National Park Service

Strategic Plan

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
12STRATEGIC PLAN

DOI Goals NPS Goal Category NPS Mission Goals 

DOI Goal 1: Protect the Environment and

Preserve Our Nation’s Natural and Cultural

Resources

Goal Category I: Preserve

Park Resources

Ia. Natural and cultural resources and

associated values are protected, restored,

and maintained in good condition and

managed within their broader ecosystem

and cultural context.

Ib. The National Park Service contributes

to knowledge about natural and cultural

resources and associated values; management decisions about resources and

visitors are based on adequate scholarly

and scientific information.

DOI Goal 2: Provide Recreation for

America

Goal Category II: Provide for

the Public Enjoyment and

Visitor Experience of Parks

IIa. Visitors safely enjoy and are satisfied

with the availability, accessibility, diversity,

and quality of park facilities, services, and

appropriate recreational opportunities.

IIb. Park visitors and the general public

understand and appreciate the preservation of parks and their resources for this

and future generations.

DOI Goal 1: Protect the Environment and

Preserve Our Nation’s Natural and Cultural

Resources 

DOI Goal 2: Provide Recreation for

America

Goal Category III:

Strengthen and Preserve

Natural and Cultural Resources

and Enhance Recreational

Opportunities Managed by

Partners

IIIa. Natural and cultural resources are

conserved through formal partnership

programs.

National Park Service Goals at a Glance
13NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

NPS Long-term Goals: By September 30, 2005

Ia1. Disturbed Lands/Exotic Plant Species: Ia1A — 10.1% of targeted parklands, disturbed by development or agriculture as of 1999 (22,500 of

222,300 acres) are restored; and Ia1B — exotic vegetation on 6.3% of targeted acres of parkland (167,500 of 2,656,700) acres is contained.

Ia2. Threatened and Endangered Species: Ia2A — 19% of the 1999 identified park populations (84 of 442) of federally listed threatened and

endangered species with critical habitat on parklands or requiring NPS recovery actions have improved status; and Ia2B — an additional 18.1% (80

of 442) have stable populations.

Ia2X. Native Species of Special Concern: [Park-determined percentage of] populations of plant and animal species of special concern (e.g., statelisted threatened or endangered species, endemic or indicator species or native species classified as pests) are at scientifically acceptable levels.

Optional Goal.

Ia3. Air Quality: Air quality in 70% of reporting park areas has remained stable or improved.

Ia4. Water Quality: 85% of 265 Park units have unimpaired water quality.

Ia5. Historic Structures: 50% (12,113 of 24,225) of the historic structures listed on the 1999 List of Classified Structures are in good condition.

Ia6. Museum Collections: 73.4% of preservation and protection standards for park museum collections are met.

Ia7. Cultural Landscapes: 33.1% of the 2,067 cultural landscapes on the 1999 Cultural Landscapes Inventory with condition information are in

good condition (119 of 359).

Ia8. Archeological Sites: 50% of the recorded archeological sites with condition assessments are in good condition (FY 1999 baseline: 7,470 of

14,940).

Ia9. Geological Resources: Ia9A — Paleontological Resources: 20% of known paleontological localities in parks are in good condition; and Ia9B —

Cave Floors: 72,500 square feet of cave floors in parks are restored.

IIa1. Visitor Satisfaction: 95% of park visitors are satisfied with appropriate park facilities, services, and recreational opportunities.

IIa2. Visitor Safety: The visitor accident/incident rate will be at or below 7.96 per 100,000 visitor days (a 16% decrease from the FY 1992–FY 1996

baseline of 9.48 per 100,000 visitor days).

IIb1. Visitor Understanding and Appreciation: 86% of visitors understand and appreciate the significance of the park they are visiting.

IIb1X. Educational Programs: [Park determined percentage] of [park determined target number] of students participating in NPS formal educational programs understand America’s cultural and natural heritage as preserved by the National Park Service and its Programs. Optional Goal.

