TN: DT-08-05

To: All NRC Employees

Subject: Transmittal of Management Directive 3.14, “U.S. Nuclear

Regulatory Commission Public Web Site”

Purpose: Directive and Handbook 3.14 are being published to ensure

that (1) operation of the site complies with applicable

laws and regulations, (2) all content on the Public Web Site

increases public confidence in NRC and makes conducting

business with NRC more efficient and effective, and (3) the

content reflects agency policy; is accurate, current, and

easy to find; is accessible by all site users, including those

with disabilities; adheres to best practices for Web usability;

does not unfairly promote one organization or commercial

entity over others; and is published in only one place at the

site and is referenced by links when the same content is

related to more than one topic.

Office and 

Division of Origin: Office of Information Services

Information and Records Services Division

Contact: Joan Hoffman, 301-415-7194

Date Approved: April 14, 2003 (Revised: August 6, 2008)

Volume: 3 Information Management

Part: 1 Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

DIRECTIVE TRANSMITTAL

OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION
- 2 -

Directive: 3.14 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Availability: Rulemaking, Directives, and Editing Branch

Office of Administration

Michael T. Lesar, 301-415-7163

Christy Moore, 301-415-7086
U.S. Nuclear

Regulatory Commission

Public Web Site

Directive

3.14
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

Approved: April 14, 2003 iii

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Contents

Policy ....................................................... 1

Objectives ................................................... 1

Organizational Responsibilities and Delegations of

Authority .................................................. 3

Executive Director for Operations (EDO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Deputy Executive Directors for Operations ........................... 4

Deputy Executive Director for Corporate Management (DEDCM) ......... 4

Director, Office of Information Services (OIS) ......................... 4

Director, Office of Public Affairs (OPA) .............................. 6

Web Advisory Group (WAG) ...................................... 6

Directors, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) and Office of New

Reactors (NRO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Directors, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) and

Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management

Programs (FSME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Director, Office of Human Resources (HR) ........................... 8

Office Directors and Regional Administrators ......................... 8

Director, Information and Records Services Division (IRSD), OIS . . . . . . . . . 11

Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Approved: April 14, 2003 1

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Volume: 3 Information Management

Part: 1 Publications, Mail, and Information

Disclosure OIS

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

Policy

(3.14-01)

It is the policy of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission that all

Web content on its Public Web Site conform to the standards and

procedures in this directive and handbook unless exempted from

certain provisions. See also Section 3.14-03 (039), “Office

Directors and Regional Administrators,” and Section 3.14-04,

“Applicability.” For policy and guidance on releasing information to

the public, see MD 3.4, “Release of Information to the Public.”

Objectives

(3.14-02)

• To ensure that all content on the Public Web Site contributes

to openness and public confidence by— (021)

– enhancing the public’s understanding of NRC’s mission,

goals, programs, and activities (a)

– enhancing the ability of stakeholders to participate

effectively in the regulatory process (b)

– making it easier to do business with the NRC through (c)

• improved access to the agency’s publicly available

information and (i)

• better tools for conducting business electronically

across the Web. (ii)
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

2 Approved: April 14, 2003

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Objectives

(3.14-02) (continued)

• To ensure that the operation of the Public Web Site complies

with applicable laws and regulations listed in Section 3.14-05,

“References” (e.g., laws concerning privacy, including cookies,

disclaimers, accessibility, information collections, and

copyright). (022)

• To provide the information technology (IT) infrastructure for the

site. (023)

• To establish clear lines of authority and responsibility for

publishing and maintaining content on the site. (024)

• To establish policy and procedures for publishing and

maintaining content on the site. (025)

• To ensure that the content— (026)

– reflects agency policy (a)

– is accurate and current (b)

– is easy to find (c)

– is written in plain language that can be understood by the

general public (d)

– is accessible by all site users, including those with

disabilities (e)

– adheres to best practices for Web usability (f)

– does not unfairly promote one organization or commercial

entity over others (g)

– is published only once and is referenced by links when the

same content is related to more than one topic (h)
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

Approved: April 14, 2003 3

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Objectives

(3.14-02) (continued)

• To ensure that the performance of the site is measured and

actions are taken to improve performance, when

appropriate. (027)

• To ensure that links from NRC Web pages to sites outside the

NRC are appropriate. (028)

• To ensure that the content is nonsensitive (see the “Glossary”

in Handbook 3.14), consistent with agency policy in

Management Directive (MD) 3.4, “Release of Information to the

Public,” and does not promote commercial entities through use

of trademarks or other means. (029)

• To ensure that no NRC official agency record is published on

the site unless it is available to the public in the Agencywide

Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)

Publicly Available Records System (PARS). Exempted from

this requirement are links (either direct or via a search engine)

to official records of other Federal agencies, institutions, or

persons. (0210)

Organizational Responsibilities and

Delegations of Authority

(3.14-03)

Executive Director for Operations (EDO)

(031)

• Approves the overall objectives for the site. (a)

• Authorizes use of a persistent cookie on the site when

requested by the Director of the Office of Information Services

(OIS) as required by OMB Memorandum M-00-13. (b)

• Decides on unresolved issues having agencywide impact that

were referred by the Web Advisory Group (WAG). (c)
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

4 Approved: April 14, 2003

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Organizational Responsibilities and

Delegations of Authority

(3.14-03) (continued)

Deputy Executive Directors for Operations

(032)

Decides on unresolved issues having agencywide impact that

were referred by the WAG.

Deputy Executive Director for

Corporate Management (DEDCM)

(033)

Appoints a senior EDO office representative to serve as a member

of the WAG.

Director, Office of Information 

Services (OIS)

(034)

• Establishes policy, standards, and procedures for designing,

operating, and managing content on the NRC’s Public Web

Site to meet the objectives of this directive. (a)

• Provides the information technology infrastructure (see the

“Glossary” in Handbook 3.14). (b)

• Ensures that all content on all domains at NRC’s Public Web

Site is archived in accordance with National Archives and

Records Administration (NARA) requirements. (c)

• Receives and reviews requests to use a persistent cookie on

the site and recommends to the EDO whether to approve a

request (see the “Glossary” in Handbook 3.14). (d)
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

Approved: April 14, 2003 5

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Organizational Responsibilities and

Delegations of Authority

(3.14-03) (continued)

Director, Office of Information 

Services (OIS)

(034) (continued)

• Approves requests to exempt a Web-based software

application (e.g., the Licensing Support Network) from specific

provisions of this directive and handbook. (e)

• Ensures that the addition of a new IT application, a new

medium, or other technology new to the site is approved

through the Capital Planning and Investment Control (CPIC)

process. (f)

• Approves proposals to establish or have a contractor establish

new NRC Web domains to be referenced from the site or to be

otherwise used for transactions with employees, licensees,

contractors, Government entities, or others. (g)

• Provides office directors and regional administrators with

necessary guidance for complying with this directive and

handbook. (h)

