Draft 2006 NPS Management Policies

**INTRODUCTION**

TERMS AND CONCEPTS USED IN MANAGEMENT POLICIES     

LAW, POLICY, AND OTHER GUIDANCE     

**1—–THE FOUNDATION**

1.1THE NATIONAL PARK IDEA     

1.2THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM     

1.3CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION     

1.3.1National Significance     

1.3.2Suitability     

1.3.3Feasibility     

l.3.4Direct Management     

1.4PARK MANAGEMENT     

1.4.1The Laws Generally Governing Park Management     

1.4.2Impairment and Derogation:  One Standard     

1.4.3The NPS Obligations to Conserve and Provide for Enjoyment

     of Park Resources and Values     

1.4.3.1Appropriate Use     

1.4.3.2Unacceptable Impacts     

1.4.3.3Park Purposes and Legislatively Authorized Uses     

1.4.4The Prohibition on Impairment of Park Resources and Values     

1.4.5What Constitutes Impairment of Park Resources and Values     

1.4.6What Constitutes Park Resources and Values

1.4.7Decision-making Requirements to Avoid Impairments

1.5COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION BEYOND PARK BOUNDARIES     

1.6ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP     

1.7MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE     

1.7.1Managing Information     

1.7.1.1Information Sharing      

1.7.1.2Proprietary Information     

1.7.1.3Information Confidentiality     

1.7.2Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities     

1.7.3Public Information and Media Relations     

1.7.4Management Accountability     

1.7.4.1Government Performance and Results Act     

1.7.4.2Financial Sustainability     

1.7.4.3Construction Projects     

1.7.4.4Facilities Management     

1.7.4.5Business like Concession Program     

1.7.4.6Budget Performance and Accountability Programs     

1.7.5Human Capital     

1.7.5.1Career Development, Training and Management     

1.7.5.2Succession Planning     

1.7.5.3Workforce Planning     

1.7.5.4Employee Health     

1.7.5.5Workforce Diversity     

1.8CIVIC ENGAGEMENT     

1.9PARTNERSHIPS     

1.10CIVIC ENGAGEMENT     

1.11PARTNERSHIPS     

1.12AN ENDURING MESSAGE     

**2—PARK SYSTEM PLANNING**

2.1GENERAL PRINCIPLES     

2.1.1DECISION MAKING      

2.1.2SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL, SCHOLARLY ANALYSIS     

2.1.3PUBLIC PARTICIPATION     

2.1.4GOAL ORIENTATION     

2.2MAJOR ELEMENTS OF NPS PARK PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING     

2.3LEVELS OF PARK PLANNING     

2.3.1General Management Planning     

2.3.1.1Statutory Requirements     

2.3.1.2Management Zoning     

2.3.1.3Planning Team     

2.3.1.4Public Involvement     

2.3.1.5Alternative Futures     

2.3.1.6Environmental Analysis     

2.3.1.7Cooperative Planning     

2.3.1.8Wild and Scenic Rivers     

2.3.1.9Alaska Park Units     

2.3.1.10Periodic Review of General Management Plans     

2.3.2Program Management Planning     

2.3.3Strategic Planning     

2.3.3.1Relationship between Strategic Plan and General 

Management Plan    

2.3.4Implementation Planning     

2.3.4.1Environmental Analysis     

2.3.4.2Annual Performance Planning and Reporting     

**3—LAND PROTECTION**

3.1GENERAL     

3.2LAND PROTECTION METHODS     

3.3LAND PROTECTION PLANS     

3.4COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION     

3.5BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS     

3.6LAND ACQUISITION AUTHORITY     

3.7LAND ACQUISITION FUNDING     

3.8CONDEMNATION     

**4—NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT**

4.1GENERAL MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS     

4.1.1Planning for Natural Resource Management     

4.1.2Natural Resource Information     

4.1.3Evaluating l Impacts on Natural Resources     

4.1.4Partnerships     

4.1.5Restoration of Natural Systems     

4.1.6Compensation for Injuries to Natural Resources     

4.2STUDIES AND COLLECTIONS     

4.2.1NPS-conducted or Sponsored Inventory Monitoring and Research      Studies     

4.2.2Independent Studies     

4.2.3Natural Resource Collections     

4.2.4Collection Associated with Development of Commercial Products     

4.3SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS     

4.3.1Research Natural Areas     

4.3.2Experimental Research Areas     

4.3.3Wilderness Areas     

4.3.4National Wild and Scenic Rivers System     

4.3.5National Natural Landmarks     

4.3.6Biosphere Reserves     

4.3.7World Heritage Sites     

4.4BIOLOGICAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT     

4.4.1General Principles for Managing Biological Resources     

4.4.1.1Plant and Animal Population Management Principles     

4.4.1.2Genetic Resource Management Principles     

4.4.1.3Definition of Native and Exotic Species     

4.4.2Management of Native Plants and Animals     

4.4.2.1NPS Actions that Remove Native Plants and Animals     

4.4.2.2Restoration of Native Plant and Animal Species     

4.4.2.3Management of Threatened or Endangered Plants and                                                                                                                                                               Animals

