Law & Policy

Visitor plans a trip into the Yosemite Wilderness with help from a park ranger.

NPS photo

Several federal laws and NPS policies are integral to the management of NPS wilderness. The Wilderness Stewardship Division assists parks and program offices in understanding the complexities of wilderness to ensure that management actions are in alignment with law and consistent with NPS policy.

Examples of federal laws applicable to wilderness include:

• Wilderness Act
• Individual designated wilderness area legislation
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• National Historic Preservation Act
• National Environmental Protection Act
• Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act

NPS Policy for wilderness:

• Management Policies 2006, Chapter 6: Wilderness Preservation and Management
• Director's Order 41: Wilderness Stewardship
• Reference Manual 41: Wilderness Stewardship