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

RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL—POLICY GOVERNING THE WATER POLLUTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH ASPECTS OF OUTDOOR RECREATION, WASHINGTON, D.C.
April 9, 1964, Circular No. 3

PREAMBLE

The conservation, development, and wise use of outdoor recreation resources are of great importance in satisfying the social and health goals of our population. For many people, outdoor recreation involves water; they swim and fish in it, hunt and boat on it, picnic beside it. The demands for water-based recreation are expected to expand materially in the next few years and more and more people will be competing for the privilege of using available water areas.

There is no question that increasing pollution is a major factor making water areas unsuitable for recreation and other uses. Pollution not only drives people away, it also destroys large areas of fish and wildlife habitat. There is also no question that the increasing number of visitors to outdoor recreation areas emphasizes the need for planning and constructing adequate sanitary facilities at public recreation areas, including the need for research which will assist in the solution of sanitary engineering problems peculiar to outdoor recreation activities.

The Recreation Advisory Council, recognizing the demand for water-oriented outdoor recreation and the need for immediate and positive action to protect not only the resource being used, but more importantly, the health and safety of the American people, hereby sets forth the guidelines it believes necessary (1) to prevent and control future water pollution and to restore existing bodies of polluted water to the highest quality practicable, and (2) to govern the planning, provision, and maintenance of sanitary facilities at outdoor recreation areas.

I. WATER POLLUTION

A. Declaration of Policy

It shall be the Recreation Advisory Council policy that (1) recreation be recognized as a full partner with other beneficial water uses in water quality management policies and programs, (2) the water resources of the Nation be maintained as clean as possible in order to provide maximum recreation opportunities, and (3) all users of public water have a responsibility for keeping these waters clean. This Declaration of Policy recognizes the primary responsibility of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare for the enforcement of Federal laws relating to the prevention of water pollution.

All Federal agencies having responsibilities in the field of water pollution should coordinate such activities with each other. In turn, these activities should be coordinated wherever possible with State and local agencies having responsibilities in the field of water pollution in order to further a unified and effective effort in the following endeavors:

1. Development of comprehensive river basin water pollution control programs that protect outdoor recreation water uses;

2. Development of a set of principles for water quality standards for outdoor recreation, wildlife, fish, and other aquatic uses which could be applied where appropriate for the particular use involved;

3. Development of water quality monitoring systems for the protection of outdoor water recreation areas;

4. Development of water pollution research programs benefiting outdoor recreation, wildlife, fish, and other aquatic life;

5. Provision of technical services in water pollution prevention and control relating to outdoor recreation, wildlife, fish, and other aquatic life; and

6. Development of a set of principles as guides to the adoption of local standards by the appropriate State agencies to protect outdoor recreation uses and Federal investments for recreation in water resource developments.

B. Policy Implementation

Federal, State and local governments should assume their respective responsibilities for controlling water pollution to conserve and improve water for all uses, including recreation.

Federal agencies shall make every effort to implement the President's policy that "* * * Government should set an example in the abatement of water pollution * * *" by:

1. Demonstrating leadership in adopting pollution control programs to assure that Federal activity, or other activities on federally owned lands, does not pollute waters associated with such areas;

2. Promulgating effective rules and regulations for controlling water pollution on lands under their management;

3. Including adequate safeguards in comprehensive water resource developments to enhance and protect recreation waters and to assure that the recreation benefits assigned to the developments will not be impaired by pollution;

4. Utilizing acceptable principles of water quality standards in programing water pollution control measures and managing water pollution control programs benefiting recreation;

5. Establishing reliable monitoring systems to provide the data needed to make the water quality management decisions required to protect water recreation uses and investments;

6. Informing the public of damages to recreation values resulting from water pollution; and

7. Encouraging and supporting adequate State, interstate, and local water pollution control programs and cooperating fully with the appropriate agency in their implementation and management.

To discharge their responsibilities, State and local governments are encouraged to:

1. Enact and enforce adequate water pollution control legislation;

2. Develop programs to control pollution originating on publicly owned lands under their jurisdiction;

3. Participate in interstate or regional compacts to develop pollution control programs for interstate waters;

4. Cooperate with the responsible Federal water pollution control agency in the adoption and vigorous enforcement of adequate water quality standards for recreation and fish and wildlife; and

5. Develop and sustain a program of public information so that an enlightened public opinion can be brought to bear on the problems of pollution abatement and control.

II. PUBLIC HEALTH

A. Declaration of Policy

It shall be the Recreation Advisory Council policy that it is incumbent upon agencies responsible for the planning, development, and operation of outdoor recreation areas to provide the health and sanitation safeguards required to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the recreation users.