4.4.2.4Management of Natural Landscapes     

4.4.2.5Maintenance of Altered Plant Communities     

4.4.3Harvest of Plants and Animals by the Public     

4.4.4Management of Exotic Species     

4.4.4.1Introduction or Maintenance of Exotic Species     

4.4.4.2Removal of Exotic Species Already Present     

4.4.5Pest Management     

4.4.5.1Pests     

4.4.5.2Integrated Pest Management Program     

4.4.5.3Pesticide Use     

4.4.5.4Biological Control Agents and Bioengineered Products     

4.4.5.5Pesticide Purchase and Storage     

4.5 FIRE MANAGEMENT     

4.6WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT     

4.6.1Protection of Surface and Ground Waters     

4.6.2Water Rights     

4.6.3Water Quality     

4.6.4Floodplains     

4.6.5Wetlands     

4.6.6Watershed and Stream Processes     

4.7AIR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT     

4.7.1Air Quality     

4.7.2Weather and Climate     

4.8GEOLOGIC RESOURCE MANAGEMENT     

4.8.1Protection of Geologic Processes     

4.8.1.1Shorelines and Barrier Islands   

4.8.1.2Karst     

4.8.1.3Geologic Hazards     

4.8.2Management of Geologic Features     

4.8.2.1Paleontological Resources and Their Contexts     

4.8.2.2Caves     

4.8.2.3Geothermal and Hydrothermal Resources     

4.8.2.4Soil Resource Management     

4.9SOUNDSCAPE MANAGEMENT     

4.10LIGHTSCAPE MANAGEMENT     

4.11CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND ODORS     

**5—CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT**

5.1RESEARCH     

5.1.1National Park Service Research     

5.1.2Independent Research     

5.1.3Identification and Evaluation of Resources     

5.1.3.1Inventories     

5.1.3.2Evaluation and Categorization     

5.1.3.2.1National Register Nomination     

5.1.3.2.2National Historic Landmark Designation     

5.1.3.2.3World Heritage List Designation     

5.2PLANNING     

5.2.1Consultation     

5.2.2Agreements     

5.2.3Confidentiality     

5.3STEWARDSHIP     

5.3.1Protection and Conservation of Cultural Resources     

5.3.1.1Emergency Management     

5.3.1.2Fire Detection, Suppression, and Post-fire 

                   Rehabilitation and Protection     

5.3.1.3Compensation for Injuries to Cultural Resources     

5.3.1.4Environmental Monitoring and Control     

5.3.1.5Pest Management      

5.3.1.6User Capacity     

5.3.2Physical Access for Persons with Disabilities     

5.3.3Historic Property Leases and Cooperative Agreements     

5.3.4Stewardship of Human Remains and Burials     

5.3.5Treatment of Cultural Resources     

5.3.5.1Archeological Resources     

5.3.5.1.1Preservation     

5.3.5.1.2Stabilization     

5.3.5.1.3Rehabilitation, Restoration and Reconstruction     

5.3.5.1.4Protection     

5.3.5.1.5Archeological Data Recovery     

5.3.5.1.6Earthworks     

5.3.5.1.7Submerged Cultural Resources     

5.3.5.2Cultural Landscapes     

5.3.5.2.1Preservation     

5.3.5.2.2Rehabilitation     

5.3.5.2.3Restoration     

5.3.5.2.4Reconstruction of Obliterated Landscapes     

5.3.5.2.5Biotic Cultural Resources     

5.3.5.2.6Land Use and Ethnographic Value     

5.3.5.2.7New Construction     

5.3.5.3Ethnographic Resources     

5.3.5.3.1Resource Access and Use     

5.3.5.3.2Sacred Sites     

5.3.5.3.3Research     

5.3.5.4Historic and Prehistoric Structures     

5.3.5.4.1Preservation     

5.3.5.4.2Rehabilitation     

5.3.5.4.3Restoration     

5.3.5.4.4Reconstruction of Missing Structures     

5.3.5.4.5Movement of Historic Structures     

5.3.5.4.6New Construction     

5.3.5.4.7Use of Historic Structures     

5.3.5.4.8Park Structures Owned or Managed by Others     

5.3.5.4.9Damaged or Destroyed Historic Structures     

5.3.5.4.10Historic and Prehistoric Ruins     

5.3.5.5Museum Collections     

5.3.5.5.1Preservation     

5.3.5.5.2Restoration     

5.3.5.5.3Reproduction     

5.3.5.5.4Acquisition, Management, and Disposition     

