Editing National Park Service (section)

===Criteria===
Most NPS units have been established by an act of Congress, with the president confirming the action by signing the act into law. The exception, under the [[Antiquities Act]], allows the president to designate and protect areas as national monuments by executive order. Regardless of the method used, all parks are to be of national importance.<ref>Criteria for Parklands brochure; Department of the Interior, National Park Service; 1990</ref>

A potential park should meet all four of the following standards:<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Chapter 1: The Foundation|url=https://www.nps.gov/policy/mp/chapter1.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419002711/https://www.nps.gov/policy/mp/chapter1.htm|archive-date=2021-04-19|access-date=2021-02-02|website=National Park Service}}</ref>
* It is an outstanding example of a particular type of resource.
* It possesses exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the natural or cultural themes of the nation's heritage.
* It offers superlative opportunities for recreation, for public use and enjoyment, or for scientific study.
* It retains a high degree of integrity as a true, accurate, and relatively unspoiled example of the resource.
Before creation of a new unit, Congress typically directs the NPS to conduct a special resource study of a site to determine its national significance and suitability to be part of the National Park System.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 6, 2022 |title=National Park System: Establishing New Units |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RS/RS20158 |publisher=Congressional Research Service |access-date=January 6, 2023 |archive-date=January 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106174424/https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RS/RS20158 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first1=Rob |last1=Hotakainen |first2=Kevin |last2=Bogardus |date=2023-01-24 |title=Frustrations mount as National Park Service studies pile up |url=https://www.eenews.net/articles/frustrations-mount-as-national-park-service-studies-pile-up/ |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=E&E News |language=en-US |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219204016/https://www.eenews.net/articles/frustrations-mount-as-national-park-service-studies-pile-up/ |url-status=live }}</ref>