• Determines whether to approve requests for external site

publishing from an office or a region having minimal

requirements. (i)

• With the appropriate Deputy Executive Director for Operations

(DEDO) or the EDO, resolves issues referred by the WAG that

have agencywide impact. (j)

• Appoints a senior office representative to serve as a member

of the WAG. (k)
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

6 Approved: April 14, 2003

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Organizational Responsibilities and

Delegations of Authority

(3.14-03) (continued)

Director, Office of Public Affairs (OPA)

(035)

• Appoints a senior office representative to serve as a member

of the WAG. (a)

• Recommends and approves changes to the layout and content

of the Public Home Page (www.nrc.gov/index.html) with the

advice and consent of the WAG and in coordination with the

OIS Web Content Services Team (WCST). (b)

• Obtains assistance from the WAG and the OIS WCST in

performing user needs analyses to validate proposed changes

to the Public Home Page that affect the navigation and layout

of other areas of the Public Web Site. (c)

Web Advisory Group (WAG)

(036)

• Consists of three members, one each from the Offices of the

Executive Director for Operations, Public Affairs, and

Information Services. (a)

• Resolves issues among content providers and among those

involved in responding to stakeholder feedback about content

on the sites. (b)

• Provides advice to content providers and sponsors on site

policy issues and proposed changes that have an agencywide

impact. (c)

• Approves adding and deleting key topics from the site’s home

page. (d)
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

Approved: April 14, 2003 7

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Organizational Responsibilities and

Delegations of Authority

(3.14-03) (continued)

Web Advisory Group

(036) (continued)

• Provides advice and consent to the Office of Public Affairs

(OPA) regarding changes proposed to the layout and content

of the Public Home Page (www.nrc.gov/index.html). (e)

• Refers any unresolved issues that have agencywide impact to

the Director of OIS for resolution by the appropriate DEDO or

the EDO. (f)

Directors, Office of Nuclear Reactor

Regulation (NRR) and Office of New

Reactors (NRO)

(037)

• Ensure that content in assigned areas of the Public Site is

accurate and current and complies with this directive and

handbook. (a)

• Determine up to six key topics published on the Nuclear

Reactors main page, authorizing addition or deletion of a key

topic, as necessary, and coordinate decisions with other offices

involved. (b)

• Delegate this responsibility only to the Deputy Office Director. (c)

Directors, Office of Nuclear Material

Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) and

Office of Federal and State Materials

and Environmental Management Programs (FSME)

(038)

• Ensure that content in assigned areas of the Public Site is

accurate and current and complies with this directive and

handbook. (a)
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

8 Approved: April 14, 2003

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Organizational Responsibilities and

Delegations of Authority

(3.14-03) (continued)

Directors, Office of Nuclear Material

Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) and

Office of Federal and State Materials

and Environmental Management Programs (FSME)

(038) (continued)

• Determine up to six key topics published on the Nuclear

Materials main page and the Radioactive Waste main page,

respectively, authorizing addition or deletion of a key topic, as

necessary, and coordinate decisions with other offices

involved. (b)

• Delegate this responsibility only to the Deputy Office Director. (c)

Director, Office of Human Resources (HR)

(039)

Develops, working with the OIS staff, training courses for NRC

employees concerning the Web site and offers the courses as

needed.

Office Directors and

Regional Administrators

(0310)

• Ensure that content on the Public Web Site for which the office

or region is responsible is accurate and current and complies

with this directive and handbook. (a)

• Approve or designate other Senior Executive Service (SES)

level managers (office content sponsors) who approve the

addition or removal of a new page, a subsite, or a document

collection to or from the site. (b)
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

Approved: April 14, 2003 9

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Organizational Responsibilities and

Delegations of Authority

(3.14-03) (continued)

Office Directors and

Regional Administrators

(0310) (continued)

• Through the Director of OIS, request EDO approval to add a

persistent cookie to the site. (c)

• If the office or region has Web publishing requirements, may

request IRSD/OIS to provide services for publishing the

respective organization’s content on the external site. (d)

• Meet requirements of MD 2.8, “Project Management

Methodology (PMM),” as required for Web-based

applications. (e)

• Request the Director of OIS’s approval via the CPIC process

for the following: (f)

– proposals to add a new IT application, a new medium, or

other new technology to the site (i)

– proposals to establish a new NRC Web domain to be

referenced from the site or to be otherwise used for

electronic transactions with employees, licensees,

Government entities, or others (ii)

• Request an exemption from any provision in this directive or

handbook in one of the following ways: (g)

– for approval of a proposed new Web-based system,

propose any exemption in the CPIC business case that is

submitted to the Director of OIS; (i)
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

10 Approved: April 14, 2003

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Organizational Responsibilities and

Delegations of Authority

(3.14-03) (continued)

Office Directors and

Regional Administrators

(0310) (continued)

– for an existing Web-based system for which a business

case was approved before April 14, 2003, or for any other

existing subsite, request from the Director of OIS in writing

exemption from specific provisions because either— (ii)

• the provisions conflict with regulatory requirements,

rules, or adjudicatory business practices and processes

for hearings, or (a)

• an extension beyond 12 months of the effective date of

this directive is needed to comply with a provision

because of costs or schedule restraints. (b)

• Ensure that any Web pages comply with all applicable Federal

statutes and other Governmentwide requirements whether or

not an exemption from a provision of MD 3.14 is granted. (h)

• Ensure that those NRC staff designated to work with Web

content comply with the policy, standards, and procedures in

this directive and handbook. (i)

• Ensure that any non-nrc.gov domain sponsored by the office

or region meets the objectives (Section 3.14-02) in the directive

and the requirements for such domains in both the directive

and the handbook. (j)

• Ensure that the content on any non-nrc.gov domains

sponsored by the office or the region is archived in accordance

with NARA requirements. (k)
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

Approved: April 14, 2003 11

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Organizational Responsibilities and

Delegations of Authority

(3.14-03) (continued)

Office Directors and

Regional Administrators

(0310) (continued)

• Ensure that staff in the office or region with Web-related

responsibilities complete the required Web training. (l)

• Ensure that staff reply to e-mail messages received via the

Public Web Site pertaining to office or regional programs within

the agreed-upon time specified in the automated site reply. (m)

• Appoint for the office or region the Web Liaison, the alternate

Web Liaison, and those who publish Web content (see

Handbook 3.14). This responsibility may be delegated to

another SES manager. (n)

• Inform OIS/IRSD in writing through the Office Web Liaison

about office or regional designees and of any changes to the

original list of designees. (o)

Director, Information and Records

Services Division (IRSD), OIS

(0311)

• Implements processes and establishes standards to

ensure that content at the site complies with this directive and

handbook, including such considerations as usability;

accessibility; privacy, including cookies; clearance for

information collection requirements required by the Office of

Management and Budget; nonduplication across the sites; and

appropriateness of links to non-Government sites. (a)
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