5.3.5.5.5Historic Furnishings     

5.3.5.5.6Archives and Manuscripts     

**6—WILDERNESS STEWARDSHIP**

6.1GENERAL STATEMENT     

6.2THE WILDERNESS REVIEW PROCESS     

6.2.1Assessment of Wilderness Eligibility     

6.2.1.1Primary Criteria for Determining Eligibility     

6.2.1.2Additional Considerations in Determining Eligibility     

6.2.1.3The Assessment Process     

6.2.2Wilderness Studies     

6.2.3Proposed Wilderness     

6.2.4Recommended Wilderness     

6.2.5Designated Wilderness     

6.3WILDERNESS RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP     

6.3.1General Policy     

6.3.2Responsibility     

6.3.3Consistency     

6.3.4Wilderness-Related Planning and Environmental Compliance     

6.3.4.1Zoning for Wilderness     

6.3.4.2Wilderness Stewardship Planning     

6.3.4.3Environmental Compliance     

6.3.5Minimum Requirement     

6.3.6Scientific Activities in Wilderness     

6.3.6.1General Policy     

6.3.6.2Monitoring Wilderness Resources     

6.3.7Natural Resources Management     

6.3.8Cultural Resources     

6.3.9Fire Management     

6.3.10Management Facilities     

6.3.10.1Administrative Facilities     

6.3.10.2Trails in Wilderness     

6.3.10.3Campsites and Shelters     

6.3.10.4Signs     

6.3.11Wilderness Boundaries     

6.3.11.1Legal Descriptions and Boundary Maps     

6.3.11.2Caves     

6.3.11.3Waters in Wilderness     

6.4WILDERNESS USE MANAGEMENT     

6.4.1General Policy     

6.4.2Wilderness Interpretation and Education     

6.4.3Recreation Use Management in Wilderness     

6.4.3.1Recreation Use Evaluation     

6.4.3.2Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly     

6.4.3.3Use of Motorized Equipment     

6.4.4Commercial Services     

6.4.5Special Events     

6.4.6Valid Existing Rights     

6.4.6.1Rights-of-way     

6.4.6.2Mineral Development

6.4.6.3Grazing and Livestock Driveways     

6.4.7Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities     

**7—INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION**

7.1INTERPRETIVE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS     

7.2INTERPRETIVE PLANNING     

7.2.1General     

7.2.2Comprehensive Interpretive Plan     

7.3PERSONAL AND NONPERSONAL SERVICES     

7.3.1Personal Services     

7.3.2Nonpersonal Services     

7.3.3Electronic Interpretation     

7.4REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL INTERPRETATION 

     AND EDUCATION SERVICES     

7.4.1Access to Interpretive and Educational Opportunities     

7.4.2Interpretation and Education Services Beyond Park Boundaries     

7.4.3Resource Issue Interpretation and Education     

7.4.4Research     

7.4.5Consultation     

7.4.6Cultural Demonstrators     

7.4.7Historic Weapons     

7.4.8Battle Reenactments     

7.5INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS     

7.5.1Volunteers in Parks     

7.5.2Cooperating Associations     

**8—USE OF THE PARKS**

8.1GENERAL     

8.1.1Appropriate Use     

8.1.2Unacceptable Impacts     

8.2VISITOR USE     

8.2.1Carrying Capacity     

8.2.2Recreational Activities     

8.2.2.1Management of Recreational Use     

8.2.2.2Commercial Visitor Services     

8.2.2.3River Use     

8.2.2.4Backcountry Use     

8.2.2.5Fishing     

8.2.2.6Hunting and Trapping     

8.2.2.7Recreational Pack and Saddle Stock Use     

8.2.3Use of Motorized Equipment and Mechanized Modes of Travel     

8.2.3.1Off-road Vehicle Use     

8.2.3.2Snowmobiles and Oversnow Vehicles     

8.2.3.3Personal Watercraft     

8.2.4Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities     

8.2.5Visitor Safety and Emergency Response     

8.2.5.1Visitor Safety     

8.2.5.2Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Operations     

8.2.5.3Search and Rescue     

8.2.5.4Emergency Medical Services     

8.2.6Recreation Fees and Reservations     

8.2.6.1Recreation Fees     

8.2.6.2National Park Reservation Service     

