Thomas Moran Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the world's first national park, holds profound significance due to its unique natural and cultural resources. The park's purpose encompasses the preservation of its geothermal wonders, diverse ecosystems, and rich biodiversity, including species such as grizzly bears, wolves, and bison. Additionally, Yellowstone safeguards a vast array of cultural heritage sites, reflecting over 11,000 years of human history and use. As the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest nearly intact temperate-zone ecosystems on Earth, the park plays a crucial role in conservation efforts and serves as a living laboratory for ecological and geological research. Its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve underscores its global importance and the ongoing commitment to protect its invaluable resources for future generations. Two "Organic Acts"The laws creating Yellowstone National Park and the National Park Service are both called “The Organic Act” because each created an entity. (Also called enabling legislation.) However, the name most often refers to the law that created the National Park Service. To avoid confusion, we refer to the laws by their names as listed in the US Code Table of Popular Names: The Yellowstone National Park Protection Act and The National Park Service Organic Act. 
Yellowstone National Park Protection Act (1872)Forty-Second Congress of the United States of America; At the Second Session, Begun and held at the City of Washington, on Monday, the Fourth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one. AN ACT to set apart a certain tract of land lying near the headwaters of the Yellowstone River as a public park. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the tract of land in the Territories of Montana and Wyoming, lying near the headwaters of the Yellowstone River, and described as follows, to wit, commencing at the junction of Gardiner's river with the Yellowstone river, and running east to the meridian passing ten miles to the eastward of the most eastern point of Yellowstone lake; thence south along said meridian to the parallel of latitude passing ten miles south of the most southern point of Yellowstone lake; thence west along said parallel to the meridian passing fifteen miles west of the most western point of Madison lake; thence north along said meridian to the latitude of the junction of Yellowstone and Gardiner's rivers; thence east to the place of beginning, is hereby reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or sale under the laws of the United States, and dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people; and all persons who shall locate or settle upon or occupy the same, or any part thereof, except as hereinafter provided, shall be considered trespassers and removed therefrom. SEC 2. That said public park shall be under the exclusive control of the Secretary of the Interior, whose duty it shall be, as soon as practicable, to make and publish such rules and regulations as he may deem necessary or proper for the care and management of the same. Such regulations shall provide for the preservation, from injury or spoliation, of all timber, mineral deposits, natural curiosities, or wonders within said park, and their retention in their natural condition. The Secretary may in his discretion, grant leases for building purposes for terms not exceeding ten years, of small parcels of ground, at such places in said park as shall require the erection of buildings for the accommodation of visitors; all of the proceeds of said leases, and all other revenues that may be derived from any source connected with said park, to be expended under his direction in the management of the same, and the construction of roads and bridle- paths therein. He shall provide against the wanton destruction of the fish and game found within said park, and against their capture or destruction for the purposes of merchandise or profit. He shall also cause all persons trespassing upon the same after the passage of this act to be removed therefrom, and generally shall be authorized to take all such measures as shall be necessary or proper to fully carry out the objects and purposes of this act. 
