National Park Service Planning Agreement (1997)
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
AND
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to set forth the general terms and conditions for cooperatively developing and integrating transportation planning within the Department of the Interior (DOI) pursuant to an initiative jointly undertaken by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Transportation in response to the President's April 22, 1996, memorandum to develop a plan for a comprehensive effort to improve public transportation in the National Parks and to fulfill provisions of 23 U.S.C. 204(a) and 16 U.S.C. 1. For the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Park Service (NPS), this MOU supplements the Memorandum of Agreement executed by the FHWA and the NPS on May 19, 1983, for the administration of the Park Roads and Parkways Program. For the other agencies of the Department of Transportation (DOT), this MOU is the initial agreement with the DOI.
I. FINDINGS
Many Federally-owned lands established for tourism and recreation are no longer able to meet the transportation demands placed upon them by the public. High visitation levels are causing problems due to the growing volumes of traffic and spiraling demands for visitor parking. This is especially true of many National Park units. The challenge of balancing stewardship of park resources against the pressure for more public access has become considerably more difficult in recent years. For the NPS to continue to fulfill the mandate of providing visitor enjoyment and conserving the unique resources found in the National Park units, a combination of improved facilities and transportation systems and visitor use management, with careful attention given to resource protection, will be required.
Congestion in and approaching many National Parks is causing lengthy traffic delays and backups that substantially detract from the visitor experience. Visitors find that many of the National Parks contain significant noise and air pollution, and traffic congestion similar to that found on the city streets they left behind.
In many National Park units, the capacity of parking facilities at interpretive or scenic areas is well below demand. As a result, visitors park along roadsides, damaging park resources and subjecting people to hazardous safety conditions as they walk near busy roads to access visitor use areas.
On occasion, National Park units must close their gates during high visitation periods and turn away the public because the existing infrastructure and transportation systems are at, or beyond, the capacity for which they were designed.
The existing NPS roads and bridges are rapidly deteriorating due to heavy traffic use and lack of funds for both maintenance and rehabilitation.
An enhanced level of comprehensive, cooperative, and ongoing transportation planning is required to conserve our national resources yet provide for a meaningful, pleasant visitor experience in these times of sharp visitor increase. The NPS, in keeping with its statutory mission, cannot simply construct more roads and parking areas in environmentally sensitive areas to meet visitation demands. New methods to access and circulate visitors with less impact on park resources must be developed. This agreement is intended as the foundation for developing more comprehensive, intermodal, and financially efficient transportation systems to preserve the NPS's cultural and natural resources while providing gratifying experiences for future generations.
The NPS through its range of recreation, conservation and cultural resource programs performs an essential national role in assisting public and private agencies throughout the country in protecting, preserving and making available resources for present and future generations. The DOT, through such programs as transportation enhancements, Congestion Mitigation Air Quality, the Campaign to Make America Walkable, and various research and funding opportunities, carries out a significant role in improving the quality of life throughout the nation.
II. GOALS
The goal of this MOU is to establish a mutually beneficial relationship to improve transportation in and approaching NPS facilities through the following activities:
- developing and implementing innovative transportation plans;
- establishing personnel exchange and information sharing systems;
- establishing interagency project agreements for developing and implementing transportation improvement initiatives;
- developing innovative transportation planning tools; and
- developing innovative policy, guidance and coordination procedures for the implementation of safe and efficient transportation systems that are compatible with the protection and preservation of the National Park System's cultural and natural resources.
Additionally, the NPS and the DOT support enhancement programs, and other initiatives. The agencies may collaborate on joint funding and technical assistance and work cooperatively on policies which promote mutual goals of improving the health, community livability, and protection of resources for all Americans. For example, the DOT's goal of increasing walking and bicycling opportunities is consistent with the DOI's goal of having trails within fifteen minutes of most Americans.
III. TRANSPORTATION POLICY AND COORDINATION
An interagency, multi-disciplinary team shall be established to help develop and coordinate transportation policy, guidance and coordination procedures for use by the DOI. The policy, guidance and procedures for coordination shall focus on the need to preserve and protect natural resources; promote energy efficiency; move people safely; and improve recreation, historical interpretation and tourism opportunities. The policy guidance and coordination procedures shall:
- Provide advice to NPS field units for more effective coordination of their transportation planning efforts with Federal, State, regional, local and tribal governments when NPS transportation planning issues affect, or are affected by, systems and facilities under the control of other governmental agencies.
- Develop safety, bridge, pavement and congestion management systems for the NPS. The NPS shall be responsible for the implementation of safety, bridge, pavement and congestion management systems in the National Parks.
- Review the need for and provide recommendations regarding public transportation facilities and equipment, intermodal transportation facilities and systems management systems.
