The National Park Service issued a new draft of its management policies on Tuesday.

The update defines "unacceptable impacts" to park resources and defines "appropriate uses" in the park system. It encourages parks to work with businesses, foundations and state and local governments, and reaffirms the government-to-government consultation policy with tribes.

The definition of "unacceptable impacts" contained in the draft doesn't specifically mention whether sacred sites will be considered. A number of important cultural, historic and religious sites are located within national parks.

According to The New York Times, a provision that would have allowed more development was removed from the draft. Conservation groups protested when the learned the Bush administration was seeking to relax existing policies.

The new policies can be found online [Link]. Comments are being accepted until January 19, 2006.

Get the Story:
National Park Service Revises Policy on Disturbing Resources (The New York Times 10/19)
pwnyt
Parks plan rewritten following criticism (The Denver Post 10/19)
Press Release: Draft National Park Service Management Policies Released for Public Review, Comment (NPS 10/18)

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