Laws & Policies

Black Bear

NPS Photo/Big Bend National Park

 

Laws are created by Congress and establish the highest order of legal authority over national parks.Many laws, including the 1916 Organic Act that created the National Park Service, affect all areas managed by the National Park Service.

There are a variety of documents that guide the management of Big Bend National Park. Many documents, like the park's enabling legislation or the National Environmental Policy Act, articulate legal requirements that federal entities must adhere to. Other documents, like the park's General Management Plan and Superintendent's Compendium, are formal documents that create a "contract" between Big Bend National Park and the public. Still others, like Director's and Superintendent Orders, direct how Big Bend and other national park units will operate.

 

Park Regulations

The Code of Federal Regulations and the Superintendent's Compendium provide a complete listing of park rules and regulations. These specific rules are developed with public input to implement applicable law.

• 36 CFR parts 1-199 (Code of Federal Regulations) pertains to all National Park areas.
• Superintendent's Compendium provides a listing of park-specific regulations under the discretionary authority of the superintendent.