12 Approved: April 14, 2003

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Organizational Responsibilities and

Delegations of Authority

(3.14-03) (continued)

Director, Information and Records

Services Division (IRSD), OIS

(0311) (continued)

• Receives office requests to use a persistent cookie and

recommends to the Director of OIS whether to forward a

request to the EDO for approval. (b)

• Ensures that content on the www.nrc.gov domain is archived

in accordance with NARA requirements and provides guidance

on NARA’s archiving requirements to offices responsible for

meeting these requirements for non-nrc.gov domains. (c)

• Periodically reviews the site for adherence to the requirements

and achievement of the objectives of this directive and

handbook and works with the offices to take corrective actions

when appropriate. (d)

• Obtains stakeholder feedback and measures performance of

the site against the requirements and objectives of this

directive and handbook and works with offices to improve the

site, as appropriate. (e)

• Keeps up-to-date records of the Office Web Liaisons, the WAG

members, and the publishing authorities of those approved to

publish content to the test and production sites. (f)

• Manages the implementation of publishing authorities for the

site and the processing of requests for publishing content to

the site, conferring with Office Web Liaisons as necessary. (g)

• Approves links from the site to non-Government sites,

obtaining advice as needed from the Office of the General

Counsel. (h)
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

Approved: April 14, 2003 13

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Organizational Responsibilities and

Delegations of Authority

(3.14-03) (continued)

Director, Information and Records

Services Division (IRSD), OIS

(0311) (continued)

• Works with the Professional Development Center (PDC) to

develop and offer training for staff involved with Web content,

as needed. (i)

• Creates and maintains the Web standards subsite containing

detailed standards, instructions, and other information useful

to those involved with content for the site at

http://www.internal.nrc.gov/web-standards (see Handbook

3.14). Informs the Office Web Liaisons of changes to content

at the internal Web standards subsite. (j)

• Informs the Office Web Liaisons of any revision to the

information at the Web standards subsite and maintains a log

at the subsite of these revisions. (k)

• Provides Web content maintenance services compliant with

this directive and handbook that can be used by NRC offices

that sponsor content on the site. (l)

• Establishes and publishes service levels for Web services

provided by the division. (m)

• As approved by the Director of OIS, provides services for

publishing content on the Public Web Site for an office or a

region with minimal requirements. (n)

• Ensures that the Web staff reply to e-mail messages received

via the Public Web Site pertaining to operation of the site within

the agreed-upon time specified in the automated site reply. (o)
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

14 Approved: April 14, 2003

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Organizational Responsibilities and

Delegations of Authority

(3.14-03) (continued)

Director, Information and Records

Services Division (IRSD), OIS

(0311) (continued)

• Assists OPA in performing user needs analyses to validate

proposed changes to the Home Page that affect the navigation

and layout of the other areas of the Public Site. (p)

Applicability

(3.14-04)

All NRC employees shall follow the policy and guidance in this

directive and handbook.

References

(3.14-05)

Code of Federal Regulations

Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1)

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Acquisition Regulation (48

CFR Chapter 20)

NRC Management Directives—

2.8, “Project Management Methodology (PMM).”

3.1, “Freedom of Information Act.”

3.2, “Privacy Act.”

3.4, “Release of Information to the Public.”
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

Approved: April 14, 2003 15

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

References

(3.14-05) (continued)

3.53, “NRC Records and Document Management Program.”

11.1, “NRC Acquisition of Supplies and Services.”

11.7, “NRC Procedures for Placement and Monitoring of Work

With the U.S. Department of Energy.”

11.8, “NRC Procedures for Placement and Monitoring of Work

With Federal Agencies Other Than DOE.”

12.6, “NRC Sensitive Unclassified Information Security Program.”

NRC NUREG-Series Publications—

0910, “NRC Comprehensive Records Disposition Schedule.”

1379, “NRC Editorial Style Guide.”

BR–0273, “ADAMS Desk Reference Guide.”

NRC Uniform Resource Locators—

“Guidance for Publishing to the NRC Web Site,” http://www.

internal.nrc.gov/web-standards.

“Plain Language Action Plan,” http://www.internal.nrc.gov/

NRC/PLAIN.

Office of Management and Budget Circular and Memoranda—

Circular A–130, “Management of Federal Information

Resources.”

Memorandum (M) M–99–18, “Privacy Policies on Federal Web

Sites,” June 2, 1999.
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

16 Approved: April 14, 2003

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

References

(3.14-05) (continued)

M–00–13, “Privacy Policies and Data Collection on Federal

Web Sites,” June 22, 2000.

United States Code

Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.

Sec. 12101).

Computer Security Act of 1987 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 272).

Copyright Law of the United States of America (17 U.S.C.

Sec. 101).

Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (18 U.S.C.

Sec. 2510–2522, 2701–2709).

Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended (Pub. L.

93-438).

Federal Records Act of 1950 (44 U.S.C. 2101).

Government Paperwork Elimination Act of 1998 (44 U.S.C.

Sec. 3504n).

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Sec. 3501,

3502–3520).

Privacy Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. Sec. 552a).

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794.d).

Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1980 (5 U.S.C., App. 1).

Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2001

(HR 5658), (Pub. L. 106-544), December 21, 2000.
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Directive 3.14

Approved: April 14, 2003 17

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

References

(3.14-05) (continued)

Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Section 508, “Electronic

and Web Information Technology” (20 U.S.C. Sec. 920l;

29 U.S.C. Sec. 2801).
U.S. Nuclear

Regulatory Commission

Public Web Site

Handbook

3.14
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Handbook 3.14

Approved: April 14, 2003 iii

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Contents

1 Web Site Publication Process ................................ 1

1.1 Content Hosted at www.nrc.gov ................................. 1

1.2 Content Hosted at Non-nrc.gov Domains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2 Accessibility Standards and Guidance ....................... 4

3 Privacy Policy ............................................... 9

3.1 General Privacy Policy ........................................ 9

3.2 Subsite-Specific Privacy Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

3.3 Platform for Personal Privacy Preferences (P3P) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

4 Web Addresses in NRC Public Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

5 Office Web Staff and Their Roles and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . 12

5.1 Content Sponsor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

5.2 Content Provider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

5.3 Content Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

5.4 Office Web Liaison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

6 Roles and Process for Authorization and Screening . . . . . . . . . . . 16

7 Scientific Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

8 Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Tables

1 Web Content Development and Publication Process ................... 2

2 Specific Requirements for Internet/Web Pages ........................ 6

3 Overview of Roles and Responsibilities of Office Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

4 Initial Authorization of Web Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

5 Screening Content for Web Publication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Handbook 3.14

Approved: April 14, 2003 1

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Handbook

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Public Web Site is an important tool for

stakeholder and staff use for obtaining information and conducting business.

