Privacy Policy &
Terms of Use

WHY THE PORT COLLECTS PERSONAL INFORMATION

When you visit the website, voluntarily sign up for an online service through our website, or make a payment using our website, it is necessary for us to collect certain personal information. If you are visiting our website, information is collected for statistical purposes and to help the Port manage the site. The site uses software programs to create summary statistics, which are used for such purposes as assessing what information is of most and least interest to our users.

If you voluntarily fill out an online form, or in any other way communicate with us via our website, we will use your information to communicate with you in the manner that you have requested. Your information will not be shared with any outside party without your permission, except as required by law, and it is never sold.

PUBLIC AGENCY – DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION COLLECTED

The Port of Benton is a public agency. This means that the Port is subject to the Public Records Act of the State of Washington, Chapter 42.56 of the Revised Code of Washington. All of the information collected at this site is considered public information and the Port may be required to disclose for inspection and copying the information that you provide us unless there is an exception in the Act. We do not promise to notify individuals about public records requests. In the event of a conflict between this Privacy Notice and the Public Records Act, the Public Records Act provision will control.

IP ADDRESS

The IP address of your computer is recorded every time you log on to our website. This information does not identify you personally. In the event that information is used fraudulently, we reserve the right to share the IP address, name and address with appropriate law enforcement authorities.

COOKIES

A cookie is a small piece of information that Web sites use to remember users. We use cookies only to record your interactions with us, and not for any other purpose. For example, when a user visits our site for the first time we may drop a cookie (user ID) onto that computer so that we know when requests for information are coming from the same computer. This allows us to customize information and identify navigation improvements to make the information easier to find. We don’t store personal information (like passwords, credit card numbers) in a cookie.

DATA SHARING

The Port of Benton does not rent, sell, share, or release personal information about you with other people or companies except to provide products or services you’ve requested, when it has your permission, or under the following circumstances:

  • The Port of Benton responds to subpoenas, court orders, or legal process, or to establish or exercise its legal rights or defend against legal claims.

  • The Port of Benton shares information, as necessary, in order to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding illegal activities, suspected fraud, situations involving potential threats to the physical safety of any person, or otherwise required by law.

  • The Port of Benton, as a public agency, will respond to public records requests under Chapter 42.17RCW (the “Public Records Act”). Information you provide to the Port of Benton may be subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act. We collect information on our customers and subscribers only as described above, and do not use it for any other purpose.

OTHER SITES

Links to other websites may appear on some of our pages. We cannot be responsible for the content or activities of sites not under our control. If you visit these sites, be sure to review their policies before providing information to them. If you find the content or policies of a linked Web site to be objectionable, please notify us and we will review the situation.

ERRORS AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

We make every effort to keep the information on our website accurate, however, we are not obligated to act in the event that technical or typographical errors produce inaccurate information. For example, if an online mapping service provides an inaccurate map as to the location of a facility, even if the address used is correct. We apologize for any such circumstances, and will correct them when it is in our power to do so. Please notify us immediately if you think an error like this has happened.

SOCIAL MEDIA TERMS OF USE

Although the Port of Benton (the “Port”) encourages posts, comments, questions, and concerns on its webpages and social media sites, these sites are limited public forums and may be moderated from time-to-time by Port employees.

The following posts and comments are prohibited on Port webpages or social media sites:
Containing any personally identifiable or sensitive information, including medical information, contact information, or address information, of the poster or another person.
• Not topically related to the parent post for the comment.
• Containing links to unrelated websites or content.
• Containing vulgar, offensive, profane, threatening, or harassing language,
• Containing personal attacks, unsupported accusations, defamation, or threats of defamation.
• Containing, or linking to, obscene or sexual content.
• Promoting, fostering, or perpetuating discrimination on the basis of creed, color, age, religion, gender, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, affiliations, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.
• Consisting of, suggesting, or encouraging illegal activity.
• Promoting or advertising a business or commercial transaction.
• Containing personal or business solicitations, or furthering personal agendas.
• Containing political statements, including comments that endorse or oppose political candidates or ballot propositions. (RCW §42.52.180).
• Containing information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems.
• Containing or promoting misleading or false information.
• Violating copyright, trademark, trade secret or other legal ownership interest in intellectual property of another party.
• Violating the policies, terms, or conditions of the platform where the content is posted.

Port Social Media accounts are subject to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW Chapter 42.56) and Records Retention Laws (RCW Chapter 40.14), and as such, any comments, posts, and/or other engagement on or with the Port’s social media accounts by other social media users are retained by the Port in accordance with such laws and may be disclosed to third parties.

The Port disclaims all liability for external content. The opinions or positions of external and third-party content do not reflect the opinions or position of the Port or the Port’s staff. The Port reserves the right to delete submissions containing any of the foregoing prohibited content or submissions that are outdated, are deemed to be “trolling” commentary, or are primarily spam. The Port may block users from posting or commenting if they continually violate this Policy.

We may revise and update these Terms of Use from time to time in our sole discretion. All changes are effective immediately when we post them and apply to all access to and use of the webpage.

ERRORS AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

The Port of Benton operates the www.portofbenton.com website. The following Terms of Use, as updated from time to time by the Port of Benton, apply to your use of the Port of Benton website. Your use of the Port of Benton website constitutes your agreement to all such terms, conditions, and notices contained in this Website Disclaimer and Terms of Use.

The Port of Benton maintains this website, consistent with established policies, to provide and enhance public access to information about the Port, its facilities, programs and services.

The Port of Benton intends that information on this website be used for general informational purposes only, and, unless otherwise specifically stated, the content of this website should not be relied upon without independent verification. This website continually undergoes development and expansion, and, from time to time, the website may be changed and or modified, without notice. Port of Benton agents strive to keep information and notices that appear on this website timely and accurate. No representations and or warranties are made that information or notices posted on this website are without errors or omissions, which may be considered material. This website does not purport to be comprehensive, nor definitive.

Neither the Port, the Port’s Managing Members, Directors, Agents, Employees, Staff, nor representatives of the Port shall be liable for damages of any kind arising out of access or inability to access this website or the use of or reliance upon this website or its content, or any links or pointers to information created or maintained by others (access to which should not be considered endorsement of the contents thereof).

Communications with the Port of Benton through this website shall not be considered to constitute legal notice when such notice is required by law, rule or regulation, nor shall such communication be considered to be confidential for any purpose. Accessing this website constitutes the user’s acknowledgment of the terms and conditions set forth here and agreement to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

To offer comments about the information presented in this Privacy Notice, you can contact:

Port Legal Counsel

Closed, but still awesome.

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