The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) uses social media platforms to post information about State environmental initiatives, policies, programs, and goals. DEC welcomes comments and encourages respectful conversations on these topics on the agency’s social media pages. To ensure civility and appropriate use in these interactions, DEC adheres to and applies the Terms of Participation set forth here, which expands on the Community Standards of each respective social media platform (Meta, X, etc.).
Appropriate use and purpose means postings are relevant to DEC’s initiatives, policies and programs, responsive to the issues being discussed, and phrased in respectful language which is appropriate for public discourse. Because your participation is subject to these terms, DEC’s social media pages are considered limited public forums, not open public forums. By participating or contributing any content on or made available through DEC’s social media platforms, you agree to accept the Terms of Participation and act in accordance with these terms.
You are solely responsible for the content of your posts and comments, including, but not limited to, any claims of copyright infringement or libel resulting from the posted content. Posts and comments contributed by members of the public are their own and do not express the official policy or position of DEC.
DEC makes no representations as to the accuracy or validity of information posted by the public. Comments posted on DEC social media pages are not considered formal public comment. DEC does not guarantee or warrant that social media posts are accurate, current, complete, or free of viruses or other destructive properties.
On-topic, respectful, and civil comments are permitted. When you post or comment on DEC’s social media pages, you agree not to post content that violates the Terms of Participation. DEC reserves the right to moderate content pursuant to the Terms of Participation. Moderation or moderate means to review, respond, screen, filter, hide, report, or to take steps to remove any content or comments found in violation of the Terms of Participation.
Content violates these Terms of Participation if it contains:
- Violent, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane (including alternate spelling) words, or images;
- Threatening or harassing language, personal attacks, or other language with the potential to compromise public safety;
- Threats of physical or bodily harm;
- Statements that promote, foster, or perpetuate bias, hate, or discrimination based on: race, religion/creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin (including limited English proficiency), age, political affiliation or belief, military or veteran status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital or family status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record or criminal conviction history, or citizenship status;
Campaigning, lobbying activities, advertising or the promotion of any personal causes, such as political or religious causes;
- Protected personal, private, or sensitive information;
- Off-topic comments or content;
- Duplicative/repetitive posts;
- Confidential, proprietary, or otherwise restricted information;
- Material that infringes on any patent, trademark, copyright, or other proprietary rights;
- Spam, or any content that links to external pages hosting content that violates the Terms of Participation; or
- Content or links to content that violates applicable law.
DEC reserves the right to moderate any content that violates these Terms of Participation and to take steps to restrict social media site users who post such content or link to such content.
DEC assumes no responsibility for and expressly disclaims responsibility for updating social media pages to keep information current or to ensure the accuracy or completeness of any posted information. Links or advertisements provided on DEC social media pages may have been placed there by the social media provider and not DEC. Placement does not constitute an endorsement of those items. Once you follow a link to another website from a DEC social media site, including one maintained by the State of New York, you are subject to the terms and conditions of that website.
Posts and comments on DEC’s social media pages in no way constitute legal or official notices or formal public comments to DEC within the meaning of the statutes or regulations, such as the State Administrative Procedure Act and the Uniform Procedures Act, that require DEC to officially publish notice of proposed agency action and to accept public comments on the proposal. For example, a post or comment made on a DEC social media site and related to a proposed rule will not be considered or accepted as a formal public comment. Please submit formal public comments directly to the relevant project or program in a manner that complies with the official public notice.
Posts and comments on DEC’s social media pages are public information and may be subject to monitoring, moderation, or disclosure to third parties. DEC may be required to disclose posts or comments, as well as your name and email address or other information you share with DEC, if requested.
The Terms of Participation is subject to modification at any time. If you have any questions or comments about this policy, please email [email protected]
Thank you for taking the time to read the Terms of Participation. We hope you’ll check back with us often for news and information.
November 2024
Disclaimer
Thank you for visiting the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on social media. The opinions and beliefs expressed on DEC social media pages are those of the users and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of DEC. Comments posted on DEC social media pages are not considered formal public comment and are not promised or guaranteed to be accurate, current, or complete. DEC assumes no responsibility for and expressly disclaims responsibility for updating DEC social media pages to keep information current or to ensure the accuracy or completeness of any posted information.
Information provided through DEC’s social media pages does not constitute and is not a substitute for legal or other professional advice. Users of or participants in DEC’s social media pages should consult their own legal or other professional advisers.
DEC has no control over advertisements that may be posted by a social media site host in accordance with the site host's terms of service. Such posts are not intended to reflect the opinion of DEC or its officers or employees concerning the significance, priority, or importance to be given the referenced entity, product, service, or organization. Such references are not an endorsement by DEC of any product, person, or service, and may not be quoted or reproduced for the purpose of stating or implying DEC endorsement or approval of any product, person, or service. If you follow a link to another website from a DEC social media site, including one maintained by the State of New York, you are subject to the terms and conditions of that website and DEC’s inclusion of such links does not imply any endorsement or other warranty or representation by DEC concerning the content located at the third-party linked site.
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold DEC and its employees or agents harmless from all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, settlements, costs, and expenses (including attorney's fees) arising in any way from your use or access to DEC's social media pages. In no event shall DEC, or any of its employees, be held liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages arising from any use or inability to use DEC's social media pages.
