Laws, Policies, and Authorities for the Protection of Soundscapes in the National Parks

摘要

An integral part of the National Park Service (NPS) mission, derived from the Organic Act of 1916 and subsequent legislation, is protecting the natural and cultural sounds in national park units. This mandate motivated the formation of the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division to assist parks in developing and implementing actions to protect, preserve, and restore the acoustical environment. The Division also works in partnership with parks and others to increase scientific understanding and inspire public appreciation of the value and character of soundscapes. Currently, more than 300,000 hours of acoustical data have been collected in more than 60 park units. These data reveal that many parks enjoy some of the lowest ambient sound levels ever measured, providing an expansive listening experience for park visitors. However, noise is a burgeoning problem for NPS. This session will provide an overview of agency mandates, authorities, and regulations for addressing soundscape management issues in national park units. This paper discusses the role of the Organic Act of 1916, NPS Management Policies, Director’s Order 47, the National Parks Air Tour Management Act, and other policies and regulations related to the protection of park soundscapes.