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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />0028 <br /> <br />-46- <br /> <br />1916 Organic Act that park waters should be reserved for conservation <br />and public enjoyment purposes, and not al located for confl Ictlng fede~al <br />(and by Implication, state or private) purposes. Moreover, recent legis- <br />lation confirms the high public value of nutlonal parks and provides <br />that actions taken In derogation of park values and purposes shal I not <br />be authorized unless specifically directed by Congress. <br /> <br />""=':;'-:.lr,t~ <br /> <br />Congress further reaffirms, declares, <br />and directs that the promotion and regula- <br />tion of the various areas of the National <br />Park System, as defined In . . . [16 <br />U.S,C. 5 IcJ, shal I be consistent with <br />and founded In the ~urpose established <br />by , . , [16 U.S.C, 5 IJ, to the common <br />benefit of al I the people of the United <br />States. The authorization of activities <br />shal I be construed and the protection, <br />management, and administration of these <br />areas shall be conducted In light of <br />the high public value and Integrity of <br />the National oark System and shall not <br />be exercised In derogation of the values <br />and purposes for which these various <br />areas have been established, except as <br />may have been or shall be directly and <br />specifically provided by Congress.891 <br /> <br />?;':"D <br /> <br />The purpose of thls provIsion Is to ensure that the resources and values <br />of areas In the National Park System are afforded the highest protection <br />and care In governmental decisions. H.R. Rep. No. 95-581, 95th Cong" <br />1st Sess. 21, 96, 108 (1977); S. Rep. No. 95-528, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. <br />9, 13-14, 20 (1977). This provision reinforces my conclusion that Congress, <br />by the 1916 Act and other enabling legislation, Intended to reserve. un- <br />appropriated waters necessary to accompl Ish park purposes, In order to <br />protect the "high public value" of national parks that might othendse <br />be lost by less secure water rights. <br /> <br />In addition to reserving water rights, the National Park Service Is also <br />authorized to acquire water rights In accordance with state law. The Act <br />of August 7, 1946,60 Stat. 885, 16 U.S.C. 9 17j-2(g) (1970), authorizes <br />appropriations to the National Park Service for the: <br /> <br />891 9 10l(b), Act of March 27, 1978, 92 Stat. 166, 16 U.S.C.A. 5 la-I <br />lSupp. 1979). <br /> <br />.,:..'.:.:i <br />. <br /> <br />. . ~-; <br />