The sections of this handbook cover Public Web Site requirements for the www.nrc.gov

domain as well as other NRC-sponsored (non-nrc.gov) Web domains, including the

process for developing and publishing content; accessibility standards and guidance;

the privacy policy; the use of Web addresses in NRC public documents; the roles and

responsibilities of NRC staff who participate in developing and publishing content; the

process for screening and authorization of material for the site; scientific codes; and

training.

Detailed information and instructions for developing and publishing content at NRC’s

Public Web Site are found on our internal Web site standards subsite

http://www.internal.nrc.gov/web-standards. In addition, the subsite has a glossary,

training material, and tables containing the names of the individuals who hold the Web

roles in each office and the members of the Web staff and their roles.

The OIS Information and Records Services Division (IRSD) will inform Office Web

Liaisons when any content at this site is revised (see Section (3.14-03) (0311) in

Directive 3.14).

1 Web Site Publication Process

The NRC Public Web Site includes content hosted at several Internet domains. Section

1.1 describes the requirements for content at www.nrc.gov. Section 1.2 describes the

requirements for other NRC-sponsored (non-nrc.gov) Web domains.

1.1 Content Hosted at www.nrc.gov

Staff involved in the development of content hosted at www.nrc.gov shall follow the

instructions at the internal Web site standards subsite at http://www.internal.nrc.gov/

web-standards. This standards subsite describes in detail the Web content development

and publication process composed of the initial authorization and screening, preparing,

formatting, and publishing steps. These steps are summarized in Table 1, “Web

Content Development and Publication Process.” Section 6 describes in detail the initial

authorization and screening steps. For formatting and publishing content, offices may
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use either OIS services or have their own office staff format and publish the content, as

explained in more detail at the subsite.

Table 1 Web Content Development and Publication Process

Lead Role Assisting Roles Process Output

Initial Authorization 

Content

Sponsor

Office Web

Liaison, OIS Web

Staff

Initial authorization of the process

to add or remove a page

(including a scientific code), a

subsite, a document collection, or

a document for comment,

ensuring that material meets the

overall site objectives.*

Authorization to

begin the

process.

Screening

Content

Provider

Office Web

Liaison, OIS Web

Staff

Screening of draft material for

Web suitability (covers copyright,

Office of Management and Budget

information collection

requirements, persistent cookies,

privacy, sensitivity, links to nonGovernment sites, uniqueness

among NRC-sponsored sites,

etc.).

New or revised

material that has

been screened

for Web

suitability.

Preparing

Content

Provider

OIS Web Editor Revision of draft material to

ensure that it is written in plain

language and conforms to the

design principles that have been

adopted for the Public Web Site

(covers organization of content,

navigation, how to provide

information for site glossary and

finding aids, etc.).

Revised material

(usually a

Microsoft Word

file) in a form

that can be

readily used by

the content

publisher to

begin formatting.

*See Section 3.14-02 of the directive.
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Table 1 Web Content Development and Publication Process (continued)

Lead Role Assisting Roles Process Output

Formatting

OIS Web

Staff

or

Office

Content

Publisher

and OIS

Web Staff

Office Web

Liaison and OIS

Web Staff

Conversion of prepared content

into hypertext markup language

(HTML), using standard software,

templates, format and

navigational standards, and filenaming conventions.

Formatted

material (HTML)

ready for

publishing.

Publishing

OIS Web

Staff

or

Office

Content

Publisher

and OIS

Web Staff

Office Web

Liaison and OIS

Web Staff

Transfer of formatted content to

the site content management

environment, deployment of

content to the test environment,

review and testing of the content,

final approval of nonroutine

changes** by the content sponsor,

and deploying of approved

content to the external site.

Completed

material

published to the

Public Web Site

or material

deleted from the

site.

**Initial and final authorization is not required for nonsubstantive changes (e.g., punctuation) or

routine, repetitive types of changes or additions to existing document collections, tables, lists, or other

similar material (e.g., news releases or Commission papers).

1.2 Content Hosted at Non-nrc.gov Domains

Staff involved in the development of content hosted at non-nrc.gov domains must follow

the instructions in Section 6 for the initial authorization and screening steps (see also

Table 1 in this handbook and the internal Web site standards subsite at

http://www.internal.nrc.gov/web-standards). Since content for non-nrc.gov domains is

usually developed following a different process for preparing, formatting, and publishing,

the associated information for these steps at the standards subsite may not apply.

Separate requirements for these domains are therefore posted at the subsite. These

requirements, which are designed to be independent of the preparation, formatting, and

publishing process, may be modified only if the sponsor requests and receives a waiver

from specific provisions of this directive and handbook from the Director of OIS.
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2 Accessibility Standards and Guidance

This section applies to all of NRC’s public Web domains (www.nrc.gov and non-nrc.gov

domains) unless an exemption, such as undue burden, exists.

The Access Board, which is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for

people with disabilities, is the designated organization for providing Governmentwide

guidance for complying with accessibility laws for Federal Web sites. The Access Board

Web site at http://www.access-board.gov is one of several offering specific guidance

on designing for accessibility. See “Access Board” in the Glossary for more information.

Accessibility Highlights

Images and Other Nontextual Objects

Principle: Each image, applet, or other nontextual page element that conveys

information should be properly identified with an informative textual equivalent.

Purpose: Some browsing technologies, such as text-only and text-to-speech

browsers used by the visually disabled and portable wireless devices, do not display

graphic images. They can display the textual equivalents.

Scope: This principle is limited to elements that convey information and does not

apply to images used solely for page design.

Application: Include a meaningful alternative textual equivalent or long description

in each HTML tag that calls for an image, applet, or other nontextual element. If the

nontextual element conveys a significant amount of information, the page author should

consider including a more detailed description of this information in the document near

the nontextual reference.

Use of Color

Principle: Color should never be used as the sole means of conveying information

on a Web page.

Purpose: Alternative browsing technologies may not display color. In addition,

some people who use graphical browsers cannot distinguish between certain colors,

and computer graphics cards vary in the manner in which they display color.
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Scope: This principle applies to all Web pages that contain information uniquely

identified by color.

Application: Avoid the use of color as the sole means of conveying meaning.

For example, in a chart that includes color bars or graphs, be sure to include clear

textual labels for each bar and a key for the chart, and give a clear explanation of the

meaning in the text around the chart.

Data Tables

Principle: Information presented in horizontally and vertically arranged fields

should be properly identified and logically arranged such that the horizontal and vertical

relationships between fields are clear.

Purpose: Alternative browsing technologies may present tabular information to

the user one line at a time rather than presenting the entire table as a unit.

Scope: This section applies to tables that convey structured data but not to

layout tables used merely to control the format of a Web page.

Application: First, be sure that the table is logically organized. Do not use table cells

to group dissimilar data rather than placing each piece in a separate cell. Next, place

a header cell at the top of each column of associated data and in the left-most cell of

each row of associated data. The HTML tag for each header cell should include a scope

attribute that identifies it as being the description for the "column" or "row" as

appropriate.

