[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 102 (Friday, May 26, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27882-27885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13007]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

United States Secret Service

31 CFR Part 413

[1505-AA68]


Closure of Streets

AGENCY: United States Secret Service, Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 321, 18 U.S.C. 3056, 3 U.S.C. 202, and 
Treasury Order 170-09, the Secret Service has closed to public 
vehicular traffic the following streets in order to secure the 
perimeter of the White House: (i) the segment of Pennsylvania Avenue 
NW., between Madison Place and Seventeenth Street and; (ii) State Place 
and the segment of South Executive Avenue that connects into State 
Place.

DATES: 5:00 a.m. (local time), May 20, 1995.

 [[Page 27883]] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric G. Harnischfeger, 
Special Agent, Office of Government Liaison and Public Affairs, United 
States Secret Service, 1800 G Street NW., Washington, D.C. 20223, (202) 
435-5708.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In response to the September 12, 1994, plane crash on the South 
Grounds of the White House, then Secretary of the Treasury Lloyd 
Bentsen established the White House Security Review (``Review'') to 
examine the White House security issues in light of this incident. The 
Review's scope was expanded to include a study of additional security 
issues raised by a number of subsequent incidents, including the 
shooting at the White House by Francisco Duran.
    The Review issued a classified report that included a number of 
recommendations. One of the recommendations made by the Review was to 
close to vehicular traffic Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., between Madison 
Place and Seventeenth Street, State Place and the segment of South 
Executive Avenue that connects into State Place. This recommendation 
was unanimously endorsed by the Review's Advisory Committee. The 
affected streets are contained in the National Capital Service Area, a 
federal enclave consisting of the White House and other federal 
buildings and property. See 40 U.S.C. 136.
    This recommendation was based on extensive analysis of classified 
information by the Review, which ultimately was ``not able to identify 
any alternative to prohibiting vehicular traffic [on those streets] 
that would ensure the protection of the President and others in the 
White House Complex from explosive devices carried by vehicles near the 
perimeter.''
    This final rule1 implements that recommendation based on that 
conclusion.

    \1\ Without regard to whether this action constitutes a rule 
within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 551(4), the Department has elected to 
treat it as such in order to inform the public fully regarding this 
action.
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    As Director of the United States Secret Service, I find that this 
action is necessary to provide necessary and appropriate protection for 
the President, the First Family and those working in or visiting the 
White House Complex. This urgency has been accelerated by recent 
events, including the bombing of a Federal building in Oklahoma City.
    The portions of those streets affected by this final rule are 
identified on the following map:

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[[Page 27884]]

[GRAPHIC][TIFF OMITTED]TR26MY95.003


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[[Page 27885]]

    Because this final rule involves a matter relating to public 
property, notice and public procedure and a delayed effective date are 
not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 (a)(2). In addition, pursuant to 
5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), I find that notice and public procedure on this 
rule is impracticable and contrary to the public interest because any 
delay in this action will result in an unacceptably high risk of danger 
to the President, the First Family, and others in the White House 
Complex. Moreover, any delay in implementing the street closures after 
the announcement of an intent to take such action would increase these 
risks. For the same reasons, I find pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) that 
there is good cause to waive the 30-day delayed effective date.
    It has been determined that this final rule is not a significant 
regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.
    Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required for this rule, 
the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601) do not 
apply.

List of Subjects in 31 CFR Part 413

    Federal Buildings and Facilities, Security Measures.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 31 CFR chapter IV is 
amended as set forth below.
    1. Part 413 is added to read as follows:

PART 413--CLOSURE OF STREETS NEAR THE WHITE HOUSE

Sec.
413.1  Closure of Streets.
413.2  Coordination with other Authority.

    Authority: 31 U.S.C. 321, 18 U.S.C. 3056, 3 U.S.C. 202, Treasury 
Order 170-09.


Sec. 413.1  Closure of Streets.

    (a) District of Columbia. The following streets in the District of 
Columbia are closed to public vehicular traffic:
    (1) The segment of Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest, situated between 
Madison Place, Northwest, and Seventeenth Street, Northwest;
    (2) The 1600 block of State Place, Northwest, situated between 
Seventeenth Street, Northwest, and the White House Complex; and
    (3) The segment of South Executive Avenue that connects to the 1600 
block of State Place, Northwest.
    (b) Authorized access. The streets described in paragraph (a) shall 
remain open to public pedestrian use, official use of the United 
States, and authorized vehicular access for ingress and egress to the 
White House Complex and adjacent Federal Buildings.


Sec. 413.2  Coordination with other authorities.

    Nothing in section 413.1 shall be in derogation of any authority 
conferred upon the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of the 
Treasury or the Director, United States Secret Service.

    Dated: May 23, 1995.
Eljay B. Bowron,
Director.
[FR Doc. 95-13007 Filed 5-25-95; 8:45 am]
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