National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Superintendent’s Compendium:
Of Designations, Closures, Permit Requirements and Other Restrictions Imposed Under Discretionary Authority
Approved: Darren Boch, Superintendent - 10/29/2025
Signature is on file at the park
|
Paterson Great FallsNational Historical Park
72 McBride Avenue Extension
Paterson, NJ 07501
973-523-0370 phone
973-523-2045 fax
|
|
|
- Superintendent’s Compendium Described
The Superintendent’s Compendium is a summary of park-specific rules implemented under discretionary authority granted to the park’s Superintendent under 36 Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR) for Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (Park). It identifies areas closed for public use, provides a list of activities requiring either a special use permit or reservation, and elaborates on public use and resource protection regulations pertaining specifically to the administration of the Park. The Superintendent’s Compendium does not repeat regulations found in 36 CFR and other United States Code and CFR Titles, which are applicable without further elaboration at the park level.
This Compendium should be used in conjunction with Title 36 CFR, Parts 1-7, to more fully understand the regulations governing the use and enjoyment the Park.
A copy of Title 36, CFR, can be purchased from the U.S. Government Printing Office at:
Superintendent of Documents
P.O. Box 371954
Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954
The CFR is also available on the Internet at:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_05/36cfrv1_05.html
2. Laws and Policies Allowing the Superintendent to Develop This Compendium
The National Park Service (NPS) is granted broad statutory authority under 54 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 100101 et.seq. (Organic Act of 1916, as amended) to “…regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations…by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purposes of the said parks…which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife 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 for future generations.” 54 U.S.C. § 10010. Further, Congress added that: “Congress further reaffirms, declares, and directs that the promotion and regulation of the various areas of the National Park System, as defined by Section 1 of this Title, shall be consistent with and founded in the purpose established by Section 1 of this Title, to the common benefit of all people of the United States.” Id.
Congress defined the National Park System as including”…any areas of land and water now or hereafter administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the National Park Service for park, monument, historic, parkway, recreational, or other purposes.” 54 U.S.C. § 100501.
Finally, Congress directed the NPS to “prescribe such regulations as the Secretary considers necessary or proper for the use and management of System Units.” 54 U.S.C. § 100751.
The NPS has issued regulations governing the regulation of the National Park System at 36 C.F.R. 36 C.F.R. § 1.5 gives Superintendents of National Park System units authority: to establish a reasonable schedule of visiting hours; impose public use limits; close all or a portion of a park area to all public use or a specific public use; designate areas for a specific use or activity; terminate a restriction, limit, closure, designation, condition or visiting hour restriction; or establish a permit, registration, or reservation system to implement a public use limit. The Superintendent is directed to compile in writing all such designations, closures, and permit requirements. 36 C.F.R. § 1.7.
In addition to the above statutory and regulatory authority, the Superintendent is guided by established NPS policy as found in the NPS Management Policies (2006). The Superintendent is also guided by more specific policies promulgated by the Director, National Park Service, in the form of Director’s Orders. As stated in the Management Policies, the primary responsibility of the NPS is to protect and preserve our national natural and cultural resources while providing for the enjoyment of these resources by visitor and other users, as long as use does not impair specific park resources or overall visitor experience. The appropriateness of any particular visitor use or recreational experience is resource-based and will vary from park to park; therefore, a use or activity that is appropriate in one park area may not be appropriate in another. The Superintendent is directed to analyze overall park use and determine if any particular use is appropriate. Where conflict arises between use and resource protection, where the Superintendent has a reasonable basis to believe a resource is or would become impaired, than that Superintendent is obliged to place limitations on public use.
3. Consistency of This Compendium with Applicable Federal Law and Requirements
The Superintendent’s Compendium is not considered a significant rule requiring review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 12866. In addition, this Compendium will not have a significant economic effect on a number of small entities nor impose a significant cost on any local, state or tribal government or private organization, and therefore does not fall under the requirements of either the Regulatory Flexibility Act or the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
The actions and requirements described in this Compendium are found to be categorically excluded from further compliance with the procedural requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in Department of the Interior (DOI) Guidelines 516 DM 6 and as such, an Environmental Assessment will not be prepared.
4. Development of the Requirements of the Superintendent’s Compendium
As outlined above, the NPS has broad authority and responsibility to determine what types of uses and activities are appropriate in any particular National Park System area. The requirements of the Superintendent’s Compendium are developed through an analysis and determination process. The decision criteria used during this process are:
- Is the use or activity consistent with the NPS Organic Act and NPS policy?