Submittal Forms

Principle: Each form element should be arranged such that its textual description

is presented next to it in the structure of the page.

Purpose: To accurately convey fill-in forms to text-only browsers, do not present

an HTML form to the user as a single unit.

Scope: This principle applies to all Web pages that contain HTML submittal forms.
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Application: Each HTML form element tag should follow its textual description without

any intervening plain text. While the method for achieving this result may vary by

application, the result should be consistent.

Javascript Menus

Principle: Users must have equal access to all content at a Web site if they do not have

client-side scripting capability.

Purpose: Javascript and other browser-specific client functionality are ignored

by nongraphical browsers and are not consistently supported by graphical browsers.

Scope: This principle applies to all Web pages that display Javascript menus.

Application: While not prohibited, these popular navigational tools should not be

the sole means for linking the material to content they call.

Specific Requirements for Internet/Web Pages

Listed below are Subsections 36 CFR 1194.22 (a) through (p). These 16 rules define

the Section 508 requirements for Internet/Web pages. You may print this page for use

as a checklist.

Table 2 Specific Requirements for Internet/Web Pages

Section 508 Regulation Text NRC Guidance

(a) A text equivalent for every non-text

element shall be provided (e.g., via "alt,"

"longdesc," or in element content). 

Brief, concise text shall identify all non-text

elements.

• Alt tags of five words or less shall be

used for most graphics (e.g., NRC

Logo; Photo of Chairman; go to top).

• Null alt tags (e.g., alt="" or alt="-") shall

be used for spacer, divider, or

decorative elements.
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Table 2 Specific Requirements for Internet/Web Pages (continued)

Section 508 Regulation Text NRC Guidance

• Complex graphics (e.g., technical

diagrams) may require links to longer

equivalent text. Note that such text

sometimes already exists as a part of

the document and can be "linked to."

(b) Equivalent alternatives for any

multimedia presentation shall be

synchronized with the presentation. 

Audio/video tracks shall have captions that

are kept "in sync."

(c) Web pages shall be designed so that all

information conveyed with color is also

available without color, for example, from

context or markup.

Color-coding of text or graphics is

permitted, but another means of

distinguishing the information must also be

provided.

(d) Documents shall be organized so that

they are readable without requiring an

associated style sheet.

Use of style sheets is permitted, but all

information, functionality, and clarity must

be retained when the style sheet is "turned

off" by the user.

(e) Redundant text links shall be provided

for each active region of a server-side

image map. 

When a server-side image map is used,

redundant and equivalent text links for

every zone shall accompany it.

(f) Client-side image maps shall be

provided instead of server-side image

maps except where the regions cannot be

defined with an available geometric shape. 

Client-side image maps are preferred

wherever possible. This choice eliminates

the need for redundant links (see item (e)

above).

(g) Row and column headers shall be

identified for data tables. 

<th> and </th> tags shall be used for

headers, in place of <td> and </td>.

(h) Markup shall be used to associate data

cells and header cells for data tables that

have two or more logical levels of row or

column headers.

<th scope="row"> or <th scope="col"> shall

be used to "orient" the headers. Where

multiple levels exist in the table, each level

shall be so coded.

(i) Frames shall be titled with text that

facilitates frame identification and

navigation.

NRC's Web Redesign Standards forbid

frames.
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Table 2 Specific Requirements for Internet/Web Pages (continued)

Section 508 Regulation Text NRC Guidance

(j) Pages shall be designed to avoid

causing the screen to flicker with a

frequency greater than 2 Hz and lower than

55 Hz. 

Blinking text and flashing graphics shall not

be used. Moving graphics shall be avoided

wherever possible.

(k) A text-only page, with equivalent

information or functionality, shall be

provided to make a Web site comply with

the provisions of this part when compliance

cannot be accomplished in any other way.

The content of the text-only page shall be

updated whenever the primary page

changes.

ONLY when it is impossible to achieve

compliance, an equivalent text-only page

shall also be provided. NOTE: This strategy

creates additional costs and potential

sources of error and is strongly

discouraged.

(l) When pages utilize scripting languages

to display content, or to create interface

elements, the information provided by the

script shall be identified with functional text

that can be read by assistive technology. 

Javascript or other scripting languages are

permitted; however, all information and

functionality must be available when the

scripts are "turned off" by the user.

(m) When a Web page requires that an

applet, a plug-in, or other application be

present on the client system to interpret

page content, the page must provide a link

to a plug-in or an applet that complies with

36 CFR 1194.21(a) through (l). 

When a Web page uses additional

software, that software must meet the

noted standards.

(n) When electronic forms are designed to

be completed online, the form shall allow

people using assistive technology to

access the information, field elements, and

functionality required for completion and

submission of the form, including all

directions and cues.

Form field labels shall immediately precede

their associated fields or shall be related to

them by <label> tags.

(o) A method shall be provided that permits

users to skip repetitive navigation links. 

When several pages contain identical

navigation links, for example, at the top of

the pages, there shall be a way to "skip

over" them. An anchor tag (e.g., <a

name=body>) may be placed after them,

with a corresponding link placed before

them.
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Table 2 Specific Requirements for Internet/Web Pages (continued)

Section 508 Regulation Text NRC Guidance

(p) When a timed response is required, the

user shall be alerted and given sufficient

time to indicate more time is needed. 

The user shall be alerted and additional

time provided.

3 Privacy Policy

This section applies to all of NRC’s public Web domains (www.nrc.gov and non-nrc.gov

domains). NRC’s Web privacy policy is embodied in our Privacy Policy at

http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/privacy.html.

3.1 General Privacy Policy

A link to the Privacy Policy appears at the bottom of every page posted at the Web site.

The statement’s key elements include the following—

• General Use. NRC collects and stores the following information for anyone using our

site:

– The Internet protocol (IP) address (a number that is automatically assigned to a

user’s computer when using the Internet) from which a user accesses our Web site.

– The pages visited.

– The date and time a user accessed our site.

• E-mail Message or Online Form. NRC uses the personal information (e-mail or

mailing address or telephone number) submitted only for the reason it was submitted.

• Comments on a Proposed Rule or Petition. NRC publishes all information

submitted in comments, including that submitted on an online form, in ADAMS, and on

Regulations.gov, the Federal e-Rulemaking docket system.

• Cookies. There are two types of cookies: “session cookies” and “persistent cookies”

(see the “Glossary” of this handbook). NRC sometimes uses session cookies as

placekeepers to retain context during an individual user session. These cookies assist

with movement throughout the site during an individual user session without any

capacity to track users over time and across different Web sites. Session cookies are

discarded upon completion of a user session or expire within a short time frame. They
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are not used to track personal information. NRC generally does not allow the use of

persistent cookies unless such usage is approved by the Director of OIS and authorized

by the Executive Director for Operations (EDO). The only use of persistent cookies

approved by the EDO to date is for the Google.com search capability that appears at

the top of each page at our Public Web Site.