To achieve that objective, agencies responsible for the management of outdoor recreation areas shall utilize the recommended health standards of the Federal, State, or local public health authority having jurisdiction; and they shall maintain close cooperation and consultation with the appropriate public health authority. At the Federal level, the broad responsibility and legislative authority of the Public Health Service, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, for protecting the public health, is recognized.

B. Guidelines

The following guidelines describe the measures which Federal agencies developing, operating, and maintaining outdoor recreation facilities should adopt to protect the health and safety of the recreation user.

1. New Recreation Developments

Plans and specifications covering health and sanitation facilities and services in outdoor recreation areas must satisfy the requirements of the health agency having jurisdiction. The plans shall include provisions for the following:

a. Investigating and identifying health information and environmental problems relating to the acquisition, planning, and development of outdoor recreation areas.

b. Developing and providing necessary treatment of all sources of water supply for domestic and culinary purposes to meet Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards or equivalent.

c. Preparing and maintaining grounds and facilities to assure adequate vector control.

d. Proper sewage collection, treatment and disposal facilities to prevent defilement of land and water areas, and to prevent pollution of surface or underground water or other conditions conducive to the transmission of communicable diseases.

e. Proper storage, collection, and disposal of refuse and other wastes accumulated in outdoor recreation areas.

f. Proper buildings, equipment, and facilities for storage, preparation, and serving of food and drink to the public.

g. Plan for and delineate responsibilities for a system of policing and inspecting recreation developments.

h. Facilities which would protect the safety of recreation users.

2. Operation and Maintenance of Recreation Areas.

The agency having administrative responsibility for an area should consult and cooperate with qualified health personnel of the health agency having jurisdiction to:

a. Insure that the operation and maintenance of sanitary facilities are in accordance with applicable requirements or regulations of Federal, State, and local health departments.

b. Certify the quality of all food and drink products served to the visiting public.

c. Control animals and insects harboring disease vectors or capable of transmitting diseases to humans.

d. Control environmental factors relating to communicable diseases.

e. Provide accident prevention services.

f. Prevent air and water pollution arising from recreation facilities.

g. Detect and control all other environmental hazards.

h. Train and periodically inspect personnel responsible for the operation and maintenance of concessioner and sanitary facilities in order to insure compliance with applicable health regulations.

i. Assure implementation of adequate water safety measures.

There are guides available which list health standards or codes relating to the management of outdoor recreation areas. Several of these are [in the attached list..] Environmental Health Practice in Recreation Areas, reference No. 1 in [the list, contains] information on health problems and guidelines, not currently available in a single publication. The other codes and guides are in general use by Federal, State, and local agencies.

In addition to the internal inspections by the administering agency, sanitary surveys of proposed developments and periodic inspection of existing areas by health authorities having jurisdiction are recommended to detect and eliminate existing or potential environmental health hazards.

Reports, including recommendations covering these activities, should be referred for action to authorities responsible for the administration and operation of the outdoor recreation areas.

III. ACTIVATION OF POLICY

Under authority bestowed upon the Council by Executive Order 11017, as amended, the Council commends this policy to all concerned Federal agencies. Upon approval of this statement, the member agencies of the Recreation Advisory Council become responsible for observing the foregoing policy and for giving it force and effect.

Approved by:
STEWART L. UDALL
Secretary of the Interior, Chairman
ORVILLE L. FREEMAN
Secretary of Agriculture
ANTHONY J. CELEBREZZE
Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare
LUTHER M. HODGES
Secretary of Commerce
NORMAN S. PAUL
Assistant Secretary of Defense
ROBERT R. WEAVER
Administrator, Housing and Home Finance Agency

LIST OF GUIDES AND REFERENCE MATERIALS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASPECTS OF RECREATION

1. Environmental Health Practice in Recreation Areas. [Reprinted 1966. Public Health Service Publication No. 1195, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Washington, D.C.]

2. Public Health Service Administrative Guide Covering National Park Service Activities, 1956. U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Washington, D.C.

3. Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards, 1962 [reprinted 1967]. Public Health Service Publication No. 956, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Washington, D.C.

4. Manual of Individual Water Supply Systems, 1962 [reprinted 1963]. Public Health Service Publication No. 24 U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Washington, D.C.

5. Manual of Recommended Water Sanitation Practice, 1958. Public Health Service Publication No. 525, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Washington, D.C. [Out of print].

6. Manual of Septic-Tank Practice, reprinted 1963 [revised 1967]. Public Health Service Publication No. 526, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Washington, D.C.

7. The Sanitary Privy—Construction Plans and Specifications of Earth-Pit Privy with Concrete Slab and Diagonal Riser, reprinted 1963. U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Washington, D.C.

8. Refuse Collection and Disposal for the Small Community, 1953. American Public Works Association, 1313 East 60th Street, Chicago, Ill.