NextStep Article: Privacy Statement

Privacy Statement for NextStep and MnSCN

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has created this privacy statement for the NextStep web site and the Minnesota Sustainable Communities Network (MnSCN).

Minnesota Sustainable Communities Network

As a state agency, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), MnSCN's sponsor, makes available public information to those requesting it. The MnSCN mailing list and other state databases are considered forms of public information and can be accessed by interested individuals and organizations upon request. MnSCN members requesting that their names not be shared with others are not included in the on-line member directory and are typically removed from copies of the MnSCN mailing list when the mailing list is requested by others. However, these names are not completely confidential as this information is considered public by state law. Individuals may have their names removed from the MnSCN mailing list at any time, by sending an e-mail message to nextstep@state.mn.us. Users may also request changes or updates to their member information by contacting the same address.

NextStep web site

Users of the NextStep site posting resources, job listings, calendar information, participating in on-line conversations, and posting other information on the site are required to provide their name and e-mail address. This identifying information (name and e-mail address) will appear on the postings made by those individuals. This helps to assure accountability for information provided on the site, facilitates networking between site users, and also allows NextStep web site staff to contact individuals posting information for data quality or other purposes. NextStep site users are not required to be MnSCN members or to complete the MnSCN membership form.

The administrators of the NextStep web site may record users' IP addresses to help diagnose problems with our server, track site usage, and to administer the web site. This site contains links to other sites. However, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such Web sites.

Public Forums on the NextStep web site

This site makes on-line discussions, message boards, and other member-posted information available to its users. Please remember that any information that is disclosed in these areas becomes public information. Users should exercise caution when deciding to disclose personal information.

Contacting the Web Site

If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this web site, you can contact

Paul Moss, NextStep Administrator Sustainable Communities Team Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 520 Lafayette Rd., N. Second Floor St. Paul, MN 55155-4100 paul.moss@state.mn.us