8.3LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM     

8.3.1General     

8.3.2Context for Law Enforcement     

8.3.3Shared Responsibilities     

8.3.4Enforcement Authority     

8.3.5Jurisdiction     

8.3.6Use of Force     

8.3.7Law Enforcement Information and Media Relations     

8.3.8Homeland Security     

8.4OVERFLIGHTS AND AVIATION USES     

8.4.1Alaska and Remote Areas     

8.4.2Education     

8.4.3General Aviation     

8.4.4Administrative Use     

8.4.5Military Aviation     

8.4.6Commercial Air Tour Management     

8.4.7Permitted Overflights     

8.4.8Airports and Landing Sites     

8.5NATIVE AMERICAN USE     

8.6SPECIAL PARK USES     

8.6.1General     

8.6.1.1Requests for Permits     

8.6.1.2Fees     

8.6.2Special Events     

8.6.2.1General     

8.6.2.2Fireworks Displays     

8.6.2.3Sale of Food or Merchandise     

8.6.2.4Roads and Highways     

8.6.3First Amendment Activities     

8.6.4Rights-of-way for Utilities and Roads     

8.6.4.1General     

8.6.4.2Utilities     

8.6.4.3Telecommunications Antenna Sites     

8.6.4.4Roads and Highways     

8.6.5Access to Private Property     

8.6.6Filming and Photography     

8.6.6.1General     

8.6.6.2Permits and Fees     

8.6.6.3NPS Participation     

8.6.7Agricultural Uses     

8.6.8Grazing by Domestic and Feral Livestock     

8.6.8.1General     

8.6.8.2Managing Agricultural Grazing     

8.6.8.2.1Permitting Agricultural Grazing     

8.6.8.2.2Structures for Agricultural Grazing     

8.6.8.3Trespass and Feral Livestock     

8.6.9Military Operations     

8.6.10Cemeteries and Burials     

8.6.10.1National Cemeteries     

8.6.10.2Family Cemeteries     

8.6.10.3Other Burials and the Scattering of Ashes     

8.6.11Other Special Park Uses     

8.7MINERAL EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT     

8.7.1Mining Claims     

8.7.2Federal Mineral Leases     

8.7.3Nonfederally Owned Minerals     

8.8COLLECTING NATURAL PRODUCTS     

8.9CONSUMPTIVE USES     

8.10NATURAL AND CULTURAL STUDIES, RESEARCH, 

     AND COLLECTION ACTIVITIES     

8.11SOCIAL SCIENCE STUDIES     

8.11.1General     

8.11.2NPS-supported Studies     

8.11.3Independent and Commercial Studies     

8.11.4Management and Conduct of Studies     

8.12Leases and Cooperative Agreements     

**9—PARK FACILITIES**

9.1GENERAL     

9.1.1Facility Planning and Design     

9.1.1.1Life-cycle Costs     

9.1.1.2Integration of Facilities into the Park Environment     

9.1.1.3Protection of Cultural Values     

9.1.1.4Adaptive Reuse     

9.1.1.5Facility Siting     

9.1.1.6Siting Facilities to Avoid Natural Hazards     

9.1.1.7Sustainable Energy Design     

9.1.2Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities     

9.1.3Construction     

9.1.3.1Construction Sites     

9.1.3.2Revegetation and Landscaping     

9.1.3.3Borrow Pits and Spoil Areas     

9.1.4Maintenance     

9.1.4.1General     

9.1.4.2Acquisition of Environmentally Preferable and 

                    Energy-Efficient Products     

9.1.5Utilities     

9.1.5.1Water Supply Systems     

9.1.5.2Wastewater Treatment Systems     

9.1.5.3Utility Lines     

9.1.5.4Historic Utilities     

9.1.6Waste Management and Contaminant Issues     

9.1.6.1Waste Management     

9.1.6.2NPS Response to Contaminants     

9.1.7Energy Management     

9.1.8Structural Fire Protection and Suppression     

9.2TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS     

9.2.1Road Systems     

9.2.1.1Park Roads     

9.2.1.2Non-NPS Roads     

9.2.1.2.1Existing Commercial and Other Through Traffic     

9.2.1.2.2Construction and Expansion Proposals     

9.2.2Alternative Transportation Systems     

9.2.3Trails and Walks     

9.2.3.1Cooperative Trail Planning     

9.2.3.2Hiking Trails     

9.2.3.3Equestrian Trails     

9.2.3.4Bicycle Trails     

9.2.3.5Water Trails     

9.2.3.6Interpretive Trails     

9.2.3.7National Trails     

9.2.3.8Trailheads     

