Superintendent's Compendium

 

National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
Superintendent’s Compendium Approved on December 19, 2025
By Jewel Harris, Superintendent

 

In accordance with applicable law and policy, and pursuant to the delegated authorities provided in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1 (“36 CFR”), the following compendium actions apply to all lands and waters administered by the National Park Service (NPS) within the boundaries of Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. This document is the written compilation of designations, closures, permit requirements and other restrictions imposed under the discretionary authority of the Superintendent, as required by 36 CFR 1.7(b). Violating any provision in this Compendium may result in criminal penalties under 36 CFR 1.3.

The compendium actions in this document apply in addition to all other laws that apply to lands and waters administered by the NPS within the boundaries of Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument. These include:

• Regulations in 36 CFR and other CFR titles such as Title 43, which contains regulations that apply on public lands administered by the Department of the Interior. The current version of the CFR can be found at www.ecfr.gov. Click on “Title 36” and then “Chapter 1” to access 36 CFR.
• Statute codified in U.S. Code, in particular provisions in Titles 16 and 54.

This Compendium is organized by the sections in 36 CFR that give the Superintendent discretionary authority to take the compendium action. Written determinations that explain why each compendium action is necessary appear in this document in italicized print.

Please contact the Superintendent of Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument if you have any questions or comments about the Superintendent’s Compendium.

NPS regulations in 36 CFR 1.4 define certain terms that are used in 36 CFR. Other sections in 36 CFR may define terms that are used in those sections. To the extent any terms defined in the CFR are used in this Compendium, those definitions apply.

36 CFR 1.5 – CLOSURES AND PUBLIC USE LIMITS.

36 CFR 1.5(a)(1) – Visiting hours, public use limits and closures.

Visiting Hours:

• The grounds of Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument are open from sunrise to sunset.
• Effective February 1, 2025, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument (hereby “the Monument”) will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. with the exception of major federal holidays.
• The Monument shall reduce operations November through February to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, only from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.
• Emergency closures and delays due to inclement weather and/or other impactful incidents will be posted on the park’s official Facebook page located at: facebook.com/CharlesYoungNPS.

Reason: Closing the Monument after regular business hours is standard operating procedure. Limiting access to park grounds to sunrise to sunset helps improve visitor safety.

Public Use Limits:

• Carrying large bags into the Monument is prohibited. Items may not be left unattended, or with NPS staff.
• Food and drink are prohibited inside of the Monument except for sealed food, water, and baby formula.

To protect and preserve the historic structure and furnishings.

• Parking in the rear overflow gravel parking lot is limited to NPS staff, contractors, and the visiting public with verbal or written permission.
• No overnight visitor parking is allowed.

Reason: Parking spaces are limited and needed for park operations and the visiting public.

36 CFR 1.5(a)(2) – Designated areas for a specific use or activity or impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity.

Filming, still photography, and audio recording activity may require a permit, consistent with 54 U.S.C. 100905.

• Filming, still photography, and audio recording activity that occurs in closed areas, requires exclusive use of a site or area, or involves a set or staging equipment other than handheld equipment (such as a tripod, monopod, and handheld lighting equipment) requires a permit, unless the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit.
• Filming, still photography, and audio recording that involves more than eight individuals requires a permit, unless the NPS has specifically notified an individual or group that a permit is not required, or if the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit.
• If a permit is required for the reasons stated above, or if the NPS otherwise determines and then notifies an individual or group that a permit is required for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity, then engaging in that activity without a permit is prohibited. Violating a term or condition of a permit issued by the NPS for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity is prohibited, and may result in the suspension or revocation of the permit, in addition to any penalties that may apply under 36 CFR 1.3.

