National Park Service Overview of Park Planning

Planning Is Structured Decision Making Requirements Logical trackable rationale Analysis Public involvement Accountability Laws National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978 National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 Government Performance and Results Act of 1993

Basic Types of Plans Foundation for Planning General Management Plan Program Management Plans Park Strategic Plan Implementation Plans Annual Performance Plans

What we ultimately want to achieve What we can achieve in the foreseeable future Current opportunities and problems Specific actions, $, FTE What we will achieve / workload for current year IndefiniteLong-term (5-year) Annual WHAT results HOW actions WHY TIMEFRAME LOGIC

Foundation for Planning Purpose: Clearly defines WHY the unit was established as part of the National Park System Inputs: unit purpose, significance, special mandates, and primary interpretive themes servicewide legal and policy requirements applicable to all units of the National Park System “fundamental resources and values” determined to warrant primary consideration in park planning and management

General Management Plan Purpose: Clearly defines WHAT resource conditions and visitor experiences are to be maintained and achieved over time Is the first phase of tiered planning and decision making Inputs: NPS mission and policies Park foundation for planning and decision making Resource analysis (primary resource values, costs, environmental impacts) Public involvement

Program Management Plans Purpose: Assesses discrepancies between desired con- ditions established in GMP and existing conditions May translate general, qualitative statements of desired conditions in GMPs into measurable indicators. Presents new information gained through monitor- ing and assessment. Inputs: Desired conditions from GMP Evaluation of existing conditions gained through monitoring and assessment. Assessment of known range of available options for addressing deviations from desired conditions.

Park Strategic Plan Purpose: Identifies WHAT specific measurable park goals will be pursued for the foreseeable future (approximately five years) Inputs: Servicewide long- term goals Park mission, mission goals, and management prescriptions Public involvement Resource assessment

Implementation Plans Purpose: Focuses on HOW to implement activities or projects needed to achieve long term goals in the foreseeable future Level of detail and analysis goes well beyond that of GMP or strategic plan Inputs: Long term goals Sometimes detailed analysis of environ- mental impacts and costs Analysis tiers off general management plan

Annual Performance Plan Purpose: Identifies specific measurable park goals and actions for the current year Describes HOW work will be accomplished and tiers off the park strategic plan Inputs: Long-term goals Implementation plans