[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 11, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65302-65303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31073]



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Part IV





Department of Agriculture





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Agricultural Research Service



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7 CFR Part 500



Conduct on National Arboretum Property; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 239 / Wednesday, December 11, 1996 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 65302]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service

7 CFR Part 500


Conduct on National Arboretum Property

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 the U.S. National Arboretum 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identified certain words in the current regulations that are out of 
date.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: December 11, 1996.

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

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 
purposes 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 ``National Arboretum'' to ``U.S. National Arboretum 
(USNA)''; and the word ``guard'' or ``watchman'' is replaced with the 
phrase ``Security Staff'';

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 500

    Agricultural Research Service, Federal buildings and facilities, 
National Arboretum.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 7 CFR Part 500 is amended 
as set forth below.

PART 500--CONDUCT ON U.S. NATIONAL ARBORETUM PROPERTY

    1. The heading for Part 500 is revised as set forth above.
    2. The authority citation for Part 500 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Secs. 2, 4, 62 Stat. 281; sec. 103, 63 Stat. 380; 
sec. 205(d), 63 Stat. 389; 40 U.S.C. 318a, 318c, 486(d), 753, 34 FR 
6406; 34 FR 7389.

    3. Section 500.1 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 500.1  General.

    The rules and regulations in this part apply to the buildings and 
grounds of the U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, D.C., and to all 
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 and grounds 
of the U.S. National Arboretum (34 FR 6406). The Secretary of 
Agriculture has in turn delegated such authority to the Administrator, 
Agricultural Research Service (34 FR 7389). The rules and regulations 
in this part are issued pursuant to such delegations.
    4. Section 500.2 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 500.2  Recording presence.

    Admission to the U.S. National Arboretum during periods when it is 
closed to the public will be limited to authorized individuals who may 
be required to sign the register and/or display identification 
documents when requested by the Security Staff, or other authorized 
individuals.
    5. Section 500.4 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 500.4  Conformity with signs and emergency directions.

    Persons in and on property of the U.S. National Arboretum shall 
comply with official signs of prohibitory or director nature and with 
the directions of authorized individuals.
    6. Section 500.6 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 500.6  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 U.S. National 
Arboretum property, is prohibited.
    7. Section 500.7 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 500.7  Intoxicating beverages and narcotics.

    Entering U.S. National Arboretum property or the operation of a 
motor vehicle thereon, by a person under the influence of intoxicating 
beverages or narcotic drug, or the consumption of such beverages or the 
use of such drug in or on U.S. National Arboretum property, is 
prohibited.
    8. Section 500.8 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 500.8  Soliciting, vending, debt collection, and distribution of 
handbills.

    The soliciting of contributions, display or distribution of 
commercial advertising and the collection of private debts, 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 is prohibited without 
prior approval of the Director, U.S. National Arboretum.
    9. Section 500.9 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 500.9  Photographs for news, advertising, or commercial purposes.

    Photographs for news purposes may be taken at the U.S. National 
Arboretum without prior permission. Photographs for advertising and 
commercial purposes may be taken, but only with the prior approval of 
the Director, U.S. National Arboretum and fees may be charged.
    10. Section 500.10 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 500.10  Pets.

    Pets, except assistance trained animals, brought upon U.S. National 
Arboretum property must be kept on leash and have proper vaccinations. 
The abandonment of unwanted animals on USNA grounds is prohibited.
    11. Section 500.11 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 500.11  Vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

    (a) Drivers of all vehicles in or on U.S. National Arboretum 
property shall drive in a careful and safe manner at all times

[[Page 65303]]

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 U.S. National Arboretum property is 
prohibited;
    (c) Except in emergencies, parking in or on U.S. National Arboretum 
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 incorporated in 
this part.
    12. Section 500.12 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 500.12  Weapons and explosives.

    No person while in or on U.S. National Arboretum property shall 
carry firearms, other dangerous or deadly weapons, or explosives, 
either openly or concealed, except for official purposes.
    13. Section 500.13 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 500.13  Nondiscrimination.

    There shall be no discrimination by segregation or otherwise 
against any person or persons because of race, religion, color, age, 
sex, 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 U.S. National Arboretum property.

    Done at Washington, DC, this 29th day of November, 1996.
Edward B. Knipling,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.
[FR Doc. 96-31073 Filed 12-10-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-03-M