IIIa1. Properties Designated: IIIa1A — National Historic Landmark Designations: An additional 6.6% (150) properties are designated as National

Historic Landmarks (2,277 to 2,427); IIIa1B — National Register Listings: An additional 11% (7,800) significant historical and archeological properties are

listed in the National Register of Historic Places (71,019 to 78,819); IIIa1C — Federal Agency Inventories: An additional 30.2% (221,800) significant archeological properties in Federal ownership are inventoried and evaluated (733,200 to 955,000 contributing properties); IIIa1D — State/Tribal/Local

Inventories: An additional 19.7% (925,000) significant historical and archeological properties are either inventoried and evaluated, or officially designated

by States, Tribes, and Certified Local Governments (4,701,000 to 5,626,000 contributing properties); and IIIa1E — National Natural Landmarks Designated:

The number of National Natural Landmarks is increased by 10% (59) from the 1998 level (587 to 646).

Ib1. Natural Resource Inventories: Acquire or develop 87% (2,203) of the 2,527 outstanding data sets identified in 1999 of basic natural resource

inventories for all parks.

Ib2. Cultural Resource Baselines: Ib2A — Archeological sites inventoried and evaluated are increased by 30% (from FY99 baseline of 48,188 sites

to 62,644); Ib2B — Cultural landscapes inventoried and evaluated at Level II are increased by 136.4% (from FY99 baseline of 110 to 260); Ib2C —

100% of the historic structures have updated information (24,225 of FY99 baseline of 24,225); Ib2D — Museum objects cataloged are increased by

35.9% (from FY99 baseline 37.3 million to 50.7 million); Ib2E — Ethnographic resources inventory is increased by 634.5% (from FY99 baseline 400

to 2,938); and Ib2F — 31% of parks have historical research that is current and completed to professional standards (117 of 379 parks).

Ib3. Vital Signs: 80% of 265 parks with significant natural resources have identified their vital signs for natural resource monitoring.

Ib4. Geological Resources: Geological processes in 53 parks (20% of 265 parks) are inventoried and human influences that affect those processes

are identified.

Ib5. Aquatic Resources: The NPS has completed an assessment of aquatic resource conditions in 265 parks.
DOI Goal 1: Protect the Environment and

Preserve Our Nation’s Natural and Cultural

Resources

DOI Goal 2: Provide Recreation for

America

Goal Category III:

Strengthen and Preserve

Natural and Cultural Resources

and Enhance Recreational

Opportunities Managed by

Partners

IIIa. Natural and cultural resources are

conserved through formal partnership

programs.

DOI Goals NPS Goal Category NPS Mission Goals 

IIIb. Through partnerships with other federal, state, and local agencies and nonprofit organizations, a nationwide system of

parks, open space, rivers, and trails provides educational, recreational, and conservation benefits for the American people.

IIIc. Assisted through federal funds and

programs, the protection of recreational

opportunities is achieved through formal

mechanisms to ensure continued access

for public recreational use.

Goal Category IV: Ensure

Organizational Effectiveness

IVa. The National Park Service uses current management practices, systems, and

technologies to accomplish its mission.

IVb. The National Park Service increases

its managerial capabilities through initiatives and support from other agencies,

organizations, and individuals.

14STRATEGIC PLAN

National Park Service Goals at a Glance
IIIa2. Properties Protected: IIIa2A — National Historic Landmark Protection: 90% of National Historic Landmarks (2,184 of 2,427 designated landmarks) are in good condition; IIIa2B — Federal Protection: 1% of federally recognized historical and archeological properties (19,700 of 2,223,000

contributing properties) are protected through NPS administered programs or assistance; IIIa2C — State/Tribal/Local Protection: 3% of significant historical and archeological properties (140,000 of 4,681,000 contributing properties) recognized by States, Tribes, or certified local governments are

protected through their administered programs or assistance; and IIIa2D — National Natural Landmarks Protection: The number of damaged or

threatened National Natural Landmarks is reduced by 7% based on level of reduction achieved in 1998.

