University of Nevada Press, America's National Parks Series
Grand Teton National Park, Carla Chung Mattix, 2016
Who sues the National Park Service and why? Who does the National Park Service sue? How have these lawsuits affected national parks and what is their legacy?
Many national park enthusiasts might be surprised to learn that there have been thousands of lawsuits involving the parks and Park Service programs. These conflicts and their outcomes are a critical piece of the national parks story. National Parks and the Supreme Court will answer those questions and share the engaging stories behind some of the most important lawsuits in the history of the national parks.
Through five United States Supreme Court cases, this book will reveal the Court's hand in shaping the National Park System. The Justices' decisions not only affected a specific park but also directed the path of future national parks. From land acquisition to wildlife policies, the Court influenced major aspects of park management and set precedents in the areas of historic preservation, free speech, water law and Native American rights.
Collectively, the cases cover nearly a century. Beginning in the late 1800s, the first two chapters showcase the Supreme Court of the Gilded Age. This Court differed significantly from that of the 1980s, the setting of the last case, and the evolution of the Court is highlighted throughout the book.
National Parks and the Supreme Court aims to illuminate an important facet of park history for anyone who shares an interest in the past and future of our national parks.
Read more about the legal history of national parks on my Substack.
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