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The National
Park Service is working
to conserve natural resources, protect historic sites, and
to provide enjoyment and benefit for the people.
To provide maximal enjoyment and benefit
for the people requires a set of ground rules which are set,
revised and updated by Congress through different kinds of legislation.
How Does an
Area Become a National Park ?
The National
Park Service & U.S. Department of the Interior Criteria
for Parklands was created to assure that only the most outstanding
resources are added to the National Park System.
To be considered
as a national park unit, an area must meet certain criteria
for national significance, suitability, and feasibility.
An area must possess nationally significant natural, cultural, or recreational resources. Be a suitable and feasible addition to the system; and require direct NPS management instead of protection by some other agency. To be considered nationally significant it must meet all four of the following standards: It is an outstanding example of a particular type of resource. It possesses exceptional value of quality illustrating or interpreting the natural or cultural themes of our Nation's heritage. It offers superlative opportunities for recreation for public use and enjoyment, or for scientific study. It retains a high degree of integrity as a true, accurate, and relatively unspoiled example of the resource. What is Considered
a Natural Area ?
A rare remnant of
natural landscape that was once widespread but is now vanishing
due to human settlement and development.
An area that possesses exceptional diversity of ecological components (species, communities, or habitats) or geological features (landforms, observable manifestations of geologic processes). A site that harbors a concentrated population of a rare plant or animal species, particularly one officially recognized as threatened or endangered. An area that has outstanding scenic qualities such as dramatic topographic features, unusual contrasts in landforms or vegetation. What About Cultural Areas? Districts, sites, structures, or objects that possess
visible signs of a past society or community. Especially
a particular design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling,
and association with a particular culture.
An object or site that is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to United States history. Sites and structures associated with persons who made significant contributions to United States History. What Is Suitable and Feasible? Important feasibility
factors include landownership, acquisition costs, access, threats to the
resource, and staff or development requirements.
The area should have potential for public use and enjoyment and it must represent a natural or cultural theme that is not already adequately represented in the National Park System. |
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Resources Legislation
Antiquities Act of 1906
Between September 24,
1906 and August 25, 1916 19 additional sites were added to the Department
of the Interior increasing the need for a governing agecny such
as the National Park Service.
National Park Service Organic Act, 1916 Establishment of The National park Service August 25, 1916, President
Woodrow Wilson signed the act creating the National Park Service,
a new federal bureau in the Department of the Interior responsible
for protecting the 40 national parks and monuments then in existence
and those yet to be established. This "Organic Act" of August 25,
1916, states that "the Service thus established shall promote and
regulate the use of Federal areas known as national parks, monuments
and reservations . . . by such means and measures as conform to the
fundamental purpose of the said parks, monuments and reservations,
which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic
objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment
of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired
for the enjoyment of future generations.
1925 Congress
passed a bill alowing the National Park Service to accept donated
land form private owners.
Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act An Executive Order
in 1933 transferred 63 national monuments and military sites from the
Forest Service and the War Department to the National Park Service.
Since 1933 Congress has autorized the preservation of significant historic sites; Establishment of National Memorials; National Historical Sites; National Parkways; National Lakeshores and Seashores; National Recreation Areas; National Military Parks and Battlefields; National Rivers and wild and scenic riverways; National Scenic and historic trails, and now national preserves. General Authorities Act of 1970 The purpose of this Act is to include in the National Park System all superlative natural, historic, and recreation areas in every region . See More Legislation @ http://www.nps.gov/legacy/mission.html |
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Click to Review
NPS Legislation |
