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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
EASTERN REGION (REGION 9)
MILWAUKEE, WI
FSM 1600 – INFORMATION SERVICES
CHAPTER 1660 – WEB CONTENT AND FORMAT
Supplement No.: R9 1660-2014-1
Effective Date: January 1, 2015
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: KATHLEEN ATKINSON
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 08/14/2014
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by title and calendar year.
Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this amendment. Retain this
transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this title was
1650-2002-2 to FSM 1650.
New Document
R9 1660
6 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
None
NA
Digest:
1660.03 – Sets forth additional policy regarding Eastern Region Web content and formatting.
1660.04 – Defines responsibilities for Line Officers, Regional Web Manager, Unit Webmasters,
and Contributors.
1661 – Criteria for using copyrighted material and best practice guidance for hyperlinks.
R9 SUPPLEMENT 1660-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2015
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1600 - INFORMATION SERVICES
CHAPTER 1660 - WEB CONTENT AND FORMAT
Table of Contents
Consistent “Look and Feel”………………………………….……….…….…..3
Content Responsibility….…………………………………………….….……..3
Single Source Information….……………………………………….………….3
Removal of Content From the Forest Service Web Site….……...……………..4
Regional Foresters, Station Directors, Area Directors,
Institute Directors, Forest and Grassland Supervisors,
District Rangers and Washington Office Staff Directors………….….……...4
1660.04e - Unit Web Managers….……………………………………………………...….4
1660.04h - Contributors….………………………………………………………………....5
1661.2 Posting on the Publicly Accessible Website….…………………………….…..6
1661.3 Copyrighted Material….……………………………….…………………....….6
1661.4 Hyperlinks to External Web Sites………………………………………………6
1661.5 Information Inappropriate for the Web Site….……………………….…...……6
1663.1 Graphics or Logos….………………………………………………….………..7
1660.03a 1660.03d 1660.03f 1660.03g 1660.04d -
R9 SUPPLEMENT 1660-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2015
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1600 - INFORMATION SERVICES
CHAPTER 1660 - WEB CONTENT AND FORMAT
1660.03 - Policy
1660.03a - Consistent “Look and Feel”
1. The Eastern Region has adopted a consistent and standardized content focus for the
external Web. Content will be based upon analytics, audience, and seasonality.
2. The internal Web across the Eastern Region will follow a standardized template. Each
forest will have a staff site, and subsequent program sites which will maintain a common look
and feel. The template with a consistent coloring, logo, and basic navigation will be provided by
the Regional Web Manager. New sites for Forest Service Web sites must follow the site request
process outlined in the “Regional Web Governance – Quick Reference Guide.”
1660.03d - Content Responsibility
Contractors, such as Digital Visions, ODE, or otherwise that are hired to do any Web work for
the Eastern Region are required to follow Eastern Region Web governance policies as well as
department Web policies (See the Eastern Region “Web Governance – Quick Reference
Guide”).
Contractors are not data or content developers, they are technical experts. They are hired to do
the “heavy lifting” for technical items such as site setups, design, technical suggestions, and
training. Thus, contractors cannot be responsible for content, as they are not subject matter
experts. The Eastern Region FS units are responsible for supplying contractors with materials for
additions needed to the Web sites in the subject area at hand.
Contractors must contact the Eastern Region Regional Web Manager for information regarding
Web standards and Eastern Region Web governance policies before starting work.
1660.03f - Single Source Information
The Regional Web Manager and contributors will be responsible for updating replicated
information. If the source of information gets updated, it will be the responsibility of the
contributor of the information to update accordingly.
R9 SUPPLEMENT 1660-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2015
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1600 - INFORMATION SERVICES
CHAPTER 1660 - WEB CONTENT AND FORMAT
1660.03g - Removal of Content From the Forest Service Web Site
Outdated content will be removed from Eastern Region Web sites. Content that is more than
1year-old with the exception of ongoing project content needs to be removed from Forest Service
Web sites and stored in the correct long term storage repository. A yearly review of content
should be conducted by the Regional Web Manager and contributors who are primarily
responsible for Web content.
1660.04 – Responsibility
1660.04d - Regional Foresters, Station Directors, Area Directors, Institute
Directors, Forest and Grassland Supervisors, District Rangers and Washington
Office Staff Directors
1. Will provide an adequate submission process for Web publication to the Regional
Office Web sites.
2. Will ensure that training is provided to contributors for the appropriate operation of
Eastern Region Web sites – both internal and external. Training will include policy and
procedures regarding Section 508 compliance.
1660.04e - Unit Web Managers
1. Will consult Regional Web Manager on any new Web projects and questions on Web
governance, as needed. Consultation is needed to determine compatibility, accessibility, hosting
and for obtaining approval from the appropriate channels before new Web projects are
developed.
