Laws and Regulations
Overview
Some of the laws passed by Congress and signed into law by the President of the United States pertain to national parks or activities of the National Park Service. Of note is The Organic Act of 1916 that established the National Park Service and provided its purpose. In addition, Executive Orders are official documents through which the President of the United States manages the operations of the Federal Government.
Regulations, notably the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, Parts 1 to 199 (36CFR), provide for the proper use, management, government, and protection of persons, property, and natural and cultural resources within areas under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.
Designations, closures, permit requirements and other restrictions can also be established under discretionary authority provided a park Superintendent by provisions of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 1 through 7, authorized by Title 16, United States Code, Section 3. Unless otherwise stated, these regulatory provisions apply in addition to the requirements contained elsewhere in Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1, Parts 1 through 7.