- Is the use or activity consistent and compatible with the park’s enabling legislation, management objectives, and corresponding management plans?
- Will the use or activity damage the park’s protected natural and cultural resources and other protected values?
- Will the use or activity disturb or be in conflict with wildlife, vegetation, and environmental protection actions and values?
- Will the use or activity conflict with or be incompatible with traditional park uses and activities?
- Will the use or activity compromise employee or public safety?
5. Applicability of the Compendium
The rules contained in this Compendium apply to all persons entering, using, visiting or otherwise present on the following areas within the boundaries of the Park: Federally owned lands administered by NPS; lands administered by the NPS for public use purposes under written agreements; waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and; other lands and waters over which the United States owns a less-than-fee interest, to the extent necessary to fulfill the purpose of the NPS-administered interest and compatible with the nonfederal interest. See 36 C.F.R. § 1.2.
6. Enforcement of Compendium Requirements
NPS Law Enforcement Park Rangers enforce the requirements of the United State Code, 36 CFR, and this Superintendent’s Compendium.
7. Penalties for Not Adhering to the Compendium Requirements
A person who violates any provision of the regulations found in 36 CFR, Parts 1-7, or provisions of this Compendium, is subject to penalties as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1865,
8. Comments on the Compendium
The Compendium is reviewed annually and revised as necessary. The Park welcomes comments about its program and activities at any time.
9. Effective Date of the Superintendent Compendium
The Superintendent’s Compendium is effective on the approval date listed on the first page of this document, and remains in effect until revised for a period up to one year.
10. Additional Information
Some of the terms used in this Compendium may have specific meaning defined in 36 CFR 1.4 Definitions.
11. Availability
Copies of the Compendium are available at 72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson, NJ 07501. It may also be found at https://www.nps.gov/pagr/learn/management/lawsandpolicies.htm.
B. SUPERINTENDENT’S COMPENDIUM
In accordance with regulations and the delegated authority provided in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (“36 CFR”), Chapter 1, Parts 1-7, authorized by Title 16 United States Code, Section 3, the following provisions apply to all lands and waters administered by the National Park Service, within the boundaries of Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. Unless otherwise stated, these regulatory provisions apply in addition to the requirements contained in 36 CFR, Chapter 1, Parts 1-7.
Written determinations, which explain the reasoning behind the Superintendent’s use of discretionary authority, as required by Section 1.5(c), appear in this document identified by italicized print.
I. 36 CFR §1.5 – VISITING HOURS, PUBLIC USE LIMITS, CLOSURES, AND AREA DESIGNATIONS FOR SPECIFIC USE OR ACTIVITIES
(a)(1) The following visiting hours and public use limits are established for all or for the listed portions of the park, and the following closures are established for all or a portion of the park to all public use or to a certain use or activity:
The following limits and activities apply only to lands within the national park boundary that are currently owned and administered by the National Park Service. Lands include Overlook Park, located at 72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson, NJ 07501, and the park’s staff parking lot and maintenance building, located 65 McBride Avenue Extension.
Visiting Hours:
Hours of Operation of Overlook Park:
The visitor parking lot and grounds of Overlook Park are open to visitation all year, from dawn to dusk.
The parking lot is cleared and the gates to the lot secured sometime after dark by local law enforcement.
The parking lot is re-opened for visitors by park staff every morning between the hours of 7:30 – 8:30 am.
Portable restroom facilities are in Overlook Park and are generally open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m each day as staffing permits.
Closures:
All park buildings are for staff maintenance and administration purposes only and are therefore closed to the public, except as specifically authorized and/or escorted by park staff. The parking lot at 65 McBride Avenue next to the maintenance building is for staff only, except as specifically authorized by park staff.
Determination: The Superintendent has determined that these closures are necessary for the safety of park visitors and staff, the protection of historic resources, and for the operation of the national park.
(a)(2) Designate Areas for a specific use or activity or impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity:
-
Filming, still photography, and audio recording activity may require a permit, consistent with 54 U.S.C. 100905. Filming, still photography, and audio recording activity that occurs in closed areas, requires exclusive use of a site or area, or involves a set or staging equipment other than handheld equipment (such as a tripod, monopod, and handheld lighting equipment) requires a permit, unless the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit.