National Park Service Organic Act (1916)Sixty-Fourth Congress of the United States of America An Act To establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there is hereby created in the Department of the Interior a service to be called the National Park Service, which shall be under the charge of a director, who shall be appointed by the Secretary and who shall receive a salary of $4,500 per annum. There shall also be appointed by the Secretary the following assistants and other employees at the salaries designated: One assistant director, at $2,500 per annum; one chief clerk, at $2,000 per annum; one draftsman, at $1,800 per annum; one messenger, at $600 per annum; and, in addition thereto, such other employees as the Secretary of the Interior shall deem necessary: Provided, That not more than $8,100 annually shall be expended for salaries of experts, assistants, and employees within the District of Columbia not herein specifically enumerated unless previously authorized by law. The service thus established shall promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations hereinafter specified by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purpose of the said parks, monuments, and reservations, which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. SEC. 2. That the director shall, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, have the supervision, management, and control of the several national parks and national monuments which are now under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior, and of the Hot Springs Reservation in the State of Arkansas, and of such other national parks and reservations of like character as may be hereafter created by Congress: Provided, That in the supervision, management, and control of national monuments contiguous to national forests he Secretary of Agriculture may cooperate with said National Park Service to such extent as may be requested by the Secretary of the Interior. SEC. 3. That 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, and any violations of any of the rules and regulations authorized by this Act shall be punished as provided for in section fifty of the Act entitled "An Act to codify and amend the penal laws of the United States," approved March fourth, nineteen hundred and nine, as amended by section six of the Act of June twenty-fifth, nineteen hundred and ten (Thirty-sixth United States Statutes at Large, page eight hundred and fifty-seven). He may also, upon terms and conditions to be fixed by him, sell or dispose of timber in those cases where in his judgment the cutting of such timber is required in order to control the attacks of insects or diseases or otherwise conserve the scenery or the natural or historic objects in any such park, monument, or reservation. He may also provide in his discretion for the destruction of such animals and of such plant life as may be detrimental to the use of any of said parks, monuments, or reservations. He may also grant privileges, leases, and permits for the use of land for the accommodation of visitors in the various parks, monuments, or other reservations herein provided for, but for periods not exceeding twenty years; and no natural curiosities, wonders, or objects of interest shall be leased, rented, or granted to anyone on such terms as to interfere with free access to them by the public: Provided, however, That the Secretary of the Interior may, under such rules and regulations and on such terms as he may prescribe, grant the privilege to graze live stock within any national park, monument, or reservation herein referred to when in his judgment such use is not detrimental to the primary purpose for which such park, monument, or reservation was created, except that this provision shall not apply to the Yellowstone National Park. SEC. 4. That nothing in this Act contained shall affect or modify the provisions of the Act approved February fifteenth, nineteen hundred and one, entitled "An Act relating to rights of way through certain parks, reservations, and other public lands." Approved, August 25, 1916. Environmental & Cultural Resource LawsThe Antiquities Act (1906)Lets the President protect landmarks, structures, and objects of historic or scientific importance on federal lands by declaring them national monuments. It helps prevent looting or damage to ancient sites and artifacts.The Historic Sites Act (1935)Says the U.S. government should preserve historic places, buildings, and objects so the public can enjoy and learn from them in the future.The Wilderness Act (1964)Creates protected areas where nature stays wild—no roads, cars, or permanent buildings allowed. It helps keep certain public lands undeveloped and natural forever.The National Historic Preservation Act (1966)Requires federal agencies to think about how their projects might impact historic places. It also created the National Register of Historic Places to officially recognize important historic sites.The National Environmental Policy Act (1970)Makes federal agencies check how their big projects (like building roads or dams) might harm the environment. They have to study the effects and let the public weigh in before moving forward. The Clean Air Act (1970)Protects the air we breathe by limiting pollution. Places like Yellowstone get the highest level of air quality protection under this law. The Clean Water Act (1972)Keeps rivers, lakes, and streams clean by controlling pollution and setting standards for water quality. It makes sure our water stays safe for people and wildlife. The Endangered Species Act (1973)Helps prevent animals and plants from going extinct. Federal agencies must avoid harming endangered species or their homes, and take steps to help them recover. The Archeological and Historic Preservation Act (1974)Ensures that important scientific and historic materials (like artifacts or ruins) aren’t lost during federally funded projects like road or building construction.American Indian Religious Freedom Act (1978)Protects the rights of Native Americans to practice their traditional religions, including access to sacred places and the use of sacred objects. The Archeological Resources Protection Act (1979)Protects ancient artifacts and sites from being dug up or damaged without permission. It makes sure important historical findings are preserved and cared for properly.The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (1990)Gives Native American Tribes the right to claim and take back human remains and sacred items that were taken from their ancestors, often from museums or archaeological digs.Executive Order 13007 (1996)Says federal agencies must respect Native American sacred sites on public land. Native people must be allowed to visit and use these places for religious purposes without interference.
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Last updated: April 21, 2025