The National Park Service Organic Act,[1] or the Organic Act as referred to within the National Park Service, is a United States federal law that established the National Park Service (NPS), an agency of the United States Department of the Interior. The Act was signed into law on August 25, 1916, by President Woodrow Wilson. It is codified in Title 54 of the United States Code.
The National Park Service established by the Act "shall promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations hereinafter specified 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".[1]
The Act, which is reinforced by complementary legislation such as Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act, and National Environmental Policy Act, serves as the primary foundation of all management decisions.[2]
- ^ a b An Act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes. Pub. L. 64–235, H.R. 15522, 39 Stat. 535, enacted August 25, 1916. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-1725/pdf/COMPS-1725.pdf
- ^ "NPS Organic Act | U.S. Department of the Interior". www.doi.gov. December 10, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2024.