What if the only possible access route to my inholding must cross wetlands?
If there are any potential impacts to wetlands, the National Park Service policy requires that measures are taken to: 1) avoid adverse wetland impacts; 2) minimize unavoidable adverse wetland impacts; and 3) compensate for adverse impacts by restoring degraded wetlands (NPS Directors Order 77-1, Wetland Protection). Compensation for wetland degradation or loss will be at a minimum 1:1 ratio, for example, for each acre lost an acre will be replaced. Q: Why does the National Park Service want to know why I want to access my land (land use objectives)? If I do not tell the National Park Service, how will this affect the approval of my application? A: Knowing about your plans will allow the park superintendent to make sure that your access is adequate and feasible for your intended purposes while minimizing the impact on park resources. Q: How long is the term of the authorization? A: The term for a right-of-way permit is for a maximum of 10 years (National Park Service Reference Manual 53
