The national park system as now constituted should not be lowered in standard, dignity, and prestige by the inclusion of areas which express in less than the highest terms the particular class or kind of exhibit which they represent.
It is not necessary that a national park should have a large area. The element of size is of no importance as long as the park is susceptible of effective administration and control.
You should study existing national parks with the idea of improving them by the addition of adjacent areas which will complete their scenic purposes or facilitate administration. The addition of the Teton Mountains to the Yellowstone’s greatest need, which is an uplift of glacier-bearing peaks; and the addition to the Sequoia National Park of the Sierra summits and slopes to the north and east, as contemplated by pending legislation, will create a reservation unique in the world, because of its combination of gigantic trees, extraordinary canyons, and mountain masses.
In considering projects involving the establishment of new national parks or the extension of existing park areas by delimination of national forests, you should observe what effect such delimination would have on the administration of adjacent forest lands, and wherever practicable, you should engage in an investigation of such park projects jointly with officers of the Forest Service, in order that questions of national park and national forest policy as they affect the lands involved may be thoroughly understood.
Cordially, yours,
| MR. STEPHEN T. MATHER, Director, National Park Service. |
FRANKLIN K. LANE Secretary. |
Annual Report of the Director of the National Park Service, 1918, pp. 273-76.
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK
(Approved December 21, 1923)
GENERAL REGULATIONS
The following rules and regulations for the government of Crater Lake National Park are hereby established and made public pursuant to authority conferred by the acts of Congress approved May 22, 1902 (32 Stat. 202), August 21, 1916 (39 Stat. 521), and the act of August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535), as amended June 2, 1920 (41 Stat. 732), and March 7, 1928 (45 Stat. 200-235), and shall supersede all previous rules and regulations for this park heretofore promulgated, which are hereby rescinded.
1. Preservation of natural features and curiosities. — The destruction, injury, defacement, or disturbance in any way of the public buildings, signs, equipment, or other property, or of the trees, flowers, vegetation, rocks, minerals, animal, or bird, or other life, or other natural conditions and curiosities in the park is prohibited: Provided, That flowers may be gathered in small quantities when, in the judgment of the superintendent, their removal will not impair the beauty of the park. Before any flowers are picked, permit must be secured from officer.
2. Camping. — In order to preserve the natural scenery of the park and to provide pure water and facilities for keeping the park clean, permanent camp sites have been set apart for visitors touring the park, and no camping is permitted outside of the specially designated sites. These camps have been used during the past seasons; they will be used daily this year and for many years to come. The following regulations, therefore, will be strictly enforced for the protection of the health and comfort of visitors who come in the park.
(a) Keep the camp grounds clean. Combustible rubbish shall be burned on camp fires and all other garbage and refuse of all kinds, shall be placed in garbage cans or pits provided for the purpose. At new or unfrequented camps, garbage shall be burned or buried.