2. Will reference “The Associated Press Style Guide” when developing content for Web
publishing.
3. Will convert documents to accessible PDF’s when contributing them to the internal
and external Web sites. Documents must contain only the correct unaltered USDA and Forest
Service shield logos, and no other logos (Refer to “The Visual Standards Guide”).
4. Will be responsible for updating replicated information. If the source of information
being replicated is updated, it is the responsibility of the contributor to update accordingly.
Forest Service manuals and other documents managed at the national level are not permitted on
Eastern Region sites. Links may be used to point end-users to national level documents.
R9 SUPPLEMENT 1660-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2015
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1600 - INFORMATION SERVICES
CHAPTER 1660 - WEB CONTENT AND FORMAT
5. Will only publishing information which is acceptable for the entire USDA to view on
its intranets.
6. Will maintain the “common look and feel” for the internal and external Web sites.
External common look and feel is established by the Washington Office, and internal common
look and feel will be established by the Eastern Regional Office. External look and feel will also
be set by a standardized content focus across the region.
1660.04h - Contributors
The Eastern Region will have a limited number of content contributors. Contributors on each site
will be determined by unit Public Affairs Officer or the Regional Web Manager.
Contractors hired to do any Web work for the Eastern Region, acting as contributors, are
required to follow the Eastern Region Web governance policies.
Contributors will;
1. Consult with the Regional Web Manager to comply with regional Web governance if
questions should arise.
2. Maintain the “common look and feel” for the internal and external Web sites.
External common look and feel is established by the Washington Office, and internal common
look and feel will be established by the Eastern Regional Office. External look and feel will also
be set by a standardized content focus across the region.
3. Reference “The Associated Press Style Guide” when developing content for Web
publishing.
4. Convert documents to accessible PDF’s when contributing them to the internal and
external Web sites. Documents must contain only the correct unaltered USDA and Forest Service
shield logos, and no other logos (Refer to “The Visual Standards Guide”).
5. Be responsible for updating replicated information. If the source of information being
replicated is updated, it is the responsibility of the contributor to update accordingly. Forest
Service manuals and other documents managed at the national level are not permitted on Eastern
Region sites. Links may be used to point end-users to national level documents.
R9 SUPPLEMENT 1660-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2015
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1600 - INFORMATION SERVICES
CHAPTER 1660 - WEB CONTENT AND FORMAT
1661 - WEB SITE CONTENT
1661.2 – Posting on the Publicly Accessible Website
Contributors for the Eastern Region will be directly responsible for the content published on the
Web. Individuals contributing to the Web will be responsible for maintaining and updating
content in which they contribute.
1661.3 - Copyrighted Material
Photos and media that are copyrighted cannot be utilized on Eastern Region Web sites without
written permission, and photos with a copyright or trademark logo on them may not be published
on the Web at any time regardless of permission. Copyright symbols and metadata must be
removed from photos by the original copyright owner if written permission is given to publish.
1661.4 - Hyperlinks to External Web Sites
Eastern Region contributors must set external links to open in a new tab as a Web best practice.
1661.5 – Information Inappropriate for the Web Site
Hosting of contractor developed sites for special projects is not allowed outside of Forest Service
secure servers in the Eastern Region. Web sites that are not developed by the department are not
acceptable. These sites are not able to be hosted, maintained, and are not approved by the
department. If a special requirement is needed for Web content, the Regional Web Manager will
work with contributors to come up with a satisfactory and department approved solution.
1. Any photos containing members of the public that do not have a signed photo release
form on file in the Eastern Region.
2. Any children (minors under the age of 18) require a parent or legal guardian signature
in order for their images to be used on Eastern Region Web site (Refer to “The Children’s Online
Privacy Act”).
3. Forest logos, staff area logos, or additional Forest Service related logos are not
allowed on Forest Service Web sites, social media accounts, and/or publications appearing on
Web sites in the Eastern Region. Only approved logos are allowed (Refer to “The Visual
Standards Guide”)
4. Information that is not acceptable for all USDA to view may not be published on any
Eastern Region internal Web site.
R9 SUPPLEMENT 1660-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2015
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1600 - INFORMATION SERVICES
CHAPTER 1660 - WEB CONTENT AND FORMAT
1663 – COMMERCIAL ENDORSEMENT
1663.1 – Graphics or Logos
Only the unaltered USDA and FS Shield logos are allowed on Forest Service Web sites and
social media sites (Refer to “The Visual Standards Guide”). No alterations of the USDA logo
and FS Shield are allowed. This includes color, size distortion or other effects placed on the logo.
These logos cannot be added to graphics to form new logos.