Regulations for Mount Rainier National Park
MPG V2.8, January 2013
As a National Park, Mount Rainier National Park (NP) is under the operation and management of the National Park Service (NPS), Department of the Interior. That said, it is the jurisdiction of Congress to pass the laws, signed by the President, which defines the appropriations (funds) and legal matters for the NP and which are implemented or translated into policies and regulations by the NPS for Mt. Rainier NP.
Types of Laws
"The Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) is the codification of the general and permanent rules and regulations (sometimes called administrative law) published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government of the United States. The CFR is published by the Office of the Federal Register, an agency of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The CFR is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation."
Within the CFR, Title 36 - Parks, Forest and Public Property Part 1-7 specifically applies to the NPS and Mt. Rainier NP. These regulations provide the general framework for the administration of resources of and in Mt. Rainier NP where under US Code, Title 16, Subchapter 1, § 3, "The Secretary of the Interior shall make and publish such rules and regulations as he may deem necessary or proper for the use and management of the parks, monuments, and reservations under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service..." [USC, 16, I, § 3]
In addition to the general regulations, there are regulations specifically for Mt. Rainier NP which are defined as, "...the following regulatory provisions are established for the proper management, protection, government and public use of those portions of Mount Rainier National Park under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. Unless otherwise stated, these regulatory provisions apply in addition to the requirements contained in 36 CFR, Chapter 1, and Parts 1-7." [NPS, May 17, 2006 letter]
Regulations Relating to the Administration of Mt. Rainier NP
You can download a complete copy of the Regulations (PDF) but a short synopsis of the major sections is provided below.
I. 36 CFR § 1.5 - Visiting Hours, Public Use Limits, Closures, and Area Designations for Specific Use or Activities
These regulations outline the basic rules as described, such as visiting hours, limits and restriction and closures in addition to special use areas as the snowplay area at Paradise, winter camping at Paradise, and the Butter Creek Research area.
II. 36 CFR § 1.6 - Activities That Require a Permint
These regulations outline the basic rules which describe which activities require a permit in the NP or use NP resources or facilities. They range from public assembly or group activities, weapons, portable motorized devices or generators, transportation or use of explosive materials, concessions, commercial photography, and others.
III. 36 CFR § 2.1 to 4.30 - General Regulations
These regulations outline the basic rules governing a range of activities in the NP including but not limited to resources, wildlife, weapons, traps and nets, camping, food storage and picnicking, fires, sanitation and refuse, pets, aircraft, horses and pack animals, snowmobiles, skates, skateboards and similar devices, smoking, fees, alcohol and drugs, swimming and bathing, vehicles and bicycles.
Personal Notes
As you can read (see full text0, everything is described and defined in regulations. And while it sounds a bit much consider the reality that the NPS has to accommate the range of visitor activities and interests within the law ensuring everyone's safety and security. It may sound like the one size fits all but it's what they're required to do to protect the resources and all the visitors.
And all that said, since 2006, changes have occurred to these published regulations either due to laws or court cases. In these cases, after review the NPS issues a letter or press release noting the changes and new rules. Two of these come immediately to mind.
The first is guns in the NP. As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, can possess firearms in this NP. But the law only applies to the possession and open or concealed carry of weapons. It is still illegal to withdraw, use or fire a weapon for any purposes unless in compliance with the (above) regulation.
The second is the right to public assembly in the NP. A recent ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled small groups do not need to obtain a permit for First Amendment-protected activities. Nothing specific for this has been released by the NPS at Mt. Rainier NP, partly because hasn't been an issue or a problem, but for those who want to exercise this right, use common sense so you don't interfer with the NPS or disrupt other visitors.
Below are sources with the full text and some with summary information of the historical or current laws governing the National Park Service's operation and management of Mount Rainier National Park.
- Full Text Websites
- Summary Websites
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