• Site Usage Data. For site management, NRC maintains an operational log of site

user addresses. This log is used to generate site usage statistics, track operational

problems, and investigate suspected unauthorized activities. Information about

individual users is shared only with appropriate law enforcement entities, if necessary,

to investigate or prosecute unlawful activities conducted on or against this site.

NRC employs software programs to monitor network traffic in order to identify

unauthorized attempts to upload or change data, or to otherwise cause damage.

3.2 Subsite-Specific Privacy Policies

Some areas of the external site may require privacy statements that go beyond our

general privacy policy. Examples include statements associated with data submitted via

the site that will become part of a Privacy Act Systems of Records or information

submitted via the site that will become a public record, such as comments on

rulemakings.

Privacy statements covering such cases must be coordinated with the OIS Privacy Act

Officer and the OIS Web Staff before inclusion at the site.

3.3 Platform for Personal Privacy Preferences (P3P)

The NRC Public Web Site contains a machine-readable P3P file that describes for the

user’s Web browser how information collected through our online forms is used by

NRC. This file, located at the well-known location recommended by the World-Wide

Web Consortium, enables the Web browser to prompt the user if the NRC’s use of

information does not match the user’s privacy preferences as configured in the

browser’s privacy settings. This file covers online forms posted to www.nrc.gov. It is the

responsibility of the sponsor of each NRC subsite outside of www.nrc.gov to ensure that

their site complies with the OMB guidance on P3P.
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4 Web Addresses in NRC Public Documents

Generally, in citing Web addresses at a site, the closer the address is to the home page

(that is, the higher the level of the page at the site), the more likely it is to be stable

because lower level pages undergo change or have content posted on an ad hoc basis

more frequently than higher level pages. Therefore, when citing Web addresses in

documents that will be publicly available official records, use the addresses of high-level

pages that serve as entry ways to the location of the information being cited. For

example, rather than citing the address of a specific document, meeting notice, or

agenda, cite the Electronic Reading Room, the Documents for Comment page, or the

Public Involvement page, as appropriate. Provide the title and date of the information

cited to help the reader find it.

At other times, however, the citation of a very specific Web address is encouraged. For

example, specific addresses should be used to make it easy for stakeholders to find a

document that is being posted for comment for a fixed period of time. In these cases,

the Web address obviously has a limited period of validity. 

Web Addresses in Long-Lived Documents. For public documents that are expected

to be referenced and relevant for long periods, such as NRC’s regulations, regulatory

guides, and NUREG-series publications and brochures, use only the following Web

addresses (URLs) unless a waiver is obtained from the Director of the Information and

Records Services Division, OIS:

1. The NRC Home Page (http://www.nrc.gov/)

2. The Electronic Reading Room (http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm.html)

3. Public Involvement (http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve.html)

4. Documents for Comment (http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/doc-comment.html)

5. ADAMS documents pages (http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html)

6. Electronic Information Exchange (http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/eie.html)

7. Site Index (http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/index-az.html)

The OIS Web Staff will publish redirection pages for any of these pages if their

addresses change. For links that permanently reside on the Public Site home page

(e.g., License Fees or Public Meeting Schedule) or in the site index, state that the link

is found on the home page at www.nrc.gov or in the site index, which is accessible at

the top of every page.
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Web Addresses in Short-Lived Documents. For documents in which a Web address

will be needed for a brief, finite period (e.g., a Federal Register notice concerning a

document or program available for comment, a news release, etc.), use the specific

address and, if possible, the specific period the document would be available at that

address (e.g., 60 days).

Web Addresses in Other Documents. For routine correspondence, memoranda, and

other documents not previously mentioned, the staff should generally use the seven

addresses listed. Use specific Web addresses sparingly and only when they add

significant value, keeping in mind that redirection pages will not be posted if these

addresses change.

5 Office Web Staff and Their Roles and Responsibilities

Each office sponsoring content for a Web site designates a staff member as an Office

Web Liaison. Among other responsibilities, the Office Web Liaison assists OIS in

maintaining a list of the sponsors and providers of the content sponsored by that office.

Some offices designate staff as content publishers, while others use OIS services to

publish at www.nrc.gov or other processes to publish at non-nrc.gov domains (see also

Section 3.14-03, “Organizational Responsibilities and Delegations of Authority,” in

Directive 3.14). An overview of the roles and responsibilities of office staff involved in

Web processes is shown in Table 3.

Table 3 Overview of Roles and Responsibilities of Office Staff 

Designee Responsibility

Content Sponsor

(programmatic content owner)

• Authorizes initial process to add or remove a

page (including a scientific code), a subsite,

a document collection, or a document for

comment, ensuring that material meets the

overall site objectives.*

• Authorizes deployment of the formatted

content from the test site to the Public Web

Site (www.nrc.gov).*

Content Provider

(subject matter provider responsible

for the content)

• Initiates authorizations and screens,

prepares, and reviews Web content.

• Obtains final approval of content on the test

site from the content sponsor as required.
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*Initial and final authorization is not required for nonsubstantive changes (e.g., punctuation) or

routine, repetitive types of changes or additions to existing document collections, tables, lists, or other

similar material (e.g., news releases or Commission papers).

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Table 3 Overview of Roles and Responsibilities of Office Staff (continued)

Designee Responsibility

Content Publisher

(Web technician)

Formats and publishes Web content consistent

with this directive and handbook and the

requirements at http://www.internal.nrc.gov/webstandards, including accessibility standards.

Office Web Liaison

(office coordinator and assistant for

Web publishing)

• Verifies that Web publishing requests are

consistent with this directive and handbook

and the requirements at http://www.internal.

nrc.gov/web-standards.

• Submits requests to office staff authorized to

publish Web content or to the OIS Web

Staff.

*Initial and final authorization is not required for nonsubstantive changes (e.g., punctuation) or

routine, repetitive types of changes or additions to existing document collections, tables, lists, or other

similar material (e.g., news releases or Commission papers).

Details of the responsibilities of the Office Web Liaison, content providers, content

sponsors, and content publishers are described in Sections 5.1 through 5.4.

5.1 Content Sponsor

The content sponsor performs the following functions:

• Acquires a basic understanding of the Web content publishing process

• Authorizes initiation of a process to add or remove a page (including a scientific

code), a subsite, a document collection, or a document for comment, ensuring that

material meets the overall site objectives specified in the directive (see Section 3.14-

02).*

• Reviews final content on a test server to ensure that the content is current, accurate,

complete, and nonsensitive before authorizing its publication.*
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*Initial and final authorization is not required for nonsubstantive changes (e.g., punctuation) or

routine, repetitive types of changes or additions to existing document collections, tables, lists, or other

similar material (e.g., news releases or Commission papers).