Federal law at 54 U.S.C. 100905 states that permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording in park areas if certain requirements are met. These requirements address various topics, including, but not limited to, group size, location, equipment, potential impacts to resources and visitors, and the likelihood that the NPS will incur related administrative costs. If any of these requirements are not met, the law allows the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the NPS, to require a permit for the subject activity. Permit requirements are imposed by the superintendent under discretionary authority provided by 36 CFR 1.5(a)(2), which allows the superintendent to impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity, consistent with applicable legislation, to implement management responsibilities. The general regulations for permits in 36 CFR 1.6 do not apply to permits issued for filming, still photography, and audio recording, which instead are governed by the statutory provisions in 54 U.S.C. 100905. The imposition of permit requirements, on a case-by-case basis, for filming, still photography, or audio recording does not require rulemaking under 36 CFR 1.5(b). Requiring a permit with reasonable terms and conditions in accordance with statutory requirements at 54 U.S.C. 100905 is not highly controversial, will not result in a significant alteration in the public use pattern of the System unit, will not adversely affect the System unit’s natural, aesthetic, scenic or cultural values, or require a long-term or significant modification in the resource management objectives of the System unit, because the permit requirement is limited in time and scope to the specific activities authorized by the permit, which contain terms and conditions.

Conditions or Restrictions on a Use or Activity:

• Launching, landing, or operating an uncrewed aircraft from or on lands and waters administered by the NPS within the boundaries of Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument is prohibited except as approved in writing by the Superintendent.

Reason: This restriction is necessary to prevent unacceptable impacts to park resources and values from the use of uncrewed aircraft. Potential impacts include harming visitors, interfering with rescue operations, causing excessive noise, impacting viewsheds, and disturbing wildlife. This restriction is required by NPS Policy Memorandum 14-05 dated June 19, 2014.

36 CFR 1.6 – ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE A PERMIT

36 CFR 1.6(f) – Activities that require a permit.

The following activities are prohibited without a permit. Criteria for approving or denying permits are established by applicable law (statutes and regulations) and policy. Permitted activities are subject to applicable terms and conditions.

• Launching or landing uncrewed aircraft. 36 CFR 1.5.
• Specimen collection for research purposes. 36 CFR 2.5
• Gathering of plants or plant parts by Federally recognized Indian tribes. 36 CFR 2.6
• Camping in day use areas. 36 CFR 2.6
• Operating a power saw in developed areas and a motor or engine in undeveloped areas. 36 CFR 2.12.
• Operating a public address system 36 CFR 2.12.
• Delivery or retrieval of a person or object by parachute, helicopter, or other airborne means. 36 CFR 2.17.
• Soliciting or demanding gifts, money, goods, or services. 36 CFR 2.37.
• Using, possessing, storing, or transporting explosives; using or possessing fireworks or firecrackers. 36 CFR 2.38.
• Conducting a special event. 36 CFR 2.50.
• Conducting a demonstration by groups of more than 25 people. 36 CFR 2.51.
• Selling or distributing printed matter and other message-bearing items by groups of more than 25 people. 36 CFR 2.52.
• Running-at-large, herding, driving across, allowing on, pasturing, or grazing of livestock or using the park for agriculture. 36 CFR 2.60.
• Residing on federal lands. 36 CFR 2.61.
• Scattering of human ashes from cremation. 36 CFR 2.62.
• Towing a person using a parasail, hang-glider, or other airborne device 36 CFR 3.12.
• Operating a submersible. 36 CFR 5.3.
• Displaying, posting, or distributing commercial notices or advertisements. 36 CFR 5.1.
• Engaging in or soliciting any business. 36 CFR 5.5.
• Some filming, still photography, and audio recording (depends upon the facts and circumstances; contact the park for additional information). 36 CRF 1.5(a)(2) and 54 U.S.C. 100905
• Using commercial vehicles on NPS-administered roads. 36 CFR 5.6.
• Constructing or attempting to construct any building, structure, road, trail, path, or utility. 36 CFR 5.7.
• Rights-of-way. 36 CFR part 14.
• Examining ruins, excavating archeological sites, and gathering of objects of antiquity. 43 CFR part 3.
• Excavating or removing archeological resources. 43 CFR part 7.
• Collecting paleontological resources. 43 CFR part 49.

36 CFR 2.10 – CAMPING AND FOOD STORAGE.

• Camping is prohibited at Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument without the expressed written approval of the park superintendent.

Reason: Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument generally does not have staffing accommodations for overnight use.

36 CFR 2.11 – PICNICKING.

• One established picnic area is available near the pond. Visitors may picnic on the grounds of Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument provided there is no cooking or fire involved and it does not interfere with visitor traffic or park programming.

Reason: This established area has a picnic table suitable for up to 8 guests.