-
Filming, still photography, and audio recording that involves more than eight individuals requires a permit, unless the NPS has specifically notified an individual or group that a permit is not required, or if the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit.
-
If a permit is required for the reasons stated above, or if the NPS otherwise determines and then notifies an individual or group that a permit is required for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity, then engaging in that activity without a permit is prohibited. Violating a term or condition of a permit issued by the NPS for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity is prohibited, and may result in the suspension or revocation of the permit, in addition to any penalties that may apply under 36 CFR 1.3.
Federal law at 54 U.S.C. 100905 states that permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording in park areas if certain requirements are met. These requirements address various topics, including, but not limited to, group size, location, equipment, potential impacts to resources and visitors, and the likelihood that the NPS will incur related administrative costs. If any of these requirements are not met, the law allows the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the NPS, to require a permit for the subject activity. Permit requirements are imposed by the superintendent under discretionary authority provided by 36 CFR 1.5(a)(2), which allows the superintendent to impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity, consistent with applicable legislation, to implement management responsibilities. The general regulations for permits in 36 CFR 1.6 do not apply to permits issued for filming, still photography, and audio recording, which instead are governed by the statutory provisions in 54 U.S.C. 100905. The imposition of permit requirements, on a case-by-case basis, for filming, still photography, or audio recording does not require rulemaking under 36 CFR 1.5(b). Requiring a permit with reasonable terms and conditions in accordance with statutory requirements at 54 U.S.C. 100905 is not highly controversial, will not result in a significant alteration in the public use pattern of the System unit, will not adversely affect the System unit’s natural, aesthetic, scenic or cultural values, or require a long-term or significant modification in the resource management objectives of the System unit, because the permit requirement is limited in time and scope to the specific activities authorized by the permit, which contain terms and conditions that protect the values, resources, and visitors of the System unit, and implements federal law
Areas Designated for a Specific Use or Activity:
First Amendment activity designated area, see Appendix.
The following restrictions and/or conditions are in effect for the specific uses or activities noted:
- Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft (drone, model airplane, quadcopters, etc) from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Paterson Great Falls National Historical is prohibited except for administrative use, or as approved in writing by the superintendent.
Vehicles:
- Washing, repair, or maintenance of vehicles belonging to visitors in public parking areas is prohibited. (Other than short-term emergency repairs)
- Parking is limited to parking lots and designated pull-outs, and parking spaces
- Parking along roadway shoulders, on grass areas, or areas signed or posted as "Closed", "area closed", "Restricted Access", "Staff Only", "Employee Only", “Fire Lane” or "Authorized Vehicles/Personnel Only" are prohibited.
Determination: The above designations are based upon a determination that such conditions are necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety, protection of environmental and cultural values, protection of natural and cultural resources and the equitable allocation and use of the park.
CCTV Policy Statement In accordance with National Park Service Law Enforcement Reference Manual 9 (RM-9), notice is hereby given that Paterson NHP uses Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) security camera monitoring. The park's use of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) for law enforcement and security purposes will only be to visually monitor public park areas and public activities where no constitutionally protected reasonable expectation of privacy exists. Such CCTV use — which will have adequate privacy and First Amendment safeguards — will be to help ensure public safety and security; facilitate the detection, investigation, prevention, and deterrence of terrorist attack and crime; help ensure the safety of citizens and officers; help assist in the proper allocation and deployment of law enforcement and public safety resources; and help facilitate the protection of the innocent and the apprehension and prosecution of criminals. (RM-9, 26.1) This policy does not restrict the official use of CCTV in government administrative areas, including administrative buildings, jail holding facilities (RM-9, 26.37), revenue collection sites, etc., where the government may record/monitor its facilities. For example, the government may perform unrestricted video/audio recording at revenue collection points (entrance stations, visitor center counters, etc.). This policy does not restrict the use of an Audio/Visual Recording Device (AVRD) in patrol vehicles or officer worn recording devices used by commissioned rangers. (RM-9, 26.1).Operation of CCTV cameras, maintenance of recorded images and use of recorded images will be in accordance with NPS and Department policy and applicable laws and regulations. (RM-9, 26.1-26.4) No person will be targeted or monitored merely because of race, religion, gender, sex, disability, national origin, or political affiliation or views. (RM-9, 26.4.2 ) Nothing in this policy statement is intended to create any rights, privileges, or benefits not otherwise recognized by law
II. 36 CFR §1.6 – ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE A PERMIT
The Superintendent will act upon a permit request within 10 days of receiving a complete permit application. Accordingly, permit applications must be received at least 4-6 weeks before the anticipated activity. Permit applications must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee, except for First Amendment demonstration permit applications. Additional use and monitoring fees may be charged in accordance with established policy and procedures.
