[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 1, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51210-51212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25006]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service

7 CFR Part 502


Conduct on Beltsville Agricultural Research Center Property, 
Beltsville, Maryland

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service; Research, Education, and 
Economics; USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is revising 
regulations governing conduct on Beltsville Agricultural Research 
Center (BARC) property. This action is being taken because a review of 
the regulations identified certain words in the current regulations 
that are out of date. Other minor changes, corrections and deletions 
will be made to clarify the regulations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Area Administrative Officer, 
Beltsville Area, ARS, Building 003, Room 203, Beltsville, MD 20705; 
(301) 504-5392.


[[Page 51211]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A review of this regulation was done in 
response to the President's Regulatory Review Initiative. As a result, 
certain words describing the property and personnel contained in the 
current regulations were identified as obsolete. The amendments change 
these obsolete descriptions and make other minor revisions and 
deletions to the current regulations. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b) it 
has been determined that notice and public comment procedures are 
unnecessary because the changes being made are minor changes to 
obsolete words and will not substantively alter the regulation. 
Further, since this rule involves minor revision to existing 
regulations it is not a ``major rule'' and is exempt from the 
provisions of Executive Order 12291. The amendments will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq. This rule has been determined to be not significant for the 
purpose of Executive Order 12866 and therefore has not been reviewed by 
the Office of Management and Budget. This rule is exempt from the 
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, as amended (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act (44 U.S.C. Ch. 35). Among other minor changes, the amendment 
changes the phrase ``Agricultural Research Center'' to ``Beltsville 
Agricultural Research Center (BARC)''; the phrase ``seeing eye dogs'' 
is replaced with ``assistance trained animals''; references to 
``guards'' are changed to ``BARC Security''; and references to 
``innoculations'' are changed to ``vaccinations.''

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 502

    Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Federal buildings and 
facilities, Security measures.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 7 CFR Part 502 is amended 
as set forth below.

PART 502--CONDUCT ON BELTSVILLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH CENTER 
PROPERTY, BELTSVILLE, MARYLAND

    1. The heading for Part 502 is revised as set forth above.
    2. The authority citation for part 502 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Secs. 2, 4, 62 Stat. 281; 40 U.S.C. 318 (a), (c); 
sec. 103, 63 Stat. 380; 40 U.S.C. 753; sec. 205(d), 63 Stat. 389; 40 
U.S.C. 486(d); 36 FR 18440 and 60 FR 56392.

    3. Section 502.1 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 502.1  General.

    The rules and regulations in this part apply to the buildings and 
grounds of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), 
Beltsville, MD, and to any persons entering in or on such property. The 
Administrator, General Services Administration, has delegated to the 
Secretary of Agriculture, with authority to redelegate, the authority 
to make all the needful rules and regulations for the protection of the 
buildings, grounds, equipment, and experimental plants and animals of 
BARC (36 FR 18440). The Secretary of Agriculture has delegated this 
authority to the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics 
(60 FR 56392) who in turn has delegated such authority to the 
Administrator, Agricultural Research Service (60 FR 56392). The rules 
and regulations in this part are issued pursuant to such delegations.
    4. Section 502.2 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 502.2  Admission.

    Admission to BARC during ``off duty'' hours shall be restricted to 
the main arteries and any deviation therefrom by individuals shall be 
limited to authorized individuals who may be required to sign a 
register and display identification documents when requested by BARC 
Security or other authorized individual. ``Off duty'' hours will be 
posted at BARC. Admission during ``duty'' hours when BARC is closed to 
the public in emergency situations will be limited to authorized 
individuals who may be required to sign a register and display 
identification documents when requested by BARC Security or other 
authorized individual.
    5. Section 502.4 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 502.4  Conformity with signs and emergency directions.

    Persons in and on property of BARC shall comply with official signs 
of a prohibitory or directory nature, and with the directions of 
authorized individuals.
    6. Section 502.5 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 502.5   Nuisances.

    The use of loud, abusive or otherwise improper language, 
unwarranted loitering, sleeping, or assembly, the creating of any 
hazard to persons or things, improper disposal of rubbish, spitting, 
prurient prying, the commission of any obscene or indecent act, or any 
other unseemly or disorderly conduct, throwing articles of any kind 
from a building, or climbing upon any part of a building is prohibited. 
Further, conduct which obstructs the usual use of entrances, foyers, 
corridors, office elevators, stairways and parking lots, or which 
otherwise tends to impede or disturb BARC employees in the performance 
of their duties or which otherwise impedes the general public from 
obtaining the administrative services provided by BARC is prohibited.
    7. Section 502.6 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 502.6  Hunting, fishing, camping, horseback riding.

