White Space
Chief, Policy and Regulations Branch, Geologic Resources Division; Natural Resource Program Center,
Lakewood, Colorado
bob_karotko@nps.gov
Natural Resource Training Manager, Horace M. Albright Training Center, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Sharon_kliwinski@nps.gov
Washington Liaison, Water Resources Division; Natural Resource Program Center, Washington, D.C.
Back to Chapter 1: New Horizons
Natural Resource Challenge addresses natural resource protection needs
by Abigail Miller and Douglas K. Morris
Thrusts of the Natural Resource Challenge
Resources Careers implemented
by Kathy M. Davis
SUWA case has ramifications for NPS management policies
by Chick Fagan
NPS establishes environmental leadership program
by Shawn Norton and Dan Kimball
From local to regional: A new focus for air resources protection
by Bruce Polkowsky
Award-Winner Profile--Kathy Davis
by Carol McCoy, Bob Karotko, and Sharon Kliwinski
Calendar year 1999 marked the reintroduction of the Natural Resources Protection Law and Policy Course for Superintendents, one of several natural resources courses funded by the Horace M. Albright Training Center. The center, working closely with staff at the Natural Resource Program Center, organized and conducted this dynamic and rigorous course for park superintendents in Salt Lake City in May 1999, and then again in Washington, D.C., in September. Nearly 50 superintendents enrolled in the course. Assessments of the course in the two locales included: "Relevant and an intellectual challenge directly related to our work." "Excellent course!" "Presenters were knowledgeable and passionate about the subject matter." And, "I'll be far more conscientious when applying NPS Management Policies."
Several NPS litigation losses pointed to the need to reestablish the course to better equip park managers to make sound, defensible decisions. The course also responds, in part, to congressional direction contained in the National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998, calling for park managers to always enhance their competencies.
The 32-hour course provides park managers with a fundamental understanding of their overarching legal and policy mandates to advance park protection and of the ABCs of litigation. Special emphasis is placed on the statutory provisions of the NPS Organic Act and the body of case law pertaining to park management action. Class participants also explore other resource protection tools through a combination of presentations, case studies, and small group discussions.
The pivotal role that park managers play in litigation is a recurring theme in the course. The course covers the importance of the administrative record in the outcome of litigation and provides insight into the strategic thinking involved in the federal government's response to a lawsuit. Class participants come away with an understanding of why not all lawsuits end up in court trials. This insight extends beyond the natural resource protection arena to operations, cultural resources protection, maintenance, and planning. Participants learned that the legal field is permeated with policy choices, and that it is not only critical to have the administrative record in order but also advantageous to seek out legal counsel early and often.
"The course covers the importance of the administrative record in the outcome of litigation."
Instructors in 1999 included Dave Watts, then deputy associate solicitor for parks and wildlife in the Department of the Interior Office of the Solicitor in Washington, D.C., and now assistant to the solicitor for Everglades and special projects; Pete Raynor, then assistant solicitor for fish and wildlife and now deputy associate solicitor for parks and wildlife; K. C. Becker, an attorney with the Solicitor's Office; Bill Lockhart, a distinguished law professor at the University of Utah and a proven park protection advocate; Tom Kiernan, executive director of the National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA); Don Barger, NPCA southeast regional director; and managers and staff from the NPS Natural Resources Program Center.
The quality of instruction and the relevant course material led one superintendent to remark, "This course should be mandatory for every superintendent!" The Albright Training Center now offers the course annually.
White Space
This material is from Natural Resource Year in Review--1999; published by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, August 2000 (publication D-1406)
/YearInReview/yir/yir99/pages/01horizons/03mccoy_course.htm
Last Updated: 09/26/00
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