Park Planning & Public Comment

Planning in the National Park Service informs, facilitates, and guides decision making for parks and related areas, supporting the preservation and protection of resources unimpaired for future generations, NPS assets, and opportunities for visitor enjoyment.

The NPS prepares a variety of planning and environmental documents to help guide management of park resources, visitor use, and activities. The Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) program provides the NPS with tools for efficient park planning and resource compliance, project tracking, and public engagement to support collaboration and informed decision making.

Public Participation

Public participation in planning and decision-making will ensure that the NPS fully understands and considers the public’s interests in the parks, which are part of the public’s national heritage, cultural traditions, and community surroundings (NPS Management Policies Park System Planning 2.1.3).

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) also requires federal agencies like the NPS to evaluate the environmental impacts of its actions and to involve the public in the decision-making process.

All ongoing and recently completed planning projects for Curecanti National Recreation Area can be found on the Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website.