36 CFR 2.13 - FIRES

36 CFR 2.13(a)(1) – Conditions on Lighting or Maintaining a Fire

• A fire may be ignited and maintained only by using fuel sources designed and commonly used for warmth or the preparation of food, such as charcoal briquettes or natural firewood. Lighting or maintaining a fire with other materials including, but not limited to, flammable liquids, garbage, fireworks, plastics, aerosol canisters, batteries, or other manufactured or synthetic materials, is prohibited.

Reason: This action is necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety, protection of environmental or scenic values, protection of natural or cultural resources, and the implementation of management responsibilities. Materials other than approved combustibles – especially fire accelerants and substances prone to wind transport or explosion – creates serious risks when used to light or maintain fires. These combustibles can ignite or spread wildfires that directly threaten people and valuable resources and assets. The burning of manufactured or synthetic materials can contribute to air pollution, contaminate soil and water, and be toxic to humans and the environment. Less restrictive measures, such as an education campaign informing visitors of the risks of using certain materials to light or maintain a fire, would not be commensurate with the substantial risks associated with those activities and could lead to adverse outcomes that might be prevented by establishing an enforceable condition.

36 CFR 2.15 - PETS

36 CFR 2.15(a)(1) – Closures to pets, emotional support animals, and pet waste.

• Pets are prohibited inside of the Monument. This does not apply to guide dogs accompanying visually or hearing-impaired persons.
• Provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of what is defined as a service animal in the NPS policy. Emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals can be any animal, not just a canine (dog). The presence of these animals provides a calming effect for many people, but they do not qualify as service animals because they have not been trained to perform a specific job or task. As such, emotional support animals are prohibited inside of the Monument.
• Pet owners must clean up all remnants of pet waste on park property.

2.15(a)(2) – Pet restraints

• Pets must be restrained on a leash that shall not exceed 6 feet in length.

2.15(a)(3) – Leaving pets unattended

• Leaving a pet unattended or tied to an object is prohibited.

2.15(a)(5) – Pet excrement disposal

• Failing to properly dispose of pet excrement is prohibited.

Reason: Pet owners are responsible for their animals, including cleaning up and disposing of waste appropriately. Pet waste bags and trash receptacles are available in the park and should be utilized to protect the visitor experience and the historic nature of the park.

36 CFR 2.21 – SMOKING

• Smoking or utilizing e-cigarettes, vapes, or other electronic nicotine delivery systems is prohibited inside the Monument.

Reason: Prohibiting smoking is necessary to protect park resources, reduce the risk of fire, and prevent conflicts among visitor use activities.

36 CFR 2.35 – ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

36 CFR 2.35(a)(3) – Closures to alcohol.

• The Monument is closed to alcoholic beverages except by conditions of a permit issued by the superintendent.

Reason: To protect the historical integrity of the Monument the superintendent has determined that the consumption and possession of alcohol shall be prohibited except for specific occasions and under the terms and conditions of a permit.

 

Aerial View of 1st Amendment Area at Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

Google Maps Photo

36 CFR 2.51 – DEMONSTRATIONS AND DESIGNATED AVAILABLE PARK AREAS

36 CFR 2.51(c)(2) – Designated location.

• The park's only First Amendment free speech area is the grassy field located adjacent to the gravel parking lot west of the Monument (towards the tree line).

• Details about the public assembly area is also available on the First Amendment Area page of the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument website.

Reason: The designated location is in a prominent location near the Monument that will allow individuals and groups to conduct demonstrations in a manner that will allow for effective communication of speech and other protected activities. At the same time, the designated location leaves ample space for visitors to enter and leave the visitor center safely and for the NPS to conduct administrative activities such as interpretive events.

36 CFR 2.52 – SALE OF PRINTED MATTER AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF PRINTED MATTER AND OTHER MESSAGE-BEARING ITEMS.

The gravel lot located to the west of the paved parking lots located at 1120 U.S. Route 42 East Wilberforce, OH 45384 is designated as available for the sale or distribution of printed matter, and the free distribution of other message-bearing items. A permit is not required for these activities in the designated location if they involve 25 persons or fewer and do not involve structures.

Reason: The designated location (see image with yellow circle) is in a prominent location near the visitor center that will allow individuals and groups to conduct demonstrations in a manner that will allow for effective communication of speech and other protected activities. At the same time, the designated location leaves ample space for visitors to enter and leave the visitor center safely and for the NPS to conduct administrative activities such as interpretive events.