NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES for Natural Areas of the National Park System

UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Board of Geographic Names
Washington, D.C. 20240
March 5, 1946

STATEMENT OF POLICY FOR APPLYING NAMES OF PERSONS TO NATURAL FEATURES

This statement of policy is for the guidance of the Board in deciding cases and for the guidance of organizations and individuals who propose personal names for natural features. The policy with reference to place names in Antarctica is stated elsewhere.

It should be understood that the various factors involved in the policy outlined below are relative. Peaks which are major features in eastern United States would be secondary features in western United States and minor features in Alaska.

Features which are prominent in the public mind by reason of accessibility, outstanding natural beauty, or other special attribute should be placed in the category next higher than their magnitude alone would warrant.

Features in areas where many features are unnamed should be considered in the category next lower than their magnitude alone would warrant.

An existing name should not be replaced unless it is a duplicate or is inappropriate.

Names of men who qualify for features of one order of magnitude may be applied to features of a lower order if such application is particularly appropriate.

I. MAJOR FEATURES

With the following qualifications, the Board will consider applying the name of a deceased person to a natural feature of the first order of magnitude, such as a mountain range or group; a high, massive, or spectacular mountain, summit, peak, or ridge; a large river, a major island; or a prominent cape:

1. Only one major feature of a kind should be named for a particular individual, and few features of first order of magnitude of different kinds should be named for any individual.

2. Only one whose public service, achievements, and fame are likely to be enduring should have his name applied to a feature of first order magnitude.

3. A feature of first order of magnitude, except in an area where few features are named, should be named only for a person whose public service and achievements are likely to be more than regional in effect, though his work and reputation may be only regional in scope.

4. In applying the name of an individual to any feature, and particularly to a first-order feature, a clear distinction should be made between honorable fame and mere notoriety.

5. The importance of the public service or achievements of the person whose name is proposed should be commensurate with the magnitude or grandeur of the feature.

6. In areas where few features are named, a major feature may be named for a person associated with it or with the region in one or more of the following ways:

a. Through exploration, survey, or scientific investigation resulting in contributions to the knowledge of the feature in question or of the region that encompasses it.

b. Through personal efforts resulting in conservation of the natural heritage of the place or region or in its long-range development.

c. Through long association with the feature, such as residence or work in the locality.

d. Through outstanding public service to the residents and the region.

II. SECONDARY FEATURES

With the following qualifications, the Board will consider applying the name of a deceased person to a natural feature of the second-order of magnitude, such as a mountain other than that of the greatest size, a ridge, a small glacier, a valley, a medium-to-small island, a medium-sized river.

1. The person whose name is proposed should have been associated with the feature or region in one or more of the following ways:

a. Through exploration, survey, or scientific investigation resulting in contributions to the knowledge of the feature in question or of the region that encompasses it.

b. Through personal efforts resulting in conservation of the natural heritage of the place or region or in its long-range development.

c. Through long association with the feature, such as residence or work in the locality.

d. Through outstanding public service to the residents and the region.

2. The name of a deceased member of the armed forces will be considered for application to a feature on or near which he met death in line of duty or engaged in heroic action. The name of a member of the armed forces who died in line of duty anywhere will be considered for application to an unnamed feature with which he was associated.

III. MINOR FEATURES

With the following qualifications, the Board will consider applying the name of a person, living or deceased, to a relatively small natural feature, such as a hill, watercourse, or cove:

1. If the name is well established in local usage.

2. Name of an early occupant or owner.

3. The name of a member of the armed forces who died in the line of duty anywhere will be considered for application to a feature with which he was associated.

4. The name of a person who died on or near the feature.