Securing an Enduring Wilderness in the National Park System: The Role of the National Wilderness Steering Committee

The National Park Service (NPS) can take great pride in the fact that it is responsible for the stewardship of more designated wilderness than any other federal land management agency. Since the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964, 46 separate units have been established in national park areas. These 44 million acres of designated wilderness comprise nearly 53% of the total NPS-managed acreage. Most of the legislation establishing NPS wilderness was passed during the 1970s and 1980s. The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act in 1980 set aside an astounding 33 million acres in eight large park units. In addition, past presidents have recommended an additional 19 wilderness areas to Congress for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System, and the NPS has formally proposed wilderness for another 20 parks. By NPS policy no actions that would diminish the wilderness suitability of these proposed or recommended areas will be taken until after the president and Congress have made their decisions on wilderness designation.