IIIa3. Customer Satisfaction: 90% of users are satisfied with historic preservation-related technical assistance, training, and educational materials

provided by NPS.

IIIaX. Park Partnerships: The number of satisfactorily completed projects under formal agreements that assist partners in protecting their resources

or serving their visitors is increased by [park-determined percentage]. Optional Goal.

NPS Long-term Goals: By September 30, 2005

IIIc1. Recreational Properties: 100% of the 34,602 recreational properties assisted by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Urban Park and

Recreation Recovery Program, and the Federal Lands to Parks Program are protected and remain available for public recreation.

IVa1. Data Systems: 66% (25 of 38) of the major NPS data systems are integrated/interfaced.

IVa2. Workforce Stewardship: IVa2A — 75% of NPS employees are satisfied with their job (as measured through employee satisfaction surveys);

and IVa2B — 75% of NPS employees believe the organization is functioning effectively (as measured through customer service and organizational

effectiveness surveys).

IVa3. Workforce Development and Performance: IVa3A — 100% of employee performance agreements are linked to appropriate strategic and

annual performance goals and position competencies; IVa3B — 95% of NPS employees demonstrate that they fully meet their competency requirements.

IVa4. Workforce Diversity: Increase the Servicewide representation of underrepresented groups over the 1999 baseline: IVa4A — by 25% in the 9

targeted occupational series in the permanent workforce; IVa4B — by 25% of women and minorities in the temporary and seasonal workforce;

IVa4C — by 10% of individuals with disabilities in the permanent workforce; and IVa4D — by 10% of individuals with disabilities in the seasonal

and temporary workforce.

IVa5. Employee Housing: 50% of employee housing units listed in poor or fair condition in 1997 assessments are rehabilitated to good condition,

replaced, or removed.

IVa6. Employee Safety: IVa6A — The NPS employee lost time injury rate will be at or below 4.49 per 200,000 labor hours worked (100 FTE); and

IVa6B — the Servicewide total number of hours of Continuation of Pay (COP) will be at or below 51,100 hours.

IVa7. Line Item Construction: 100% of line item projects funded by September 30, 1998, and each successive fiscal year, meet 90% of cost, schedule, and construction parameters.

IVa8. Land Acquisition: The average time between the appropriation and offer of just compensation is 171 days (a 5% decrease from 1997 level of

180 days).

IVa9. Environmental Leadership: IVa9A — 100% of NPS units will undergo an environmental audit to determine baseline performance by

September 30, 2002; and IVa9B — 100% of parks/offices and concessions operations have fully implemented the regulatory recommendations arising from environmental audits, resulting in more sustainable planning and operations.

IVb1. Volunteer Hours: Increase by 44.7% the number of volunteer hours (from 3.8 million hours to 5.5 million hours).

IVb2. Donations and Grants: IVb2A — Cash donations are increased by 3.6% (from $14,476,000 in 1998 to $15,000,000); IVb2B — Value of

donations, grants, and services from Friends Groups and other organizations is increased to $50,000,000; and IVb2C — Value of donations, grants,

and services from Cooperating Associations is increased by 35% (from $19,000,000 in 1997 to $25,600,000).

IVb3. Concession Returns: Returns from park concession contracts are 10% of gross concessioner revenue.

IVb4. Fee Receipts: Receipts from park entrance, recreation, and other fees are increased by 33.1% over 1997 level (from $121,000,000 to

$161,000,000).

IVbX. Park Partnerships: The number of projects satisfactorily completed by partners under formal agreement that protect park resources or serves

the park visitors is increased by [park-determined percentage]. Optional Goal..

IIIb1. Conservation Assistance: An additional 4,200 miles of trails, an additional 6,600 miles of protected river corridor, and an additional 223,200

acres of park and open space, over the 1997 totals, are conserved with NPS partnership assistance.

IIIb2. Community Satisfaction: 85% of communities served are satisfied with NPS partnership assistance in providing recreation and conservation

benefits on lands and waters.

15NATIONAL PARK SERVICE