9.2.3.9Trail Bridges     

9.2.4Traffic Signs and Markings     

9.2.5Parking Areas     

9.2.6Navigation Aids     

9.3VISITOR FACILITIES     

9.3.1Informational and Interpretive Facilities     

9.3.1.1Signs     

9.3.1.2Entrance Stations     

9.3.1.3Visitor Centers     

9.3.1.4Amphitheaters     

9.3.1.5Wayside Exhibits     

9.3.1.6Viewing Devices     

9.3.1.7Facilities for Arts and Culture     

9.3.2Overnight Accommodations and Food Services     

9.3.2.1Campgrounds     

9.3.2.2Backcountry Campsites     

9.3.2.3Hostels and Shelters     

9.3.3Comfort Stations     

9.3.4Other Visitor Facilities     

9.3.4.1Picnic and Other Day Use Areas     

9.3.4.2Facilities for Water Recreation     

9.3.4.3Skiing Facilities     

9.3.5Advertising     

9.4MANAGEMENT FACILITIES     

9.4.1Administrative Office     

9.4.2Museum Collections Management Facilities     

9.4.3Employee Housing     

9.4.3.1Accountability     

9.4.3.2Eligible Residents     

9.4.3.3Historic Structures     

9.4.3.4Housing Management Plans     

9.4.3.5Design and Construction     

9.4.4Maintenance Structures     

9.4.5Miscellaneous Management Facilities     

9.5DAMS AND RESERVOIRS     

9.6COMMEMORATIVE WORKS AND PLAQUES     

9.6.1General     

9.6.2Interpretive Works That Commemorate     

9.6.3Approved Commemorative Works     

9.6.4Historic Commemorative Works     

9.6.5Donated Commemorative Works     

9.6.6Commemorative Works in National Cemeteries     

**10—COMMERCIAL VISITOR SERVICES**

10.1GENERAL     

10.1.1Leasing     

10.2CONCESSIONS     

10.2.1Concession Policies     

10.2.2Commercial Visitor Services Planning     

10.2.3Concession Contracting     

10.2.3.1Terms and Conditions of Contracts/Authorizations     

10.2.3.2Modifications/Amendments     

10.2.3.3Extensions     

10.2.3.4Competition     

10.2.3.5Third-party Agreements and Sub-concessions     

10.2.3.6Multipark Contracts     

10.2.3.7Termination     

10.2.4Concession Operations     

10.2.4.1Operating Plans     

10.2.4.2Service Type and Quality     

10.2.4.3Evaluation of Concession Operations     

10.2.4.4Interpretation by Concessioners     

10.2.4.5Merchandise     

10.2.4.6Artifacts and Specimens     

10.2.4.7Rates     

10.2.4.8Risk Management Program     

10.2.4.9Natural and Cultural Resource Management                                                                                                                                             

                                                       Requirements

10.2.4.10Environmental Program Requirements     

10.2.4.11Insurance     

10.2.4.12Food Service Sanitation Inspections     

10.2.4.13Smoking     

10.2.5Concessions Financial Management     

10.2.5.1Franchise Fees     

10.2.5.2Franchise Fee Special Account     

10.2.5.3Record-keeping System     

10.2.5.4Annual Financial Reports     

10.2.5.5Donations to the National Park Service     

10.2.6Concession Facilities     

10.2.6.1Design     

10.2.6.2Accessibility of Commercial Services     

10.2.6.3Maintenance     

10.2.6.4Utilities and Services     

10.2.6.5Closure of Commercial Operations During

                   Government Shutdown     

10.2.7Concessioner Employees and Employment Conditions     

10.2.7.1Nondiscrimination     

10.2.7.2Substance Abuse     

10.2.8National Park Service Employees     

10.2.8.1Accepting Gifts and Reduced Rates from Concessioners     

10.2.8.2Employment of NPS Personnel or Family 

                   Members by Concessioners     

10.2.8.3NPS Employee Ownership/Investment in 

                   Concession Businesses     

10.2.8.4Concession Management Personnel Qualifications     

10.3COMMERCIAL USE AUTHORIZATIONS     

10.3.1General     

10.3.2Requirements     

10.3.3Limitations     

10.3.4Construction Prohibition     

10.3.5Duration     

10.3.6Other Contracts     

**GLOSSARY**

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