Laws & Policies

Regulations

Federal regulations covering all National Park Service lands are published in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36: Parks, Forests, and Public Property.

Respect Private Property

Please respect private property when visiting Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.

Archeological Resources

The Archaeological Resources Protection Act, also referred to as ARPA, is a federal law passed in 1979 and amended in 1988. It governs the excavation of archeological sites on federal and Indian lands in the United States, and the removal and disposition of archeological collections from those sites. The Act aims to secure, for the present and future benefit of the American people, the protection of archeological resources and sites on Federal and tribal lands. These resources are considered an irreplaceable part of the nation’s heritage.

Firearms in National Parks

Visitors may possess firearms within a national park provided they comply with federal, state, and local laws. Federal law prohibits firearms in certain park facilities and buildings. These places are marked with signs at public entrances.

It is the role of responsible gun owners is to know and obey the federal, state, and local laws applicable to the park they visit.

National Monuments

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument was established by presidential proclamation on August 16, 2024. A national monument established by the President protects “objects of historic or scientific interest that are situated on lands owned or controlled by the Federal Government” (54 U.S.C. § 320301, known as the Antiquities Act). National monuments administered by the National Park Service are subject to the same laws and policies and considered protected like other units of the National Park System.

To be established by the US president, an area must meet the criteria of the Antiquities Act (54 U.S.C § 320301), including having objects of historic or scientific interest located on land already owned or controlled by the federal government. The views of the public are carefully considered in the process. National monuments can also be created by Congress under their own enabling statutes, rather than the Antiquities Act. National monuments can be administered by federal agencies other than the National Park Service. The presidential proclamation or Congressionally-enacted statute creating the national monument typically indicates which federal agency will administer it.