Advisory Committees

The NPS administers more than 20 advisory committees, boards, commissions, and councils that are subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Many are specific to individual parks; others were created to advise the NPS on Service-wide programs or projects.

The Office of Policy administers FACA requirements for park and program advisory committees. Our staff

  • offers guidance to managers and employees on how FACA applies to our management activities
  • prepares the charters that allow each committee to meet and take actions
  • prepares meeting notices and request for nomination notices for publication in the Federal Register
  • processes nominations for the appointment of committee members by the Secretary of the Interior
  • staffs and supports the National Park System Advisory Board and the Advisory Committee on Reconciliation in Place Names

The Federal Advisory Committee Act

The Federal Advisory Committee Act, or FACA, is a 1972 law that created an orderly process for Federal agencies to seek advice and help from citizens and outside experts. FACA is intended to ensure transparency and public participation with advisory group deliberations. It emphasizes committee charters, open meetings, public involvement, and reporting. The rules, policies, and guidance that flow from the law also exist to support that intent.

The law and associated rules establish what types of groups fall under FACA requirements, as well as the processes by which a FACA group is established and administered. 

FACA FAQs

This section answers the most common questions NPS employees ask about FACA and advisory committees.  

Sometimes law or regulations will require a particular group to conform to FACA. There are times when it isn't obvious or clear whether FACA applies.

FACA likely applies if you:

  • want to get consensus advice from a group of individuals outside government representing key interests related to your park or program; 

  • want to get recommendations from a group of subject matter experts with expertise not found within your agency; or  

  • plan to pull together a group of people that includes those who do not work for Federal, Tribal, State, or local government; for a series of meetings; to get their consensus advice on a federal activity. 

FACA experts in the Office of Policy staff can help you determine whether FACA is relevant to your work. 

FACA does not apply if an advisory group consists entirely of representatives from government agencies (Federal, Tribal, State, or local). Federal law sometimes exempts specific advisory groups from FACA.  

There are two primary steps to create a FACA group

  1. File a charter

  2. Appoint members

Both steps require the Secretary of the Interior's approval and signature. The Office of Policy coordinates with NPS and DOI leadership to complete these steps.

Each group must have a Designated Federal Officer (DFO), an individual who ensures the group is managed consistent with FACA. To serve effectively, DFOs should complete a FACA training course offered by the General Services Administration.

See the DFO Resources section below for detailed information about the laws and rules governing FACA groups.

Office of Policy staff have the expertise and resources to support DFOs and assist them in establishing and running FACA groups.

Designated Federal Officer (DFO) Resources

The NPS FACA Guide offers information about FACA committees tailored to the needs and interests of NPS employees.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) FACA website offers information and resources to support DFOs with managing and operating FACA advisory committees, including:

  1. Federal employees who need a basic understanding of or want to learn more about FACA; and
  2. Federal officials directly involved in managing advisory committees, support staff and others involved in advisory committee management or operations.
  • FACA Database—a “one-stop-shop” for detailed FACA committee information. Scroll down the agency list to Department of the Interior (DOI) and expand the arrow. You'll see an alphabetical list of all DOI advisory committees, including NPS committees. Each entry has information about committee membership, subcommittees, meetings, topics of interest, reports, and operating costs. The database also includes information about committees that have been terminated or merged with another.
  • FACA Final Rule (41 CFR Parts 101-6 and 102-3)—regulations for administering the provisions of FACA and managing advisory committees.
  • Federal Advisory Committee Act—the legal foundation that defines how Federal advisory committees operate.

Park and Program Advisory Committees

This section provides a brief overview of the current park and program advisory committees.

The Advisory Commission provides advice about the management and development of Acadia National Park, including acquisition of land and interests in lands (including conservation easements on islands) and termination of use and occupancy rights.

The Advisory Committee will identify existing federal land unit names and geographic feature names that may be considered derogatory and recommend potential replacement names to the Secretary of the Interior. The committee will also develop for the Secretary’s consideration a forward-looking process to solicit, encourage, and assist proposals to change derogatory geographic names.

The Advisory Council represents various groups with interests in the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. The island system is comprised of 34 islands in Boston Harbor that are owned by private sector, state, municipal, and USCG entities. The Council makes recommendations to the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership about the development and implementation of the national recreation area's integrated resources management plan.

  • Authorization: Public Law 104-333 (Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996), November 12, 1996
  • FACA Database: Charter and other committee information
  • Sunset Date: The Council is expected to continue as long as the Partnership remains in existence, or until terminated by act of Congress.

The Advisory Commission consults on matters relating to the development of Cape Cod National Seashore and to carrying out specific provisions of the park’s enabling legislation.

The Advisory Commission provides advice on the preparation and implementation of the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park general management plan and identification of significant sites outside the park boundary deemed necessary to fulfill the purposes of the enabling legislation.

The Commission consults on general policies and specific matters related to the administration and development of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

The Advisory Committee will assist with preparation of a national historic landmark theme study to identify significant Cold War sites and resources.

When established, the Commission will provide advice on the development and implementation of the Coltsville National Historical Park management plan.

The Committee reports to the President of the United States and advises the NPS about the maintenance of the White House as a public monument. It makes recommendations about furnishings and fixtures for the public rooms best suited to enhance the White House's historic and artistic values.

The Advisory Commission provides advice on the development of a reuse plan for future uses of the Fort Hancock Historic District of Gateway National Recreation Area.

The Advisory Commission advises on coordination with local government jurisdictions about the management of the Gettysburg National Military Park and Gettysburg Battlefield Historic District.

The Advisory Commission provides advice on achieving balanced and accurate interpretation of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site.

The Advisory Commission provides advice about park development, operations, and public visitation at Kalaupapa National Historical Park. The Commission's advice about numbers of visitors is binding, if the commission has certified the advice is based on a referendum of all patients on the official Kalaupapa Registry.

The Advisory Commission was established to advise the Secretary of the Interior on development of the General Management Plan and matters related to management and development of the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site.

The Board advises about the management of the National Park of American Samoa.

National Park Service Subsistence Resource Commissions (SRCs) are established under provisions of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) of 1980. ANILCA requires the NPS to get local participation and input in planning and management decisions about subsistence uses and issues on NPS lands in Alaska. 

The National Park System Advisory Board provides advice and recommendations about matters relating to the NPS; the National Park System; and programs administered by the NPS, including administration of the Historic Sites, Buildings and Antiquities Act; designation of national historic landmarks and national natural landmarks; and national significance of proposed national historic trails.

  • Authorization: statutory authorization from August 21, 1935 to November 1, 2010 (54 USC 102303). The Board currently operates under the Secretary of the Interior’s discretionary authority (54 USC 100906).
  • FACA Database: Charter and other committee information
  • Sunset Date: The Board does not have a termination date; the charter is renewed every two years. 

The Review Committee monitors and reviews implementation of the inventory and identification processes and repatriation activities required under sections 5, 6, and 7 of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

The Preservation Technology and Training Board provides leadership, policy advice, and professional oversight to the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, located at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The Board advises the Secretary of the Interior on priorities and the allocation of grants and submits an annual report to the President and Congress.

The Committee advises the NPS on the development, management, and interpretation of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, particularly during preparation of the general management plan.

The Advisory Council provides advice about preparation and implementation of the management plan for Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument.

The Advisory Management Committee assists in the development of the comprehensive management plan for the Wekiva River System and provides advice to the Department of the Interior and the NPS in carrying out their management responsibilities under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

Last updated: March 5, 2024

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