For additional information and applications, please visit our website - Permits & Reservations - Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Permit applications should be sent to:
Paterson Great Falls NHP
Attn. Special Park Uses Coordinator72 McBride Avenue Extension
Paterson, NJ 07501 or
e-mail: Miguel_Ruiz@nps.govPhone: 973-523-0370
(f) The following is a compilation of those activities for which a permit from the Superintendent may be required, and the regulations governing each:
Special Events – 36 CFR 2.50 (a)
Public assemblies and meetings – 36 CFR 2.51 (a)
Distribution of printed matter – 36 CFR 2.52 (a)
Memorialization – 36 CFR 2.62 (b)
Advertisements – 36 CFR 2.51
Commercial photography – 36 CFR 5.5 (a) & (b)
Commercial Vehicles – 36 CFR 5.6
III. DESIGNATIONS UNDER GENERAL REGULATIONS
III. GENERAL REGULATIONS 36 CFR §2.1 - PRESERVATION OF NATURAL, CULTURAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
(a)(4) Using or possessing wood gathered from within the park area is prohibited, except that dead wood on the ground may be collected for use as fuel for campfires within the park in the following areas:
(a)(5) Walking on, climbing, entering, ascending, descending, or traversing an archeological or cultural resource, monument, or statue is prohibited, except in the following areas and/or under the following conditions.
Under, I(a) collecting natural materials from the park is generally prohibited. However, pursuant to §2.1 (c), the following fruits, nuts, berries or unoccupied seashells may be gathered by hand for personal use or consumption, in accordance with the noted size, quantity, collection sites and/or possession and consumption restrictions:
36 CFR §2.3 - FISHING
Fishing is not permitted.
36 CFR §2.4 - WEAPONS, TRAPS, AND NETS
Pursuant to 18 USC §930, firearms are prohibited in federal facilities. Federal facilities are marked with signs at public entrances. Pursuant to 16 US §1a-7b, park visitors may carry firearms in the park if they are otherwise in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
36 CFR §2.11 – PICNICKING
Picnicking is permitted in the park unless otherwise designated. Large groups and private event picnics are not allowed unless part of an approved permit (section II Activities That Require a Permit).
36 CFR §2.20 – SKATING, SKATEBOARDS and SIMILAR DEVICES
Using roller skates, skateboards, roller skis, coasting vehicles, or similar devices is prohibited, except in the following designated areas:
Roller skates, skateboards and similar devices are prohibited for use in the park, except if the user(s) is traversing the park enroute to location(s) where such devices are permitted.
36 CFR §2.21 – SMOKING(a) The following portions of the park, or all or portions of buildings, structures or facilities are closed to smoking as noted:
Smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of all government buildings.The use of e-cigarettes and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are subject to the same restrictions as tobacco smoking.
36 CFR §2.51 -- DEMONSTRATIONS
(b) Demonstrations of more than 25 people are allowed within park areas designated as available under paragraph (c)(2) when the superintendent has issued a permit for the activity.(c)(2) The following locations are designated as available for demonstrations:
For demonstrations of 25 people or less the designated First Amendment space is the north side of the Overlook Parking Lot to the right of the Alexander Hamilton Statue (indicated by red outline on the map found on our website Permits & Reservations - Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) at 72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson NJ 07501.
36 CFR §2.52 -- SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF PRINTED MATTER
(b) The sale or distribution of printed matter by more than 25 persons is allowed within park areas designated as available under §2.51(c)(2) (see above) when the superintendent has issued a permit.
The sale or distribution of printed matter by 25 people or less is allowed within the park area designated as available under 2.51(c)(2) (above).
36 CFR §4.30 – BICYCLES (a) The use of a bicycle is allowed in parking areas and on routes designated for bicycle use. Park areas that are allowed to bicycle use are listed in §1.5 of this document.
Bicycles are permitted in the visitor parking lot in Overlook Park at 72 McBride Avenue Extension, but are prohibited on all pedestrian pathways.
e-Bikes
The term “e-bike” means a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.).
