open Records Policy

Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives you the right to access government records; and an officer for public information and the officer's agent may not ask why you want them. All government information is presumed to be available to the public. Certain exceptions may apply to the disclosure of the information. Governmental bodies shall promptly release requested information that is not confidential by law, either constitutional, statutory, or by judicial decision, or information for which an exception to disclosure has not been sought.

Rights of Requestors
You have the right to:

  • Prompt access to information that is not confidential or otherwise protected;
  • Receive treatment equal to all other requestors, including accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements;
  • Receive certain kinds of information without exceptions, like the voting record of public officials, and other information;
  • Receive a written statement of estimated charges, when charges will exceed $40, in advance of work being started and opportunity to modify the request in response to the itemized statement;
  • Choose whether to inspect the requested information (most often at no charge), receive copies of the information or both;
  • A waiver or reduction of charges if the governmental body determines that access to the information primarily benefits the general public;
  • Receive a copy of the communication from the governmental body asking the Office of the Attorney General for a ruling on whether the information can be withheld under one of the accepted exceptions, or if the communication discloses the requested information, a redacted copy;
  • Lodge a written complaint about overcharges for public information with the Texas Building and Procurement Commission. Complaints of other possible violations may be filed with the county or district attorney of the county where the governmental body, other than a state agency, is located. If the complaint is against the county or district attorney, the complaint must be filed with the Office of the Attorney General.

Responsibilities of Governmental Bodies
All governmental bodies responding to information requests have the responsibility to:

  • Establish reasonable procedures for inspecting or copying public information and inform requestors of these procedures;
  • Treat all requestors uniformly and shall give to the requestor all reasonable comfort and facility, including accommodation in accordance with ADA requirements;
  • Be informed about open records laws and educate employees on the requirements of those laws;
  • Inform requestors of the estimated charges greater than $40 and any changes in the estimates above 20 percent of the original estimate, and confirm that the requestor accepts the charges, has amended the request, or has sent a complaint of overcharges to the Texas Building and Procurement Commission, in writing before finalizing the request;
  • Inform the requestor if the information cannot be provided promptly and set a date and time to provide it within a reasonable time;
  • Request a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General regarding any information the governmental body wishes to withhold, and send a copy of the request for ruling, or a redacted copy, to the requestor;
  • Segregate public information from information that may be withheld and provide that public information promptly;
  • Make a good faith attempt to inform third parties when their proprietary information is being requested from the governmental body;
  • Respond in writing to all written communications from the Texas Building and Procurement Commission regarding charges for the information. Respond to the Office of the Attorney General regarding complaints about violations of the Act.

Procedures to Obtain Information

  • Submit a request by mail, fax, email or in person according to a governmental body's reasonable procedures.
  • Include enough description and detail about the information requested to enable the governmental body to accurately identify and locate the information requested.
  • Cooperate with the governmental body's reasonable efforts to clarify the type or amount of information requested.

A. Information to be released

  • You may review it promptly, and if it cannot be produced within 10 working days the public information officer will notify you in writing of the reasonable date and time when it will be available.
  • Keep all appointments to inspect records and to pick up copies. Failure to keep appointments may result in losing the opportunity to inspect the information at the time requested.Cost of Records
    • You must respond to any written estimate of charges within 10 business days of the date the governmental body sent it or the request is considered automatically withdrawn.
    • If estimated costs exceed $100.00 (or $50.00 if a governmental body has fewer than 16 full time employees) the governmental body may require a bond, prepayment or deposit.
    • You may ask the governmental body to determine whether providing the information primarily benefits the general public, resulting in a waiver or reduction of charges.
    • Make a timely payment for all mutually agreed charges. A governmental body can demand payment of overdue balances exceeding $100.00, or obtain a security deposit, before processing additional requests from you.

B. Information that may be withheld due to an exception

  • By the 10th business day after a governmental body receives your written request, a governmental body must:
    1. request an Attorney General opinion and state which exceptions apply;
    2. requestor of the referral to the Attorney General; and
    3. notify third parties if the request involves their proprietary information.
  • Failure to request an Attorney General opinion and notify the requestor within 10 business days will result in a presumption that the information is open unless there is a compelling reason to withhold it.     
  • Requestors may send a letter to the Attorney General arguing for release, and may review arguments made by the governmental body. If the arguments disclose the requested information, the requestor may obtain a redacted copy.
  • The Attorney General must issue a decision no later than the 45th working day from the day after the attorney general received the request for a decision. The attorney general may request an additional 10 working day extension.
  • Governmental bodies may not ask the Attorney General to "reconsider" an opinion.

To request information from this governmental body, please contact:
Heather Bounds
Government Relations Specialist

By mail to: TSSWCB, Attn: Open Records Request, 1497 Country View Lane, Temple, TX 76504
By e-mail to: hboundsattsswcb.texas.gov
By fax to: 254-773-2250

In person at: 1497 Country View Lane, Temple, TX 76504

For complaints regarding failure to release public information please contact your local County or District Attorney at: 254-933-5135 or 1-800-460-2355 (Bell County).

  • You may also contact the Office of the Attorney General, Open Records Hotline, at 512-478-6736 or toll-free at 1-877-673-6839.
  • For complaints regarding overcharges, please contact the Texas Building and Procurement Commission at 512-475-2497.

If you need special accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact our HR department at hrattsswcb.texas.gov or 254-773-2250.

Federal Nondiscrimination Guidance and Laws

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
As a recipient of federal funding, TSSWCB must follow Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in all federally assisted programs. Title VI, 42 USC, Sec. 2000d, states: “No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
As a recipient of federal funding, the TSSWCB must also follow Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of their disability. Section 504, 29 USC, Sec. 794, states: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States, as defined in section 705 (20) of this title, shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance or under any program or activity conducted by any Executive agency or by the United States Postal Service.”

The Age Discrimination Act of 1975
As a recipient of federal funding, TSSWCB must also follow The Age Discrimination Act of 1975. This act prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. The statute 42 USC, Sec. 6102, states: “Pursuant to regulations prescribed under section 6103 of this title, and except as provided by section 6103(b) of this title and section 6103(c) of this title, no person in the United States shall, on the basis of age, be excluded from participation, in be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under, any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972
As a recipient of federal funding under Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, the TSSWCB must comply with 40 CFR Part 7, Sec. 7.30, which states: “No person in the United States shall on the ground of sex be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal assistance under this Act. . . .”

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
As a recipient of federal funding, the TSSWCB must also follow Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. Title IX, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance . . . .”

Executive Order 13166
On Aug. 11, 2000, President Clinton signed Executive Order 13166, “Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency,” requiring Federal agencies to examine the services they provide, identify any need for services to those with limited English proficiency (LEP), and develop and implement a system to provide those services so LEP persons can have meaningful access to them. The Executive Order also requires that the Federal agencies work to ensure that recipients of Federal financial assistance provide meaningful access to their LEP applicants and beneficiaries.

How to Report a Concern About Discrimination
If you believe you have experienced discrimination in the administration of TSSWCB’s programs or activities, please direct all complaints to any of the following addresses:

Mail:
HR Department
Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board
1497 Country View Lane
Temple, TX 76504

Email:
hrattsswcb.texas.gov
Fax: 254-773-3311
Please direct questions to 254-773-2250. / Dirija sus preguntas al 254-773-2250.

View the TSSWCB’s Grievance Procedure Policy.

TSSWCB Contract Management Handbook

Contract Management Handbook

"Protecting and Enhancing Natural Resources since 1939."

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