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• For non-nrc.gov domains, ensures that contracts include NRC Web requirements

and that responsible project officers enforce these requirements (see non-nrc.gov

domains at http://www.internal.nrc.gov/web-standards).

5.2 Content Provider

The content provider performs the following functions:

• Completes appropriate Web training (see Section 8, “Training,” of this handbook).

• As subject matter provider, initially drafts proposed content to be added or proposes

content to be revised or deleted and does the following:

– Obtains initial authorization from the content sponsor as specified in Table 4,

“Initial Authorization of Web Content.”

– Screens content as specified in Table 5, “Screening Content for Web

Publication.”

– Prepares content in accordance with requirements at

http://www.internal.nrc.gov/web-standards/prepare.

– Submits content (usually a WordPerfect or Microsoft Word file) for review by

a Web editor and works with the editor until the revision meets Web standards

and is satisfactory to the content provider (this requirement is not applicable for

changes of less than a paragraph)

– Submits edited material to the Office Web Liaison

– Reviews completed material at the test site

– Obtains final approval from the content sponsor to deploy content reviewed at

the test site before requesting deployment of the content to the Public Web

Site*
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• Reviews published content quarterly or whenever it is revised to be certain it

remains appropriate and that all links are still operable.

5.3 Content Publisher

The content publisher performs the following functions:

• Obtains approval from content sponsor and Office Web Liaison to be the publisher

for a specific content area or areas, in accordance with Web publishing practices of

the office.

• Completes appropriate training (see Section 8, “Training,” of this handbook).

• Obtains publishing rights from OIS for specific content areas (see Publishing Rights

in the Glossary at the standards subsite).

• Formats content in accordance with the requirements at

http://www.internal.nrc.gov/web-standards/format.

• Deploys content to the test site.

5.4 Office Web Liaison

The Office Web Liaison performs the following functions:

• Completes appropriate Web training (see Section 8, “Training,” of this handbook).

• Assists OIS in maintaining records of content sponsors and providers.

• Assists the content sponsor and the content provider as needed throughout the

process.

• For each publishing request, verifies that—

– required initial authorization (See Table 4, “Initial Authorization of Web

Content”) was obtained from the content sponsor

– content was screened as specified in Table 5, “Screening Content for Web

Publication”
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– content was prepared in accordance with requirements at

http://www.internal.nrc.gov/web-standards/prepare, including review by the

Web editor except for changes of less than a paragraph

• Submits request in accordance with the publishing standards at

http://www.internal.nrc.gov/web-standards/publish to the OIS Web Staff.

• After verifying that the content provider reviewed the formatted content, and the

content sponsor reviewed and authorized its publication, submits e-mail request to

the OIS Web Staff to deploy content to www.nrc.gov except for nonsubstantive

changes or routine, repetitive types of material.

6 Roles and Process for Authorization and Screening

The roles and process for initial authorization and screening of content for the Public

Web Site are given in this section.

Table 4 Initial Authorization of Web Content

Action Requiring Authorization Authorizing Official

Adding or removing a page (including a

scientific code), a subsite, a document

collection, or a document for comment*

Designated content sponsor (office

director, regional administrator, or

Senior Executive Service manager)

Adding a new Web-based application, a

new medium, or other technology new to

the site (accomplished via the CPIC

process)

Director of OIS if less than $500,000,

EDO if equal to or greater than

$500,000

Creating or acquiring a new NRC Web

subsite on a domain other than

http://www.nrc.gov

Director of OIS

*Initial authorization is not required for nonsubstantive changes (e.g., punctuation) or routine,

repetitive types of changes or additions to existing document collections, tables, lists, or other similar

material (e.g., news releases or Commission papers).

Screening is needed to ensure that Web content is suitable for publication at the NRC

Public Web Site and to obtain approvals required by law, regulation, or NRC policy for

specific types of content listed in the following table.
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Handbook 3.14

Approved: April 14, 2003 17

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Table 5 Screening Content for Web Publication

Type of

Content Requirement

Law, Regulation,

or Policy Who Can Advise

Who Must

Approve

All content Do link to existing

content, where

available

Do not post or

link to duplicates

of documents

already available

in the Electronic

Reading Room or

elsewhere at the

NRC Public Web

Site

MD 3.14,

Sec. 3.14-03 (0310)

OIS Web Staff

and Office Web

Liaison

Web

Advisory

Group

(exceptions

only)

All content Ensure that it is

accurate, current,

and complete 

Handbook 3.14,

Sec. 5.1

Content sponsor Content

sponsor

All content Ensure that it

does not contain

any sensitive

unclassified

information

Handbook 3.14,

Sec. 5.1; OMB

Circular M-00-13

Office Web

Liaison, then the

Information

Security Branch,

NSIR, with any

questions that

cannot be

resolved at the

office level

Content

sponsor

Official

Agency

Record filed

in ADAMS

Submit ADAMS

accession number

or URL for the

document if in the

Public Web Site

Electronic

Reading Room*

MD 3.14,

Sec. 3.14-03 (0310) 

ADAMS Help

Desk

Director of

IRSD 

(exceptions

only)
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Handbook 3.14

18 Approved: April 14, 2003

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Table 5 Screening Content for Web Publication (continued)

Type of

Content Requirement

Law, Regulation,

or Policy Who Can Advise

Who Must

Approve

Copyrighted

material

Obtain permission

from the copyright

owner

Copyright law Chief,

Rulemaking,

Directives, and

Editing Branch,

ADM

Copyright

Owner

Survey or

other

collection of

information

Obtain an Office

of Management

and Budget

(OMB) clearance

Paperwork

Reduction Act and 5

CFR Part 1320

Chief, Records

and FOIA/Privacy

Services Branch,

OIS

OMB

Persistent

cookie at the

external site

Obtain approval to

use a persistent

cookie

MD 3.14,

Sec. 3.14-03 (031)

and (033)

OIS Web Staff Executive

Director for

Operations

(EDO)

Key topic link

on the

Reactors,

Materials, or

Waste main

page (a

maximum of

six key topics

are

permitted)

Obtain approval to

add or delete a

key topic 

MD 3.14,

Sec. 3.14-03 (036)

and (037)

Office of Public

Affairs and OEDO

Assistant for

Communications

Appropriate

office

director

Key topic link

on the home

page (a

maximum of

six key topics

are

permitted)

Obtain approval to

add or delete a

key topic

MD 3.14,

Sec. 3.14-03 (035)

Office of Public

Affairs and OEDO

Assistant for

Communications

Web

Advisory

Group
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Handbook 3.14

Approved: April 14, 2003 19

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Table 5 Screening Content for Web Publication (continued)

Type of

Content Requirement

Law, Regulation,

or Policy Who Can Advise

Who Must

Approve

Collecting

information

about

individuals

that could be

part of a

Privacy Act

System of

Records

Obtain approval

and display

special Privacy

Act statement

Privacy Act 

(5 U.S.C.

