NPS Mission - National Park Service

National Park Service FY 2013 Budget Justifications
Appropriation: Operation of the National Park System
Mission Overview
The Operation of the National Park System appropriation provides the base funding for our Nation’s national
parks. The parks preserve and commemorate natural and cultural resources that are inextricably woven into
our national heritage. This appropriation contributes to three fundamental goals for the National Park Service:
1) Protecting, restoring, and maintaining natural and cultural resources in good condition and managing them
within their broader ecosystem and cultural context; 2) Managing resources using scholarly and scientific
information; and, 3) Providing for the public enjoyment of and visitor experience at parks.
Appropriation Overview
The Operation of the National Park System (ONPS) appropriation is composed of two budget activities:
Park Management
The Park Management activity covers the management and operation of park areas and Servicewide
programs. The ONPS budget is structured in line with the functional activities the NPS undertakes to fulfill its
dual mission. For information about funding by park and program please refer to the Summary section
starting on page ONPS-112. The ONPS budget is realigned every year to reflect actual expenditures. The
realignment is explained in detail in Appendix A. The five functional areas included in the budget are:
• Resource Stewardship encompasses resource management operations that provide for the protection
and preservation of the unique natural, cultural, and historical features of units in the National Park
System.
• Visitor Services includes operations that provide orientation, educational, and interpretive programs to
enhance the visitor’s park experience. It also provides for the efficient management of concession
contracts, commercial use authorizations, and franchise fees for the benefit of visitors and the protection
of resources.
• Park Protection provides for the protection of park resources, visitors, and staff. Funding supports law
enforcement operations that reduce vandalism and other destruction of park resources, safety and public
health operations, and the operations of the United States Park Police.
• Facility Operations and Maintenance encompasses the operations and maintenance of buildings,
other facilities, lands required to accommodate visitor use, and protecting other government investments.
• Park Support covers the management, supervision, and administrative operations for park areas,
Servicewide programs and partnerships.
External Administrative Costs
The External Administrative Costs activity funds costs which are largely determined by organizations outside
the National Park Service and for which funding requirements are therefore less flexible. The requirements
for these costs are mandated in accordance with applicable laws. To promote the efficient performance of
the National Park Service, these costs are most effectively managed on a centralized basis. The categories
funded from this activity support all activities and programs of the National Park Service.
ONPS-1