[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 17, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 35829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15190]


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NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

36 CFR Part 1280

RIN 3095-AB22


NARA Facilities; Hours of Operation for the Exhibition Hall

AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Archives and Records Administration proposes to 
modify the extended hours that the Exhibition Hall in the National 
Archives Building in Washington, DC, is open from April 1 through the 
Friday before Memorial Day. The Exhibition Hall would close at 7 p.m. 
instead of 9 p.m. during this period. We are proposing to limit the 
extended hours during this period to be more cost-effective and because 
this is when attendance is the lightest. NARA's Exhibition Hall would 
still have the longest hours of any Washington museum on the National 
Mall. The proposed change does not affect the research room hours 
stated in part 1253 in any manner. This proposed rule affects the 
public.

DATES: Comments are due by August 18, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be sent to Regulation Comments Desk (NPOL), 
Room 4100, Policy and Communications Staff, National Archives and 
Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001. 
They may be faxed to 301-837-0319. Electronic comments may be submitted 
through Regulations.gov. You may also comment via e-mail to 
[email protected]. Please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of 
the preamble for additional information on e-mail submissions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Richardson at telephone number 
301-837-2902, or fax number 301-837-0319.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NARA's Exhibition Hall, which contains the 
Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and other exhibits, is 
closed for renovation. When it reopens, we are proposing to close it at 
7 p.m. instead of 9 p.m., from April 1 through the Friday before 
Memorial Day. Before renovation, the Exhibition Hall closed at 9 p.m. 
during this period. The closing times for the remainder of the months 
is unchanged. The Exhibition Hall opens at 10 a.m. the entire year and 
this also remains unchanged.
    On September 18, 2003, the first phase of the new National Archives 
Experience, the rededicated ``Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom'', 
opens to the general public. Over the course of the year that follows, 
three additional galleries and a new theater will open as well. There 
will be additional costs for providing security, maintenance, and 
visitor services as public spaces are expanded more than three-fold.
    Building occupation during the extended hours of 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. 
is not typically as heavy as during daytime hours, particularly in the 
spring when all other museums on the National Mall close at 5:30 p.m. 
Given increased costs of operation, a careful review was made of 
whether it was prudent to keep the extended hours.
    A distinction was made between the period from April 1 to Memorial 
Day weekend, and the period from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, 
because during the latter period we have more family visitors and some 
Mall museums have extended evening hours.
    This proposed rule does not affect the research room hours at the 
National Archives Building in Washington, DC, stated in part 1253.
    If you submit comments via e-mail, please submit the comments 
within the body of your email message or attachment avoiding the use of 
any form of encryption. Please also include ``Attn: 3095-AB22'' and 
your name and return address in your e-mail message. If you do not 
receive a confirmation that we have received your email message, 
contact the Regulation Comment Desk at 301-837-2902.
    This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action for the 
purposes of Executive Order 12866 and has been reviewed by the Office 
of Management and Budget. As required by the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, I certify that this proposed rule will not have a significant 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. This regulation does 
not have any federalism implications.

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 1280

    Federal buildings and facilities.
    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, NARA proposes to amend 
part 1280 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, chapter XII, as 
follows:

PART 1280--PUBLIC USE OF NARA FACILITIES

    1. The authority citation for part 1280 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 2104(a).

    2. Revise Sec.  1280.62 to read as follows:


Sec.  1280.62  When is the Exhibition Hall open?

    (a) The Exhibition Hall is open to the public during the following 
hours:
    (1) The day after Labor Day through March 31, hours are 10 a.m. to 
5:30 p.m.
    (2) April 1 through the Friday before Memorial Day, hours are 10 
a.m. to 7 p.m.
    (3) Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, hours are 10 a.m. to 9 
p.m.
    (b) The Archivist of the United States reserves the authority to 
close the Exhibition Hall to the public at any time for special events 
or other purposes. The building is closed on December 25.

    Dated: June 10, 2003.
Lewis J. Bellardo,
Deputy Archivist of the United States.
[FR Doc. 03-15190 Filed 6-16-03; 8:45 am]
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