What are Natural Resources?

 

Natural resources are composed of inherently complex organisms, processes, and systems. The natural resource policies of the National Park Service (NPS) emphasize the need to manage natural resources and values of the parks in a systematic, consistent, and professional manner. These resources and values include ecosystems and their component plants, animals, water, air, soils, topographic features, geologic features, and paleontologic resources, and aesthetic values, such as scenic vistas, natural quiet, and clear night skies. Natural processes and systems are dynamic, are often beyond immediate human control, and are affected by activities both within and outside of NPS units.

Understanding of these processes, and systems is far from complete, yet the NPS is charged with management and protection of the natural resources of NPS areas in the future. The fundamental objectives of NPS natural resource management, as prescribed in policy, are to manage the natural resources of the National Park System to maintain, restore, and perpetuate their inherent integrity and, when consistent with the above, to provide opportunities for visitors to benefit from and enjoy natural environments which are evolving through natural processes minimally influenced by human action.

NPS Natural Resources Stewardship and Science Directorate (NRSS) provides scientific, technical, and administrative support to national parks for the management of natural resources. NRSS develops, utilizes, and distributes the tools of natural and social science to help the NPS fulfill its core mission: the protection of park resources and values.

Additional References

• Natural Resource Management Reference Manual (RM) 77
• Director's Orders (DOs) and Related Documents
• NPS Office of Policy

Natural Resource Topics

Air Quality | Biological | Geological | Soundscape & Lightscape | Water | Wilderness | Other

Air Quality

The Clean Air Act provides the principal framework for national, state, and local efforts to protect air quality. Under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) is responsible for setting standards, also known as national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), for pollutants which are considered harmful to people and the environment. OAQPS is also responsible for ensuring that these air quality standards are met, or attained (in cooperation with state, Tribal, and local governments) through national standards and strategies to control pollutant emissions from automobiles, factories, and other sources.

Examples

• Carbon Monoxide
• Dust/Particulates
• Sulfur Dioxide

Potential Project Activities with Impact Concerns

• Construction Vehicles
• New roads or additional capacity on existing roads
• New Stationary Sources (Generators)

Additional References

• Air Resources Division
• Clean Air Act
• Climate Change Program

Biological

Biological resources are the plants, animals, and other living aspects of the natural environment. These resources are protected under a variety of different state and federal laws including Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, state species of concern, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Examples

• Essential Fish Habitat
• Threatened and Endangered Species
• Marine Mammals
• Species of Concern (NPS, State, and Local)

Potential Project Activities with Impact Concerns

• Ground Disturbance (Clearing or grubbing)
• Light
• New structures
• Noise
• Run-off

Additional References

• Biological Resources Division
• Endangered Species Consultation Handbook
• Executive Order (EO) 13112 Invasive Species
• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
  • Consultations for Essential Fish Habitat
  • Fisheries Species Directory
• United States (U.S.) Fish & Wildlife Service
  • Endangered Species Overview
  • Endangered Species - Section 7 Consultation
  • IPaC Information for Planning and Conservation

Geological

Geological resources in general refers to the natural physical attributes of a location as opposed to the Biological or Water resources. It includes rock formations, soils, palaeontologic resources, minerals, caves, geothermal features, and more. Evaluating geological resources includes understanding and considering the geological hazards that may affect, or be affected by, a particular project.

Examples

• Caves and Karst
• Fossils and Paleontology

Potential Project Activities with Impact Concerns

• Ground Disturbance
• Trenching

Additional References

• Fossils and Paleontology
• Geological Resources Division

Soundscape & Lightscape

Each park unit has a unique soundscape. The natural and cultural sounds in parks awaken a sense of wonder that connects us to the qualities that define these special places. They are part of a web of resources that the NPS protects under the Organic Act.

Nighttime views and environments are among the critical park features the NPS protects. Night sky protection enhances qualities of solitude and undeveloped wilderness character that animals depend on for survival, park visitors seek for connections, and many cultural-historical parks require for preservation. In this regard, the NPS recognizes a naturally dark night sky as more than a scenic canvas; it is part of a complex ecosystem that supports both natural and cultural resources.

Examples

• Natural sounds like wildlife calls and waves crashing on a shore
• Dark sky designation

Potential Project Activities with Impact Concerns

• New or replacement lighting
• Construction noise

Additional References

• Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division

Water

Water resources are the aquatic components of an ecosystem. It includes oceans and coastal resources, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and the subsurface hydrologic conditions that support them. Water resources also includes floodplains, water quality and water rights.

Examples

• Coastal Zones
• Fisheries
• Floodplains
• Hydrology
• Oceans
• Water Quality
• Water Rights
• Wetlands (Fens, bogs, etc.)
• Wild and Scenic Rivers

Potential Project Activities with Impact Concerns

• Changes to surface and groundwater hydrology
• Changes in water use (volume, type, source)
• Construction run-off
• Dredging and/or filling
• Pollutant run-off

Additional References

• Clean Water Act
• Coastal Zone Management Act
• Director's Orders (DOs) & Reference Manuals (RM)
  • DO 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers | RM 46: Wild and Scenic Rivers
  • DO 77-1: Wetland Protection Procedural Manual
  • DO 77-2: Floodplain Management
• Executive Orders (EOs)
  • EO 11988 Floodplain Management
  • EO 11990 Protection of Wetlands
  • EO 13089 Coral Reef Protection
• FEMA Flood Map Service (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
• NFHL Viewer (National Flood Hazard Layer)
• National Wetlands Inventory
• Wild and Scenic Rivers GIS database (geographical information system)

Wilderness

The Wilderness Act was passed in 1964, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This Act established the National Wilderness Preservation System "...for the permanent good of the whole people." This law also directs federal land management agencies, including the NPS, to manage these wilderness areas and preserve wilderness character.

Examples

• Components of wilderness character- natural, untrammeled, undeveloped, solitude or primative and unconfined recreation, and other features of value.

Potential Project Activities with Impact Concerns

• Degradation of wilderness quality and character through actions, like use of mechanized equipment
• Permanent damage to resources

Additional References

• Director's Order (DO) 41 Wilderness Stewardship
• Reference Manual (RM) 41 Wilderness Stewardship
• Wilderness Stewardship Division
• Wilderness Act

Other

The following are not natural resources but are considered as part of project development and environmental evaluations with local NPS subject matter experts providing direction and management.

• Cultural Resources
• Economic Resources
• Energy
• Environmental Justice
• Hazardous Materials
• Land Use
• Social Resources (included ADA (American Disabilities Act) and other social legal requirements)
• Transportation
• Utilities
• Viewsheds
• Visitor Use and Experience

Mitigation

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) promotes efforts to prevent or eliminate environmental harm. Mitigation often plays a central role in the avoidance or minimization of adverse environmental impacts. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations define mitigation as including (1508.20):

• Avoidance of an impact through not taking an action or parts of an action;
• Minimizing impacts through limiting the degree or magnitude of an action;
• Rectifying impacts by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected environment;
• Reduction or elimination of impacts by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action; and
• Compensation for the impact by replacing or providing substitute resources or environments.

In most cases, mitigation measures should be developed and incorporated as integral elements of the alternatives. Often, mitigation consists of best management practices designed to minimize impacts that are included as elements common to all alternatives.

When developing mitigation measures, you should ensure that the NPS has the authority to carry out the measures and that there is a reasonable expectation of having the human and capital resources needed to perform the mitigation and monitoring to ensure mitigation is effective. The mitigation measures should be reasonable, effective, and feasible ways to reduce, eliminate, or compensate for impacts to one or more affected resources.

 

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