- Include provisions for transportation safety initiatives, including bicycle and pedestrian safety, for implementation within the National Park units.
- Provide advice on the development of a transportation investment model that uses economic criteria to select the most cost-effective mix of transportation improvements for the NPS.
- Include direction for developing transportation plans that identify innovative mechanisms for funding transportation improvement projects.
- Include direction for establishing public education programs related to transportation issues in National Parks.
- Develop implementation plans and procedures, including identifying funding sources within both agencies, to carry out the actions contained in this MOU.
IV. TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY WORKING GROUP
The DOT shall establish an interagency, transportation technical advisory working group, comprised of Federal officials, to assist the NPS with transportation improvement initiatives. At the request of the NPS, the working group shall provide technical support to the NPS on transportation issues including, but not limited to, highway, traffic and transportation engineering, safety, transportation planning, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technology, transit technology and intermodal approaches to transportation system development and implementation. Technical support will include assistance in the development of contract standards for performance, service and maintenance, and equipment specifications. This working group shall establish an information base to assist the NPS with the selection and implementation of advanced technological transportation improvement products and procedures in the NPS field units. The goal of this initiative is to provide rapid response to requests for assistance on technical transportation issues from the NPS.
V. PERSONNEL EXCHANGE
It is mutually beneficial for the departments to share resources. The DOT and DOI shall develop a personnel exchange program. This exchange program shall make available and encourage the temporary interdepartmental assignment of individuals. As its resources allow, the DOT shall provide the DOI with skilled personnel, including but not limited to individuals knowledgeable in transportation discipline areas as requested by the DOI. As its resources allow, the DOI shall provide the DOT with skilled personnel, including but not limited to, individuals knowledgeable in alternative transportation and trails development and environmental discipline areas as requested by the DOT.
VI. INFORMATION SHARING
The DOT and DOI shall exchange information concerning the skills and services available in each agency for use in (1) developing and implementing transportation improvement initiatives; (2) developing environmental policy, guidance, planning and technologies to accommodate environmental concerns; (3) and preparing and reviewing environmental compliance documents. The DOT shall also provide a comprehensive description of the various funding sources available for transportation improvement initiatives. Additional future information exchanges shall occur as organizational, technological and funding changes occur.
VII. INTERAGENCY PROJECT AGREEMENTS
The DOI and the DOT, and/or their respective agencies shall jointly enter project agreements to develop and implement transportation improvement initiatives on NPS facilities. These agreements shall establish interagency project teams to accomplish the requested work. These agreements shall include, at a minimum, a general description of the work to be performed, the roles and responsibilities of each department/agency, and the expected end products and services to be delivered by the project team.
Accordingly, project agreements shall be developed for the demonstration projects listed below. Additional project agreements shall be identified and developed for other National Parks including, but not limited to, Acadia National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and the Alaskan National Parks.
- TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGIES DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
The DOT and the DOI shall work together to identify opportunities to use a variety of new transportation technologies in National Parks including ITS. Activities to be pursued include joint research efforts to determine how technology can be used to address transportation problems in Nationals Parks; education and training of park service staff on technology applications and programs; and demonstration of new technologies in National Park units.
- GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
Grand Canyon National Park is currently in the process of developing and implementing major, innovative transportation improvement initiatives. An interagency project team shall be established to assist the park with these efforts. The Grand Canyon National Park Project team's focus shall include, but is not limited to, developing and analyzing performance specifications and cost estimates for a light rail and alternative fuel bus transportation system; participating in the effort to develop a regional transportation system; and researching ITS and other technological applications for use in the park.
- YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
Yosemite National Park is currently in the process of developing and implementing major, innovative transportation improvement initiatives and is a partner in an effort to develop a regional transportation system. An interagency project team shall be established to assist the park with these efforts. The Yosemite National Park Project team's focus shall include, but is not limited to, participating in the effort to develop a regional transportation system; implementing the design, development and use of an in-park shuttle system; researching ITS and other technological applications for use in the park; and the design of an intermodal transportation circulation system.
- ZION NATIONAL PARK DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
Zion National Park is currently in the process of developing and implementing major, innovative transportation improvement initiatives. An interagency project team shall be established to assist the park with these efforts. The Zion National Park Project team's focus shall include, but is not limited to, long range planning and cost estimate for shuttle system operations management and maintenance, analyzing and developing specifications for the use of alternate fuel vehicles; determining additional funding sources for transportation improvements; and developing an effective transportation public information system.
VIII. GENERAL
It is mutually recognized and acknowledged that implementation of the provisions of this MOU will be subject to the availability of funds.
This MOU shall take effect on the date of the last approving signature.
APPROVED:
| [Signed: Rodney E.
Slater] The Secretary of Transportation |
[11/25/97] Date |
| The Secretary of the Interior |
[11/25/97] Date |