    The use of BARC grounds for any form of hunting, fishing, camping, 
or horseback riding is prohibited. Further, the use of these grounds 
for unauthorized picnicking is also prohibited.
    8. Section 502.7 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 502.7  Gambling.

    Participating in games for money or other personal property, or the 
operation of gambling devices, the conduct of a lottery or pool, or the 
selling or purchasing of numbers tickets, in or on BARC property, is 
prohibited.
    9. Section 502.8 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 502.8  Intoxicating beverages and narcotics.

    Entering BARC property or the operation of a motor vehicle thereon, 
by a person under the influence of intoxicating beverages or narcotic 
drug, hallucinogen, marihuana, barbiturate, or amphetamine (unless 
prescribed by a physician) or the consumption of such beverages, or the 
use of any such drug or substance in or on BARC property, is 
prohibited.
    10. Section 502.9 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 502.9  Soliciting, vending, debt collection, and distribution of 
handbills.

    The soliciting of alms and contributions, commercial soliciting and 
vending of all kinds or the display or distribution of commercial 
advertising, or the collecting of private debts, in or on BARC 
property, is prohibited. This section does not apply to national or 
local drives for funds for welfare, health, and other purposes 
sponsored or approved by the Agricultural Research Service, 
concessions, or personal notices posted by employees on authorized 
bulletin boards. Distribution of material such as pamphlets, handbills, 
and flyers or the posting of materials on bulletin boards or elsewhere 
is prohibited without prior approval of the Director, Beltsville Area.

[[Page 51212]]

    11. Section 502.10 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 502.10  Photographs by visitors or for news, advertising, or 
commercial purposes.

    Photographs may be taken by visitors or for news purposes without 
prior permission. Photographs for advertising and commercial purposes 
may be taken at BARC only with the prior written approval of the 
Director, Beltsville Area.
    12. Section 502.11 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 502.11  Pets.

    Pets, except assistance trained animals, brought upon BARC property 
must be kept on a leash and have proper vaccinations. Pets that are the 
property of employees residing on BARC must be up to date on their 
vaccinations, in accordance with State or local laws, and be kept on a 
leash or similarly restrained. The abandonment of unwanted animals on 
BARC grounds is prohibited.
    13. Section 502.12 is amended by revising paragraphs (a) through 
(c) to read as follows:


Sec. 502.12  Vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

    (a) Drivers of all vehicles whether or not motorized in or on BARC 
property shall drive in a careful and safe manner at all times and 
shall comply with the signals and directions of the security staff and 
all posted traffic signs;
    (b) The blocking of entrances, driveways, walks, loading platforms, 
or fire hydrants in or on BARC property is prohibited;
    (c) Except in emergencies, parking in or on BARC property in other 
than designated areas is not allowed without a permit. Parking without 
authority, parking in unauthorized locations or in locations reserved 
for other persons, or contrary to the direction of posted signs is 
prohibited. This section may be supplemented from time to time, by the 
issuance and posting of specific traffic directives as may be required, 
and when so issued and posted such directives shall have the same force 
and effect as if made a part hereof.
* * * * *


Sec. 502.13  [Removed]


Secs. 502.14 through 502.17  [Redesignated as Secs. 502.13 through 
502.16]

    14. Section 502.13 is removed and Secs. 502.14 through 502.17 are 
redesignated as Secs. 502.13 through 502.16 and newly redesignated 
Sec. 502.13 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 502.13  Weapons and explosives.

    No person while in or on BARC property shall carry firearms, other 
dangerous or deadly weapons, or explosives, either openly or concealed, 
except as officially authorized for official purposes.
    15. Newly designated Sec. 502.14 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 502.14  Nondiscrimination.

    There shall be no discrimination by segregation or otherwise 
against any person or persons because of race, religion, color, sex, 
age, disability or national origin, in furnishing, or by refusing to 
furnish to such person or persons the use of any facility of a public 
nature, including all services, privileges, accommodations, and 
activities provided thereby on BARC property.
    16. Newly designated Sec. 502.15 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 502.15  Exceptions.

    The Administrator, Agricultural Research Service, may in individual 
cases, make prior, written exceptions to the rules and regulations in 
this part, if a determination is made that the exception is not adverse 
to the public interest.

    Done at Washington DC, this 18th day of September 1996.
Floyd P. Horn,
Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.
[FR Doc. 96-25006 Filed 9-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-M