The Yellowstone Act preserves the watershed of the Yellowstone River "for the benefit and enjoyment of the people." For the first time, public lands were preserved for public enjoyment, to be administered by the federal government. Put under the "exclusive control of the Secretary of the Interior," the land was "reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or sale under the laws of the United States, and dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring-ground..." This act set aside public land for public enjoyment, and opened the way for creation of the National Park Service.
The National Park Service Organic Act of 1916 (16 USC 1 et seq.)
"The service … shall promote and regulate the use of … national parks … by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purpose of the said parks… which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."
Reorganization Act of 1933 ( )
Soon after Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in 1933, Albright accompanied the new president on a trip to Shenandoah National Park and mentioned his desire to acquire all the military parks. Roosevelt agreed and directed Albright to initiate an executive transfer order. Under the order, effective August 10, 1933, the Park Service received not only the War Department's parks and monuments but the 15 national monuments then held by the Forest Service as well as the national capital parks, including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and White House. The addition of nearly 50 historical areas in the East made the park system and Park Service truly national and deeply involved with historic as well as natural preservation.
National Park System General Authorities Act of 1970 (90 Stat. 1940; 16 USC 1a-5)
"…though distinct in character, are united through their inter-related purposes and resources into one national park system as cumulative expressions of a single national heritage; that, individually and collectively, these areas derive increased national dignity and recognition of their superb environmental quality through their inclusion jointly with each other in one national park system preserved and managed for the benefit and inspiration of all people of the United States..."
The purpose of this act was " to include all such areas in the system and to clarify the authorities applicable to the system." The act also made it clear that the NPS Organic Act and other protective mandates applied equally to all units of the system.
Redwood National Park Expansion Act of 1978 (PL 95-250, as amended )
"Congress further reaffirms, declares, and directs the promotion and regulation of the various areas of the National Park System...shall be consistent with and founded in the purpose established by the first section of the Act of August 25, 1916, to the common benefit of all the people of the United States. The authorization of activities shall be construed and the protection, management, and administration of these areas shall be conducted in light of the high public value and integrity of the National Park System and shall not be exercised in derogation of the values and purposes for which these various areas have been established, except as may have been or shall be directly and specifically provided by Congress."
