NPS Responsibilities

The National Park Service has responsibilities under federal law to protect water, and the people and environment that rely on the availability of clean water. These are examples of some of the responsibilities that NPS has to protect park waters, but is not an exhaustive list.

1916, The NPS Organic Act

The National Park Service Organic Act created the agency in 1916 with the mandate to conserve the scenery, natural and cultural resources, and other values of parks in a way that will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. This statutory responsibility to leave National Park Service units “unimpaired,” requires us to protect all National Park Service units natural hydrologic functions.

1964, Wilderness Act

The Wilderness Act of 1964 recognized certain federal land as "retaining its primeval character" and "untrammeled by man." More than half of all national park system lands are designated wilderness and must be managed for wilderness character, this includes waters that flow through wilderness areas.

1968, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 recognized that certain rivers possess outstandingly remarkable values and need to be preserved in free-flowing condition.

1969, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Congress passed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1969. Environmental compliance in the National Park Service encompasses the mandates of NEPA and all other federal environmental laws that require evaluation, documentation and disclosure, and public involvement, including the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Executive Orders on Floodplains and Wetlands, and others. All natural resource management and scientific activities are subject to environmental analysis under NEPA through the development of environmental assessments and environmental impact statements.

1972, Clean Water Act

The Clean Water Act was first promulgated in 1972 and amended several times since. This law is designed to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters, including the waters of the national park system.

1972, Coastal Zone Management Act

The Coastal Zone Management Act (1972) and its amendments (1990) enables coastal states to develop coastal management programs to improve protection of sensitive shoreline resources, identify coastal areas appropriate for development, designate areas hazardous to development, and improve public access to the coastline. The act requires that federal agencies conducting activities or undertaking development directly affecting the coastal zone will ensure that the activities or developments are consistent with approved state management programs to the extent practicable.

1973, Endangered Species Act

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 requires the NPS to identify and promote the conservation of all federally listed endangered, threatened, or candidate species within park or preserve boundaries, like fish.

1974, Safe Drinking Water Act

The Safe Drinking Water Act directs the U.S.. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish and enforce regulations on maximum allowable contaminant levels in drinking water. The 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act initiated a new era in cost-effective protection of drinking water quality, state flexibility, and citizen involvement.

Director's Orders

• The objective of Executive Order 11988 Floodplain Management is to avoid the extent practicable, any activity that could directly or indirectly result in a floodplain impact including: loss of life, loss of property, or degrading natural floodplain values.

• Executive Order 11990 Protection of Wetlands requires federal agencies to avoid activities that have the potential to degrade wetlands.