YORKTOWN — The National Park Service (NPS) announced new regulations this week for the launching and landing of private vessels at Colonial National Historical Park.

“After reviewing public comments on a proposed rule that was published in March of this year, the NPS has finalized new regulations that allow the Superintendent to designate launch and retrieval sites for private vessels under NPS general regulations,” according to a Dec. 16 release from the Colonial National Historical Park.

Additionally, the rule removes outdated fee and permit requirements for commercial passenger-carrying motor vehicles.

According to the Federal Register, the NPS has prohibited the launching or landing of watercraft, except in emergency situations, since the park was established in the 1930s.

The NPS has amended the special regulations for Colonial National Historical Park, removing a regulation that prevents the Superintendent from designating sites within the park for launching and landing private vessels.

The regulations will go into effect on January 14, 2022.

For more information on the new regulation, visit here.

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