552a(e)(3)) and MD

3.2, Part IV, Sec. C.

NRC Privacy Act

Officer

NRC

Privacy Act

Officer

Exception or

addendum to

the site-wide

privacy policy

or disclaimer

Obtain approval MD 3.14,

Sec. 3.14-03 (0310)

Office of the

General Counsel

Director of

IRSD

Link to nonGovernment

site; use of

logo or other

commercial

material

Obtain approval MD 3.14,

Sec. 3.14-03 (0310)

OIS Web Staff Director of

IRSD

Scientific

codes

Ensure that code

meets criteria for

posting in Section

7 of this handbook

and contributes to

overall Web

objectives

MD 3.14,

Sec. 3.14-02 (021),

Handbook 3.14,

Secs. 5.1 and 7

Project officer and

Office Web

Liaison

Content

sponsor

*NOTE: Documents at the Public Web Site should also have an ADAMS accession number.

7 Scientific Codes

With approval of the cognizant content sponsor, the staff may arrange with the OIS Web

Staff for scientific computer codes to be posted on the NRC Public Web Site for

accessing or downloading. Such posting shall be based on—

• consideration of user need
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Handbook 3.14

20 Approved: April 14, 2003

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

• quality control of the codes

• availability of adequate code documentation

• security issues

• impact on efficient operation of the site

As an alternative, the staff should consider providing public access to scientific

computer codes through the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Radiation Safety

Information Computational Center (RSICC), which is an ongoing distribution and

support channel for many NRC scientific computer codes.

8 Training

The NRC provides training and guidance to assist staff content providers, Office Web

Liaisons, and content publishers to the www.nrc.gov domain to comply with the policy

and guidance in this directive. Training described in this management directive does not

apply to contractors for non-nrc.gov domains. Web training requirements are explained

at http://www.internal.nrc.gov/web-standards/training.

All required Web training is available at the NRC Professional Development Center

(PDC). To register, complete the online form for the applicable Web course at the

training section of the internal Web site.
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Handbook 3.14 Glossary

Approved: April 14, 2003 G-1

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Glossary

Access Board. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers

Compliance Board. Under the 1998 amendment to the

Rehabilitation Act that established Section 508, this board is

empowered to “issue and publish” the technical standards for

Section 508, which are then implemented as 36 CFR Part

1194. The board’s Web site (http://www.access-board.gov)

states the following: “The Access Board is an independent

Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with

disabilities. It operates with about 30 staff and a governing

board of representatives from Federal departments and public

members appointed by the President.”

Applet. An application program provided by a Web site and

embedded in a Web page, commonly (but not always) written

in the Java programming language and executed by the user’s

computer and Web browser. Not all browsers have the ability

to execute all applets, and permission for applets to execute

can typically be denied by so configuring the user’s Web

browser.

Cookie. A file placed on a Web user’s hard drive by a Web page

to store information about the user’s access to or use of the

site, usually without the user’s knowledge. Typically a cookie

is used to tailor content displayed to a particular user on the

basis of the user’s prior usage of the site.

Deploy. To transfer Web pages and related files to a Web site.

Effective date. The date the EDO approves this directive and

handbook for publication.

Hyperlink. An element in an electronic document that links to

another place in the same document or to an entirely different

document or Web site. These elements are usually

underscored and appear in a color that contrasts with both the

text and the background.
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Handbook 3.14 Glossary

G-2 Approved: April 14, 2003

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Glossary (continued)

Information technology infrastructure. Hardware, software,

services, equipment, and components necessary to support

local and enterprise-wide technology requirements, including

desktop systems, customer service, network components and

services, telecommunications components and services,

operational support, and maintenance.

Minimal requirements. This term refers to program office

requirements for contract support for Web publishing functions

that do not warrant the administrative burden needed to fund

a separate task order for onsite Web publishing support under

the OIS contract for Web publications. In such a case,

OIS/IRSD will fund the requirement on behalf of the sponsoring

program office as part of OIS/IRSD’s own task order. OIS/IRSD

determines the specific threshold on a case-by-case basis in

consultation with the applicable Office Web Liaison.

Non-NRC domain. A primary Web address other than

www.nrc.gov that is created or controlled (i.e., funded) by NRC

and linked from a page at www.nrc.gov.

NRC domain. The primary Web address www.nrc.gov.

Persistent cookie. A file that lasts a fixed period of time, possibly

for a year, and records a user’s activity at a Web site. Using

this type of cookie at a Federal Web site without special

approval could potentially violate laws enacted to safeguard a

citizen’s right to privacy. Use of this type of cookie at NRC’s

Web site is prohibited unless the EDO approves its use as

required by OMB Memorandum M-00-13.

Platform for Personal Privacy Preferences (P3P). A protocol

that enables Web sites to express their privacy practices in a

standard format that can be retrieved automatically and

interpreted easily by user agents (such as Web browsers). P3P

user agents will allow users to be informed of site practices (in

both machine- and human-readable formats) and
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Handbook 3.14 Glossary

Approved: April 14, 2003 G-3

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Glossary (continued)

to automate decisionmaking based on these practices when

appropriate. Thus, users need not read the privacy policies at

every site they visit.

Post. To electronically contribute content to an agency Web site

by transferring files directly to the site. Posting authority is

limited to the OIS Web Staff and the OIS Web Contract Staff

and is granted by OIS to other select agency staff.

Public Web Site. All Web pages controlled by NRC that are

accessible from www.nrc.gov.

Publish. To (1) add, modify, or delete specified computer files and

directories in the agency's Web content management system

and (2) deploy content from the system to the agency's test

Public Web Site for review and approval.

Publisher. For the NRC Public Web Site, a publisher is one who

has both the right and responsibility to publish.

Sensitive unclassified information. Material that includes official

use only information (for example, predecisional, privacy,

proprietary). Note that no classified or Safeguards Information

is posted to NRC’s Public Web site.

Session cookie. A file that stores information about a user’s

activity during a visit to a Web site but expires when the user

leaves the Web site. This type of cookie is allowable at a

Federal Web site without any special approvals.

Web application. An electronic system comprising a body of

dynamically managed and/or rendered content and the

technology required to manage, render, and serve it across the

Internet. This system includes any associated data files,

storage mechanisms (database servers), business logic

(software applications such as a content or personnel

management application), display logic (including streaming
Volume 3, Part 1 - Publications, Mail, and Information Disclosure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Web Site

Handbook 3.14 Glossary

G-4 Approved: April 14, 2003

(Revised: August 6, 2008)

Glossary (continued)

media servers, Web servers, template files, and any

associated software modules or scripts), and any resulting

rendered content including but not limited to any Web pages,

images and other binary files, system-generated e-mail, and

streamed media.

Web site. A body of Web content available from a single point of

access (a home page), maintained (sponsored or coordinated)

by a single private or public entity, and typically (but not

necessarily) hosted at a single Internet domain.