Laws & Policies

Law enforcement ranger badge
A law enforcement park ranger badge.

NPS

The National Park Service carries out its responsibilities in parks and programs under the authority of Federal laws, regulations, and Executive Orders, and in accord with policies established by the Director of the National Park Service and the Secretary of the Interior.

Scotts Bluff National Monument is an area of concurrent jurisdiction, the National Park Service and the State of Nebraska exercise law enforcement authority. Commissioned National Park Rangers are duly appointed federal law enforcement officers. Their duties include law enforcement, emergency medical services, search and rescue, wildland firefighting, as well as visitor safety, assistance, and information. Along with the federal laws, regulations, and policies listed, commissioned park rangers also have authority to enforce applicable Nebraska Revised Statutes.

Scotts Bluff National Monument Enabling Legislation

Read the enabling legislation for Scotts Bluff National Monument.

Code of Federal Regulations

Federal Regulations that apply to all National Park Sites can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), under Title 36.

Federal Laws

Among the federal laws that are enforced by commissioned park rangers are Title 16 of the United States Code (USC) that apply to the National Park system and all other federal lands, federal criminal laws within 18 USC, and federal drug laws found in 21 USC.

Superintendent's Compendium

In the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Superintendents of each unit of the National Park Service have the option to develop specific designations, closures, permit requirements, and other restrictions to address unique management needs of their particular unit. Within the CFR, Superintendents are given the authority amend, modify, relax, or make more stringent certain regulations. These park specific regulations are incorporated into a document called the Superintendent's Compendium and are an extension of the CFR.

Firearms Regulations

As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park. Refer to Section 512 of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, Public Law 111-24, 123 Stat. 1764-65.

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, please visit the following link Nebraska State Laws to review our state's laws regarding firearms.

Review the Nebraska State Patrol website regarding the rules and regulations of concealed weapons permit.

Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances. Refer to 18 U.S.C. § 930.

Unmanned Aircraft (Drones)

Due to serious concerns about the negative impact that flying unmanned aircraft can have for the safety of visitors, staff, and wildlife, they have been restricted at Scotts Bluff National Monument and most other national park lands. More information about unmanned aircraft policies on National Park Service lands can be found here.

Commercial Filming and Photography

Effective October 28, 2022, the National Park Service (NPS) has rescinded interim guidance that was in place during litigation regarding commercial filming and has returned to longstanding laws and regulations governing commercial filming in parks. More guidance on what constitutes "Commercial Filming" can be found here.

 

Last updated: December 1, 2022

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 27
Gering, NE 69341

Phone:

308 436-9700

Contact Us

Tools