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Denver Service Center » Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Special Resource Study
The National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 (54 United States Code 100507) established the process for identifying and authorizing studies of new national park units. Under the law, a study area must meet all four of the following criteria to be recommended as an addition to the national park system:
1. Contain nationally significant natural and/or cultural resources.
2. Represent a natural or cultural resource that is not already adequately represented in the national park system or is not comparably represented and protected for public enjoyment by another land-managing entity.
3. Must be (1) of sufficient size and appropriate configuration to ensure long-term protection of the resources and visitor enjoyment, and (2) capable of efficient administration by the National Park Service at a reasonable cost; important feasibility factors include landownership, acquisition costs, life cycle maintenance costs, access, threats to the resource, and staff or development requirements.
4. Require direct NPS management that is clearly superior to other management approaches.
The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Special Resource Study was initiated by the National Park Service in 2022. The study is complete and has been transmitted to Congress by the Secretary of the Department of the Interior. Only Congress, through legislated action, or the president, through the use of the Antiquities Act, have the authority to establish a new unit of the National Park Service.
* indicates the current step in the planning process
Step 1. Information Gathering and Civic Engagement
Step 2. Special Resource Study Criteria Analysis
Step 3. Prepare Study Document
Step 4. Submit Study Document to Secretary of the Interior
Step 5. Secretary of the Interior Transmits Study to Congress *
1. Contain nationally significant natural and/or cultural resources.
2. Represent a natural or cultural resource that is not already adequately represented in the national park system or is not comparably represented and protected for public enjoyment by another land-managing entity.
3. Must be (1) of sufficient size and appropriate configuration to ensure long-term protection of the resources and visitor enjoyment, and (2) capable of efficient administration by the National Park Service at a reasonable cost; important feasibility factors include landownership, acquisition costs, life cycle maintenance costs, access, threats to the resource, and staff or development requirements.
4. Require direct NPS management that is clearly superior to other management approaches.
The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Special Resource Study was initiated by the National Park Service in 2022. The study is complete and has been transmitted to Congress by the Secretary of the Department of the Interior. Only Congress, through legislated action, or the president, through the use of the Antiquities Act, have the authority to establish a new unit of the National Park Service.
* indicates the current step in the planning process
Step 1. Information Gathering and Civic Engagement
Step 2. Special Resource Study Criteria Analysis
Step 3. Prepare Study Document
Step 4. Submit Study Document to Secretary of the Interior
Step 5. Secretary of the Interior Transmits Study to Congress *