National Park Service: Land Acquisition (In Progress)

ABPP, NPS

Background

As it prepares to celebrate the 106th anniversary of its establishment, the National Park Service (NPS) faces new challenges in land acquisition and management. NPS is responsible for protecting existing national parks and monuments and those yet to be formally established as well as for protecting lands outside the Federal footprint through financial assistance for non-Federal acquisitions, supported by NPS’s American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP) and stewardship. Land acquisition is managed by the Lands Resource Division (LRD). Park units often have non-federally owned lands within their authorized boundaries. Acquisition of those lands and interests in land is often necessary and appropriate to protect and manage park resources. When acquisition is not necessary or appropriate, the Service must consider and pursue cost-effective alternatives. A project report is due June 2023.

Project Description

The study will include:

• Organizational assessment of the Land Acquisition Program.

• Evaluation of the land acquisition process.

• Assessment of the role of the Department of the Interior solicitor in the acquisition process.

• Analysis of external stakeholder engagement.

• Overall review of the appraisal process as well as an operational review of the NPS Right of Way Program).

• Analysis of the LandsNet system.

• Analysis of land acquisition priorities, specifically for lands outside of NPS unit boundaries and eligible for non-Federal assistance.

• Strategic assessment of preservation priorities and programmatic guidance for non-Federal battlefield acquisitions and how the fee and less-than-fee interest acquisitions fit into the larger context of NPS’s preservation efforts.

• Development of metrics to assess the success of non-federal battlefield acquisitions.

• Risk assessment of the current program practices in reviewing due-diligence products and costs for non-fed battlefield acquisitions.

• Assessment of compliance processes for non-federal battlefield acquisitions, identifying potential efficiencies and resource needs to streamline regulatory requirements for compliance.